Kitabu changu kinahitaji kuwekwa juu ya meza.

My book needs to be placed on the table.

Breakdown of Kitabu changu kinahitaji kuwekwa juu ya meza.

• kitabu: the book
• meza: the table
• changu: my
• kuhitaji: to need
• juu ya: on
• kuwekwa: to be placed

Questions & Answers about Kitabu changu kinahitaji kuwekwa juu ya meza.

What is the literal translation of "Kitabu changu kinahitaji kuwekwa juu ya meza"?

It translates as "My book needs to be put on the table." This shows that the sentence conveys a requirement regarding the placement of the book.

How is possession expressed in the phrase kitabu changu?

Swahili indicates possession by using a possessive adjective that agrees with the noun’s class. Here, kitabu means "book" and changu means "my", so together they form "my book."

Why does the verb kinahitaji begin with ki-, and what does that tell us about subject-verb agreement?

In Swahili, verbs take prefixes that agree with the subject’s noun class. Kitabu belongs to a noun class that uses the ki- prefix, so kinahitaji (meaning "needs") agrees with kitabu in both class and number.

What is the role of kuwekwa in the sentence?

Kuwekwa is the passive infinitive of the verb weka (to put) and means "to be put." It is used here because the book is not performing the action but is the recipient of the action, forming a passive construction that expresses necessity.

How does the phrase juu ya meza indicate location?

Juu ya meza means "on the table." Juu translates as "on top" and ya functions as a linker or preposition connecting it to meza (table), thus clearly specifying the required location.

What grammatical structure is used to express necessity in this sentence?

The structure combines the subject with the need verb kinahitaji followed by the passive infinitive kuwekwa. This is similar to the English construction "needs to be" plus a past participle, and it effectively expresses that an action must be carried out on the subject.

Is the sentence active or passive in voice, and why?

The sentence is constructed in a passive-like manner. Although the agent who performs the action is not mentioned, the use of the passive infinitive kuwekwa indicates that the book is the recipient of the action rather than its doer.