Mwalimu anasifu usikivu wa wanafunzi wakati wa somo la hesabu.

The teacher praises the students’ attentiveness during the math lesson.

Breakdown of Mwalimu anasifu usikivu wa wanafunzi wakati wa somo la hesabu.

• mwanafunzi: the student
• wakati: the time
• mwalimu: the teacher
• somo: the lesson
• kusifu: to praise
• usikivu: the attentiveness
• hesabu: math

Questions & Answers about Mwalimu anasifu usikivu wa wanafunzi wakati wa somo la hesabu.

What does the subject “mwalimu” mean, and how does it interact with the verb form “anasifu”?

“Mwalimu” translates as teacher in English. In the sentence, the verb “anasifu” is conjugated with the subject prefix a-, which indicates that the teacher (a third-person singular subject) is performing the action of praising.

What does the verb “anasifu” mean, and what is its root form?

“Anasifu” means praises. Its root is kusifu, and the prefix a- along with the inflection signals that the action is taking place in the present tense with a singular third-person subject.

How is possession expressed in the phrase “usikivu wa wanafunzi”?

Possession in Swahili is indicated by linking words. In this case, wa connects “usikivu” (attentiveness) with “wanafunzi” (students), functioning similarly to the English word “of”. The linking word is chosen to match the noun class of “wanafunzi.”

What does “usikivu” mean in this context?

“Usikivu” translates to attentiveness. It refers to the quality or state being praised by the teacher in the sentence.

How is the time phrase “wakati wa somo la hesabu” constructed and what does it mean?

The phrase “wakati wa somo la hesabu” means “during the math lesson.” “Wakati” signifies time or an occasion, and it is linked with “somo” (lesson) using wa. Then, la connects “somo” with “hesabu” (math), specifying the type of lesson.

Why are different possessive linking words (“wa” and “la”) used in the sentence, and how are they determined?

Swahili uses linking words determined by the noun classes. Wa is used with nouns like “wanafunzi” (students) that belong to a class requiring this marker, while la is used with “somo” (lesson) based on its class. These markers function similarly to the preposition “of” in English, showing the relationship between the nouns.

Can you outline the overall structure of the sentence and compare it with typical English word order?

The sentence follows a subject-verb-object (SVO) order, much like English. “Mwalimu” (teacher) is the subject, “anasifu” (praises) is the verb, and “usikivu wa wanafunzi” (attentiveness of the students) is the object. The adverbial phrase “wakati wa somo la hesabu” (during the math lesson) provides context. Additionally, the sentence illustrates Swahili’s use of noun class agreements and linking words, which are key grammatical features distinct from English’s reliance on word order and separate prepositions.