Unapaswa kuinua mkono wako darasani ikiwa unataka kuuliza swali.

You should raise your hand in class if you want to ask a question.

Breakdown of Unapaswa kuinua mkono wako darasani ikiwa unataka kuuliza swali.

• wewe: you
• kutaka: to want
• kwenye: at
• ikiwa: if
• swali: the question
• darasa: the class
• mkono: the hand
• kuuliza: to ask
• kuinua: to raise

Questions & Answers about Unapaswa kuinua mkono wako darasani ikiwa unataka kuuliza swali.

What does unapaswa mean, and how is it formed in this sentence?

Unapaswa means "you should". In Swahili, the subject is built into the verb form. Here, the prefix una- refers to "you" (second-person singular), and it's combined with the root -paswa, which conveys obligation or suitability. Together, they express that it is expected or proper for you to perform the action.

What is the meaning of kuinua, and why is it in the infinitive form?

Kuinua translates to "to raise". The ku- prefix marks the infinitive form of the verb. In this construction, unapaswa (you should) is immediately followed by the infinitive kuinua, forming a modal construction that tells you what action you should take.

How do mkono and wako function in the phrase mkono wako?

Mkono means "hand", while wako is a possessive pronoun meaning "your". When combined, they specify "your hand". This clearly indicates whose hand is expected to be raised.

What does darasani mean, and how is it constructed?

Darasani means "in the classroom" or "in class". It is formed from the noun darasa (meaning "class" or "classroom") with the locative suffix -ni, which designates location. This tells you where the action should take place.

What is the role of the conditional clause ikiwa unataka kuuliza swali in this sentence?

The clause ikiwa unataka kuuliza swali translates to "if you want to ask a question." It is a conditional clause that sets the prerequisite for the main instruction. In other words, raising your hand is advised only if you have a question to ask.

Can you explain the overall structure of the sentence and how it compares to English syntax?

Certainly. The sentence is composed of two parts:

• The main clause: unapaswa kuinua mkono wako darasani, which gives a clear instruction (you should raise your hand in class).
• The conditional clause: ikiwa unataka kuuliza swali, which specifies the condition (if you want to ask a question).

While Swahili typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object order similar to English, the subject in Swahili is often integrated into the verb conjugation, making it less explicit than in English. This sentence illustrates that by embedding the subject in both unapaswa and unataka.