Mama anapenda kulinda watoto.

Mother likes to protect children.

Breakdown of Mama anapenda kulinda watoto.

• kupenda: to like
• mtoto: the child
• mama: the mother
• kulinda: to protect

Questions & Answers about Mama anapenda kulinda watoto.

What is the literal translation and breakdown of each word in the sentence Mama anapenda kulinda watoto?

Mama translates to “mother” (or “mom”). Anapenda is derived from the verb kupenda meaning “to love.” Here, the prefix a- marks third person singular in the present tense, so it means “loves.” Kulinda is the infinitive form of “to protect.” Watoto means “children.” In full, the sentence means “Mother loves to protect children.”

What role does the prefix a- in anapenda play?

The prefix a- is a subject marker used for third person singular subjects in Swahili. It signals that the subject (in this case, Mama) is performing the action in the present tense. Note that this marker is gender-neutral—whether the subject is male or female, the same prefix is used.

Why is the verb kulinda in its infinitive form rather than being conjugated?

In Swahili, verbs that follow certain main verbs—especially those expressing likes, preferences, or desires, such as kupenda (“to love”)—are expressed in the infinitive form. This structure is similar to English, where we say “loves to protect” (using the base form “protect”) after the verb “loves.”

How does the sentence indicate tense, and what tense is being used?

Swahili indicates tense primarily through verb prefixes. In anapenda, the a- prefix marks that the action is in the present tense (often a habitual or general present). Thus, the sentence tells us that the action—loving to protect—is happening in the present.

Does the verb form in this sentence reflect any gender information about the subject?

No, Swahili verbs do not change form based on the gender of the subject. The prefix a- in anapenda applies to any third person singular subject, regardless of gender. The gender of the subject is understood from the noun Mama, but the verb remains unchanged.