Wewe unaishi mbali?

you

Breakdown of Wewe unaishi mbali?

• je: do
• kuishi: to live
• mbali: far away

Questions & Answers about Wewe unaishi mbali?

What does Wewe mean in this sentence?

Wewe means you in English. Although Swahili verbs usually include subject prefixes that indicate who is doing the action, using wewe explicitly can add emphasis or clarity.

How is the verb unaishi structured and what does it indicate?

Unaishi is the present tense form of the verb kuishi (to live). It breaks down into the subject prefix u- (meaning you), the present tense marker na-, and the verb stem ishi. Together, they form unaishi, which means "you live" or "do you live" in the context of a question.

Why is the subject wewe included even though the verb already shows who is being addressed?

In Swahili, subject pronouns are often optional because the verb form already signals the subject. However, including wewe can be useful for emphasis, ensuring clarity in communication, or when contrasting subjects in a conversation.

How can I tell that Wewe unaishi mbali? is a question despite its word order being similar to a statement?

Swahili questions generally use the same word order as statements. What signals that the sentence is a question is the intonation when spoken and the use of a question mark in writing. Additionally, some speakers might include a question marker such as je at the beginning, though it is not necessary.

What role does the word mbali play in the sentence?

Mbali functions as an adverb meaning far. It modifies the verb unaishi by describing the distance involved in the action of living, essentially asking if the place where you live is far away.

Are there alternative ways to form a similar question in Swahili?

Yes, an alternative is to include the question marker je at the beginning. For example, you could say Je, unaishi mbali? This marker makes it explicitly clear that the sentence is a question. Both forms are correct and commonly used depending on context or personal preference.