Mwalimu anafundisha somo la mwisho.

the teacher

Breakdown of Mwalimu anafundisha somo la mwisho.

• kufundisha: to teach
• somo: the lesson
• mwisho: last

Questions & Answers about Mwalimu anafundisha somo la mwisho.

What does Mwalimu mean in English in this sentence?

Mwalimu translates to teacher. It is the subject of the sentence, indicating who is performing the action.

How is the verb anafundisha formed, and what does it indicate?

Anafundisha is constructed with the subject prefix ana- (referring to he/she) attached to the verb root fundisha, which means to teach. This formation indicates that the teacher is actively engaged in teaching, conveying a present action.

What role does somo play in this sentence?

Somo means lesson (or subject). It functions as the direct object of the verb, showing what the teacher is teaching.

How does the phrase la mwisho modify somo, and what is the function of la?

The phrase la mwisho serves as a descriptive modifier for somo. Here, mwisho translates to last or final, while la is a linking word that agrees with the noun’s class. Together, somo la mwisho means the last lesson. In Swahili, such linking words are essential for connecting nouns with their descriptive adjectives.

Why are there no explicit articles like the before Mwalimu or somo?

Swahili does not use definite articles in the same way English does. Instead, definiteness is inferred through context and grammatical structure. Thus, even without an explicit the, the sentence naturally conveys the teacher and the last lesson.

What is the word order of the sentence, and how does it compare to English?

The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order: Mwalimu (subject) comes first, followed by anafundisha (verb), and then somo la mwisho (object). This structure mirrors the typical sentence order in English, such as in The teacher teaches the last lesson.

Does anafundisha suggest a continuous action, and how does Swahili convey the present tense?

Yes, anafundisha can imply that the action is currently taking place, similar to the present continuous in English. In Swahili, the present tense is often used to express both habitual and ongoing actions. The prefix ana- with the verb root indicates that the teacher is in the act of teaching right now.