Utamaduni wa shule ni muhimu.

to be

Breakdown of Utamaduni wa shule ni muhimu.

• shule: the school
• wa: of
• muhimu: important
• utamaduni: the culture

Questions & Answers about Utamaduni wa shule ni muhimu.

What is the literal translation of Utamaduni wa shule ni muhimu?

It translates to "School culture is important." In this sentence, utamaduni means “culture,” wa is the possessive marker meaning “of,” shule means “school,” ni is the copula “is,” and muhimu means “important.”

Can you break down the sentence structure word by word?

Certainly. Utamaduni is the subject, meaning “culture.” The word wa links the subject to its possessor, shule (which means “school”). Ni functions as the linking verb (or copula) equivalent to “is,” and muhimu is an adjective meaning “important” that completes the predicate.

Why is the genitive marker wa used instead of another form such as ya?

The marker wa is chosen because of Swahili’s noun class system. Utamaduni belongs to a noun class that requires the use of the genitive marker wa to indicate possession or association. This agreement is a key aspect of Swahili grammar.

What role does the copula ni play in this sentence?

Ni serves as the linking verb or copula, equating the subject with its attribute. It means “is” and connects the subject utamaduni wa shule with the adjective muhimu, which describes the state or quality of the subject.

How does the word order in this Swahili sentence compare to English?

The structure follows a similar pattern to English—subject followed by a linking verb and then a predicate adjective. Here, utamaduni wa shule (subject) is linked by ni (copula) to muhimu (adjective), much like “School culture is important.” However, Swahili also requires attention to noun classes and possessive markers, which is a distinct grammatical feature.

Are there any nuances in the word utamaduni that learners should be aware of?

Yes, utamaduni can encompass various meanings such as “culture,” “tradition,” or even “civilization.” In this sentence, given the context with shule (school), it most likely refers to the overall culture or environment within a school. Understanding these nuances helps learners appreciate the depth of the vocabulary in different contexts.