Word
Shati langu linapaswa kupaswa.
Meaning
My shirt should be ironed.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
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Questions & Answers about Shati langu linapaswa kupaswa.
What does shati mean in this sentence?
Shati means shirt. It is a noun referring to a piece of clothing, and it’s a borrowed term in Swahili from English.
What is the role of langu in the sentence?
Langu is a first-person singular possessive adjective that translates as my. It shows ownership, so shati langu means my shirt.
Why does linapaswa start with the prefix li-?
The li- prefix is a subject concord marker used for the noun class of shati. In Swahili, verbs must agree with their subjects, so linapaswa means it should be where li- aligns with shati.
How is the passive form created in kupaswa?
Kupaswa is the passive infinitive form of the verb. It is formed by attaching the infinitive marker ku- to the verb root and adding the passive suffix -wa. This construction means to be ironed.
Why does the sentence use both linapaswa and kupaswa?
The construction separates the modal aspect from the action. Linapaswa (with napaswa meaning should be) expresses obligation, while kupaswa specifies the passive action required. Together, they convey that my shirt should be ironed.
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