Baba anasema tutenge zizi jipya kwa mbuzi wetu, ili wasikae nje usiku.

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Breakdown of Baba anasema tutenge zizi jipya kwa mbuzi wetu, ili wasikae nje usiku.

• usiku: the night
• mpya: new
• baba: the father
• kwa: for
• ili: so that
• kusema: to say
• wetu: our
• kaa: to stay
• mbuzi: the goat

Questions & Answers about Baba anasema tutenge zizi jipya kwa mbuzi wetu, ili wasikae nje usiku.

What does Baba anasema mean in this sentence?

It means “Father says.” This opening clause reports what the father is stating, indicating that what follows is his message.

How is the subject “we” expressed in the clause Tutenge zizi jipya kwa mbuzi wetu?

In Swahili, the subject is built into the verb. The verb tutenge starts with the prefix tu‑, which means “we.” This incorporation makes an explicit pronoun unnecessary.

What do the words zizi jipya refer to in this context?

Zizi refers to a type of banana (or another similar fruit, depending on dialect), and jipya means “fresh” or “new.” Together, they describe a fresh banana that is going to be peeled.

How does kwa mbuzi wetu indicate ownership, and what should a learner know about the noun mbuzi?

Kwa mbuzi wetu translates as “for our goats.” The possessive wetu means “our” and agrees with mbuzi. In Swahili, some nouns like mbuzi do not change form between singular and plural; context and the possessive adjective indicate that it refers to multiple goats.

What is the purpose of the word ili in the sentence?

Ili is used to introduce a purpose clause and means “so that” or “in order that.” It connects the main action (peeling the fresh banana) with the desired outcome concerning the goats.

How is the intended result conveyed in the clause ili wasikae nje usiku?

The verb wasikae is in the subjunctive mood, which is typically used in purpose clauses. With the subject prefix wa‑ (referring to the goats), it expresses the goal or desired outcome—in this case, that the goats should not remain outside at night.

How would you describe the overall structure of this sentence in terms of reporting and expressing purpose?

The sentence begins with a reporting clause (Baba anasema) that tells us who is speaking. It then uses a main clause (tutenge zizi jipya kwa mbuzi wetu) in which the subject (“we”) is embedded in the verb. The sentence concludes with a purpose clause introduced by ili and a subjunctive verb (wasikae nje usiku) that indicates the intended result of the action.