Mama anapopika, anapenda kuegemea meza fupi ili awe makini na mapishi.

When Mother cooks, she likes to lean on a short table so that she can be attentive to the cooking.

Breakdown of Mama anapopika, anapenda kuegemea meza fupi ili awe makini na mapishi.

• kupenda: to like
• kupika: to cook
• kuwa: to be
• na: with
• mama: the mother
• meza: the table
• ili: so that
• fupi: short
• makini: attentive
• mapishi: the cooking

Questions & Answers about Mama anapopika, anapenda kuegemea meza fupi ili awe makini na mapishi.

What does “anapopika” mean, and how is it formed in this sentence?

“Anapopika” comes from the verb “pika” (to cook) combined with the subject marker “ana-” (indicating “she”) and the relative infix “-po-.” The infix “-po-” turns the verb into a temporal clause meaning “when she cooks,” which provides the time frame for the main action in the sentence.

How does the subject marker “ana-” function in both “anapopika” and “anapenda”?

The prefix “ana-” is used to indicate the third-person singular subject in the present habitual tense. In “anapopika” and “anapenda,” it signals that Mama is the doer of both actions (cooking and liking to lean on the table) on a regular basis.

What is the meaning of “kuegemea,” and why is it used in this form?

“Kuegemea” is the infinitive form of the verb meaning “to lean on” or “to depend on.” It follows “anapenda” (she likes) to clearly express what Mama enjoys doing while she cooks.

How do “ili,” “awe,” and “na mapishi” work together to express purpose in the sentence?

The word “ili” means “in order that” or “so that,” introducing a purpose clause. Following it, “awe” is the subjunctive form of “kuwa” (to be), which expresses the desired outcome, and “na mapishi” means “with cooking.” This construction indicates that Mama leans on the table so that she can be careful with her cooking.

What does the phrase “meza fupi” mean, and how is the adjective arranged in relation to the noun?

“Meza” means “table” and “fupi” means “short.” In Swahili, adjectives generally come after the noun they describe, so “meza fupi” straightforwardly means “short table.”

Why is there a comma after “Mama anapopika,” and what does this tell us about the sentence structure?

The comma separates the introductory subordinate clause “Mama anapopika” (meaning “when Mama cooks”) from the main clause that follows. This punctuation clarifies that the cooking action sets the scene for the actions described in the rest of the sentence.

What role does the relative marker “-po-” play in linking the actions of the sentence?

The relative marker “-po-” within “anapopika” signals that the cooking action is the condition or time frame under which the main action occurs. It effectively connects the fact that whenever Mama cooks, she simultaneously performs the habit of leaning on a short table, which is done “in order that” she remains careful with her cooking.