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Questions & Answers about Jua linakung'aa asubuhi.
What does the word jua mean in English?
Jua translates directly to sun.
How is the verb linakung'aa constructed?
Linakung'aa is built by combining the subject concord li-, which agrees with jua (a noun from class 5), the present tense marker -na-, and the verb root kung'aa meaning to shine. Together, they convey "is shining."
Why is the prefix li- used with jua instead of something like i-?
Swahili nouns belong to specific noun classes that determine the subject concord. Jua falls into class 5, which requires the li- prefix in the present tense for proper subject–verb agreement.
What does asubuhi mean, and why is it placed at the end of the sentence?
Asubuhi means morning. In Swahili sentence structure, time adverbs or adverbial phrases like asubuhi are typically placed at the end to indicate when the action occurs.
Does linakung'aa indicate a habitual present or a continuous action?
The form used here expresses a state that is either habitual or occurring in the present. Swahili often uses the same construction to imply that the sun is shining (as in a regular occurrence) or is shining at the moment.
What is the purpose of the apostrophe in kung'aa?
The apostrophe is an integral part of the verb’s spelling. It represents a glottal stop or the elision of a vowel within the word, ensuring correct pronunciation and distinguishing kung'aa from similar words.