……
Questions & Answers about Wewe unakula samaki kwa nini?
What does the word Wewe mean in this sentence?
Wewe is a subject pronoun meaning "you." It identifies who is performing the action.
How is the verb kula conjugated in unakula, and what do its parts signify?
The verb kula (to eat) is conjugated as unakula by adding the subject prefix u- (which corresponds to wewe, or "you") and the present tense marker na. This construction tells us that the action is occurring in the present.
Why is the subject pronoun Wewe included when the verb already shows the subject?
Although unakula includes the subject information through its prefix, including Wewe adds clarity and emphasis. This is particularly helpful for learners or in contexts where the speaker wants to stress who is performing the action.
What does samaki refer to, and is it a singular or plural noun?
Samaki translates to "fish" in English. In Swahili, samaki serves as both the singular and plural form, so the same word is used whether referring to one fish or many.
What is the meaning and function of kwa nini in the sentence?
Kwa nini means "why." It is used to ask for a reason or explanation, turning the sentence into a question about the motive for eating fish.
Is the word order in this sentence typical for Swahili, and how does it work?
Yes, the word order is typical. The structure follows a Subject-Verb-Object pattern, with the subject Wewe coming first, followed by the verb unakula, then the object samaki, and finally the question marker kwa nini. This order helps indicate who is doing what and why.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Swahili grammar?”
Swahili grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning SwahiliMaster Swahili — from Wewe unakula samaki kwa nini to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions