……
Breakdown of Sisi tunachangia pesa kwa shule.
sisi
we
pesa
the money
shule
the school
kwa
to
kuchangia
to contribute
Questions & Answers about Sisi tunachangia pesa kwa shule.
What does Sisi mean in this sentence and why is it used alongside the verb’s subject prefix?
Sisi means “we”. In Swahili, the subject is shown both by the explicit pronoun (Sisi) and by the subject prefix (tu-) attached to the verb. The pronoun provides clarity or emphasis, even though the verb form already indicates the first-person plural.
How is the present tense indicated in the verb tunachangia?
The verb tunachangia is formed by combining three elements: the subject prefix tu- (meaning "we"), the present tense marker na-, and the verb root changia (meaning "to contribute" or "to donate"). This structure shows that the action is occurring in the present, translating to “we contribute” or “we are contributing.”
What role does pesa play in this sentence?
Pesa means “money” and functions as the object of the sentence. It indicates what is being contributed.
What is the function of the phrase kwa shule?
The phrase kwa shule consists of the preposition kwa (meaning “to” or “for”) and the noun shule (meaning “school”). Together, they specify the destination or recipient of the money, translating to “to the school.”
Why might a speaker choose to include the explicit subject Sisi if the verb already begins with tu-?
In Swahili, it is common to use both the explicit subject pronoun and the corresponding subject prefix. Although tu- already indicates “we,” including Sisi can add emphasis or ensure clarity, especially in contexts where the speaker wants to be unmistakably clear about who is performing the action.
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 Sisi tunachangia pesa kwa shule 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