Breakdown of Mfereji una maji baridi asubuhi.
kuwa na
to have
maji
the water
baridi
cold
mfereji
the ditch
asubuhi
morning
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Questions & Answers about Mfereji una maji baridi asubuhi.
What does the Swahili word mfereji mean in English?
Mfereji translates to "stream" or "canal," referring to a small channel of water, often used in contexts like irrigation.
What is the role of the verb una in this sentence?
Una is the present tense form of kuwa na (“to have”). It functions as a linking verb that shows possession—indicating that the stream (mfereji) has or contains something, in this case maji (water).
Why is the adjective baridi placed after maji?
In Swahili, adjectives generally follow the noun they modify. Therefore, baridi (“cold”) comes after maji (“water”) to describe its quality.
Does the adjective baridi change form to match the noun maji?
No. Unlike some languages where adjectives agree in number or gender with the noun, Swahili adjectives typically remain unchanged regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural.
What function does asubuhi serve in the sentence?
Asubuhi means "in the morning" and acts as an adverbial phrase specifying time. It indicates that the water is cold during the morning hours.