Learn Hardcore Swahili: Watu wengi hawajui sheria za fidia, kwa hiyo wanaweza kukosa haki zao. - Many people are unaware of the rules of compensation, so they might miss out on their rights.

Watu is the plural form of mtu, meaning “person,” and wengi means “many.” In Swahili, adjectives like wengi follow the noun they describe. Thus, watu wengi translates directly to “many people.”

How is the negative form hawajui formed, and what does it imply?

Hawajui comes from the verb jua (“to know”). In Swahili, negative present tense forms are created by using the negative prefix ha- along with an inserted element such as ja before the verb. For a plural subject (represented by the prefix wa-), the positive form wajua (“they know”) turns into hawajui (“they do not know”). This construction clearly indicates negation.

What does sheria za fidia mean and how does the word za function in this phrase?

Sheria means “laws” and fidia means “compensation” or “reparations.” The word za is a possessive linker that equates to “of” in English, showing a relationship between the two nouns. Thus, sheria za fidia means “compensation laws,” indicating laws related to compensation.

What is the role of the phrase kwa hiyo in this sentence?

Kwa hiyo translates to “therefore” or “as a result.” It acts as a connector between the two parts of the sentence. Here, it indicates that the lack of knowledge about compensation laws in the first clause leads to the consequence expressed in the second clause.

How is possibility expressed in the clause wanaweza kukosa haki zao?

The term wanaweza is derived from weza, meaning “can” or “may,” and it expresses possibility. Combined with kukosa (to miss or fail to obtain) and haki zao (their rights), the clause means “they might miss their rights.” This shows that, because many do not know the relevant laws, there is a potential consequence regarding their rights.

How does the sentence structure in Swahili compare to that in English?

The sentence is structured in a logical, cause-and-effect order that is similar to English. The first clause, Watu wengi hawajui sheria za fidia, states a fact (“many people do not know compensation laws”), and the second clause, kwa hiyo wanaweza kukosa haki zao, presents a consequence (“therefore they might miss their rights”). While the basic subject-verb-object order may resemble English, Swahili makes extensive use of prefixes and connectors for negation, possession, and linking ideas, which are important grammatical features to master.