Mwalimu anafundisha wanafunzi busara.

The teacher teaches the students wisdom.

Breakdown of Mwalimu anafundisha wanafunzi busara.

• mwanafunzi: the student
• mwalimu: the teacher
• kufundisha: to teach
• busara: the wisdom

Questions & Answers about Mwalimu anafundisha wanafunzi busara.

What does each key word in the sentence mean?

Mwalimu translates as teacher. The verb anafundisha means is teaching, where the prefix ana- indicates a third-person singular subject (he/she). Wanafunzi means students, and busara means wisdom. So the full sentence conveys the idea: "The teacher is teaching wisdom to the students."

How do we know which noun is the indirect object and which is the direct object?

Swahili typically follows a Subject–Verb–Object order. In this sentence, busara (wisdom) functions as the direct object—the element being taught—while wanafunzi (students) serves as the indirect object, representing those who receive the teaching. No extra preposition is needed; the word order and context indicate their roles.

Why does the verb anafundisha start with ana-, and what does this prefix indicate?

The prefix ana- is a subject marker that corresponds to third-person singular in Swahili, meaning he or she. It lets us know that Mwalimu (the teacher) is carrying out the action. Swahili verbs include such prefixes to agree with the subject, so anafundisha effectively means "he/she teaches" or "is teaching."

Why isn’t there a preposition like "to" before wanafunzi as we have in English ("teaches wisdom to the students")?

In Swahili, indirect objects are usually not preceded by a preposition. Instead, the sequence of words conveys that wanafunzi are the recipients of the teaching. The standard pattern—subject, verb, indirect object, and then direct object—makes it clear that wisdom is being taught to the students without needing an extra word like "to."

Is the placement of busara at the end of the sentence significant, and why is it positioned there?

Yes, the placement is intentional. Swahili generally follows a structure where the direct object comes after the indirect object. By placing busara after wanafunzi, the sentence clearly indicates that wisdom is the subject matter being taught. This ordering helps to avoid confusion, ensuring that learners understand that busara (wisdom) is not describing the students but is instead the content of the lesson.