Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mimi ninapenda kunywa maji yaliyochanganywa na limau, lakini kaka yangu anapenda juisi ya chungwa. - I like to drink water mixed with lemon, but my brother likes orange juice.

Mimi ninapenda means "I like". In Swahili, even though the verb ninapenda already carries the first-person singular marker ni-, the subject Mimi (I) is often included to add clarity or emphasis.

How is the verb kunywa used in this sentence, and what does it signify?

Kunywa is the infinitive form meaning "to drink." When combined with ninapenda, it forms "I like to drink."

What role does yaliyochanganywa play in the sentence, and how is it formed?

Yaliyochanganywa acts as a relative clause describing maji (water). It translates to "that has been mixed." Here, yaliyo- is a relative marker agreeing with maji, and changanywa is the past participle of changanya (to mix).

What does the word limau mean, and how is it used in the sentence?

Limau means "lemon" (or sometimes "lemons" in a general sense). In the sentence, it is the ingredient with which the water (maji) is mixed.

Why is lakini used in this sentence, and what is its function?

Lakini means "but" and is used as a conjunction to contrast the speaker’s preference with his brother’s preference.

What does juisi ya chungwa mean, and why is the connector ya used between the words?

Juisi ya chungwa translates to "orange juice." Juisi means "juice," and chungwa means "orange." The connector ya functions as a possessive or linking word, showing that the juice is made from orange. This usage also reflects the noun class agreement in Swahili.

Why does the relative clause yaliyochanganywa na limau follow the noun maji instead of preceding it?

In Swahili, relative clauses typically follow the noun they modify. Placing yaliyochanganywa na limau after maji makes it clear that it is the water that has been mixed with lemon, ensuring a natural and grammatically correct flow in the sentence.