Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tumeamua kubadilishana zawadi ndogo wakati wa sherehe yetu. - We decided to exchange small gifts during our celebration.

Tumeamua comes from the verb kuamua, which means "to decide." The word is broken down as follows: tu- is the first person plural subject prefix meaning "we," the infix -me- marks the perfect tense, and -amua is the verb root. Together, the word means "we have decided."

What does kubadilishana mean, and why does it have the -shana ending?

Kubadilishana is the infinitive form of the verb that means "to exchange." It is formed by adding the infinitive marker ku- to the root badili (meaning "change" or "exchange") and the reciprocal suffix -shana. The -shana ending indicates that the action is mutual, i.e., an exchange occurring between two or more parties.

What do zawadi ndogo mean in this sentence?

Zawadi translates to "gifts," and ndogo means "small." Combined, zawadi ndogo refers to "small gifts."

How is the timing expressed with wakati wa sherehe yetu?

The phrase wakati wa sherehe yetu specifies when the action takes place. Wakati means "time" (implying "during" in context), wa is a connecting marker similar to "of," sherehe means "celebration" or "party," and yetu means "our." Altogether, it means "during our celebration."

Why is the infinitive kubadilishana used after Tumeamua?

In Swahili, verbs of mental processes or decisions, such as kuamua ("to decide"), are typically followed by another verb in the infinitive form to describe the resulting action. In this sentence, kubadilishana (meaning "to exchange") serves as the action that has been decided on.

How does this sentence illustrate the use of possessive constructions in Swahili?

The sentence uses possessive markers to show relationships between nouns. The particle wa links wakati (time) with sherehe (celebration), similar to the English "of." Additionally, yetu means "our," reinforcing the idea that the celebration belongs to the speakers. This structure is common in Swahili for expressing possession or association.

What aspects of Swahili sentence structure can be observed in this example?

This sentence demonstrates several key features of Swahili grammar:

Verb Conjugation: The subject prefix tu- and the tense marker -me- are directly attached to the verb, showing how subjects and tenses are incorporated in one word.
Infinitive Usage: After decision verbs like kuamua, the subsequent action is expressed using an infinitive (here, kubadilishana).
Reciprocal Action: The -shana suffix indicates a mutual action, a common feature in Swahili for expressing exchanges or reciprocal relationships.
Possessive Constructions: The linking particle wa and the possessive pronoun yetu clearly indicate ownership or association. Together, these features illustrate how Swahili builds meaning through compact, affixed elements and clear markers for possession and action.