Breakdown of Tafadhali nielekeze barabara, kwa sababu mimi ni mgeni hapa.
mimi
I
ni
to be
barabara
the road
tafadhali
please
kwa sababu
because
kuelekeza
to direct
mgeni
the newcomer
hapa
here
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Questions & Answers about Tafadhali nielekeze barabara, kwa sababu mimi ni mgeni hapa.
What does tafadhali mean in this sentence?
Tafadhali translates to “please” in English. It is used to politely request something, setting a courteous tone right from the start.
How is nielekeze formed, and what does it mean?
Nielekeze means “direct me” or “guide me.” It is formed by combining the object pronoun ni (meaning “me”) with the imperative form of the verb elekeza (meaning “direct” or “guide”). This structure tells the listener to direct the speaker somewhere.
What is the meaning of barabara in this context?
Barabara means “road” in Swahili. In this sentence, it specifies the destination the speaker needs help finding.
What does kwa sababu indicate, and why is it used here?
Kwa sababu translates to “because” in English. It introduces the reason for the request. In the sentence, it explains that the speaker needs directions because they are a stranger in the area.
Why is the pronoun mimi included, and is it necessary?
Mimi means “I”. Although Swahili often allows subjects to be implied in the verb conjugation, mimi is used here for emphasis and clarity, making it clear that the speaker is personally stating their unfamiliarity with the area.
What does the word mgeni mean in this context?
Mgeni means “stranger” or “foreigner.” It reflects the speaker’s status as someone unfamiliar with the surroundings, which justifies their request for directions.
How can the entire sentence be translated into English?
The sentence translates to: “Please direct me to the road, because I am a stranger here.” This translation captures both the polite request for directions and the explanation behind it.