Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mimi ninajaribu kujikwamua kutoka madeni makubwa, lakini marafiki wananisaidia kila siku. - I am trying to free myself from large debts, but my friends help me every day.

The sentence translates to "I am trying to free myself from large debts, but friends help me every day." It conveys that the speaker is working hard to extricate themselves from significant financial burdens while receiving daily support from their friends.

How is the first-person present continuous formed in this sentence?

In ninajaribu, the structure is broken down as follows: ni- is the subject prefix for “I,” -na- is the present continuous marker, and jaribu is the root meaning “try.” Thus, ninajaribu means "I am trying."

How is the reflexive verb kujikwamua constructed and what does it mean?

Kujikwamua is formed by taking the infinitive marker ku-, adding the reflexive marker ji- to indicate that the subject acts upon itself, and then the verb root kwamua, which in this context means “to free” or “to extricate.” Hence, the whole verb means "to free oneself."

What does madeni makubwa mean in this sentence?

Madeni is the plural of deni, meaning “debt,” while makubwa means “big” or “large.” Together, madeni makubwa translates directly to "large debts."

How is the clause marafiki wananisaidia kila siku structured to express daily assistance?

The clause breaks down as follows: marafiki means “friends,” and wananisaidia combines wa- (the subject prefix for “they” or “friends”), -na- (the present tense marker), -ni- (an object marker meaning “me”), and saidia (the root verb meaning “help”). Kila siku means “every day.” Together, the phrase expresses that "friends help me every day."

What role does the conjunction lakini play in the sentence?

Lakini means "but" and is used to contrast the two parts of the sentence—highlighting the speaker’s personal efforts to free themselves from debts against the backdrop of the consistent help offered by friends.