Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mama alinunua rafu mpya ili kuweka vitabu.

It’s built from three parts: the 3 sg subject prefix a- (he/she/it) + the past-tense marker -li- + the verb root nunua (to buy). Together: a-li-nunua → alinunua (“she bought”).

Why do we still include a- when Mama is already the subject?

Standard Swahili verbs require a subject prefix for agreement, even if the noun appears. The prefix a- confirms “she” (Mama) is the doer of the action.

What does the verb root nunua mean?

nunua means “to buy.” In Swahili, you attach subject prefixes, tense markers, object markers, etc., to this root to form full verb forms.

What is rafu, and does it change in the plural?

rafu means “shelf.” It’s in noun class 9/10, which uses the same form for singular and plural. Context or a numeral would clarify if you mean one shelf or several.

Why is the adjective mpya unchanged after rafu?

Adjectives agree with the noun class. Class 9/10 use a zero (Ø) adjective prefix, so mpya remains the same whether rafu is singular or plural.

What role does ili play in ili kuweka vitabu?

ili introduces a purpose clause meaning “in order to” or “so that.” It links the action (buying a new shelf) to its purpose (to put books).

How is the infinitive kuweka formed?

You take the verb root weka (put) and add the infinitive prefix ku-, giving kuweka (“to put”).

Can you drop the ku- after ili, as in iliweka vitabu?

Colloquially speakers often say iliweka vitabu, dropping ku-, but in formal or written Swahili it’s clearer to keep ku-: ili kuweka vitabu.

What is vitabu, and how is it related to kitabu?

kitabu is “book” (noun class 7: ki-…-tu). To make it plural (class 8), replace ki- with vi-, giving vitabu (“books”).