Log inSign up

Wanyama wanapumzika karibu na dimbwi.

Wanyama wanapumzika karibu na dimbwi.
The animals are resting near the pond.
FromLesson 26inHardcore Swahili
……

Breakdown of Wanyama wanapumzika karibu na dimbwi.

wao
they
kupumzika
to rest
karibu na
near
mnyama
the animal
dimbwi
the pond
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Swahili grammar?”
Swahili grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Swahili

Master Swahili — from Wanyama wanapumzika karibu na dimbwi to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Swahili freeBrowse the full course

More from this lesson

runingaNinaangalia runinga jioni.Je, una runinga mpya nyumbani?farasiFarasi anakunywa maji mtoni asubuhi.Farasi anakimbia uwanjani asubuhi.karaniposta

Questions & Answers about Wanyama wanapumzika karibu na dimbwi.

What does the wa- in wanapumzika represent, and how does it connect to wanyama?
The wa- is the subject‐agreement prefix for noun class 2 (the plural “people/animals” class). Since wanyama (“animals”) is class 2 plural, the verb takes wa- to mean “they ….”
Can you break down wanapumzika into its parts?

Yes. wanapumzika =
• wa- (class 2 subject prefix “they”)
• -na- (present tense/aspect marker “are …-ing”)
• pumzika (verb stem “rest”)
Altogether: “they are resting.”

Why are there two nas in the sentence, and do they mean the same thing?

No.
• The first na (in wa-na-pumzika) is the present‐tense marker.
• The second na (in karibu na) is a preposition meaning “near/by.”

How does karibu na dimbwi function, and why not just karibu dimbwi?

karibu na is a locative prepositional phrase meaning “near.” You need na to link karibu to a noun.
• karibu na dimbwi = “near the pond.”
“Karibu dimbwi” without na is ungrammatical for “near the pond.”

What noun class is dimbwi, and how do I know it’s singular?
dimbwi belongs to class 5 (ji-/ma-). In many class 5 nouns the prefix ji- assimilates into the stem, so you don’t see it clearly. Context and verb agreement show it’s singular. If it were plural (class 6) you’d use ma- (e.g. mambw → mabwawa for “ponds”).
Could I use bwawa instead of dimbwi, and would it change the meaning?

Yes. bwawa (class 5) also means “pond/dam.”
• dimbwi often implies a small, shallow pool.
• bwawa is more general.
Both fit into karibu na _: “karibu na bwawa.”

How would I change the sentence into the past tense (“The animals rested near the pond”)?

Replace the present marker -na- with the past marker -li-:
Wanyama walipumzika karibu na dimbwi.

How do I ask “Are the animals resting near the pond?” in Swahili?

Either add Je at the beginning or rely on intonation:
• Je, wanyama wanapumzika karibu na dimbwi?
• Wanyama wanapumzika karibu na dimbwi?

How would I say “The animal is resting near the pond” for a single animal?

Use the class 1 singular prefix m- and subject prefix a-:
Mnyama anapumzika karibu na dimbwi.

What’s the difference between wanapumzika and wamepumzika?

• wanapumzika = “they are resting” (present continuous).
• wamepumzika = “they have rested” or “they are rested” (present perfect/resultant state).