Learn Hardcore Swahili: Kicheko cha watoto kinaleta faraja nyumbani. - Children’s laughter brings comfort at home.

cha is the genitive concord for noun class 7 (the class of kicheko). It functions like “of,” linking kicheko (“laughter”) to watoto (“children”). Each noun class has its own genitive concord:
• Class 1/2 → wa
• Class 3/4 → ya
• Class 5/6 → ya
• Class 7 → cha
• Class 8 → za
…etc.
Since kicheko is in class 7, we use cha, not ya.

Why does the verb read kinaleta and not linaleta?

The verb must agree with its subject, kicheko, which is class 7. In Swahili every verb carries a subject prefix matching the noun class of its subject. For class 7 the subject prefix is ki-, so:
ki- + (present tense marker) -na- + root leta = kinaleta (“it brings”)
If the subject were in class 5 (prefix li-), you would get linaleta, but here it’s kinaleta.

What is the function of -na- in kinaleta?

-na- is the simple present (or present continuous/habitual) tense marker. It sits between the subject prefix and the verb root to show that the action happens regularly or right now.
Example: ni-na-enda (“I go” / “I am going”).

Why does faraja have no prefix, and how do I recognize its class?

faraja (“comfort”) is an abstract noun in noun class 9/10, which typically have a zero prefix (no audible prefix) and often end in -a. Many abstract or mass nouns fall into these classes, so they appear “unmarked.”

What does nyumbani mean, and how is it formed from nyumba?

nyumbani means “at home” (or “to the home”). It’s formed by adding the locative suffix -ni to nyumba (“house/home”):
nyumba + ni → nyu(m)ba-ni → nyumbani
A nasal m is inserted for smooth pronunciation.

How is nyumbani different from katika nyumba or kwenye nyumba?

• nyumbani = “at/to home” (one’s own home; special locative)
• katika nyumba = “inside the house” (emphasizing interior)
• kwenye nyumba = “at/by the house” (more general location)

Use nyumbani when you mean “at home” in the sense of one’s own residence.

How would I say “My children’s laughter brings comfort to our home”?

Add the possessive pronoun for watoto (class 2) and for nyumbani:
kicheko cha watoto wangu kinaleta faraja nyumbani kwetu

Where would I put an adverb like “always”, e.g. “Children’s laughter always brings comfort home”?

Insert daima (“always”) after the subject phrase or right before the verb:
• kicheko cha watoto daima kinaleta faraja nyumbani
• kicheko cha watoto kinaleta daima faraja nyumbani
Both are correct; the first is most common.

Is there a difference between faraja and furaha in Swahili?

Yes:
• faraja = comfort or solace (relief, consolation)
• furaha = joy or happiness (a cheerful feeling)
In this sentence faraja is best because we mean “bringing comfort/solace to the home,” not simply happiness.