Breakdown of Tafadhali funga mlango mara moja.
kufunga
to close
mlango
the door
tafadhali
please
mara moja
immediately
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Questions & Answers about Tafadhali funga mlango mara moja.
What does tafadhali mean in this sentence and why is it placed at the beginning?
Tafadhali means please and it's a polite request marker. In Swahili, you often place it at the very front of an imperative sentence to soften the tone.
What type of verb form is funga and how is it formed?
Funga is the singular imperative form of the verb kufunga (to close or lock). To form the positive imperative, you remove the infinitive prefix ku- and keep the verb stem plus -a.
Why is there no subject prefix before funga?
In Swahili imperatives, you omit the subject prefix for singular commands. The verb stands alone, for example funga meaning you (singular) close.
What is the function of mlango in the sentence, and why does it start with m-?
Mlango means door. The m-... prefix marks it as a noun class 3 singular noun. Its plural is milango (class 4).
What does mara moja literally mean, and why is it translated as immediately?
Literally, mara moja means one time (mara = time/occasion, moja = one). Idiomatically it means immediately.
Can you reorder the words and still convey the same meaning?
Swahili word order is fairly flexible, but the most natural is Tafadhali funga mlango mara moja. You could say Tafadhali mara moja funga mlango, though it sounds less common.
How would you address this instruction to multiple people?
Use the plural imperative by adding -ni: Tafadhali fungeni mlango mara moja.
Are there alternative polite markers you can use instead of tafadhali?
Yes. You can start with naomba (I request): Naomba ufungue mlango mara moja. Note that this introduces the subject prefix u- and the subjunctive ending -e in ufungue.