Mwamuzi anachunguza ripoti kabla ya mechi.

The referee examines the report before the match.

Breakdown of Mwamuzi anachunguza ripoti kabla ya mechi.

• kabla ya: before
• mechi: the match
• ripoti: the report
• mwamuzi: the referee
• kuchunguza: to examine

Questions & Answers about Mwamuzi anachunguza ripoti kabla ya mechi.

Why does the verb anachunguza start with a- and include -na-?

Swahili verbs combine subject agreement and tense/aspect markers with a root. Here:

• a- is the subject prefix for third-person singular (class 1, “he/she/it”).
• -na- is the present tense/aspect marker (“is …ing”).
  The root is chunguza (“examine/investigate”). So a-na-chunguza literally means “he/she is examining.”

What is the root of anachunguza and how can I identify it?

The root is chunguza. To find it, strip away the prefixes (a- for subject and -na- for present tense) leaving the base verb. Dictionaries list chunguza as “to examine” or “to investigate.”

How would I say the same sentence in the past and future tenses?

Replace the tense marker -na- with the appropriate past or future marker for class 1:

• Past: Mwamuzi alichunguza ripoti kabla ya mechi.
  (al- = past tense marker “he examined”)
• Future: Mwamuzi atachunguza ripoti kabla ya mechi.
  (ata- = future tense marker “he will examine”)

What is the function of kabla ya and why is ya needed?

kabla ya means “before”:

• kabla is the preposition “before.”
• ya is the genitive/linking particle for class 9/10 nouns (loanwords like mechi).
  Together, kabla ya mechi = “before the match.”

Which noun classes do ripoti and mechi belong to, and how can I tell?

Both ripoti (“report”) and mechi (“match”) are loanwords placed in class 9/10. Indicators:

• No visible noun-class prefix.
• Identical singular and plural forms (common for class 9/10).
• They take class 9/10 concords in agreement (e.g., negative ha- for “there is no…”).

How do you form the plurals of ripoti and mechi?

In class 9/10, singular and plural are the same. Context tells you whether it’s one or many:

• ripoti = “report” or “reports”
• mechi = “match” or “matches”

Are there other verbs I can use instead of chunguza, and what nuances do they bring?

Yes. A few common alternatives:

• pitia – “review” or “go through” (implies a lighter reading).
• angalia – “look at” or “check” (more casual, maybe a quick glance).
• tathmini – “evaluate/assess” (more formal, analytical).
  Each shifts the emphasis: chunguza suggests a thorough, careful examination.

Can I move kabla ya mechi to the front of the sentence for emphasis?

Absolutely. Time or adverbial phrases can precede the subject: Kabla ya mechi, mwamuzi anachunguza ripoti.
This highlights “before the match” but keeps the same meaning.