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Questions & Answers about Baada ya somo, twende bustanini tukachune nyanya chache.
What does baada ya mean, and how is it used here?
Baada means after, and ya is a possessive/linking particle that connects baada to the noun that follows. So baada ya somo literally means after of lesson, i.e. after the lesson.
Why is somo singular here? Could it be masomo instead?
The singular somo refers to one class or lesson. If you wanted to say after the lessons (plural), you would indeed use baada ya masomo. Use the plural masomo when talking about multiple classes or lessons.
What does twende mean, and how is it formed?
Twende means let’s go. It’s the present-subjunctive form of the verb -enda (to go), built as:
• t- = subject prefix for “we”
• -end- = verb root “go”
• -e = subjunctive/command ending
So t-end-e = twende (“let us go”).
Could we have used an imperative instead of the subjunctive twende? For example, nendeni bustanini?
Yes, you could use the polite plural imperative nendeni (go, you-plural). But twende is more like “let’s go”, inviting everyone, including the speaker, to go together. Nendeni bustanini would address only the listeners as a command.
Why is bustanini used instead of just bustani?
The suffix -ni marks a locative (“in/at”).
• bustani = “garden”
• bustanini = “in the garden” or “to the garden” (with motion verbs).
So twende bustanini = “let’s go to/in the garden.”
What is tukachune, and what does the -ka- in the middle do?
Tukachune means and then we pick (or we’ll pick after that). It breaks down as:
• tu- = subject prefix “we”
• -ka- = sequential/consecutive marker (“then,” used to link one action after another)
• chun- = verb root “pluck/pick”
• -e = subjunctive ending
So tukachune literally = “we-then-pick (subjunctive).”
Could you drop the -ka- and say tuchune nyanya chache instead?
Grammatically, tuchune would still mean “let’s pick.” However, without -ka-, you lose the clear sense of “and then” that ties this action to the previous one. Tukachune emphasizes the sequence: go first, then pick.
Why is chache used after nyanya, and what does it mean?
Chache is an adjective meaning “few” or “some.” In Swahili, adjectives follow the noun and must agree in noun class. Nyanya (tomato) is class 9/10, whose adjective form for “few” is chache. So nyanya chache = some/few tomatoes.
Could we say nyanya nyingi instead? How would that change the meaning?
Yes. Nyingi is the class-9/10 adjective for “many.” So nyanya nyingi would mean “many tomatoes.” By contrast, nyanya chache means “a few/some tomatoes.”
Are there other ways to connect the actions “go” and “pick”? For instance, can we use kisha or halafu?
Absolutely. You could say:
• Baada ya somo, twende bustanini, kisha tuchune nyanya chache.
• Baada ya somo, twende bustanini; halafu tunachuna nyanya chache.
Here kisha and halafu both mean “then/after that,” and if you use them you don’t need the -ka- on the second verb.
