Breakdown of Ili ujifunze haraka, soma kwa sauti sentensi hizi kila siku.
wewe
you
kusoma
to read
kujifunza
to learn
kila
every
siku
the day
ili
so that
haraka
quickly
hizi
these
kwa sauti
aloud
sentensi
the sentence
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Questions & Answers about Ili ujifunze haraka, soma kwa sauti sentensi hizi kila siku.
What is the function of ili in this sentence?
ili is a conjunction meaning “so that” or “in order to.” It introduces a purpose clause explaining the goal of the main action (reading aloud).
Why is ujifunze used here and how is it formed?
ujifunze is the 2nd-person singular present-subjunctive of jifunza (“to learn”). It breaks down into:
- subject prefix u- (“you”)
- reflexive infix -ji- (“oneself,” making jifunza “to learn for oneself”)
- verb root -funz-
- subjunctive ending -e (replacing the infinitive -a)
Together they mean “that you learn (quickly).”
Why is the verb soma not prefixed in the main clause?
Because soma is an imperative (command) meaning “read.” In the singular imperative you use the verb root + final vowel without a subject prefix. (For plural commands you’d say someni.)
What does haraka mean and why does it follow ujifunze?
haraka is an adverb meaning “quickly.” In Swahili, manner adverbs typically follow the verb they modify. So ujifunze haraka = “you learn quickly.”
What does the phrase kwa sauti mean?
kwa sauti literally means “by/with voice,” i.e. “aloud.”
- kwa = by/with
- sauti = voice/sound
Thus soma kwa sauti = “read aloud.”
Why is the demonstrative hizi used with sentensi instead of haya or hazo?
sentensi is a loanword in noun class 9/10 (inanimate). The correct plural demonstrative for class 9/10 is hizi, so hizi sentensi = “these sentences.”
- class 9/10 plural: hizi (these)
- class 5/6 plural: haya (these)
- class 9/10 plural for “those”: hizo
What does kila siku mean and can its position change?
kila siku = “every day.”
- kila = each/every
- siku = day
It often appears at the end, but you can front it for emphasis:
“Kila siku, soma kwa sauti sentensi hizi ili ujifunze haraka.”
Why do we use ujifunze after ili instead of the infinitive kujifunza?
After ili (purpose marker), Swahili requires a subjunctive-conjugated verb, not an infinitive. Hence ujifunze (you learn) rather than kujifunza (to learn).
How would this sentence change if I’m giving the instruction to a group?
Switch to the 2nd-person plural forms:
- ujifunze → mjifunze (subjunctive plural)
- soma → someni (imperative plural)
Full version:
“Ili mjifunze haraka, someni kwa sauti sentensi hizi kila siku.”