Breakdown of Daktari alimfanyia mama uchunguzi klinikini, akamwambia apumzike.
kwenye
at
mama
the mother
kupumzika
to rest
daktari
the doctor
kuambia
to tell
kufanyia
to do for
uchunguzi
the examination
kliniki
the clinic
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Questions & Answers about Daktari alimfanyia mama uchunguzi klinikini, akamwambia apumzike.
What does the verb alimfanyia mean, and how is it constructed?
alimfanyia comes from the verb fanyia (“to do for someone”). It breaks down as follows:
- a-: 3rd person singular subject marker (“he”/“she”)
- li-: past tense marker
- m-: object marker referring to “her” (mama)
- fanyia: verb root meaning “do for”
Literally, alimfanyia = “he did for her.”
Why is there both the object marker m- in the verb and then the noun mama?
The prefix m- on alimfanyia already indicates “her.” The following noun mama is optional but used for clarity or emphasis. In Swahili you can use the object marker alone (if context is clear) or include the noun as well.
What does uchunguzi mean, and what noun class is it?
uchunguzi means “examination” or “investigation” (especially medical). It’s a nominalized form (prefix u-, suffix -zi) belonging to noun class 14, often used for abstract or mass nouns.
Why is kliniki turned into klinikini, and what does it mean?
klinikini is the locative form of kliniki (“clinic”). The suffix -ni marks location, so klinikini literally means “in/at the clinic.”
What is the role of the prefix ka- in akamwambia?
In akamwambia, the prefix ka- is a sequential (narrative) tense marker linking a second action by the same subject.
Breakdown:
- a-: 3rd person singular subject (“he”)
- ka-: sequential past marker (“then”/“and then”)
- m-: object marker (“her”)
- wambia: verb root “tell”
So akamwambia = “and then he told her.”
How would you translate akamwambia literally into English?
Literally: “He-then-her-told.” In natural English context: “Then he told her.”
What does apumzike mean, and why does it end with -e?
apumzike is the subjunctive form of pumzika (“to rest”). After verbs of telling, wishing, or commanding (like wambia), Swahili uses the subjunctive mood, which replaces the final -a of the verb with -e. Thus a-pumzika (indicative) → a-pumzike (subjunctive) = “that she should rest.”
Why is the subject marker a- still needed in apumzike?
Swahili verb forms almost always require a subject marker. Here a- denotes 3rd person singular (“she”). In the subjunctive you cannot drop it; it tells you who is to do the action.
Could we have used the imperative (“rest!”) instead of the subjunctive after wambia?
No. In dependent clauses after verbs like wambia (“tell”), Swahili uses the subjunctive, not the independent imperative. So apumzike is correct, not pumzika alone.
Is it possible to say katika kliniki instead of klinikini?
Yes. katika kliniki also means “in the clinic.” Swahili offers two common ways to express location:
- locative suffix: klinikini
- preposition + noun: katika kliniki
Both are grammatically correct; the suffix form is simply more concise.