Breakdown of Ifikapo saa mbili, utakuwa umeweka utaratibu salama wa kuhifadhi nyaraka.
kuwa
to be
wa
of
kufika
to arrive
salama
safe
kuhifadhi
to store
kuweka
to put
nyaraka
the document
mbili
two
saa
the hour
utaratibu
the procedure
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Questions & Answers about Ifikapo saa mbili, utakuwa umeweka utaratibu salama wa kuhifadhi nyaraka.
What is the form and function of Ifikapo in Ifikapo saa mbili?
Ifikapo is a temporal relative form meaning “when it arrives.” It breaks down as:
- i-: class 9 subject prefix (matching saa)
- fika: verb root “arrive”
- -po: relative/locative marker “when”
So Ifikapo saa mbili = “when it arrives at two o’clock.”
Why is utakuwa umeweka used instead of a single verb like utaweka?
Utakuwa umeweka expresses the future perfect (“you will have put”), emphasizing that the action will be completed by that time. It is built as:
- utakuwa = u (2 sg subject) + ta (future) + kuwa (“to be”)
- umeweka = u (2 sg subject) + me (perfect) + weka (“put”)
In contrast, utaweka is simple future (“you will put”) and does not imply prior completion.
What does the me in umeweka signify?
The infix me is the perfect-aspect marker. In umeweka, it means “you have put” (present perfect). In the full phrase utakuwa umeweka, it contributes to the future perfect: “you will have put.”
How does the noun utaratibu work, and why is it prefixed with u-?
Utaratibu means “procedure” or “arrangement.” It belongs to noun class 11, which takes the prefix u- in the singular. The stem is -taratibu. Its plural form is mataratibu (class 6).
Why does salama appear without a prefix, and how does it function?
Salama is an invariable adjective/adverb (often a loanword) meaning “safe.” It does not change form with noun classes. As an adjective, it follows the noun it qualifies: utaratibu salama = “a safe procedure.”
What is the role of wa in wa kuhifadhi nyaraka?
Wa is the genitive/linking preposition for noun class 11. It connects utaratibu to kuhifadhi nyaraka, giving “procedure of storing documents.” In English, it corresponds to “of.”
Why is kuhifadhi in its infinitive form, and what does it mean?
After a genitive link (here wa), the verb appears in the infinitive (the ku- form). Kuhifadhi means “to store” or “to preserve.”
Why does nyaraka have no prefix change between singular and plural?
Nyaraka is in noun classes 9/10, which typically show no visible prefix and remain identical in both singular and plural. It means “document(s).”
Can Ifikapo saa mbili be placed at the end of the sentence instead of at the beginning?
Yes. The temporal clause is flexible. You could say:
Utakuwa umeweka utaratibu salama wa kuhifadhi nyaraka ifikapo saa mbili.
Both orders are correct; leading with the time clause is just more common.