Breakdown of Tutafurahi ukitengeneza tangazo fupi ili mteja aweze kuliona mara moja.
sisi
we
kuona
to see
ili
so that
kuweza
to be able
fupi
short
kufurahi
to be happy
mteja
the customer
mara moja
immediately
ukitengeneza
if you make
tangazo
the advertisement
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Questions & Answers about Tutafurahi ukitengeneza tangazo fupi ili mteja aweze kuliona mara moja.
Why is tutafurahi in the future tense? Could we say tunafurahi here?
Tutafurahi breaks down as tu- (we) + ta- (future marker) + furahi (be happy). It literally means we will be happy. If you use tunafurahi (tu- + na- present marker + furahi), it shifts to we are happy (present tense) instead of we will be happy.
What does the -ki- in ukitengeneza do? Why is there a u- at the start?
In Swahili conditional/temporal clauses, -ki- means if/when. The prefix u- is the 2nd person singular subject marker (you). Attached to the verb root tengeneza (prepare), ukitengeneza means if/when you prepare.
Why is the adjective fupi placed after tangazo?
In Swahili, adjectives normally follow the noun they describe. Here tangazo (advertisement) is a class-5 noun and fupi (short) is its adjective. Hence the correct order is tangazo fupi (short advertisement).
What is the role of ili in this sentence?
Ili is a conjunction meaning so that or in order that. It introduces a purpose clause, linking the main action to the intended result:
– Main clause: Tutafurahi ukitengeneza tangazo fupi
– Purpose clause: ili mteja aweze kuliona mara moja
Why is aweze used instead of anaweza in mteja aweze kuliona?
After ili, the verb must be in the subjunctive mood. The present indicative anaweza (he can) changes to the subjunctive aweze (that he can) by dropping na- and changing the final -a to -e.
Can you explain kuliona? Why not just kuona?
Kuliona is made up of:
– ku- (infinitive marker “to”)
– -li- (object marker for class-5 noun tangazo, “it”)
– ona (root “see”)
So kuliona means to see it. Without -li-, kuona would simply be to see (no direct object specified).
What does mara moja literally mean and how is it used here?
Literally mara moja means one time, but idiomatically it means immediately or right away. In the sentence it emphasizes that the client should be able to see the ad at once.
How would you change ukitengeneza if you wanted to address more than one person (you plural)?
Use the 2nd person plural prefix m- instead of u-. So ukitengeneza (if you singular prepare) becomes mkitengeneza (if you all prepare).