Learn Hardcore Swahili: Madhumuni ya jedwali hili ni kulinganisha takwimu za shule na kitongoji. - The purpose of this chart is to compare the school statistics with the neighborhood.

In Swahili, madhumuni is commonly used as a plural-noun meaning “purpose(s)/objectives,” even when English would use a singular. It’s like English “premises” or “archives.” It’s perfectly natural. If you want a singular, use lengo (“objective/aim”): Lengo la jedwali hili…

Why is it ya in Madhumuni ya jedwali hili, not la or za?

The possessive connector -a agrees with the possessee (the thing owned/qualified), which here is madhumuni (class 6). Class 6 uses ya.

If you used singular lengo (class 5), you’d say Lengo la jedwali hili.
With takwimu (class 9/10), you get za, as in takwimu za shule.

Why is the demonstrative hili used with jedwali?

Because jedwali is in the JI/MA noun class (class 5/6). The near demonstrative for class 5 singular is hili: jedwali hili = “this table.” For the plural you’d say majedwali haya = “these tables.”

Could I say hili jedwali instead of jedwali hili?

Yes. Both orders are grammatical. jedwali hili is the most neutral/common order. hili jedwali can add a bit of focus/emphasis on “this.”

What is ni doing here? Can it be omitted?

ni is the copula “is/are” linking the subject to a noun/infinitive: Madhumuni … ni kulinganisha. In this kind of present-tense equational sentence, you normally keep ni. The negative is si (often seen as sio/siyo in some styles).

Why is the verb in the infinitive kulinganisha?

After ni you can use an infinitive to express “to do X” or “doing X.” kulinganisha is “to compare.” Without ku- (linganisha) would be an imperative (“compare!”), not appropriate here.

Does kulinganisha take na (“with”)?

Yes. The usual pattern is: linganisha X na Y = “compare X with Y.” In the sentence, the idea is to compare one set of statistics with another.

Do I need to repeat za before kitongoji (…za shule na [za] kitongoji)?

It’s optional, but repeating it often improves clarity:

Clear: … kulinganisha takwimu za shule na za kitongoji.
Acceptable but a bit more open to ambiguity: … takwimu za shule na kitongoji.
Repeating za makes it explicit that both “school” and “neighborhood” modify “statistics.”

Why is it takwimu za shule and not takwimu ya shule?

The connector agrees with the possessee takwimu (class 9/10), which takes za. So it’s za shule. If the possessee were class 5 (e.g., lengo), you’d see la.

Is takwimu singular or plural? How does it behave?

takwimu is typically treated as a plural-only noun meaning “statistics/data” and triggers plural agreement: Takwimu zinaonyesha… (“The statistics show…”). It’s not used as a regular singular.

What’s the difference between jedwali and meza?

jedwali = a table as in a chart/spreadsheet (data table).
meza = a piece of furniture (a physical table).

What exactly does kitongoji mean? Would mtaa or ujirani work?

kitongoji is “neighborhood/suburb/hamlet,” often an administrative subunit (esp. in Tanzania; plural vitongoji).

mtaa is widely used for “neighborhood/street/estate” (esp. in Kenya; in Tanzania it’s an urban administrative unit).
ujirani is “neighborliness/neighborhood (abstract idea),” not a place.
Use the one that matches your regional and administrative context.

Could I rephrase the whole sentence more simply?

Common alternatives:

Lengo la jedwali hili ni kulinganisha takwimu za shule na za kitongoji.
Jedwali hili lina lengo la kulinganisha takwimu za shule na za kitongoji.
All are natural. Repeating za helps clarity.

Would Madhumuni ya jedwali hili ni ya kulinganisha… be wrong?

Not wrong, but it’s wordier. ni kulinganisha is cleaner and standard. ni ya kulinganisha literally says “are for comparing,” which can feel redundant after madhumuni (“purposes”).