Log inSign up

Sisi tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani.

Sisi tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani.
We are learning to click the correct button in the classroom.
FromLesson 41inHardcore Swahili
……
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Swahili grammar?”
Swahili grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Swahili

Master Swahili — from Sisi tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Swahili freeBrowse the full course

More from this lesson

kwa sasasimu janjaKwa sasa ninatumia simu janja yangu kusoma habari.kubofyakupakuaRahma ananisaidia kubofya kitufe sahihi ili nipakue faili.nenosiriyeyote

Questions & Answers about Sisi tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani.

Do I need Sisi if tunajifunza already means “we are learning”?

No. Sisi is optional. The subject prefix tu- on the verb already marks “we.”

  • Tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani. = fully correct.
  • Use Sisi for emphasis or contrast: Sisi tunajifunza… (“We, as opposed to others, are learning…”).
What are the parts of the verb tunajifunza?

It’s built from several morphemes:

  • tu- = we (subject marker)
  • -na- = present/habitual/progressive tense-aspect
  • -ji- = reflexive (“oneself”)
  • -funz- = verb root related to teaching/learning
  • -a = final vowel So tunajifunza literally means “we are learning (we are teaching ourselves).”
Why is there ku- before bofya in kubofya?

ku- marks the infinitive (“to …”). After verbs like kujifunza (to learn), you can use another infinitive:

  • tunajifunza kubofya = “we are learning to click.” You can also say tunajifunza jinsi ya kubofya (“we are learning how to click”), but it’s not required.
What’s the difference between kubofya and kubonyeza?
  • kubofya: to click (most often for a mouse/trackpad or on-screen button).
  • kubonyeza: to press (a physical button, key, or switch); also used broadly, and many speakers use it for digital “press” too.
    Both can be understood in this sentence; kubofya sounds more “computer-y.”
Why is it kitufe sahihi and not the other way around?

In Swahili, adjectives normally follow the noun. So:

  • kitufe sahihi = “correct/right button.” Note: sahihi is invariable (it doesn’t change with noun class or number), unlike many adjectives (e.g., -zuri → kizuri/vizuri).
How do I make “the right buttons” (plural)?

Change the class 7 singular ki- to the class 8 plural vi-:

  • Singular: kitufe sahihi
  • Plural: vitufe sahihi
How do I say “the” vs. “a”? Swahili has no articles here.

Swahili doesn’t use articles like “the/a.” kitufe sahihi can mean “the right button” or “a right button,” depending on context. To be specific, you can add a demonstrative:

  • kile kitufe sahihi = that right button
  • hiki kitufe sahihi = this right button
What does darasani mean exactly? Why the -ni?

darasani is darasa (class/classroom) + locative -ni, meaning “in/at the class.”
Alternatives with roughly the same meaning: kwenye darasa, katika darasa.
Related: shuleni = at school.

Can I move darasani to the front?

Yes. Swahili word order is flexible for emphasis:

  • Darasani tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi. (Emphasizes location: In class, we’re learning…)
What exactly does the -na- tense marker express in tunajifunza?

-na- typically covers present time, both ongoing and habitual, depending on context.

  • Past: tulijifunza (“we learned”)
  • Future: tutajifunza (“we will learn”)
  • Past progressive: tulikuwa tunajifunza (“we were learning”)
How do I negate this sentence?

Use the negative subject prefix and the final -i (no -na- in negative present):

  • Hatujifunzi kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani. = “We are not (do not) learning to click the right button in class.”
Is there an inclusive/exclusive distinction for we in Swahili?
No. sisi (and the verb prefix tu-) covers both inclusive and exclusive “we.” Context tells you which is meant.
I see both tu- and tu in Swahili. Are they the same?

No:

  • tu- (attached to the verb) = “we” (subject prefix), as in tunajifunza.
  • tu (a separate word) = “only/just.”
    Example: Sisi tu tunajifunza… = “Only we are learning…”
Are there other words for “button” besides kitufe?

Yes:

  • kitufe: common for device/UI buttons.
  • kibonyezo: also means “button/pressable control,” preferred in some regions.
  • batani: usually a clothing button.
    In your sentence, kitufe or kibonyezo both work.
Is there a shorter/older form like twajifunza?

Yes. In more formal or older style writing, twa- can replace tu-na-:

  • Twajifunza kubofya…
    In everyday speech, tunajifunza is more common.
Any quick pronunciation tips?
  • Stress the second-to-last syllable in each word: da-ra-SA-ni, ki-TU-fe, sa-HI-hi.
  • ji in jifunza sounds like “jee.”
  • The cluster fy in bofya is pronounced together: “boh-fyah.”
    Putting it together: tu-na-jee-FOON-za koo-BOH-fyah kee-TOO-fe sa-HEE-hee da-ra-SA-ni.