Breakdown of Sisi tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani.
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?
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.
More from this lesson
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning SwahiliMaster 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