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Kengele ya mlango ikilia, tafadhali mfungulie katibu.

Kengele ya mlango ikilia, tafadhali mfungulie katibu.
If the doorbell rings, please open for the secretary.
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Questions & Answers about Kengele ya mlango ikilia, tafadhali mfungulie katibu.

What does the form ikilia mean, and how is it built?

It means when/if/while it rings. Morphology:

  • i- = subject prefix for class 9 (kengele ‘bell’)
  • -ki- = “when/if/while” (consecutive/conditional aspect)
  • -lia = verb root “to cry/ring” So ikilia = “when it rings.”
Why is the subject prefix i- and not a-?
Because kengele (bell) is a class 9 noun. Class 9 takes the subject prefix i- (e.g., kengele inalia “the bell is ringing”). The prefix a- is used for class 1 (human singular).
Does -ki- here mean “if” or “when”?

It can be either, depending on context:

  • “If the doorbell rings …” (conditional)
  • “When the doorbell rings …” or “Whenever the doorbell rings …” (general time) All are natural readings; English chooses based on context.
Could I also say inapolia or itakapolia? What’s the difference?

Yes, each has a nuance:

  • ikilia = when/if/whenever it rings (general condition)
  • inapolia = when it rings (specific/ongoing time frame; -na- present with -po “when”)
  • itakapolia = when it rings (at that future moment; -taka- future with -po)
  • Past counterpart: ilipolia = when it rang
Why is it kengele ya mlango and not kengele wa mlango?
The linker “of” is -a, which agrees with the head noun’s class. The head is kengele (class 9), whose -a form is ya, hence kengele ya mlango (“doorbell,” literally “bell of the door”).
What exactly does mfungulie mean?

“Open (it) for him/her.” Morphology:

  • m- = object marker “him/her” (class 1, a person)
  • fungul- = verb stem from fungua “open”
  • -i-/-ie = applicative + subjunctive ending (open for/to someone) So fungulia = “open for,” and mfungulie = “open for him/her.”
Why use fungulia instead of fungua?

Fungua = “open (something).” Fungulia (applicative) = “open (something) for/to someone.” Because you’re opening (the door) for the secretary, the applicative is the natural choice: mfungulie (mlango).

Who does the m- in mfungulie refer to?
It’s the object marker “him/her” (class 1), referring to katibu (the secretary). In Swahili, human nouns typically take class 1/2 agreement for verbs and object markers, even if their plural form is irregular (katibu → makatibu).
Do I have to say katibu if I already have the m- object marker?
No. The object marker can stand on its own once the referent is clear from context. You could say: Kengele ya mlango ikilia, tafadhali mfungulie. Including katibu simply clarifies who that is.
Is mfungulie aimed at one person or several people?
  • mfungulie = addressing one person (2nd person singular request with an object marker)
  • mfungulieni = addressing more than one person (2nd person plural) Example: … tafadhali mfungulieni katibu.
Can I include an explicit subject marker u- (“you”) as well?
Yes, many speakers do in polite requests: tafadhali umfungulie katibu (sg.) or tafadhali mnamfungulia katibu (pl., using -na-). The short imperative-like subjunctive without an explicit subject (mfungulie) is also very common.
How do I make it negative?

Use the negative imperative:

  • Singular: Usimfungulie katibu. (Don’t open for the secretary.)
  • Plural: Msimfungulie katibu.
Where can tafadhali go, and can I omit it?
Tafadhali can appear at the start, middle, or end: Tafadhali mfungulie katibu… / Mfungulie tafadhali katibu… / Mfungulie katibu, tafadhali. It’s optional; tone and context can signal politeness too.
Can the “when/if” clause come second?

Yes. Both orders are fine:

  • Kengele ya mlango ikilia, tafadhali mfungulie katibu.
  • Tafadhali mfungulie katibu kengele ya mlango ikilia. Initial placement is a bit more common and feels smoother.
Is katibu gendered?
No. Katibu is gender-neutral. The object marker m- also means “him/her” without indicating gender.
What if I want to be explicit about the door?
You can add it as the direct object: … mfungulie katibu mlango. Because Swahili allows only one object marker on the verb, keep the person as the marker (m-) and mention mlango as a noun.
Why does a human noun like katibu use class 1 agreement even though its plural is makatibu?
In Swahili, human/animate nouns typically take class 1/2 agreement for verbs and pronouns (a-/wa-, m-/wa-) regardless of their morphological plural pattern. So you get sentences like Katibu amefika (“The secretary has arrived”) with class 1 agreement, and the plural Makatibu wamefika with class 2 agreement.
How do I say “open for the secretaries” (plural object)?

Use the class 2 object marker wa- and plural noun:

  • To one addressee: … tafadhali wafungulie makatibu (mlango).
  • To several addressees: … tafadhali wafungulieni makatibu (mlango).