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Questions & Answers about Nakuchekesha kidogo ili upumzike; Asha pia anawachekesha watoto.
What does the verb form Nakuchekesha break down into?
It’s a single verb made of several morphemes:
- ni- = I (subject)
- -na- = present tense
- -ku- = you (singular, object)
- chekesha = make laugh (verb root) Together: I + present + you + make-laugh → I’m making you laugh.
Note: The full form is ninakuchekesha. In everyday Swahili, ni- is often dropped before -na-, giving nakuchekesha. Both are fine.
Why is it chekesha and not cheka?
- cheka = to laugh.
- chekesha = to make someone laugh (causative form of cheka). So nakuchekesha means “I make you laugh,” while nakucheka would mean “I laugh at you,” which is different.
What does kidogo do here, and where can it go?
- kidogo means “a little,” “slightly,” or “a bit.”
- It modifies the verb phrase: “I make you laugh a little.”
- Usual placement is after the verb phrase: Nakuchekesha kidogo. You might also hear kidogo tu (“just a little”).
What does ili mean?
ili introduces a purpose clause and means “so that” or “in order that.” It signals that the next verb will be in the subjunctive mood.
Why does upumzike end in -e (not -a)?
Because it’s the subjunctive mood, which is used after ili for purpose:
- Base verb: pumzika (to rest)
- Subjunctive: pumzike
- With 2nd person singular subject prefix: u-pumzik-e → upumzike (“that you rest”).
Do I need the subject prefix in the ili clause? Could I say just “ili pumzike”?
You need it. Swahili finite verbs require a subject marker. After ili, use the appropriate subject:
- you (sg): u-pumzike
- you (pl): m-pumzike
- he/she: a-pumzike So “ili upumzike” is correct; “ili pumzike” (without a subject prefix) is ungrammatical.
How would I say it to more than one person?
- Object “you (plural)” and plural subject in the purpose clause:
- Nawachekesha kidogo ili mpumzike. Breakdown:
- ni- + -na- + -wa- + chekesha = I + present + you (pl) + make-laugh
- m-pumzike = that you (pl) rest Note: -wa- as an object marker can mean “you (pl)” or “them.” If needed, add nyinyi for clarity: Nawachekesha nyinyi kidogo ili mpumzike.
In Asha pia anawachekesha watoto, why is there both -wa- and watoto?
-wa- is the object marker for noun class 2 (plural humans, here “children”), and watoto is the full noun. Swahili often allows (and frequently prefers) doubling the object: object marker on the verb plus the full noun phrase, especially when the object is specific, known, or topical. It’s natural and emphatic.
Can I omit the object marker and say Asha pia anachekesha watoto?
Yes. Asha pia anachekesha watoto is fully grammatical. Using the object marker (anawachekesha watoto) tends to suggest the children are specific or already known in the conversation.
Where does pia go, and does its position change the emphasis?
pia means “also/too.” Common placements:
- Pia Asha anawachekesha watoto. (Also Asha does this.)
- Asha pia anawachekesha watoto. (Asha also does this.)
- Asha anawachekesha pia watoto. (She makes the children also laugh—implying others are made to laugh too; emphasis on the object.) All are grammatical; position shifts focus.
Is anawachekesha one word?
Yes. Swahili inflectional prefixes and the verb root form a single written word:
- a- (she/he) + -na- (present) + -wa- (them) + chekesha (make laugh) → anawachekesha. No spaces or hyphens inside the verb.
What tense is -na-, and what are some alternative tenses here?
- -na- marks present (often progressive or general present). Other options:
- Asha amewachekesha watoto. (Perfect: Asha has made the children laugh.)
- Asha atawachekesha watoto. (Future: Asha will make the children laugh.)
- Habitual: Asha huwachekesha watoto. (She usually makes the children laugh.) Note: hu- tense doesn’t take an object marker inside the verb; instead: Asha huchekesha watoto.
Is there a negative version of the ili clause?
Yes, use the negative subjunctive with -si-:
- you (sg): ili usipumzike = so that you don’t rest
- you (pl): ili msipumzike
- he/she: ili asipumzike
What are the singular and plural for “child,” and how does that affect agreement?
- Singular: mtoto (class 1)
- Plural: watoto (class 2) Agreement:
- Subject class 2: wa- (e.g., watoto wanacheka = the children are laughing)
- Object class 2: -wa- (e.g., anawachekesha = he/she makes them laugh)
Could I express “make someone laugh” without the causative verb?
Yes, with fanya + subjunctive:
- Ninakufanya ucheke kidogo ili upumzike. (I make you laugh a little so that you rest.) It’s correct, but chekesha is more concise and idiomatic for “make laugh.”