Learn Hardcore Swahili: Msimamizi alinisogezea zulia jipya, nami nikalisogeza chini ya meza. - The supervisor moved a new carpet closer to me, and I moved it under the table.

The -e- is the applicative extension. sogeza = move/slide (something). sogezea = move (something) toward/for/on behalf of someone/something. The applicative lets you add a beneficiary/goal, which here is “me” (encoded by ni).

Why is there ni inside alinisogezea? What would alinisogeza mean?

ni is the 1st‑person singular object marker (“me”) as the applied object (beneficiary/goal). Without the applicative, alinisogeza would mean “he moved me” (making me the direct object), not “he moved the rug for/to me.”

Can you break down the verbs morphologically?

alinisogezea = a- li- ni- sogeze- a
- a- (subject: he/she), li- (past), ni- (object: me), sogeze- (stem with applicative), -a (final vowel)
nikalisogeza = ni- ka- li- sogeza
- ni- (subject: I), ka- (sequential “and then”), li- (object: it, class 5), sogeza (stem + final -a)

What does -ka- in nikalisogeza mean? When would I use it?

-ka- links actions in sequence: “and then I …”. It’s common in narratives after a completed action. You could also use connectors like kisha or halafu, but -ka- is compact and very natural in storytelling.

Why does the second clause start with nami? Could I just say nikalisogeza?

nami = na mimi (“and I/and me”). It introduces a subject switch with a touch of emphasis (“and I, for my part…”). It’s optional; you can start directly with nikalisogeza.

How does -li- in nikalisogeza refer to the rug?

-li- is the object marker for noun class 5, which zulia belongs to. It stands for “it,” so nikalisogeza = “and then I moved it.” It avoids repeating zulia.

Is it also correct to say nami nikasogeza zulia chini ya meza instead of using the object marker?

Yes. Repeating the noun is fine. Using the object marker alone is preferred when the object is already known from context. Avoid using both the object marker and the full object in the same simple clause unless for topicalization/emphasis.

Why is it zulia jipya and not zulia mpya?

Adjectives agree with noun class. zulia is class 5 (ji-/Ø). The adjective -pya takes ji- in class‑5 singular: jipya. In the plural (class 6), it becomes mapya: mazulia mapya.

If the rug were plural, what would change in the second clause?

Use class‑6 agreement:

Noun phrase: mazulia mapya
Object marker: -ya- (class 6) instead of -li- Example: Msimamizi alinisogezea mazulia mapya, nami nikayasogeza chini ya meza.

Why do we say chini ya meza and not just chini meza?

Locative heads typically take the associative ya before the noun: chini ya X (under X), juu ya X (on top of X), kando ya X (beside X). chini meza is ungrammatical.

Does sogeza always imply moving something “closer”?

Not always. sogeza means to move/slide/shift something, often a short or careful move. Context may imply “closer,” but it can simply be “reposition.” The intransitive base is sogea (“move/come closer [yourself]”).

Could I use another verb like letea here? How would that differ from sogezea?

Yes. Msimamizi aliniletea zulia jipya = the manager brought me a new rug. -letea focuses on bringing to (often over a distance). -sogezea focuses on shifting/sliding something toward/for someone, often over a short distance or within the same space.