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Questions & Answers about Mama anapenda uzi mwekundu.
What is the grammatical breakdown of Mama anapenda uzi mwekundu?
- Mama = mother/mom (a human noun in noun class 1; the subject)
- a- = 3rd person singular subject prefix (he/she/it)
- -na- = present tense marker
- penda = verb root “to like/to love”
- uzi = thread (singular; noun class 11)
- mwekundu = red (adjective stem -ekundu “red” with the class-11 agreement prefix m(w)-) So, morphologically: Mama a-na-penda uzi m-w-ekundu.
Why is the adjective mwekundu and not just wekundu or nyekundu?
Adjectives agree with the noun’s class in Swahili. Uzi is class 11, and adjectives for class 11 take the prefix m(w)- before vowel-initial adjective stems, so -ekundu becomes mwekundu. Other classes use different prefixes:
- Class 10 (plural of uzi = nyuzi): nyekundu → nyuzi nyekundu
- Class 7 (kikapu): chekundu → kikapu chekundu
- Class 5 (tunda): jekundu → tunda jekundu
- Class 2 (watu): wekundu → watu wekundu The key: match the adjective prefix to the noun class.
Why is the adjective after the noun (why not mwekundu uzi)?
In Swahili, descriptive adjectives normally follow the noun they modify. So you say uzi mwekundu, not mwekundu uzi. If you use multiple adjectives, each follows the noun and shows agreement: uzi mwekundu mrefu mzuri.
How would I say it in the plural: “Mom likes red threads”?
- Plural of uzi is nyuzi (class 10).
- The adjective switches to class-10 form: nyekundu. So: Mama anapenda nyuzi nyekundu.
Does anapenda mean “likes” or “loves”?
Both are possible. Penda covers the range from “like” to “love.” Context tells you whether it’s mild liking or strong affection. With things like uzi, it’s usually “likes.”
Why is it anapenda and not napenda?
The verb must agree with the subject. Mama is third person singular (class 1 for people), so the subject prefix is a-: a-na-penda → anapenda. Napenda would mean “I like/love.”
What exactly does the -na- tense marker express here?
-na- marks present time. It can mean:
- General/habitual present: “(usually) likes”
- Current present: “(is currently) liking/likes” With stative verbs like penda, English usually renders it as simple present: “likes/loves.”
Can I add an object marker to emphasize the specific thread (e.g., “Mom likes the red thread [that one we know]”)?
Yes. Class-11 object marker is u-. You can say:
- Mama anaupenda uzi mwekundu. This often signals that the object is specific/known in context. Without the object marker (Mama anapenda uzi mwekundu) is the neutral way.
How do I negate the sentence?
Use the negative subject prefix and change the verb ending:
- Mama hapendi uzi mwekundu. = “Mom doesn’t like red thread.” Pattern: ha- (3rd sg. negative) + verb stem, with the final vowel -a changing to -i in the present negative.
Could I say anampenda here?
No. -m- is the object marker for a class-1 person (him/her). Uzi is class 11, so its object marker is u-: anaupenda (he/she likes it). Anampenda would mean “she likes/loves him/her.”
How would I say “Mom likes the red one” without repeating uzi?
Use a demonstrative for class 11 plus the adjective:
- Near: huyu is for people; for things it’s huu. So: Mama anapenda huu mwekundu = “Mom likes this red one.”
- Medial: huo mwekundu = “that (near you) red one”
- Far: ule mwekundu = “that (over there) red one” Omitting uzi is fine when context makes it clear.
Is there any article like “a” or “the” in the Swahili sentence?
No. Swahili has no articles. Mama anapenda uzi mwekundu can mean “Mom likes a red thread,” “Mom likes red thread,” or “Mom likes the red thread,” depending on context. Use demonstratives (huu/huo/ule) or object markers for specificity if needed.
Why does mwekundu have a w in it?
The adjective stem starts with a vowel (-ekundu). Many agreement prefixes add a glide to avoid a vowel clash. For class 1/3/11 the prefix is m-, which becomes mw- before vowel-initial stems, yielding mwe-kundu.
What’s the dictionary form of the verb, and why isn’t ku- visible here?
The infinitive (dictionary) form is kupenda (“to like/love”). In sentences, you drop ku- and conjugate: a-na-penda → anapenda. The ku- only appears when you use the infinitive.
Any quick pronunciation tips?
- uzi: “oo-zee” (short, smooth u; z as in “zoo”)
- mwekundu: start with “mw” together: “mweh-KOON-doo”
- anapenda: “ah-nah-PEHN-dah” Keep syllables evenly timed; Swahili is syllable-timed.