Breakdown of Ukibonyeza kitufe kwenye redio, muziki utaanza.
kuanza
to start
kwenye
on
kitufe
the button
muziki
the music
redio
the radio
ukibonyeza
if you press
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Questions & Answers about Ukibonyeza kitufe kwenye redio, muziki utaanza.
What does uki- in ukibonyeza mean, and how is the word built?
Ukibonyeza is built like this:
- u- = subject marker for you (singular)
- -ki- = the conditional/temporal marker meaning if/when
- bonyez- = verb stem meaning press
- -a = final vowel
So ukibonyeza means if/when you press.
Is the ki in ukibonyeza agreeing with kitufe?
No. The -ki- in ukibonyeza is the conditional marker, not an object agreement.
If you wanted to include an object marker for kitufe (class 7, ki/vi), you would say:
- Ukikibonyeza, muziki utaanza. = If you press it (the button), the music will start.
Then you would not repeat kitufe.
Do I need to say wewe for “you”?
No. The subject marker u- already encodes you (singular). Wewe is optional and used for emphasis:
- Wewe ukibonyeza… = As for you, if you press…
Can I use kama to say “if”?
Yes. You can say:
- Kama ukibonyeza kitufe…, muziki utaanza.
- Kama utabonyeza kitufe…, muziki utaanza. (also heard) However, the -ki- form (ukibonyeza …) is very natural and common for real, likely conditions (if/when).
Why does utaanza start with u-? Shouldn’t it be “it will start”?
In Swahili, verbs agree with noun classes, not with a generic “it.” Muziki takes the subject marker u-, so:
- Muziki utaanza = The music will start.
What noun class is muziki, and does it have a plural?
Muziki is treated as a singular noun that takes the subject marker u- (commonly class 3/11 behavior). It’s a mass/abstract noun and does not normally have a plural. If you mean multiple songs, use nyimbo.
Could I use a habitual instead of future, like “the music starts (whenever)”?
Yes. For general truths/habits use the habitual hu-:
- Ukibonyeza kitufe…, muziki huanza. = If/When you press the button, the music starts (generally).
Note: with hu-, you don’t use a regular subject marker in that clause.
What does kwenye mean here? Could I use something else?
Kwenye is a general preposition meaning in/at/on. Alternatives:
- katika = in/within (more formal/literary)
- juu ya = on top of
- ndani ya = inside Here, kwenye redio means the button located on the radio device.
Is redio the same as English “radio”? How do I pronounce/spell it?
Yes. Standard Swahili spelling is redio (re-dee-oh). You will also see radio, especially informally, but redio is common in dictionaries and formal writing.
Is kitufe kwenye redio the same as kitufe cha redio?
- kitufe kwenye redio = the button located on the radio (locative sense).
- kitufe cha redio = the radio’s button (possessive/of-relationship).
Both are fine; choose based on whether you want to emphasize location or ownership.
How do I say “Press the button” as a command?
- To one person: Bonyeza kitufe.
- To several people: Bonyezeni kitufe.
Polite: add tafadhali (please).
How do I say the whole thing without repeating “button,” like “If you press it, the music will start”?
Use the object marker for class 7 (-ki-):
- Ukikibonyeza, muziki utaanza.
Here, -ki- refers back to kitufe.
How do I make the sentence negative: “If you don’t press the button, the music won’t start”?
- Usipobonyeza kitufe kwenye redio, muziki hautaanza.
Notes: - usipo- = if/when you don’t (negative of uki- with 2nd person singular)
- hautaanza = will not start (negative future for a noun taking u-)
How does the sentence change if I’m talking to more than one person?
Use the plural subject marker m- in the conditional:
- Mkibonyeza kitufe kwenye redio, muziki utaanza.
If you also want an object marker (for “press it”): - Mkikibonyeza, muziki utaanza.
Is there a synonym for bonyeza?
Yes:
- bofya is common in tech contexts for click or press (e.g., a computer button): Bofya kitufe.
- bonyeza works for physical buttons in general and is widely used.