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Breakdown of Upepo ukiongezeka, tufunge madirisha.
upepo
the wind
kufunga
to close
dirisha
the window
ukiongezeka
if it increases
Questions & Answers about Upepo ukiongezeka, tufunge madirisha.
What does the -ki- in ukiongezeka do?
It’s the conditional/temporal marker meaning if/when/whenever. In form, it comes right after the subject marker. So u-ki-ongezeka = if/when it increases. This is the standard way to form a real, open condition in Swahili: SM-ki-VERB.
How is ukiongezeka built morphologically?
- u- = subject marker agreeing with upepo (wind), a noun in class 11
- -ki- = conditional/temporal marker (if/when/whenever)
- ongezek- = verb stem meaning increase (intransitive)
- -a = final vowel Altogether: u-ki-ongezek-a.
Why does tufunge end in -e instead of -a?
Because it’s the subjunctive/hortative: tu-fung-e = let’s close. The final -e marks the subjunctive mood. Using the subjunctive after such a condition expresses a suggestion or instruction: If/when the wind picks up, let’s close the windows.
Can I say the same idea with a future tense instead of the subjunctive?
Yes: Upepo ukiongezeka, tutafunga madirisha. That’s more like a plan or prediction (we will close). The original tufunge is more of a proposal/command (let’s close).
How do I negate the condition (if the wind doesn’t increase…)?
Use the negative conditional pattern SM-si-po-VERB. For class 11, that’s u-si-po-:
- Upepo usipoongezeka, … = If the wind doesn’t increase, …
Note the double oo in usipoongezeka (from -sipo-
- verb beginning with o-). For example: Upepo usipoongezeka, tufungue madirisha. (If the wind doesn’t pick up, let’s open the windows.)
Could I use kama instead of the -ki- form?
Yes. You can say: Kama upepo utaongezeka, tutafunga madirisha. With kama, you normally use an ordinary tense (often future -ta-). Avoid doubling (i.e., don’t say Kama upepo ukiongezeka in careful style), though you may hear it in casual speech. Nuance: -ki- often sounds tighter/whenever-ish; kama is the plain if.
Does madirisha mean the windows or just windows? What’s the singular?
Swahili doesn’t mark definiteness, so madirisha can be the windows or windows depending on context. Singular is dirisha (class 5), plural madirisha (class 6).
Do I need an object marker here? Is tuyafunge madirisha correct?
Use an object marker only when the object is already known/topical or when the noun is omitted. With an explicit object like madirisha, you normally don’t add the object marker. So prefer:
- Tufunge madirisha. (natural) Use the object marker when pronominalizing:
- Tuyafunge. = Let’s close them.
For class 6, the object marker is ya-: tu-ya-fung-e.
Why ongezeka and not ongeza?
Ongeza is transitive: to increase/add something.
Ongezeka is intransitive: to increase (by itself).
Here the wind increases on its own, so ongezeka is correct.
Can I put the conditional clause after the main clause?
Yes: Tufunge madirisha, upepo ukiongezeka. Both orders are fine. Putting the condition first is very common and often clearer.
Do I have to write a comma?
No, but it helps readability, especially when the -ki- clause comes first. Swahili punctuation practices often mirror English in this respect.
Is ukiongezeka closer to if or when/whenever?
It can cover all of these, depending on context:
- if (a real condition): If it increases…
- when (specific time/event): When it increases…
- whenever (habitual): Whenever it increases… The main clause (subjunctive vs future vs habitual) will also color the meaning.
What is the u- at the start of ukiongezeka?
It’s the subject agreement marker for noun class 11 (used by upepo). The verb must agree with its subject’s noun class. More examples with class-11-like subjects:
- Upepo ukivuma, … (If/when the wind blows, …)
- Upepo ukizidi, … (If/when the wind intensifies, …)
How do I tell one person or several people to close the windows (not “let’s”)?
- Singular imperative: Funga madirisha! (Close the windows!)
- Plural imperative: Fungeni madirisha!
For extra politeness, add tafadhali: Tafadhali funga/fungeni madirisha.
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