Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swahili grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Bado fundi picha hajafika ukumbini; labda atasafiri mapema kesho.
Does bado here mean “still” or “yet”?
In a negative clause like this, bado means “yet.” So Bado … hajafika = “(He/She) hasn’t arrived yet.” With an affirmative verb, bado means “still,” e.g., Bado yuko njiani = “He/She is still on the way.” As a one-word reply, Bado means “Not yet.”
How is hajafika formed, and what does it literally mean?
It’s the negative present perfect:
- ha- (3rd person singular negative subject marker) + -ja- (negative perfect) + fika (arrive). So hajafika = “he/she has not arrived.” The affirmative perfect is amefika (“he/she has arrived”).
Why isn’t it “hamefika” for “hasn’t arrived”?
In standard Swahili, the negative of the perfect uses -ja-, not -me-. So:
- Affirmative: amefika (“has arrived”)
- Negative: hajafika (“has not arrived”) “hamefika” is not a valid way to negate the perfect.
Can bado go somewhere else in the sentence?
Yes. You can say:
- Fundi picha bado hajafika ukumbini.
- Bado hajafika ukumbini fundi picha. (more literary/emphatic)
- Hajafika bado is heard in speech but is less common/natural than placing bado before the verb.
What does ukumbini mean, and why the -ni?
Ukumbi = “hall/venue.” Adding the locative -ni makes “in/at the hall,” so ukumbini = “at the venue.” You could also say kwenye ukumbi or ndani ya ukumbi with the same meaning.
Is fundi picha the usual word for “photographer”? How about mpiga picha?
Both occur. Nuances:
- mpiga picha (lit. “photo-taker”) is very common for “photographer,” especially in media and events.
- fundi picha can mean a photographer but also “photo specialist/technician” (e.g., someone skilled with cameras or photo developing), depending on context and region. Plurals:
- mpiga picha → wapiga picha
- fundi picha → mafundi picha
How do we know whether it’s “he” or “she”?
Swahili doesn’t mark gender in the verb. hajafika is just “he/she hasn’t arrived.” Context (e.g., the noun fundi picha) tells you it’s one person; gender is unspecified unless you add a name or yeye for emphasis.
Is it okay to use the present perfect negative and then a future in the next clause?
Yes. Bado … hajafika; labda atasafiri… = “(He/She) hasn’t arrived yet; maybe (he/she) will travel…” This is a natural mix: current status plus a speculation about the future.
What does labda do here? Do I need a special verb form after it?
Labda = “maybe/perhaps.” It doesn’t force a special mood; you just use the normal tense: labda atasafiri (“maybe he/she will travel”). Alternatives:
- Pengine atasafiri… (perhaps)
- Huenda akasafiri… (maybe; often followed by the consecutive aka- form)
Could I say huenda akasafiri mapema kesho instead of labda atasafiri mapema kesho?
Yes. Both mean “maybe he/she will travel early tomorrow.” Huenda often pairs with aka- (consecutive/subjunctive-like), giving a slightly more formal or cautious tone.
Why not ataenda kusafiri? Is atasafiri enough?
Safiri already means “to travel,” so atasafiri is the natural choice. Ataenda kusafiri is usually unnecessary or awkward. If you mean “leave,” you can say ataondoka.
What about the order mapema kesho vs. kesho mapema?
Both are acceptable:
- mapema kesho = “early tomorrow”
- kesho mapema = “tomorrow, early (in the day)” If you want to stress morning specifically, you can say kesho asubuhi mapema.
How do I negate the future, e.g., “(he/she) will not travel”?
Use the negative + future:
- hatasafiri = “he/she will not travel” Across persons with safiri:
- sitasafiri (I will not travel)
- hutasafiri (you sg.)
- hatasafiri (he/she)
- hatutasafiri (we)
- hamtasafiri (you pl.)
- hawatasafiri (they)
Can you show the full set for “not yet arrived” with different persons?
Yes, using -ja- + fika:
- sijafika (I haven’t arrived [yet])
- hujafika (you sg.)
- hajafika (he/she)
- hatujafika (we)
- hamjafika (you pl.)
- hawajafika (they)
What noun class is ukumbi, and what’s its plural?
Ukumbi is in the U- class (often labeled 11/14 historically). The plural is kumbi (N-class plural), though it’s less commonly heard in everyday speech. You’ll see phrases like ukumbi wa mikutano (conference hall) and in the plural kumbi za… (halls/venues for…).
Is there a difference between hajafika and past negative hakuja?
Yes:
- hajafika = “has not arrived (yet)”—current relevance; arrival is still expected/possible.
- hakuja = “did not come” (simple past negative)—suggests the event is over or completed in the past. With bado, you normally pair the negative perfect: Bado hajafika (“not yet”).
Could I use ingia instead of fika?
You can, but it changes nuance:
- hajafika ukumbini = hasn’t arrived at the venue (reached the place)
- hajaingia ukumbini = hasn’t entered the hall (hasn’t gone inside) Choose based on whether you mean reaching the venue or physically going in.