Learn Hardcore Swahili: Bibi anapenda baraza kwa sababu kuna upepo mwanana mchana. - Grandmother likes the veranda because there is a gentle breeze in the afternoon.

In most everyday contexts, bibi means “grandmother” or an older/respected woman. As a title before a name, Bi (without the final vowel) means “Ms./Madam” (e.g., Bi Asha). In this sentence, Bibi most naturally reads as “Grandma.”

How is anapenda built, and what tense/aspect is it?

It’s segmented as: a- (3rd person singular subject), -na- (present/progressive), penda (verb root “like/love”). So anapenda = “she likes/loves” (present; often used for general preferences too).

Does penda mean “like” or “love”?

Both, depending on context and intensity. For a strong sense, speakers add intensifiers like sana (very): anapenda sana. With people, anampenda = “she loves/likes him/her.”

Why not add an object marker, e.g., analipenda baraza?

You typically don’t add the object marker unless the object is specific/topical (already known in the discourse). Analipenda baraza is possible when “the veranda (that we both know)” is being emphasized/topicalized, often with dislocation: Baraza, bibi analipenda. For a neutral statement, anapenda baraza is best.

Why is there no “the” before baraza?

Swahili has no articles. Definiteness is inferred from context or marked with an object marker when appropriate.

What exactly is baraza?

Along the East African coast, baraza is a built-in bench or veranda/porch area at the front of a house where people sit and chat. It can also mean a “council/assembly” in other contexts (e.g., baraza la mawaziri = “council of ministers”).

Should it be baraza or barazani? When do we add -ni?

Add the locative -ni to mean “at/on/in” the place:

baraza = the veranda (as an object/thing)
barazani = at/on the veranda (location) If you mean she enjoys being there, Bibi anapenda kukaa barazani is very natural.

Why use kwa sababu and not kwa sababu ya?

Use:

kwa sababu + clause: kwa sababu kuna upepo… (“because there is…”)
kwa sababu ya + noun: kwa sababu ya upepo mwanana (“because of the gentle breeze”)

Are there other common ways to say “because”?

Yes:

maana (colloquial “because/since”)
kwa kuwa / kwa vile (since/because, often slightly formal) Remember kwa hiyo means “so/therefore,” not “because.”

What does kuna do? How do I negate it or change tense?

kuna is existential: “there is/are.”

Negative: hakuna (there isn’t/aren’t)
Past: kulikuwa na (there was/were)
Future: kutakuwa na (there will be) There are also pana/mna for location-specific existence, but kuna is the common default.

Why is the adjective after the noun in upepo mwanana? Do adjectives agree?

In Swahili, adjectives follow the noun. Many adjectives take class agreement (e.g., upepo mzuri, viti vizuri). Mwanana is commonly used as an invariable descriptive after the noun in phrases like upepo mwanana.

What does mwanana mean exactly? Any good synonyms?

It means “gentle/mild/pleasant/soft,” often for a breeze, voice, or fragrance. Near-synonyms in context:

mpole/tulivu (calm/gentle—often for people/behavior)
baridi (cool/cold—temperature, not the same as gentle) For wind, upepo mwanana ≈ “a gentle/pleasant breeze.”

Does mchana mean “daytime,” “afternoon,” or “noon”?

mchana means the daytime period from around midday through the afternoon. More specific terms:

adhuhuri (midday/noon)
alasiri (late afternoon)
jioni (early evening)

Why is there no word for “in” before mchana? Can I move mchana elsewhere?

Time-of-day words act adverbially, so no preposition is needed: mchana = “in the daytime.” You can move it:

Bibi anapenda… mchana.
Mchana, bibi anapenda… Both are acceptable.

What’s a very natural alternative if I want to emphasize being on the veranda?

Use a verb of staying/sitting plus the locative:

Bibi anapenda kukaa barazani kwa sababu kuna upepo mwanana mchana.

How would I say this in the negative or in the past?

Negative (present): Bibi hapendi baraza kwa sababu mchana hakuna upepo mwanana.
Past (simple): Bibi alipenda baraza kwa sababu mchana kulikuwa na upepo mwanana.
Habitual/generic: Bibi hupenda baraza kwa sababu mchana kuna upepo mwanana.