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Questions & Answers about Je, umepokea bili ya leo?
What does Je do here? Do I need it?
- Je marks a yes/no question at the start of the sentence.
- It’s optional in everyday speech: Umepokea bili ya leo? (with rising intonation) is fine.
- Using Je feels a bit more formal/polite or clearer in writing.
Why is there a comma after Je?
- Standard punctuation places a comma after sentence-initial Je.
- You’ll also see it without the comma in informal writing; both are acceptable.
Is there any word-order change for questions in Swahili?
- No inversion like in English. The verb still carries the subject prefix.
- Pattern here: Subject prefix + Aspect + Verb = u- + -me- + -pokea.
What does umepokea literally mean, and how is it built?
- u- = you (singular) subject prefix
- -me- = perfect aspect (completed with present relevance: have/has done)
- -pokea = receive
- Overall: umepokea ≈ you have received.
When would I use umepokea instead of ulipokea?
- ume- (perfect) asks about a completed action relevant now, often within the current timeframe (e.g., today).
- li- (simple past) ulipokea asks about a past event at some past time (e.g., yesterday/earlier), without focusing on the present result.
- With leo, umepokea is most natural; with jana, use ulipokea.
How do I ask it negatively: Haven’t you received it?
- Use the negative perfect -ja-: Hujapokea bili ya leo?
- Plain negative statement: Sijapokea bili ya leo = I haven’t received it.
How would someone answer naturally?
- Yes: Ndiyo, nimepokea (bili ya leo).
- No: Hapana, sijapokea (bado).
- Not yet: Bado sijapokea.
How do I say “already” or “yet”?
- Already: Umeshapokea…? or Tayari umepokea…?
- Not yet: Bado sijapokea.
Difference between kupokea, kupata, and kupewa?
- kupokea = receive/take delivery (most precise for a bill).
- kupata = get/obtain (broader, less about being handed something).
- kupewa = be given (focus on the giver’s act).
Why is it bili ya leo and not bili leo?
- The linker -a with agreement (here ya) expresses “of”: bili ya leo = today’s bill.
- bili leo reads like “bill today,” which is awkward.
Why ya? Could it be wa, la, or cha?
- bili is an N-class noun (class 9, singular), which takes ya for the associative -a.
- Plural N-class (class 10) uses za: bili za leo = today’s bills.
- Other examples: kikombe cha… (class 7), tunda la… (class 5), miti ya… (class 4), mtu wa… (class 1).
Does bili clash with the number mbili (two)?
- No. bili (bill) is a loanword; mbili (two) starts with m-. They’re distinct in form and meaning.
Any pronunciation tips?
- Je = jeh
- umepokea = oo-meh-poh-KE-ah (stress the second-to-last syllable: ké)
- bili = BEE-lee
- leo = LEH-oh
Can I add an object marker: Umeipokea bili ya leo?
- Yes. -i- is the object marker for N-class nouns like bili.
- With the full noun after the verb, the object marker adds definiteness/emphasis and is common if the object is topical/known.
- Especially natural when the object is fronted: Bili ya leo, umeipokea?
How do I address more than one person?
- Use 2nd person plural: Je, mmepokea bili ya leo?
- Negative plural perfect: Hamjapokea…; affirmative reply (as a group): Ndiyo, tumepokea…
Can I change the time expression?
- Yes. Pattern: bili ya + time word
- bili ya jana = yesterday’s bill
- bili ya mwezi huu = this month’s bill
- bili ya leo hii = today itself/this very day (emphatic)