Learn Hardcore Swahili: Je, umeona grafu yetu mpya ukutani? - Have you seen our new graph on the wall?

Je is a yes/no question marker used especially in writing and formal speech. It’s optional; you can also ask simply Umeona grafu yetu mpya ukutani? with questioning intonation.

How is umeona built?

It’s u-me-ona: u- (you, singular subject), -me- (perfect “have”), -ona (see). Other persons: nimeona (I have seen), ameona (he/she has seen), mmeona (you plural have seen), wameona (they have seen).

What’s the difference between umeona and uliona?

umeona is the present perfect (“Have you seen…?”), often for recent or still-relevant actions. uliona is simple past (“Did you see…?”) tied to a specific past time.

Where is the word “the”? Does ukutani mean “on the wall” or “on a wall”?

Swahili has no articles; definiteness comes from context. ukutani can mean “on the wall” or “on a wall.” To be explicit, add a demonstrative: kwenye ukuta huu/ule (on this/that wall).

What exactly does ukutani mean and how is it formed?

It’s ukuta (wall) + locative suffix -ni = “at/on the wall.” The suffix -ni often translates as “in/at/on,” depending on the noun (e.g., nyumbani = at home, darasani = in class).

Can I say kwenye ukuta instead of ukutani?

Yes. kwenye ukuta also means “on the wall.” -ni is a concise locative; kwenye is a general preposition (“in/at/on”).

Why is it grafu yetu mpya instead of “our new graph” before the noun?

Swahili places modifiers after the noun. The common order is noun + possessive + adjectives: grafu yetu mpya (“graph our new”).

How do agreement and number work in grafu yetu mpya?

grafu is a class 9 noun. The possessive takes the class 9 form yetu (“our”), and the adjective -pya takes the class 9 form mpya. For plural graphs you’d say grafu zetu mpya (class 10 possessive zetu; the adjective mpya stays the same).

Should I include an object marker, like umeiona?

Use an object marker when the object is already known/topical: Je, umeiona? = “Have you seen it?” When you state the object right after the verb, you typically omit it: umeona grafu… Avoid doubling (object marker + full noun) in neutral sentences.

What are natural short answers to this yes/no question?

Yes: Ndiyo, nimeiona (or Ndiyo, nimeona). No: Hapana, sijaiona (or Hapana, sijaona). With -iona, you’re saying “I have seen it.”

How does it change if I’m speaking to more than one person?

Use the 2nd plural subject marker m-: Je, mmeona grafu yetu mpya ukutani? = “Have you (all) seen our new graph on the wall?”

Do I need to say wewe for “you”?

No. The subject is already on the verb (u-). Add wewe only for emphasis or contrast: Wewe umeiona? (“Have you (specifically) seen it?”).

Is there a difference between grafu, chati, and mchoro?

Roughly: grafu = graph (axes, plotted data), chati = chart (tables, pie charts, etc.), mchoro = drawing/diagram. There’s some overlap in casual usage.

Can I put ukutani at the start for emphasis?

Yes. Ukutani, umeona grafu yetu mpya? is acceptable and emphasizes location. The neutral placement is at the end.

Why is there a comma after Je?

It’s conventional in writing to set off Je with a comma. In informal text you’ll also see Je without a comma: Je umeona …?

How do I ask “Haven’t you seen our new graph on the wall?”

Use the negative perfect: Hujaona grafu yetu mpya ukutani? With an object marker (referring to a known graph): Hujaiona?

How should I pronounce tricky parts like Je, umeona, and mpya?

Je sounds like “jeh” (j as in English “jam”).
umeona has four clear vowels: u-me-o-na (each vowel pronounced).
mpya is two syllables (m-pya) with a consonant cluster; don’t insert an extra vowel (“mi-pia”).