Matunda yakiganda kwenye friza, tunapata barafu tamu.

When the fruits freeze in the freezer, we get sweet ice.

Breakdown of Matunda yakiganda kwenye friza, tunapata barafu tamu.

• sisi: we
• kwenye: in
• kupata: to get
• tunda: the fruit

Questions & Answers about Matunda yakiganda kwenye friza, tunapata barafu tamu.

What exactly does yakiganda mean, and how is it formed?

Yakiganda comes from the verb -ganda (to freeze / become solid).

It is made of three parts:

• ya- = subject prefix for noun class 6 (agreeing with matunda, “fruits”)
• -ki- = a tense/aspect marker meaning when / while / if
• -ganda = verb root “freeze”

So ya-ki-ganda literally means “when/if they (the fruits) freeze” or “while they are freezing.”

Is yakiganda closer to English “when” or “if”?

It can cover both ideas; context decides.

• Often it means “when(ever)” in a general, habitual way:
  Matunda yakiganda kwenye friza, tunapata barafu tamu.
  → When(ever) the fruits freeze in the freezer, we get sweet ice.

• It can also sound a bit conditional, like “if”, especially in other contexts:
  Ukienda sokoni, nunua matunda.
  → If / when you go to the market, buy fruits.

So -ki- is a flexible marker meaning something like “at the time/occasion that X happens,” which can be translated as when, whenever, or sometimes if.

Why is it yakiganda and not yanapoganda? Can I use yanapoganda instead?