We proceed with our topic Question words in Swahili
Question; Unaitwa nani?
You (singular).(u);tense Maker present tense (na); verb
For call in passive form (itwa)who( nani)=direct translation
What is your name?=communicative translation
Answer; Ninaitwa Adam or jina langu ni Adam
First person subject prefix singular (ni);tense Maker
Present tense (na).a verb for call in passive voice (itwa )
= Direct translation
I am Adam = communicative translations
Question:unakwenda wapi?
You second person singular (u) ;tense Maker present tense (na) verb
for going is (kwenda,kuenda) ; where (wapi)=direct translation
Where are you going?=communicative translation.
Answer: Nina kwenda kanisani
First person subject prefix singular (ni);tense Maker
Present tense (na): verb for going is (kwenda/kuenda)
Church (kanisa)= direct translation
The “ni”at the end of the word “kanisani”functions as a locative
Suffix which can be equivalent to”at or to”, I am going to the church= communicative translation
Question: Kwa Nini unalia ?
Why( Kwa nini) you second person pronoun singular (u)tense Maker present tense (na); verb for cry is (Lia)= direct translation
Why are you crying?= Communicative translation
Answer ; Kwa sababu nimepigwa na mama
Because (Kwa sababu) first person subject prefix singular (ni) tense Maker
Immediate past ( me ) verb for beat in passive voice is (pigwa) by na : mother (mama)
=Direct translation
Because I have beaten by mom= communicative translation
Question; je utaimba? Will you,(je) second subject prefix singular (u)
Tense Maker.future tense ( ta)verb for sing is (Imba)=direct translation
Will you sing= communicative translation
When (je) appears be for the verb it will mean a question ❓ will you do something
.Then when “je” appears at the end of the verb it means “how”
Answer
Hapana sitaimba
No”hapana”first person subject prefix negative ( si) ; tense Maker future tense( ta)
;Verb for sing is ( Imba) = direct translation
Nor I will not sing = Communicative translation
