LESSONS

Swahili Tutorial: Introduction to Verbs

Written by Kiswahili

1. What is a Verb in Swahili?

A verb (in Swahili: kitenzi) is a word that expresses an action or a state. Just like in English, verbs in Swahili are essential in forming sentences.

Examples:

  • kula – to eat
  • kupenda – to love
  • kucheka – to laugh
  • kuamka – to wake up

Most Swahili verbs begin with the prefix “ku-“ in their infinitive form.


2. Verb Structure Basics

Swahili verbs are typically made up of several parts:

[Subject Prefix] + [Tense Marker] + [Verb Root] + [Extensions]

Example:
Ninapika

  • Ni- = I
  • -na- = present tense marker (am/are/is)
  • -pika = to cook

Translation: I am cooking


3. Subject Prefixes (Viambishi vya Nafsi)

EnglishSwahili Prefix
Ini-
Youu-
He/Shea-
Wetu-
You (pl.)m-
Theywa-

4. Tense Markers (Viashiria vya Wakati)

TenseMarkerExampleMeaning
Present-na-ninakulaI am eating
Past-li-ulikulaYou ate
Future-ta-watakulaThey will eat
Negative Present-si-siliI do not eat

5. Common Verb Examples

Infinitive FormMeaningSentence Example (Present)
kusomato read/studyNinasoma kitabu. (I am reading a book.)
kuandikato writeAnaandika barua. (He/She is writing a letter.)
kuimbato singTunaimba pamoja. (We are singing together.)
kukimbiato runWatoto wanakimbia. (The children are running.)

6. Forming Negative Verbs

To make a verb negative in the present tense, use a different subject prefix and drop the tense marker.

Positive: Ninakula (I am eating)
Negative: Sili (I do not eat)

SubjectPositiveNegative
INinakulaSili
YouUnakulaHuli
He/SheAnakulaHali
WeTunakulaHatuli

7. Practice Exercise

Translate the following into Swahili:

  1. She is reading.
  2. We are running.
  3. They will write.
  4. I do not sing.

Answers:

  1. Anasoma
  2. Tunakimbia
  3. Wataandika
  4. Siimbi

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