Understanding past tenses is key to speaking both English and Swahili fluently. This guide will help you learn how to express things that happened in the past — step by step!
1. Simple Past Tense – Wakati Uliopita Rahisi
Used to describe something that happened and finished in the past.
English Example:
- I walked to school yesterday.
Swahili Translation:
- Nilitembea kwenda shule jana.
Structure (Swahili):
- Ni- (I) + -li- (past) + -tembea (walk) = Nilitembea
More Examples:
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| She cooked rice. | Alipika wali. |
| We played football. | Tulicheza mpira. |
2. Past Continuous Tense – Wakati Uliopita Endelevu
Used to show an action that was ongoing in the past.
English Example:
- I was reading a book.
Swahili Translation:
- Nilikuwa nikisoma kitabu.
Structure:
- Nilikuwa (I was) + nikisoma (reading)
More Examples:
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| They were singing. | Walikuwa wakiimba. |
| We were eating. | Tulikuwa tukila. |
3. Past Perfect – Wakati Ulikuwa Umekwisha
Used to show an action that had already happened before another past event.
English Example:
- I had finished my homework before dinner.
Swahili Translation:
- Nilikuwa nimekamilisha kazi ya nyumbani kabla ya chakula cha jioni.
Structure:
- Nilikuwa (I had) + nimekamilisha (finished)
More Examples:
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| She had left. | Alikuwa ameondoka. |
| We had slept. | Tulikuwa tumelala. |
Quick Tips:
- Swahili verbs change based on the subject, tense marker, and verb root.
- Tense markers:
- -li- for simple past
- -likuwa or kuwa forms for continuous or perfect tenses
Practice Makes Perfect
Try translating these sentences:
- They watched a movie. →
- He was driving a car. →
- We had eaten breakfast. →
Practice with friends or write your answers in a notebook. You’ll get better with time!
Created for students
Image Bing
