Welcome! In this tutorial, we will learn how to express the future tense in English and how to translate it into Swahili. Whether you’re a student, traveler, or language enthusiast, this guide is designed to make future tense easy to understand.
What Is the Future Tense?
The future tense is used to talk about things that will happen after now. In English, there are a few ways to express the future, and each has a matching way in Swahili.
1. Simple Future – “Will”
➤ English:
We use “will” + base verb to talk about future actions or decisions.
Examples:
- I will travel tomorrow.
- She will study tonight.
➤ Swahili:
Use the prefix “ta” added to the subject marker and verb.
Examples:
- Nitasafiri kesho. (I will travel tomorrow.)
- Atasoma usiku wa leo. (She will study tonight.)
Structure: Subject + ta + verb
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| I will eat. | Nitakula. |
| He will come. | Atakuja. |
| We will go. | Tutaenda. |
2. “Going to” Future
➤ English:
We use “be going to” + verb to talk about planned actions or things likely to happen.
Examples:
- I am going to visit Nairobi.
- They are going to watch a movie.
➤ Swahili:
Use the same “ta” structure, but emphasize the intention using context or additional words like kupanga (to plan).
Examples:
- Ninapanga kutembelea Nairobi. (I am planning to visit Nairobi.)
- Watakwenda kuangalia sinema. (They will go watch a movie.)
Tip: Swahili does not have a direct equivalent of “going to,” so use future tense + planning words for clarity.
3. Future with “Shall” (Formal or Offers)
➤ English:
“Shall” is often used in formal writing or making suggestions.
Examples:
- Shall we begin?
- I shall return.
➤ Swahili:
Still use “ta” form for future tense. For suggestions, use words like “tuanze?” (Shall we start?)
Examples:
- Tuanze? (Shall we begin?)
- Nitarudi. (I shall return.)
Quick Tips
| English Phrase | Swahili Translation |
|---|---|
| I will help you. | Nitakusaidia. |
| You will see tomorrow. | Utaona kesho. |
| We shall overcome. | Tutashinda. |
| Are you going to school? | Je, unaenda shule? |
Practice Time!
Try translating the following into Swahili:
- He will call me.
- They will eat at noon.
- I am going to read.
- Shall we dance?
Answers:
- Atanipigia simu.
- Watakula saa sita mchana.
- Ninapanga kusoma. or Nitasoma.
- Tucheze?
Summary
- “Will” = “ta” in Swahili.
- Use subject prefixes: ni- (I), u- (you), a- (he/she), tu- (we), wa- (they).
- For “going to,” use planning words or context.
- For “shall,” use polite or formal Swahili equivalents.
Keep Learning!
Want to master more tenses and build your Swahili vocabulary? Keep practicing daily and explore more free lessons here on our site. Usikate tamaa!
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