Welcome! In this tutorial, you will learn how to use the Present Continuous Tense in English and how to translate it into Swahili. This tense is used when talking about actions that are happening right now or around this time.
What is the Present Continuous Tense?
In English, the Present Continuous Tense is formed using:
[Subject] + [am/is/are] + [verb + ing]
Examples:
- I am eating.
- She is reading.
- They are playing.
Swahili Equivalent of Present Continuous
In Swahili, the Present Continuous Tense is formed using:
[Subject Prefix] + “na” + [verb]
Examples:
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| I am eating | Ninakula |
| You are reading | Unasoma |
| He/She is sleeping | Analala |
| We are working | Tunafanya kazi |
| They are playing | Wanacheza |
Quick Breakdown
Let’s break down the example: “Ninakula”
- Ni- = I (subject prefix for “I”)
- na- = Present continuous marker
- -kula = to eat (verb)
So, Ninakula = I am eating
More Examples
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| I am studying | Ninasoma |
| She is cooking | Anapika |
| We are going to school | Tunaenda shuleni |
| You are washing the dishes | Unasafisha vyombo |
| They are listening to music | Wanasikiliza muziki |
Important Notes
- The “na” in Swahili shows that the action is happening now.
- Verbs in Swahili usually start with “ku-“ in their dictionary form (e.g. kula = to eat), but in sentences, this “ku-” is dropped.
Practice Time!
Try translating the following sentences:
- He is dancing
- We are learning Swahili
- I am writing a letter
- They are cooking food
- You are reading a book
Answers:
- Anacheza
- Tunajifunza Kiswahili
- Ninaandika barua
- Wanapika chakula
- Unasoma kitabu
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