Sentences (Sentensi)
Introduction
In the Junior School CBC (KICD), Kiswahili Grammar (Sarufi) at Grade 9 looks at sentensi. This note is in English with Kiswahili glosses.
Parts of a sentence
A sentence has two main parts:
- Kiima (subject): who or what the sentence is about.
- Kiarifa (predicate): what is said about the subject.
Example: "Mwalimu / anafundisha darasani." Kiima: mwalimu (teacher). Kiarifa: anafundisha darasani (is teaching in class).
Types of sentences by structure
| Kiswahili | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sentensi sahili | Simple | Watoto wanacheza. (Children are playing.) |
| Sentensi ambatano | Compound | Baba analima na mama anapika. (Father is farming and mother is cooking.) |
| Sentensi changamano | Complex | Mtoto aliyeshinda amepewa zawadi. (The child who won was given a prize.) |
Types by purpose
- Taarifa (statement): Ninasoma kitabu.
- Swali (question): Unasoma nini?
- Amri (command): Soma kwa makini!
- Mshangao (exclamation): Safi kabisa!
Agreement (upatanisho wa kisarufi)
The verb agrees with the noun class of the subject.
- Mtoto anacheza (the child plays).
- Watoto wanacheza (the children play).
- Kitabu kinapendeza (the book is nice).
- Vitabu vinapendeza (the books are nice).
Worked example
Sentence: "Wanafunzi wanasoma vitabu maktabani."
- Kiima: wanafunzi (students)
- Kiarifa: wanasoma vitabu maktabani (are reading books in the library)
- Type: simple statement.
Try it
- Identify the kiima and kiarifa in "Mkulima analima shambani."
- Turn "Mtoto analala" into the plural.
- Write one statement, one question and one command in Kiswahili with English meanings.
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Quick Quiz
- Predicate
- Subject
- Object
- Adverb
Answer: Option 2- Word
- Sentence
- Paragraph
- Letter
Answer: Option 2- Unaenda wapi?
- Ninaenda sokoni.
- Nenda!
- Mvua inanyesha.
Answer: Option 1