Verbs (Vitenzi)

What is a verb in Kiswahili?

A verb, called kitenzi (plural vitenzi), shows an action. The KICD Grade 6 Kiswahili curriculum teaches learners to form verbs with markers. This lesson is in English with glosses.

Basic verbs

• kusoma = to read
• kuandika = to write
• kula = to eat
• kucheza = to play
• kuimba = to sing

Building a verb

A verb is built in parts:

subject + tense + root

Three tenses

• Present (na): Ninasoma = I am reading.
• Past (li): Alisoma = He/she read.
• Future (ta): Tutasoma = We will read.

Negative

• Sisomi = I do not read.
• Hatucheza = We do not play.

In sentences

• Watoto wanaimba. (The children are singing.)
• Baba alilima shamba jana. (Father dug the farm yesterday.)
• Kesho tutaenda sokoni. (Tomorrow we will go to the market.)

Try it

• Change "ninacheza" to past and future tense.
• Translate: "You will write."
• Make a sentence with the verb "kupika" (to cook).