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

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.