PREPOSITIONAL FORM OF THE VERB

A preposition is a word or group of terms used to show direction, location, or time or that introduces an object. Some Swahili verbs can be made into prepositional forms.

They convey the meaning of doing something to, for, or on behalf of someone.

 

Verbs with a, i or u, end with -ia

Lala [sleep]	Lalia [sleep on]
Rudi [return]	Rudia [return to/for]
Jibu [answer]	Jibia [answer to/for]

 

 

Verbs where the 2nd last syllable contains e or o end with -ea

Soma [study]	Somea [read for]
Kopa [borrow]	Kopea [borrow/lend for]
Sema [say/speak]	Semea [say/speak for]
Enda [go]	Endea [go for]

 

 

Verbs with double vowels end with -lia or -lea

Nunua [buy]	Nunulia [buy for]
Pokea [receive]	Pokelea [receive for]
Jua [know]	Julia [know for]
Lia [cry]	Lilia [cry for]

 

Exercise 1

Select a prepositional verb in the following list.

Panga

Cheza

Imba

Lalia

Majeruhi wali______kwenye eneo la ajali.

Okoa

Okota

Okolewa

Okoka

Select a sentence which does not contain a prepositional verb

Mwalimu aliwaandikia wanafunzi maswali

Mgeni aliwachezea wenyeji

Gari lilifika kwa haraka

Mtoto alililia chakula

Mama ali___________ watoto wake pipi

Nunua

Nunuka

Nunuka

Nunulia

Si vizuri kuwa______ wanawake heshima

Vunja

Vunjia

Vunjizi

Vunjufu

Translate: We passed by his place

Tulipita kwake

Tulipitia kwake

Walipitia kwake

Tulimpita kwake

Select a prepositional verb in the following list

Sameha

Salimu

Saliti

Safiria

Tuliwa____ simu polisi tulipovamiwa na majambazi

Pigia

Pigizi

Pigilia

Pigika

Translate: He cut the tree on behalf of the owner

Alimkatia mmiliki mti

Mti ulikatika na mtu

Mti ulikataa na mmiliki

Mti haukukata na mtu

Exercise 2: Translate the following to Kiswahili

a.     Grandpa is cooking for us.

b.    He worked for us.

c.     The teacher is reading for the students.

d.    I will not answer for you.

e.     He bought her a car.

f.       I will not cry for you.

g.     He will speak on our behalf.

h.    She paid for his debt.