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.