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Verb Conjugation in Swahili
Swahili verbs use prefixes to indicate the subject (person/number). The root verb "soma" (to read) is conjugated as:
- Present tense: Ni- (I), U- (You), A- (He/She), Tu- (We), M- (You plural), Wa- (They)
- Past tense: Add "li-" after the subject prefix
- Future tense: Add "ta-" after the subject prefix
Ninasoma
I am reading
Pronunciation: nee-na-SO-ma
Swahili: Ninasoma kitabu kila siku.
English: I read a book every day.
English: I read a book every day.
Unasoma
You are reading
Pronunciation: oo-na-SO-ma
Swahili: Unasoma nini sasa?
English: What are you reading now?
English: What are you reading now?
Anasoma
He/She is reading
Pronunciation: a-na-SO-ma
Swahili: Anasoma gazeti.
English: He/She is reading the newspaper.
English: He/She is reading the newspaper.
Tunasoma
We are reading
Pronunciation: too-na-SO-ma
Swahili: Tunasoma Kiswahili.
English: We are reading Swahili.
English: We are reading Swahili.
Mnasoma
You (plural) are reading
Pronunciation: m-na-SO-ma
Swahili: Mnasoma vizuri sana.
English: You (plural) are reading very well.
English: You (plural) are reading very well.
Wanasoma
They are reading
Pronunciation: wa-na-SO-ma
Swahili: Wanasoma shuleni.
English: They are reading in school.
English: They are reading in school.
Nilisoma
I read (past)
Pronunciation: nee-lee-SO-ma
Swahili: Nilisoma kitabu jana.
English: I read a book yesterday.
English: I read a book yesterday.
Nitasoma
I will read
Pronunciation: nee-ta-SO-ma
Swahili: Nitasoma kesho.
English: I will read tomorrow.
English: I will read tomorrow.