Mjini
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Identify common buildings, public services, and forms of transportation.
- Ask where a place is located using Wapi? and related question patterns.
- Use the general locative marker -ko, the specific locative marker -po, and the interior locative marker -mo in controlled, high-frequency expressions.
- Give and follow simple directions using motion verbs including kwenda, kuja, kuingia, and kutoka.
- Form affirmative and negative commands addressed to one person and to more than one person.
- State origin, destination, and general location using prepositions and locative phrases already introduced.
- Understand common public signs and short travel instructions.
- Pronounce direction and command intonation clearly, and read route information aloud accurately.
- Write a short set of step-by-step directions to a familiar place.
Communication Scenario
You are visiting a friend in a town you do not know well. You need to find the bank, the market, and the bus stop, and you want to be able to explain to a taxi driver or a stranger on the street exactly where you are trying to go. Your friend, in turn, asks you for directions to a nearby pharmacy. By the end of this chapter, you will be able to ask where a place is, understand and give basic directions, and talk about getting from one point in town to another.
- Think about how you ask for directions in your own language. Do you usually say where you are, where you want to go, or both? Swahili distinguishes these ideas carefully using different locative markers and verbs. Notice this distinction as you work through the chapter.
- In English, "go," "come," "enter," and "leave" are four separate verbs with no shared form. Swahili motion verbs work in a similar way — each carries its own meaning — but they combine predictably with the present-tense pattern you already know from Chapter 7. Watch for how familiar verb structure supports brand-new vocabulary.
Core Vocabulary
Mahali mjini — Places in town
The nouns below name common buildings and public services. Most belong to noun classes you have already studied (M-WA, KI-VI, N, M-MI, JI-MA). Learn each with its plural and class note, as in earlier chapters.
| Umoja (Singular) | Wingi (Plural) | Meaning | Class note |
|---|---|---|---|
| benki | benki | bank / banks | N-class |
| soko | masoko | market / markets | JI-MA class |
| duka | maduka | shop / shops | JI-MA class |
| hospitali | hospitali | hospital / hospitals | N-class |
| shule | shule | school / schools | N-class |
| kanisa | makanisa | church / churches | JI-MA class |
| msikiti | misikiti | mosque / mosques | M-MI class |
| stesheni | stesheni | station / stations | N-class |
| kituo cha basi | vituo vya basi | bus stop / bus stops | KI-VI class |
| posta | posta | post office | N-class |
| ofisi | ofisi | office / offices | N-class |
| uwanja wa ndege | nyanja za ndege | airport / airports | U-class; recognition plural |
| barabara | barabara | road; street | N-class |
| mtaa | mitaa | neighborhood; street / neighborhoods | M-MI class |
Usafiri — Transportation
| Umoja (Singular) | Wingi (Plural) | Meaning | Class note |
|---|---|---|---|
| basi | mabasi | bus / buses | JI-MA class |
| gari | magari | car / cars | JI-MA class |
| pikipiki | pikipiki | motorcycle / motorcycles | N-class |
| baiskeli | baiskeli | bicycle / bicycles | N-class |
| teksi | teksi | taxi / taxis | N-class |
| treni | treni | train / trains | N-class |
| ndege | ndege | airplane; bird | N-class; context determines meaning |
| boda boda | boda boda | motorcycle taxi / motorcycle taxis | N-class; widespread East African term |
Note: boda boda is a widely used East African term for a motorcycle taxi. It is treated here as standard, high-frequency vocabulary rather than as a regional curiosity.
Maneno ya mwelekeo — Direction and position words
| Swahili | Meaning |
|---|---|
| kushoto | left |
| kulia | right |
| moja kwa moja | straight ahead |
| karibu na | near; close to |
| mbali na | far from |
| kati ya | between |
| mbele ya | in front of |
| nyuma ya | behind |
| pembeni | on the side; nearby |
| kona | corner |
| hapa | here |
| pale | there (visible, at some distance) |
| huko | over there (general area) |
Vitenzi vya mwendo — Motion verbs
| Infinitive | Root | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| kwenda | -end- | to go | Irregular; present tense often naenda, unaenda, etc. |
| kuja | -j- | to come | Monosyllabic-style root; behaves regularly with subject and tense markers |
| kuingia | -ingi- | to enter | Often followed by katika or a locative phrase |
| kutoka | -tok- | to leave; to come from | Used for both origin and departure |
| kupita | -pit- | to pass; to pass by | Common in direction-giving |
| kufika | -fik- | to arrive | Common in direction-giving |
| kugeuka | -geuk- | to turn | Often paired with kushoto or kulia |
kwenda is irregular: in ordinary present-tense speech, many speakers use naenda, unaenda, anaenda, and so on, rather than the fully regular pattern. Learn these forms directly as your productive model. This irregularity is noted here and should not be generalized to other verbs.
Maneno ya maelekezo — Direction-giving expressions
| Swahili | Meaning |
|---|---|
| … iko wapi? | Where is …? |
| Nenda moja kwa moja. | Go straight ahead. |
| Geuka kushoto / kulia. | Turn left / right. |
| Pita hapa. | Pass/go through here. |
| Hadi … | Until …; as far as … |
| Karibu na … | Near … |
| Tafadhali, naomba msaada. | Please, I would like some help. |
Pronunciation and Spelling
Mkazo wa sauti katika maswali na maagizo — Intonation in questions and commands
Direction-giving combines two intonation patterns you must distinguish clearly: the rising, inquisitive contour of a location question, and the level, purposeful contour of a command. Practice the contrast below.
| Type | Example | Intonation note |
|---|---|---|
| Location question | Benki iko wapi? | Slight rise toward wapi, the focus of the question |
| Affirmative command | Geuka kulia. | Level, falling pitch; clear stress on the penultimate syllable of each word |
| Negative command | Usigeuke kulia. | Slight emphasis on si, then level pitch through the rest of the verb |
Mdundo wa kifungu — Phrase-level rhythm in route sequences
When giving a full set of directions, Swahili speakers typically pause briefly between each instruction, similar to listing steps. Read the following sequence aloud, pausing at each comma and full stop, and keeping word-level stress on the penultimate syllable throughout.
Nenda moja kwa moja, geuka kulia kwenye kona, pita mbele ya shule, na utafika benki.
Kusoma alama za barabarani — Reading public signs accurately
Public signs are often short and use the infinitive or imperative form. Practice reading the following common signs aloud, paying attention to stress placement even in short words.
- Ingia Enter (imperative)
- Toka Exit (imperative)
- Usisimame hapa Do not stand/stop here (negative command)
- Karibu Welcome (literally: near/close)
Grammar Instruction
11.1 The PA/KU/MU locative system — three ways to talk about "there"
Purpose: understand that Swahili distinguishes general, specific, and interior location, and recognize the three markers that express this distinction.
In Chapter 6, you learned kuna for general existence and locative phrases such as katika, juu ya, and chini ya. Swahili also has a system of three locative reference markers attached to forms of kuwa and to demonstratives. These markers are traditionally grouped under three labels: PA, KU, and MU. They do not work like an ordinary singular-plural noun class; instead, each one expresses a different type of location.
| Marker | Type of location | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| -po | Specific, definite location | A particular point or place that is identifiable |
| -ko | General location | A general area or location, often used by default |
| -mo | Interior location | Inside an enclosed or bounded space |
Unlike M-WA, KI-VI, or N-class, the PA/KU/MU system does not organize nouns into singular-plural pairs. Instead, it organizes types of location. At this stage, you only need to recognize the basic distinction among specific (-po), general (-ko), and interior (-mo) location, and to use a small set of high-frequency forms productively. A complete locative concord system is outside the scope of this volume.
11.2 Person-location forms with -ko, -po, and -mo
Purpose: say where a person or thing is located, using controlled high-frequency forms.
The most common productive use of this system at the beginner level is the person-location form, which combines a subject marker with -ko. You saw this briefly in Chapter 4.
- Niko nyumbani. — I am at home. ni- (I) + -ko (general location)
- Uko wapi? — Where are you? u- (you) + -ko (general location) + wapi (where)
- Yuko sokoni. — He/she is at the market. yu- (he/she) + -ko (general location)
- Tuko mjini. — We are in town. tu- (we) + -ko (general location)
Nouns referring to places also take a locative form built on the same three markers. The most frequent beginner pattern uses -ko for general location:
- Benki iko wapi? — Where is the bank? benki (bank, N-class) + i- (it, N-class subject marker) + -ko (general location) + wapi (where)
- Soko liko karibu na shule. — The market is near the school. soko (market, JI-MA sg.) + li- (it) + -ko + karibu na shule
Specific location with -po is used when a place has already been identified and the speaker is confirming or pointing to it directly:
- Hapa ndipo benki ipo. — Right here is exactly where the bank is. hapa (here) + ndipo (it is right there) + benki + i- + -po (specific location)
Interior location with -mo is used when something is inside an enclosed space:
- Watu wamo ndani ya basi. — The people are inside the bus. watu (people) + wa- (they) + -mo (interior location) + ndani ya basi (inside the bus)
For most beginner communication, -ko is the productive default for stating location, whether the location is general or simply unspecified in detail. Reserve -po for situations where you are confirming a precise, already-identified point, and -mo for situations where something is clearly inside an enclosed space. You are not expected to choose among all three automatically in every sentence; focus on recognizing the distinction and producing -ko forms confidently.
11.3 Motion verbs and destinations
Purpose: talk about going, coming, entering, and leaving, and connect a motion verb to a destination or point of origin.
Motion verbs combine with the present-tense template you already know from Chapter 7: subject marker + -na- + verb root + final vowel. A destination or point of origin can follow directly, often introduced by a locative phrase or preposition you already know.
- Ninaenda sokoni. — I am going to the market. ni- (I) + -na- + -end- (go) + -a; sokoni = market + locative -ni
- Anakuja shuleni. — He/she is coming to school. a- (he/she) + -na- + -j- (come) + -a
- Tunaingia dukani. — We are entering the shop. tu- (we) + -na- + -ingi- (enter) + -a
- Wanatoka nyumbani. — They are leaving home. / They are coming from home. wa- (they) + -na- + -tok- (leave/come from) + -a
The locative suffix -ni, used productively here in words like sokoni, shuleni, and nyumbani, attaches to many place nouns to mean "at," "to," or "in" that place. You encountered this pattern in earlier chapters with nyumbani and jikoni. It now extends to the town vocabulary in this chapter.
- benki → benki (no change; already ends appropriately) — "at/to the bank" is usually expressed as benki in context, or with katika benki Not every noun takes -ni; some places use a preposition instead. Learn each form individually.
- soko → sokoni — "at/to the market"
- shule → shuleni — "at/to school"
- nyumba → nyumbani — "at/to home"
Mazoezi A — Jaza nafasi (Fill in the blank):
Complete each sentence with the correct present-tense form of the motion verb given in parentheses.
- Mimi _____ sokoni. (kwenda)
- Yeye _____ shuleni. (kuja)
- Sisi _____ dukani. (kuingia)
- Wao _____ nyumbani. (kutoka)
- Wewe _____ wapi? (kwenda)
11.4 Affirmative and negative imperatives
Purpose: give instructions and directions to one person or to more than one person, and tell someone not to do something.
You learned singular and plural affirmative commands briefly in Chapter 2. This chapter expands that pattern to direction-giving and introduces negative commands.
Affirmative commands (singular — one person): For most verbs ending in -a, the singular command is simply the verb stem with its final -a, with no subject marker.
- Geuka kulia. — Turn right. (to one person) geuk- (turn) + -a
- Nenda moja kwa moja. — Go straight ahead. (to one person) nenda is the irregular imperative of kwenda
- Pita hapa. — Pass through here. (to one person) pit- (pass) + -a
Affirmative commands (plural — more than one person): Add -eni to the verb stem.
- Geukeni kulia. — Turn right. (to more than one person) geuk- (turn) + -eni
- Pendeni hapa. — Wait here. (to more than one person; recognition variant) illustrative form; "ngojeni hapa" is the more common phrase for "wait here"
- Ingieni. — Enter. (to more than one person) ingi- (enter) + -eni
Negative commands (singular): Use usi- + verb root + -e. Note that the final vowel changes from -a to -e in the negative command, unlike most other negative forms you have studied.
- Usigeuke kulia. — Do not turn right. (to one person) usi- + geuk- (turn) + -e
- Usiingie hapa. — Do not enter here. (to one person) usi- + ingi- (enter) + -e
Negative commands (plural): Use msi- + verb root + -e.
- Msigeuke kulia. — Do not turn right. (to more than one person) msi- + geuk- (turn) + -e
- Msisimame hapa. — Do not stop/stand here. (to more than one person) msi- + simam- (stand/stop) + -e
A direct imperative is appropriate in many practical situations, such as public signs, urgent instructions, or close relationships, but it can sound abrupt between strangers or in formal settings. When giving directions to someone you do not know well, soften the instruction with tafadhali (please) placed before the command, or use a polite frame such as Unaweza kugeuka kulia ("You can turn right"). The bare imperative remains correct and necessary — it is not impolite by default — but context and relationship affect how directly you should phrase a request.
Mazoezi B — Maagizo (Commands):
Change each affirmative singular command into the form requested.
- Geuka kushoto. → (plural) _____
- Ingia hapa. → (negative singular) _____
- Pita pale. → (negative plural) _____
- Nenda moja kwa moja. → (plural) _____
- Simama hapa. → (negative singular) _____
11.5 Stating origin, destination, and general location together
Purpose: combine motion verbs, locative phrases, and prepositions to describe a complete short journey.
A complete direction-giving sentence often combines several elements you have studied in this and earlier chapters: a motion verb, a locative phrase or preposition, and a position word.
- Ninatoka nyumbani, ninapita karibu na shule, na ninafika sokoni. I am coming from home, I pass near the school, and I arrive at the market.
Mazoezi C — Muundo kamili (Full sentences):
Translate these sentences into Swahili using vocabulary and patterns from this chapter.
- Where is the post office?
- Go straight ahead and turn left.
- Do not stop here. (to one person)
- We are going to the bank.
- She is coming from the market.
- Turn right at the corner. (to more than one person)
- The school is near the hospital.
- I am at home.
Model Dialogue
Muktadha: Tariq ni mgeni mjini Arusha. Anamwomba Halima, mkazi wa mtaa huo, msaada wa kupata benki.
(Setting: Tariq is a visitor in the town of Arusha. He asks Halima, a resident of the neighborhood, for help finding a bank.)
Vocabulary note: mgeni = visitor, guest; mkazi = resident; unaona = you see; kwenye = at/on (general locative preposition); kupanda = to board, to climb; safari njema = a fixed travel-farewell expression meaning "safe travels." These are recognition items at this stage.
Maswali ya ufahamu — Comprehension questions:
- Tariq anataka kufika wapi mwanzoni? (Where does Tariq want to get to at the start?)
- Halima anamwelekeza vipi Tariq kufika benki? Andika hatua zote. (How does Halima direct Tariq to the bank? Write all the steps.)
- Kwa nini Halima anasema "Usigeuke kushoto"? (Why does Halima say "Do not turn left"?)
- Tariq anataka kwenda wapi kesho, na anawezaje kufika kituo cha basi? (Where does Tariq want to go tomorrow, and how can he get to the bus stop?)
- Find one affirmative singular command and one negative singular command in the dialogue. Write both.
Listening
Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following short passages aloud, twice each. Complete the tasks below as you listen.
Mazungumzo A — Kutafuta hospitali
"A: Samahani, hospitali iko wapi? B: Hospitali iko mbali kidogo. Nenda moja kwa moja, pita mbele ya kanisa, kisha geuka kushoto kwenye kona. Hospitali iko karibu na shule. A: Asante sana!"
Mazungumzo B — Kupanda basi
"Ninatoka nyumbani saa mbili asubuhi. Ninatembea hadi kituo cha basi, ambacho kiko karibu na soko. Ninapanda basi kwenda mjini. Basi linafika mjini baada ya dakika ishirini. Ninaingia ofisini saa tatu."
Mazungumzo C — Maagizo barabarani
"Tafadhali, geukeni kulia kwenye kona hii. Msisimame hapa — hapa ni hatari. Ingieni kupitia mlango wa pili. Usitoke kupitia mlango huu wakati basi linasonga."
Kazi A — Maelekezo (Directions): Listen to Mazungumzo A. Write down each direction-giving step in order.
Kazi B — Mfuatano wa safari (Sequence of a journey): Listen to Mazungumzo B. List the places mentioned in the order the speaker visits or passes them, and note the time given for each stage if mentioned.
Kazi C — Maagizo (Commands): Listen to Mazungumzo C. Write down every command you hear and label each as affirmative singular, affirmative plural, negative singular, or negative plural.
Listening Script for Instructor, Partner, or Text-to-Speech Use. See Answer Key for expected responses.
Reading
Read the following short texts. Look for locative forms, motion verbs, and commands as you read.
Maandishi 1 — Ramani ya mtaa wangu
Ninakaa katika mtaa mdogo karibu na soko kuu la mji. Nyumba yangu iko karibu na kanisa na shule ya msingi. Kila siku ninatoka nyumbani saa moja na nusu asubuhi. Ninatembea kupitia barabara kuu, ninapita mbele ya duka la mboga, kisha ninageuka kushoto kwenye kona ya pili.
Benki niliyozoea iko mbali kidogo, hivyo mara nyingi ninapanda boda boda. Stesheni ya basi iko karibu na hospitali, na kutoka hapo ninaweza kupanda basi kwenda mji mwingine. Watu wengi katika mtaa wangu hutembea, kupanda baiskeli, au kupanda pikipiki badala ya kuendesha gari.
Vocabulary note: ninakaa = I live, I stay; soko kuu = main market; shule ya msingi = primary school; mboga = vegetables; niliyozoea = that I am used to (recognition item); badala ya = instead of; kuendesha = to drive.
Maandishi 2 — Alama za barabarani (Public signs)
1. INGIA — Mlango wa mbele
2. TOKA — Mlango wa nyuma
3. USISIMAME HAPA — Eneo la hatari
4. KARIBU — Hospitali Kuu ya Mji
5. NENDA POLE POLE — Karibu na shule
Vocabulary note: mlango = door, entrance; eneo = area; hatari = danger; pole pole = slowly. "Nenda pole pole" is a fixed, formulaic expression commonly seen near schools, meaning "drive/go slowly."
Maswali ya ufahamu — Comprehension questions:
- Mwandishi wa Maandishi 1 anaishi karibu na nini? Taja mahali pawili. (What does the writer of Maandishi 1 live near? Name two places.)
- Je, mwandishi anapanda nini kufika benki? Kwa nini? (What does the writer take to get to the bank? Why?)
- In Maandishi 1, find two motion verbs in the present tense. Write each one and identify the subject marker.
- In Maandishi 2, which sign uses a negative command? Translate it.
- Why might the sign "Nenda pole pole" appear near a school? Answer in English, drawing on the chapter's culture notes if helpful.
Writing Workshop
- Soma mfano. Reread Maandishi 1 (Ramani ya mtaa wangu) above. Underline every locative form (words with -ko, -po, -mo, or the -ni suffix). Circle every motion verb.
- Panga mawazo yako. Choose a real or imagined route from one place you know well (such as your home) to another place (such as a school, market, or bank). List the buildings or landmarks you would pass along the way.
- Andika rasimu yako ya kwanza. Write six to eight connected Swahili sentences giving step-by-step directions along your chosen route. Use at least two motion verbs, one location question or statement with -ko, and at least one affirmative command.
- Kagua kwa orodha hapa chini. Check your draft against the editing checklist below before writing a final version.
- Andika nakala safi. Produce a clean final version to include in your portfolio or share with a partner.
Orodha ya ukaguzi — Editing checklist:
- Each motion verb agrees with its subject and uses the present-tense template correctly.
- Location statements use -ko (general), and -po or -mo only where their specific meaning is clearly intended.
- Affirmative singular commands end in -a; affirmative plural commands end in -eni.
- Negative commands use usi- (singular) or msi- (plural) and end in -e, not -a.
- Direction and position words (kushoto, kulia, mbele ya, karibu na) are spelled correctly and placed naturally.
- The locative suffix -ni is used only with nouns that take it productively; other place nouns use a preposition instead.
- Each sentence ends with a full stop and begins with a capital letter.
Kazi ya ziada — Additional task: Write a short set of directions (four to six sentences) that you might post as a sign for visitors arriving at your home or workplace, similar in style to the signs in Maandishi 2.
Speaking Practice
Mazoezi ya msingi — Controlled practice
Using a simple map (real, drawn, or imagined), take turns asking … iko wapi? about five different places. Your partner answers using a location word (karibu na, mbele ya, kushoto, kulia) and at least one motion verb where appropriate. Switch roles.
Mchezo wa maelekezo — Direction game
One partner gives a short sequence of directions (three to five steps) from a starting point to a destination on a map, without naming the destination. The other partner follows the directions on the map and names the place they arrive at. Confirm together whether the answer is correct.
Uwasilishaji mfupi — Short presentation
Without using your notes, describe the route from your home to one place you visit often, in four to six connected sentences. Include at least one motion verb, one locative expression with -ko, and one command. Your partner listens and then asks one follow-up question.
Mbadala wa kujifunza peke yako — Solo alternative
Record yourself giving directions from one familiar place to another, as if speaking to a visitor. Include at least one affirmative command, one negative command, and one use of a motion verb in the present tense. Listen back and check: Did you use -eni correctly for plural commands? Did your negative commands end in -e?
Culture and Communication
Asking a stranger for directions is a common, everyday interaction across East African towns and cities, and it is generally expected that the request will begin with a greeting or a polite opener such as samahani (excuse me) before the actual question. Moving directly to the question without any greeting can come across as abrupt in many settings, even though the urgency of the situation (for example, being lost or in a hurry) is usually understood and accommodated.
People giving directions often combine landmarks (a particular shop, school, or church) with general distance and direction words rather than precise measurements. This reflects how directions are commonly communicated in many communities, but it should not be treated as the only valid style — some travelers may also receive directions using street names, especially in larger or more recently planned urban areas.
Transportation options and conventions vary considerably across East African towns and cities. Minibuses (commonly called daladala in Tanzania or matatu in Kenya), boda boda motorcycle taxis, regular taxis, and walking are all common ways to get around, and the available options depend heavily on the specific city, town, or rural area. This textbook uses general terms such as basi and boda boda as a stable productive core; learners traveling to a specific city should expect to encounter additional local terms and practices.
The word for a shared minibus differs by country: daladala is the common term in Tanzania, while matatu is the common term in Kenya. Both are widely understood as referring to similar forms of shared local transportation, but they are not interchangeable as the "correct" word in every country. This chapter uses the more general term basi for the productive core, while daladala and matatu are introduced here as receptive, regionally labeled vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Error: Using -po in every location sentence, modeled on the first form learned
Correction: Use -ko as your default for general location, such as Niko nyumbani (I am at home) or Benki iko wapi? (Where is the bank?). Reserve -po for confirming a specific, already-identified point, and -mo only for something clearly inside an enclosed space, such as Watu wamo ndani ya basi (The people are inside the bus). When in doubt at this stage, -ko is almost always the safer choice.
Error: Usigeuka kulia. (keeping the final -a in a negative command)
Correction: Usigeuke kulia. — Negative commands change the verb's final vowel from -a to -e: usi- + verb root + -e. This is different from most other negative forms you have studied, which do not change the final vowel of an -a verb. Always check the final vowel when forming a negative command.
Error: Geuka kulia when addressing several people
Correction: Geukeni kulia. — When addressing more than one person, add -eni to the verb stem. The singular command form (geuka) is appropriate only when speaking to one person. This distinction matters in Swahili even when English "turn right" does not change between one listener and several.
Error: benkini (adding -ni to benki by analogy with sokoni)
Correction: benki — Not every place noun takes the locative suffix -ni productively. Soko becomes sokoni and nyumba becomes nyumbani, but benki is typically used as benki or with a preposition such as katika benki. Learn the locative behavior of each noun individually rather than applying -ni automatically.
Error: Ninakwenda sokoni. (applying the regular pattern mechanically)
Correction: Ninaenda sokoni. — In ordinary present-tense speech, kwenda (to go) is commonly used as naenda, unaenda, anaenda, and so on, dropping the kw- of the infinitive. Learn this irregular pattern directly rather than assuming every infinitive behaves the same way in the present tense.
Chapter Review
Sehemu A — Msamiati (Vocabulary)
1. Write the Swahili word (with plural where applicable) for: bank, market, school, hospital, bus, taxi, road, neighborhood.
2. Give the meaning of each: kushoto, kulia, moja kwa moja, karibu na, mbele ya, nyuma ya.
3. Write in Swahili: "Where is the post office?" / "Go straight ahead." / "Turn left." (to one person)
4. Give the infinitive and meaning of four motion verbs introduced in this chapter.
5. What is the difference in meaning between kutoka used for "leaving" and kutoka used for "coming from"?
Sehemu B — Sarufi (Grammar)
1. Complete each sentence with the correct present-tense form of the verb given.
- Mimi _____ benki sasa. (kwenda)
- Wao _____ dukani. (kuingia)
- Yeye _____ shuleni asubuhi. (kutoka)
2. Change each command as instructed.
- Ingia hapa. → (plural) _____
- Geuka kushoto. → (negative singular) _____
- Simama hapa. → (negative plural) _____
3. Identify and correct the error in each sentence.
- Usigeuka kulia. (Is this correct? If not, correct it.)
- Benkini iko karibu.
- Geuka kulia, said to three people.
4. True or false? Explain your answer in one sentence: "-po, -ko, and -mo are simply three different words for "the" attached to a noun."
5. Translate into Swahili: "The hospital is near the church. Go straight ahead and turn left."
Sehemu C — Usomaji (Reading)
1. In Maandishi 1 (Ramani ya mtaa wangu), list every locative form you can find, including forms with -ni and any with -ko. Identify what each one refers to.
2. Why does the writer often take a boda boda to the bank? Answer with a full Swahili sentence.
3. In Maandishi 2, identify one affirmative command and one negative command. Translate each.
Sehemu D — Uandishi (Writing)
1. Write six to eight connected sentences giving directions from one familiar place to another. Include: at least two motion verbs, one location statement with -ko, one affirmative command, and one negative command.
Sehemu E — Kuzungumza (Speaking)
1. Without notes, give directions to a partner (or to yourself aloud) from your current location to a place you choose. Then answer one follow-up question your partner asks about the route.
Mapitio ya jumla — Cumulative review (from Chapters 6–10)
1. Describe one room of your home using kuna or kuwa na from Chapter 6, and then describe how you get from that room to the front door using a motion verb from this chapter.
2. Use the present-tense affirmative and negative patterns from Chapter 7 to describe two things you do and two things you do not do on your way to work or school.
3. Ask a partner how many shops or markets (-ngapi, Chapter 9) are near their home, and have them answer using a location expression from this chapter.
Chapter Performance Task
Kazi ya Utendaji
Njia ya Safari — Planning and Explaining a Route
Create a simple map — a diagram, drawing, or list — showing a route that involves at least one form of transportation, two landmarks, and a final destination. Then complete the following tasks:
- Speaking: Explain the route in connected Swahili speech. State where you are starting from, what form of transportation you use (if any), at least two landmarks you pass, and your final destination, using at least two motion verbs and one command.
- Interaction: Your partner listens and then asks at least two follow-up questions about the route, such as confirming a turn or a landmark. Answer in complete sentences.
- Writing: Submit a written version of your directions — six to ten sentences — using the vocabulary and grammar of this chapter. Apply the editing checklist from the Writing Workshop section before submitting.
If you are studying independently: record yourself giving the directions and then asking and answering two follow-up questions (taking both roles). In your written version, add a closing sentence stating how long the trip usually takes.
Answer Key / Ufunguo wa Majibu
Mazoezi A — Jaza nafasi (Motion verbs)
- Mimi ninaenda sokoni.
- Yeye anakuja shuleni.
- Sisi tunaingia dukani.
- Wao wanatoka nyumbani.
- Wewe unaenda wapi?
Mazoezi B — Maagizo (Commands)
- Geukeni kushoto.
- Usiingie hapa.
- Msipite pale.
- Nendeni moja kwa moja.
- Usisimame hapa.
Mazoezi C — Muundo kamili (Full sentences — model answers)
- Posta iko wapi?
- Nenda moja kwa moja na ugeuke kushoto.
- Usisimame hapa.
- Tunaenda benki.
- Anatoka sokoni.
- Geukeni kulia kwenye kona.
- Shule iko karibu na hospitali.
- Niko nyumbani.
Other accurate, well-formed sentences are equally acceptable. Check verb agreement, locative forms, and command endings carefully.
Dialogue Comprehension
- Tariq anataka kufika benki. (Tariq wants to get to the bank.)
- Halima anamwambia Tariq: nenda moja kwa moja hadi kwenye kona, kisha geuka kulia; benki iko karibu na shule, mbele ya duka kubwa. (Halima tells Tariq: go straight ahead until the corner, then turn right; the bank is near the school, in front of the big shop.)
- Kwa sababu njia ya kushoto inaenda sokoni, sio benki. (Because the left-hand path goes to the market, not the bank.)
- Tariq anataka kwenda Dar es Salaam kesho; anaweza kupanda teksi au boda boda kufika kituo cha basi. (Tariq wants to go to Dar es Salaam tomorrow; he can take a taxi or motorcycle taxi to reach the bus stop.)
- Affirmative singular: e.g., Nenda moja kwa moja. / Negative singular: Usigeuke kushoto.
Listening Responses
Kazi A (Mazungumzo A):
- Nenda moja kwa moja.
- Pita mbele ya kanisa.
- Geuka kushoto kwenye kona.
- Hospitali iko karibu na shule.
Kazi B (Mazungumzo B):
- nyumbani (saa mbili asubuhi) → kituo cha basi (karibu na soko) → mjini (baada ya dakika ishirini) → ofisini (saa tatu)
Kazi C (Mazungumzo C):
- Geukeni kulia — affirmative plural
- Msisimame hapa — negative plural
- Ingieni kupitia mlango wa pili — affirmative plural
- Usitoke kupitia mlango huu — negative singular
Reading Comprehension
- Mwandishi anaishi karibu na soko kuu na kanisa/shule. (The writer lives near the main market and the church/school.) Accept any two correctly identified places.
- Anapanda boda boda kwa sababu benki iko mbali kidogo. (He/she takes a boda boda because the bank is a little far.)
- Accept any two correctly identified examples, e.g.: ninatoka (ni- subject marker); ninatembea (ni- subject marker); ninapita (ni- subject marker); ninageuka (ni- subject marker).
- USISIMAME HAPA — "Do not stop here." Negative command, singular form.
- Accept reasonable answers noting that schools are areas with children and pedestrians, so drivers are asked to slow down for safety; refer to the chapter's culture notes on shared, varied transportation contexts.
Chapter Review — Sehemu B
Question 1 (motion verbs):
- Mimi ninaenda benki sasa.
- Wao wanaingia dukani.
- Yeye anatoka shuleni asubuhi.
Question 2 (commands): Ingieni hapa.; Usigeuke kushoto.; Msisimame hapa.
Question 3 (error correction):
- Usigeuka kulia — Error: final vowel should be -e in a negative command. Correction: Usigeuke kulia.
- Benkini iko karibu — Error: benki does not productively take -ni. Correction: Benki iko karibu.
- Geuka kulia, said to three people — Error: singular command used for a group. Correction: Geukeni kulia.
Question 4: False. -po, -ko, and -mo are locative markers that express different types of location (specific, general, and interior) — they are not articles like "the" and do not attach to every noun the same way.
Question 5: Hospitali iko karibu na kanisa. Nenda moja kwa moja na ugeuke kushoto.
Looking Ahead
Unachojua sasa — What you know now
You can now ask where a place is, understand and give basic directions, and talk about getting around a town using motion verbs and commands. You have learned the foundations of the PA/KU/MU locative system, focusing on the productive default -ko for general location, and you have expanded your command of imperatives to include negative forms and plural address. You have also connected new town and transportation vocabulary to verb structures you already control from earlier chapters. These tools — locatives, motion verbs, and commands — will return throughout Unit III as you discuss weather, health, and work.