Shule, Mafunzo, na Kazi
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe study and work duties, tasks, and daily schedules.
- Use infinitive ku- complements after verbs of wanting, needing, liking, knowing how, and starting/finishing.
- Express ability and inability using kuweza and its negative.
- Express need and obligation using kuhitaji, lazima, and lazima combined with infinitive complements.
- Form and use the habitual hu- tense to describe routines and general truths.
- Compare your own schedule or responsibilities with someone else's.
- Interpret a dialogue, a workplace notice, and a short reading about school and work routines.
- Write a paragraph describing responsibilities and give an oral comparison of two schedules.
Communication Scenario
James has recovered from his illness and returns to his language course and part-time job. His classmate Halima is preparing for a new training program at her workplace, and their friend Juma, a college student, is comparing his class schedule with his weekend job. As the three friends catch up, they discuss what they must do, what they know how to do, what they need to learn, and what they usually do on a typical day.
- This chapter develops infinitive ku- complements, which allow one verb to combine directly with another verb of wanting, needing, knowing how, or starting/finishing.
- Ability, need, and obligation language expands beyond the advice formulas of Chapter 7 into fuller productive patterns with kuweza, kuhitaji, and lazima.
- The habitual hu- form becomes productive for the first time, allowing learners to describe routines and general truths without reference to a specific day.
- Vocabulary expands to cover education, training programs, workplace tasks, and skills.
Core Vocabulary
This chapter's vocabulary supports discussing study, training, workplace duties, and skills.
Shule na masomo — School and studies
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| mwanafunzi | wanafunzi | student (class 1/2) |
| mwalimu | walimu | teacher (class 1/2) |
| somo | masomo | subject; lesson (class 5/6) |
| darasa | madarasa | class; classroom (class 5/6) |
| mtihani | mitihani | exam (class 3/4) |
| kozi | kozi | course (class 9/10) |
| mafunzo | mafunzo | training (class 6, plural-only) |
Kazi na majukumu — Work and duties
| Swahili | Meaning |
|---|---|
| jukumu (majukumu) | duty; responsibility (class 5/6) |
| ratiba | schedule; timetable (class 9/10) |
| zamu | shift; turn (class 9/10) |
| mradi (miradi) | project (class 3/4) |
| kuandika ripoti | to write a report |
| kuhudhuria mkutano | to attend a meeting |
| kukamilisha kazi | to complete a task |
Ujuzi na uwezo — Skills and ability
| Swahili | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ujuzi | skill; expertise (class 14) |
| uzoefu | experience (class 14) |
| kuweza | to be able to; can |
| kuhitaji | to need |
| kujifunza | to learn |
| kufundisha | to teach |
| kuanza | to begin |
| kumaliza | to finish |
Mapitio ya jumla — Cumulative review
The following domains from Chapters 1–7 remain productive and should be recycled naturally in this chapter's tasks.
| Domain | Sample recycled items |
|---|---|
| Negative present/past (Ch. 7) | si-, hu-, ha-, hatu-, ham-, hawa- + -ku- |
| Advice formulas (Ch. 7) | lazima, afadhali, ni vizuri |
| Tense contrast (Ch. 6) | -ta-, -li-, -me- |
| Locative words (Ch. 5) | hapa, pale, kwenye, katika, iko |
Pronunciation and Spelling
Kugawanya maneno marefu ya vitenzi — Segmenting long verb forms
This chapter introduces verb sequences in which one conjugated verb is followed immediately by an infinitive, such as ninataka kujifunza ("I want to learn"). These longer stretches of speech can feel dense at first. Practice segmenting each word by its slots: subject marker, TAM marker, stem, and final vowel for the first verb, then the separate infinitive ku- plus stem for the second verb.
| Full phrase | Segmented | Listening/speaking focus |
|---|---|---|
| ninataka kujifunza | ni-na-tak-a / ku-jifunz-a | Slight pause between the two verb words, not inside either one. |
| anaweza kufundisha | a-na-wez-a / ku-fundish-a | Keep penultimate stress on wéza and fundísha separately. |
| tunahitaji kumaliza | tu-na-hitaj-i / ku-maliz-a | Note the negative-looking -i ending on hitaji is part of the stem, not a negative marker. |
The habitual prefix hu- replaces the ordinary subject marker entirely and does not change by person: hufanya can mean "he/she usually does," "they usually do," or, in context, "one usually does." Because hu- looks similar to the negative second-person singular marker hu- from Chapter 7 (as in hutaki, "you don't want"), listen carefully for surrounding context, such as time expressions like kila siku ("every day") or kawaida ("usually"), to tell the two apart.
Uandishi wa aya — Paragraph dictation
Ask a partner, instructor, or text-to-speech tool to read the paragraph below aloud twice, at a natural pace. Write what you hear, then check your spelling of infinitive complements and the habitual form against the Answer Key.
Juma husoma chuoni kila siku asubuhi na hufanya kazi dukani jioni. Anataka kujifunza ujuzi mpya, kwa hiyo anahitaji kuhudhuria mafunzo ya ziada wikendi hii. Halima anaweza kufanya kazi mbili kwa wakati mmoja, lakini James hawezi; anahitaji kumaliza jambo moja kabla ya kuanza jingine.
Grammar Instruction
This chapter develops infinitive complements, expands ability, need, and obligation language, and introduces the habitual hu- tense in study and work contexts.
8.1 Infinitive ku- complements
Purpose: combine a conjugated verb with a second verb to express wanting, needing, knowing how, liking, or starting/finishing an action.
Many high-frequency verbs are regularly followed by an infinitive complement rather than by a noun object. The first verb carries the subject marker and tense; the second verb stays in its infinitive ku- form and does not change for tense or person.
| Verb | Meaning | Example with infinitive complement |
|---|---|---|
| kutaka | to want | Anataka kusoma zaidi. |
| kujua | to know (how) | Tunajua kutumia kompyuta. |
| kupenda | to like | Napenda kufundisha. |
| kuanza | to begin | Waliaanza kufanya kazi saa mbili. |
| kumaliza | to finish | Nimemaliza kuandika ripoti. |
8.2 Ability and inability: kuweza
Purpose: say what someone can or cannot do, especially regarding skills and tasks.
The negative of kuweza follows the regular negative present pattern from Chapter 7: negative subject marker + -wez- + -i, as in sifwezi → siwezi ("I cannot"). The infinitive complement after kuweza does not change.
8.3 Need and obligation: kuhitaji and lazima with infinitives
Purpose: express what is needed or required, expanding on the advice formulas from Chapter 7.
Kuhitaji behaves like a regular verb and is commonly followed by an infinitive complement. Lazima, introduced in Chapter 7 for health advice, is now developed further for school and work obligations, still followed by a subject marker plus the subjunctive final vowel -e.
8.4 The habitual hu- form
Purpose: describe routines, habits, and general truths that are not tied to one specific day.
Unlike other TAM markers, hu- does not combine with a separate person or class subject marker; the subject is understood from context or stated separately as a noun or pronoun before the verb. The habitual form contrasts with -na-, which describes an action happening now or currently in progress, rather than as a general routine.
| Form | Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present (-na-) | subject marker + -na- + stem + -a | Juma anasoma sasa. | Juma is studying right now. |
| Habitual (hu-) | hu- + stem + -a | Juma husoma kila siku. | Juma studies every day (as a routine). |
Mazoezi A — Kukamilisha (Infinitive complements): Complete each sentence with the correct infinitive complement using the verb in parentheses.
- Ninataka ___ (kujifunza) ujuzi mpya wa kompyuta.
- Halima anajua ___ (kuandika) ripoti nzuri.
- Tumeanza ___ (kufanya) mradi mpya wiki hii.
- Wanafunzi wanahitaji ___ (kumaliza) kazi kabla ya Ijumaa.
Mazoezi B — Kuunda sentensi za hu- (Building habitual sentences): Turn each present-tense sentence into a habitual statement about a general routine.
- Ninafanya kazi dukani leo. → (habitual, every weekend)
- Mwalimu anafundisha darasa hili sasa. → (habitual, every morning)
- Tunahudhuria mkutano leo. → (habitual, every Monday)
Model Dialogue
Muktadha: James, Halima, na Juma wanazungumza kuhusu ratiba zao za shule na kazi baada ya darasa.
(Setting: James, Halima, and Juma talk about their school and work schedules after class.)
Vocabulary note: ninahitaji kujifunza, anajua kusoma, and napenda kujifunza show infinitive complements from 8.1; husoma and hufanya show the habitual form from 8.4; unaweza and sina nafasi/lazima nikamilishe show ability and obligation from 8.2–8.3.
Maswali ya ufahamu — Comprehension questions:
- Halima anahitaji kujifunza nini?
- Juma hufanya nini kila siku, asubuhi na jioni?
- Kwa nini Juma hawezi kufanya kazi mbili leo?
- Find two examples of the habitual hu- form in the dialogue. What does each one describe?
- Find two examples of infinitive complements after kutaka, kujua, or kupenda. Who is speaking, and what do they express?
Listening
Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following workplace notice aloud twice, at a natural conversational pace. This passage combines infinitive complements, the habitual form, and obligation language, as your Volume II tasks will require.
Tangazo la Ofisi — Office Notice
"Wafanyakazi wote, tafadhali sikilizeni. Kuanzia wiki ijayo, kila mfanyakazi lazima ahudhurie mafunzo ya ujuzi mpya kila Jumatano. Wafanyakazi ambao hawajui kutumia mfumo mpya wa kompyuta wanahitaji kujifunza kabla ya mwezi ujao. Ofisi hii hufunga saa kumi na mbili jioni kila siku ya kazi. Wale wanaotaka kumaliza kazi mapema wanaweza kuzungumza na msimamizi wao."
Kazi A — Kujaza jedwali (Fill in the table): As you listen, note which day the new training happens, and list two things employees are told they need or must do.
Kazi B — Maswali ya ufahamu:
- Mafunzo mapya yanafanyika siku gani?
- Wafanyakazi ambao hawajui kutumia mfumo mpya wanapaswa kufanya nini?
- Ofisi hufunga saa ngapi kila siku ya kazi?
Listening Script for Instructor, Partner, or Text-to-Speech Use. See Answer Key for expected responses.
Reading
Read the following adapted schedule comparison and training announcement. Look for infinitive complements, the habitual form, and need/obligation language as you read.
Maandishi 1 — Ratiba Mbili (adapted schedule comparison)
Juma na Halima wana ratiba tofauti sana. Juma husoma chuoni kila asubuhi kutoka saa mbili hadi saa sita, kisha hufanya kazi dukani kutoka saa saba hadi saa kumi na mbili jioni. Anahitaji kumaliza kazi zake za nyumbani usiku. Halima, kwa upande mwingine, hufanya kazi ofisini kila siku kutoka saa mbili hadi saa nane mchana, kisha anahudhuria mafunzo ya ujuzi mpya jioni mara mbili kwa wiki. Wote wawili wanataka kufanikiwa katika masomo na kazi zao, ingawa ratiba zao hazifanani.
This is an adapted instructional text, not an authentic published source.
Maandishi 2 — Tangazo la Mafunzo (training announcement)
Kituo cha Mafunzo ya Ujuzi kinatangaza kozi mpya ya mwezi mmoja kwa wale wanaotaka kujifunza ujuzi wa biashara. Wanafunzi hawahitaji uzoefu wa awali, lakini lazima wajue kusoma na kuandika Kiswahili vizuri. Madarasa huanza saa mbili asubuhi na kumalizika saa tano. Wanaotaka kujiandikisha wanaweza kuzungumza na mratibu wa kituo.
Maswali ya ufahamu — Comprehension and interpretation questions:
- Juma hufanya nini kutoka saa saba hadi saa kumi na mbili jioni?
- Halima anahudhuria mafunzo mara ngapi kwa wiki?
- Kozi mpya ya Kituo cha Mafunzo ya Ujuzi inahitaji nini kutoka kwa wanafunzi?
- Find two habitual hu- forms and two infinitive complements in Maandishi 1 or Maandishi 2.
- Compare Juma's and Halima's schedules. Whose schedule seems busier, and what details from the reading support your answer?
Writing Workshop
- Soma mfano. Reread Maandishi 1 (Ratiba Mbili). Underline every habitual hu- form and every infinitive complement you find.
- Panga mawazo yako. Note your own typical daily or weekly routine, including school, training, or work responsibilities, and one thing you need or must do soon.
- Andika rasimu yako ya kwanza. Write a connected 90–120-word paragraph in Swahili describing your responsibilities and comparing your schedule to a friend's or family member's. Use at least two habitual forms and at least two infinitive complements.
- Kagua kwa orodha hapa chini. Check your draft against the editing checklist before writing your final version.
- Andika nakala safi. Produce a clean final version to share with a partner or keep for your records.
Orodha ya ukaguzi — Editing checklist:
- At least two habitual hu- forms are used correctly (no extra subject marker attached).
- At least two infinitive complements are used correctly after verbs such as kutaka, kujua, kuhitaji, or kuanza/kumaliza.
- Negative forms and advice formulas from Chapter 7 remain accurate wherever they appear.
- All verbs are written in normal unhyphenated Swahili spelling.
- Capitalization, spacing, punctuation, and ng' are correct throughout.
Kazi ya ziada — Additional task: Exchange your draft with a partner. Write one sentence comparing your schedule with theirs, using a comparative expression you already know or a simple contrast connector.
Speaking Practice
Mazoezi ya msingi — Controlled practice
With a partner, take turns asking and answering one question from each domain below. Answer in complete sentences, using infinitive complements or the habitual form where relevant.
- Unafanya nini kila siku asubuhi? (habitual)
- Unataka kujifunza ujuzi gani mpya? (infinitive complement)
- Unaweza kufanya kazi mbili kwa wakati mmoja? (ability)
- Unahitaji kufanya nini wiki hii? (need)
- Ratiba yako inafanana au ni tofauti na ya rafiki yako? (comparison)
Mchezo wa kuigiza — "Kulinganisha Ratiba" role-play
In pairs, act out a conversation like the one in the Model Dialogue: each partner describes their school, training, or work routine using the habitual form, then compares responsibilities and one thing they need or must do soon.
Mbadala wa kujifunza peke yako — Solo alternative
Record yourself describing your typical weekly routine: two sentences using the habitual form, and two sentences using infinitive complements to express what you want, need, or know how to do. Listen back and check your accuracy.
Culture and Communication
Continuing education and workplace training programs are common across many Swahili-speaking communities, and adults frequently combine study, work, and family responsibilities. Attitudes toward balancing these commitments, and the availability of formal training programs, vary by country, sector, and individual circumstance.
When describing a demanding schedule, speakers often avoid sounding as though they are complaining or boasting, favoring factual descriptions of tasks and responsibilities over dramatic language. Comparing schedules with a friend is usually framed as mutual understanding rather than competition.
Terms for workplace training, courses, and certifications can vary by country, institution, and industry; this chapter's fictional training center, Kituo cha Mafunzo ya Ujuzi, represents a common naming pattern rather than a specific real institution. Learners should confirm current program names, requirements, and terminology locally.
Common Mistakes
Error: Ahusoma kila siku. (subject marker a- added before hu-)
Correction: Husoma kila siku. — The habitual hu- prefix replaces the subject marker entirely; the subject is understood from context or stated as a separate noun before the verb, as in Juma husoma kila siku.
Error: Ninataka ninajifunza Kiswahili. (second verb conjugated instead of left as infinitive)
Correction: Ninataka kujifunza Kiswahili. — Only the first verb carries the subject marker and tense; the second verb stays in its infinitive ku- form.
Error: Misreading hufanya kazi as "you don't do work," confusing it with the negative hu- from Chapter 7.
Correction: The negative hu- attaches only to second-person singular verbs and requires the final vowel -i (hufanyi, "you don't do"); the habitual hu- attaches to any subject and keeps the final vowel -a (hufanya, "usually does"). Context and the final vowel distinguish the two.
Error: Lazima nikamilisha mradi. (final vowel left as -a)
Correction: Lazima nikamilishe mradi. — As reviewed from Chapter 7, lazima is typically followed by a subject marker plus the subjunctive final vowel -e, not the ordinary indicative -a.
Chapter Review
Sehemu A — Msamiati (Vocabulary)
1. Write three Swahili words related to school or training and their meanings.
2. Write two workplace duty or task expressions and their meanings.
3. Write a sentence describing one of your responsibilities.
Sehemu B — Sarufi (Grammar)
1. Explain, in your own words, the difference between the habitual hu- form and the present -na- form.
2. Complete with an infinitive complement: Ninataka ___ (kujifunza) ujuzi mpya.
3. Give the habitual form of: Anafanya kazi ofisini.
4. Complete with the correct subjunctive form: Lazima tu___ (kukamilisha) mradi.
5. Correct the error: Ahusoma kila siku.
Sehemu C — Usomaji (Reading)
1. In Maandishi 2, identify what students need to know before joining the course.
2. Compare Juma's and Halima's schedules from Maandishi 1. What language shows the comparison?
Sehemu D — Uandishi (Writing)
1. Complete or finalize your 90–120-word responsibilities and schedule-comparison paragraph from the Writing Workshop, if you have not already done so.
Sehemu E — Kuzungumza (Speaking)
1. With a partner, or alone using the solo alternative, complete the "Kulinganisha Ratiba" role-play from the Speaking Practice section.
Practical Performance Task
Kazi ya Utendaji
Linganisha Ratiba Zetu — Compare Our Schedules
Complete all four components below to demonstrate that you can describe responsibilities, compare schedules, and use infinitive complements and the habitual form accurately.
- Listening: Listen to the Tangazo la Ofisi passage in this chapter (or an equivalent instructor-provided recording) and answer the comprehension questions in Kazi B.
- Speaking: Perform the "Kulinganisha Ratiba" role-play with a partner (or complete the solo alternative), including at least one habitual form and one infinitive complement.
- Reading: Read Maandishi 1 and Maandishi 2 in this chapter and answer the comprehension and interpretation questions.
- Writing: Submit your final 90–120-word responsibilities and schedule-comparison paragraph, revised using the editing checklist.
If you are studying independently: complete the solo alternative for the speaking component, and ask a Swahili-speaking contact, tutor, or qualified reviewer to check your recording and written paragraph against the criteria in this chapter.
Answer Key / Ufunguo wa Majibu
Mazoezi A — Kukamilisha (Infinitive complements — model answers)
- Ninataka kujifunza ujuzi mpya wa kompyuta.
- Halima anajua kuandika ripoti nzuri.
- Tumeanza kufanya mradi mpya wiki hii.
- Wanafunzi wanahitaji kumaliza kazi kabla ya Ijumaa.
Mazoezi B — Kuunda sentensi za hu- (Habitual sentences — model answers)
- Nafanya kazi dukani kila wikendi.
- Mwalimu hufundisha darasa hili kila asubuhi.
- Tunahudhuria mkutano kila Jumatatu.
Dialogue Comprehension
- Anahitaji kujifunza ujuzi mpya wa kompyuta.
- Husoma chuoni asubuhi na hufanya kazi dukani jioni.
- Kwa sababu lazima akamilishe mradi wake wa shule kwanza.
- Examples include husoma and hufanya (Juma's routine); mimi hufanya kazi (Halima's routine). Accept other correctly identified forms.
- Examples include anataka kusoma (implied), ninahitaji kujifunza (Halima), anajua kusoma na kuandika (James, said by Juma), and napenda kujifunza (James). Accept reasonable variation in identification.
Listening Responses
Kazi A (table notes): Accept any notes indicating training happens every Wednesday, and two instructions such as needing to learn the new computer system and being able to speak with a supervisor about finishing early.
Kazi B:
- Mafunzo mapya yanafanyika kila Jumatano.
- Wanahitaji kujifunza kutumia mfumo mpya kabla ya mwezi ujao.
- Ofisi hufunga saa kumi na mbili jioni.
Reading Comprehension
- Anafanya kazi dukani.
- Anahudhuria mafunzo mara mbili kwa wiki.
- Wanafunzi lazima wajue kusoma na kuandika Kiswahili vizuri; hawahitaji uzoefu wa awali.
- Examples include husoma, hufanya, huanza (habitual forms) and wanataka kufanikiwa, wanaotaka kujifunza, wanaweza kuzungumza (infinitive complements). Accept other correctly identified examples.
- Accept well-supported answers; most learners will note that Juma's schedule involves both study and work with little rest, while Halima's schedule includes regular office hours plus twice-weekly training.
Chapter Review — Sehemu B
- The habitual hu- form describes a general routine or repeated action without a person-marked subject prefix, while -na- describes an action happening now or currently in progress, with a regular subject marker.
- Ninataka kujifunza ujuzi mpya.
- Hufanya kazi ofisini.
- Lazima tukamilishe mradi.
- Error: subject marker added before habitual hu-. Correction: Husoma kila siku.
Other accurate, well-formed answers are acceptable where the task is open-ended.
Looking Ahead
Unachojua sasa — What you know now
You have learned to describe study and work duties, combine verbs with infinitive complements, express ability and need, use the habitual hu- form for routines, and compare your schedule with someone else's. You can now discuss school, training, and work responsibilities with growing independence.