Language/Swahili-individual-language/Grammar/Passive-Voice
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will delve into the advanced topic of the passive voice in Swahili. Understanding the passive voice is crucial for developing a deeper understanding of Swahili grammar and becoming a more proficient speaker. We will explore the formation and usage of the passive voice, including subject-object shift and prepositional passive. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use the passive voice in various contexts and understand its cultural significance in the Swahili-speaking world. So let's get started!
Formation of the Passive Voice[edit | edit source]
The passive voice in Swahili is formed by using the auxiliary verb "ku-" followed by the verb stem in the passive form. The passive form of a verb is created by adding the infix "-w-" before the final vowel of the verb stem. Let's look at some examples to illustrate this:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kitabu kinasomwa. | /ki.ta.bu ki.na.so.mwa/ | The book is being read. |
| Nyumba inajengwa. | /ɲum.ba i.na.jɛŋ.wa/ | The house is being built. |
| Chakula kinapikwa. | /tʃa.ku.la ki.na.pi.kwa/ | The food is being cooked. |
| Barua inaandikwa. | /ba.ru.a i.na.an.di.kwa/ | The letter is being written. |
As you can see, the verb "ku-" is used as an auxiliary verb in the passive voice construction, and the verb stem is modified with the infix "-w-" to indicate the passive form. It is important to note that the subject of the active voice sentence becomes the object of the passive voice sentence, and the object of the active voice sentence is omitted in the passive voice construction.
Usage of the Passive Voice[edit | edit source]
The passive voice is used in Swahili to shift the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver of the action. It is commonly used to emphasize the object or the receiver of the action, especially when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or already known. Let's explore some examples to understand the usage of the passive voice in different contexts:
1. Emphasizing the receiver of the action[edit | edit source]
The passive voice is often used to highlight the object or the receiver of the action. This can be seen in sentences like:
- Kitabu kinasomwa na mwalimu. (The book is being read by the teacher.)
- Nyumba inajengwa na wafanyakazi. (The house is being built by the workers.)
In these examples, the object of the active voice sentence ("the book" and "the house") becomes the subject of the passive voice sentence, and the doer of the action ("the teacher" and "the workers") is introduced using the preposition "na" (by). This construction allows us to emphasize the receiver of the action.
2. Describing general truths or habitual actions[edit | edit source]
The passive voice is also used to describe general truths or habitual actions. For example:
- Watu hununuliwa na bidhaa hizi. (People are bought by these products.)
- Vyakula vingi hupikwa nyumbani. (Many foods are cooked at home.)
In these sentences, the passive voice is used to convey the general idea that people are bought by these products and that many foods are cooked at home. The focus is on the action itself rather than on a specific doer of the action.
3. Reporting events or news[edit | edit source]
The passive voice is commonly used in news reporting or when discussing events. For instance:
- Ajali ilitokea jana. (An accident happened yesterday.)
- Uchaguzi utafanyika kesho. (The election will take place tomorrow.)
In these examples, the passive voice is used to report the occurrence of an accident and the upcoming election. The focus is on the event itself rather than on the specific individuals involved.
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
The usage of the passive voice in Swahili reflects the cultural emphasis on the receiver of the action rather than the doer. This can be seen in various aspects of Swahili society, including language, social interactions, and even traditional sayings.
In Swahili culture, it is often considered polite and respectful to focus on the object or the receiver of the action rather than the person performing the action. This is reflected in the frequent use of the passive voice, which allows for the receiver to be highlighted and given importance. Swahili speakers believe that it is more important to acknowledge the impact of an action on the receiver than to emphasize the doer of the action.
Furthermore, the use of the passive voice in Swahili can also be attributed to the influence of Arabic, which has had a significant impact on the Swahili language and culture. Arabic, like Swahili, places a strong emphasis on the receiver of the action and often uses the passive voice to convey this focus. This influence can be seen in the similar usage of the passive voice in both languages.
Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice using the passive voice in Swahili. Complete the following exercises and check your answers below:
1. Translate the following sentences into Swahili using the passive voice:
a) The car is being washed by the mechanic. b) The cake is being baked by my mother. c) The letter was written by the secretary.
2. Rewrite the following sentences in the passive voice:
a) Watoto wanacheza mpira katika uwanja. (The children are playing soccer in the field.) b) Mwalimu anafundisha wanafunzi kiswahili. (The teacher is teaching the students Swahili.) c) Wafanyakazi wanajenga nyumba mpya. (The workers are building a new house.)
Solutions[edit | edit source]
1. Translation:
a) Gari linanawiriwa na fundi. b) Keiki inapikwa na mama yangu. c) Barua ilitiwa wino na katibu.
2. Passive Voice:
a) Mpira unachezwa na watoto katika uwanja. b) Wanafunzi wanafundishwa Kiswahili na mwalimu. c) Nyumba mpya inajengwa na wafanyakazi.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on the passive voice in Swahili. You have learned how to form and use the passive voice, including subject-object shift and prepositional passive. Additionally, you have gained cultural insights into the usage of the passive voice in Swahili society. Keep practicing and incorporating the passive voice into your Swahili conversations to become a more confident and fluent speaker. Good luck!
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Tenses
- Pronouns
- Negation
- How to Use Have
- Slang and Colloquialisms
- Swahili Dialects
- Plurals
- Conditional Clauses
- Nominalization
- Cases
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