Chapter 54 - Auxiliary Verbs

Apart from the verb KUWA (= to be) which is employed in the formation of compound tenses, a certain number of Swahili verbs can be used as auxiliaries in front of a second verb which is generally, although not exclusively, conjugated in the infinitive. These verbs employed as auxiliaries add a precision on the way the action takes place.

 1. KWISHA : 

The auxiliary KWISHA (= to end, to finish) shows that an action has already taken place. That is why this auxiliary is usually conjugated in the Past Perfect tense.

• In the affirmative, the verbal construction with KWISHA has undergone a significant evolution, since beginning from two distinct verbal elements, we have arrived today at a unique contracted verbal form where the particle -SHA- simply reinforces the tense marker -ME- of the Past Perfect.

  EXAMPLE :

  2 distinct verbs :	Nimekwisha kupata chumba.	I have already got a room.
  The 2nd verb drops its KU- :	Nimekwisha pata chumba.	I have already got a room.
  The 2 verbs fuse together :	Nimeshapata chumba.	I have already got a room.

  
  

• In the negative form, we simply use the Past Perfect negative :

  EXAMPLE :

  Sijapata chumba  or :

  Sijapata chumba bado

  I haven't got a room yet.

  
  

• In a relative clause, the tense marker -MESHA- can be kept thanks to the use of the independant relative pronoun. Alternatively, we can use KWISHA + Verb radical in the Simple Past relative :

  EXAMPLE :

  Relative pronoun :	Mimi ambaye nimeshapata chumba.	I who have already got a room.
  Simple Past relative :	Mimi niliyekwisha pata chumba.	I who have already got a room.

  
  

• KWISHA can also be used in the -KI- tense and then means "when" or "if" :

  EXAMPLE :

  Nikiisha pata chumba, nitaanza safari yangu Zanzibar.

  When I have got a room, I'll start my journey to Zanzibar.

 2. KUJA : 

The auxiliary KUJA (= to come) shows that an action will be carried out in the future. It is therefore conjugated in the Future and is followed by a 2nd verb in the infinitive.

EXAMPLES :

Nitakapopata mshahara, nitakwenda kununua nguo mpya.	When I get a salary, I will go to buy new clothes.
Tukijifunza kwa bidii, tutakuja kusema kiswahili safi.	If we study hard, we will succeed in speaking a good Swahili.

 3. KWENDA : 

the auxiliary KWENDA (= to go) indicates that an action is on the point of being carried out. It is usually followed by a passive verb in the infinitive.

• The auxiliary KWENDA is conjugated in the Past Perfect :

  EXAMPLES :

  Mgonjwa amekwenda kupasuliwa.	The patient is to be operated.
  Mwanafunzi amekwenda kuitwa.	The pupil has just been called.
  Chakula kimekwenda kuletwa.	Food is being brought.

  
  

• In the Habitual Present, HUENDA carries the notion of "maybe" :

  EXAMPLES :

  Huenda dereva akapata shida njiani.	Maybe the driver has got a problem on the road.
  Huenda yeye ni mgonjwa.	Maybe he is sick.

 4. KUPATA : 

The auxiliary KUPATA expresses the opportunity or the possibility of carrying out something.

• KUPATA conjugated in the future or in the imperative is followed by a second verb in the infinitive.

  EXAMPLES :

  Fungua dirisha ili hewa safi ipate kuingia.	Open the window to let fresh air in.
  Tufanye haraka tupate kumaliza mapema.	Let's hurry so that we can finish early.
  Nitakapopata likizo, nitapata kwenda safari.	When I get holidays, I'll be able to go on a journey.

  
  

• KUPATA conjugated in the present indefinite is used to express "about, approximately". Three different verbal constructions can be used :

1. About a hundred people.
2. About 8 books.
3. About twenty tables.

 5. -NGALI : 

-NGALI which is already known as the tense marker of the Past Conditional (See : Chapter 47 - The Past Conditional) can also be used as an autonomous auxiliary verb. It can be translated by : "always, still". -NGALI is usually conjugated in the Present Indefinite, while the second verb is in the Present Definite or in the -KI- tense.

EXAMPLES :

Tungali tunangoja.	We are still waiting.
Mwalimu angali ana wasiwasi.	The teacher still has doubts.
Angalipo nyumbani.	He / she is still at home.
Maji yangaliko kisimani.	there is still water in the well.

However, there is a much more simple way of expressing the same, with the adverb bado :

Bado ni mtoto.	He / she is still a child.
Maji bado yako kisimani.	There is still water in the well.
Yumo nyumbani bado.	He / she is still at home.