Negative sentences in Swahili grammar follow a simple structure. The negative tense in Swahili is used to indicate that something is not happening, did not happen, or will not happen. Forming negative sentences in Swahili involves using the negative tense marker ‘si’ or ‘ha’ before the verb root. This system is quite distinct and straightforward, and learning it forms an integral part of mastering the Swahili language.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct negative form of the verb
1. Mimi *sina* kitabu. (have)
2. Yeye *hajui* Kiingereza. (know)
3. Tuna *hatujaenda* sokoni. (go)
4. *Haliandiki* barua. (write)
5. Wao *hawasomi* vitabu. (read)
6. *Sisemi* Kiswahili. (speak)
7. *Haendi* shule. (go)
8. *Hapigi* simu. (call)
9. Nina *sijisikii* vizuri. (feel)
10. *Hatufungi* mlango. (close)
11. Mimi *sishiki* friji. (hold)
12. Wao *hawaogelei* baharini. (swim)
13. *Hatunywi* chai. (drink)
14. Yeye *hanae* rafiki. (have)
15. Tuna *hatuna* muda. (have)
2. Yeye *hajui* Kiingereza. (know)
3. Tuna *hatujaenda* sokoni. (go)
4. *Haliandiki* barua. (write)
5. Wao *hawasomi* vitabu. (read)
6. *Sisemi* Kiswahili. (speak)
7. *Haendi* shule. (go)
8. *Hapigi* simu. (call)
9. Nina *sijisikii* vizuri. (feel)
10. *Hatufungi* mlango. (close)
11. Mimi *sishiki* friji. (hold)
12. Wao *hawaogelei* baharini. (swim)
13. *Hatunywi* chai. (drink)
14. Yeye *hanae* rafiki. (have)
15. Tuna *hatuna* muda. (have)
Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with the correct negative form of the verb
1. Yeye *hafanyi* kazi. (do)
2. *Hatupiki* chakula. (cook)
3. *Hatulali* sasa hivi. (sleep)
4. Wao *hawachezi* mpira. (play)
5. Juma *hana* pesa. (have)
6. *Hauzi* matunda. (sell)
7. Mimi *sitegemei* msaada wako. (depend)
8. Tuna *hatununua* gari jipya. (buy)
9. Watoto *hawachezi* nje. (play)
10. *Sitembei* mjini. (walk)
11. Mimi *sinywi* kahawa. (drink)
12. *Hafanyi* mazoezi. (exercise)
13. Wao *hawauzi* matunda. (sell)
14. *Siandiki* barua. (write)
15. *Haogelei* baharini. (swim)
2. *Hatupiki* chakula. (cook)
3. *Hatulali* sasa hivi. (sleep)
4. Wao *hawachezi* mpira. (play)
5. Juma *hana* pesa. (have)
6. *Hauzi* matunda. (sell)
7. Mimi *sitegemei* msaada wako. (depend)
8. Tuna *hatununua* gari jipya. (buy)
9. Watoto *hawachezi* nje. (play)
10. *Sitembei* mjini. (walk)
11. Mimi *sinywi* kahawa. (drink)
12. *Hafanyi* mazoezi. (exercise)
13. Wao *hawauzi* matunda. (sell)
14. *Siandiki* barua. (write)
15. *Haogelei* baharini. (swim)
