Infinitives in Swahili grammar are the primary form of Swahili verbs. Infinitives always begin with the prefix “ku-” that often translates to “to” in English. They are essential for constructing different verb forms and expressing various tenses, and they are also used alone in various contexts. Mastering the use of infinitives is an essential step towards proficiency in Swahili.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct Swahili infinitive.
1. Ninaenda *kununua* (buy) chakula.
2. Wao wanataka *kusoma* (read) kitabu.
3. Yeye anajaribu *kuelewa* (understand) hali.
4. Sisi tunapenda *kuimba* (sing) nyimbo.
5. Wewe unahitaji *kufanya* (do) kazi.
6. Mimi nitajaribu *kupika* (cook) chakula.
7. Juma anaplan *kusafiri* (travel) kesho.
8. Wanafunzi wanastahili *kusikiliza* (listen) mwalimu.
9. Tunafaa *kujifunza* (learn) kiswahili.
10. Ungependa *kucheza* (play) mchezo?
11. Yeye anataka *kulala* (sleep) mapema.
12. Mwalimu anapendelea *kufundisha* (teach) somo.
13. Wao wanangojea *kula* (eat) chakula.
14. Sisi tunahitaji *kutafuta* (search) habari.
15. Wewe unaogopa *kuanguka* (fall) chini.
2. Wao wanataka *kusoma* (read) kitabu.
3. Yeye anajaribu *kuelewa* (understand) hali.
4. Sisi tunapenda *kuimba* (sing) nyimbo.
5. Wewe unahitaji *kufanya* (do) kazi.
6. Mimi nitajaribu *kupika* (cook) chakula.
7. Juma anaplan *kusafiri* (travel) kesho.
8. Wanafunzi wanastahili *kusikiliza* (listen) mwalimu.
9. Tunafaa *kujifunza* (learn) kiswahili.
10. Ungependa *kucheza* (play) mchezo?
11. Yeye anataka *kulala* (sleep) mapema.
12. Mwalimu anapendelea *kufundisha* (teach) somo.
13. Wao wanangojea *kula* (eat) chakula.
14. Sisi tunahitaji *kutafuta* (search) habari.
15. Wewe unaogopa *kuanguka* (fall) chini.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct Swahili infinitive.
1. Mimi ninapenda *kupanda* (climb) mlima.
2. Yeye anataka *kuandika* (write) barua.
3. Wao wanahitaji *kujibu* (answer) maswali.
4. Sisi tunafaa *kufuga* (keep) kuku.
5. Ungependa *kubeba* (carry) begi?
6. Tunafaa *kuchora* (draw) picha.
7. Wao wanapendelea *kutembea* (walk) mbali.
8. Yeye anataka *kuvaa* (wear) nguo.
9. Sisi tunapaswa *kusema* (speak) ukweli.
10. Mimi nitajaribu *kugawa* (share) mkate.
11. Wao wanangojea *kupanda* (ascend) ndege.
12. Wanafunzi wanastahili *kusanyika* (gather) darasani.
13. Sisi tunapenda *kuvuta* (pull) kamba.
14. Mimi ninangojea *kutembea* (walk) nyumbani.
15. Yeye anatarajia *kuzungumza* (talk) na mimi.
2. Yeye anataka *kuandika* (write) barua.
3. Wao wanahitaji *kujibu* (answer) maswali.
4. Sisi tunafaa *kufuga* (keep) kuku.
5. Ungependa *kubeba* (carry) begi?
6. Tunafaa *kuchora* (draw) picha.
7. Wao wanapendelea *kutembea* (walk) mbali.
8. Yeye anataka *kuvaa* (wear) nguo.
9. Sisi tunapaswa *kusema* (speak) ukweli.
10. Mimi nitajaribu *kugawa* (share) mkate.
11. Wao wanangojea *kupanda* (ascend) ndege.
12. Wanafunzi wanastahili *kusanyika* (gather) darasani.
13. Sisi tunapenda *kuvuta* (pull) kamba.
14. Mimi ninangojea *kutembea* (walk) nyumbani.
15. Yeye anatarajia *kuzungumza* (talk) na mimi.
