In Swahili grammar, intransitive verbs are actions that do not require an object to receive the action. The verb operates alone, and it expresses a complete idea without the need for any object. For instance ‘kulia’ which means ‘to cry’. Unlike transitive verbs that require direct objects, intransitive verbs make sense without them. With this understanding, let’s practice the use of Intransitive verbs in Swahili.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct intransitive verb.
1. Mimi *nalala* (sleeping) saa moja asubuhi.
2. Wewe *unaoga* (bathing) kwa muda mrefu.
3. Yeye *anatembea* (walking) haraka sana.
4. Watoto *wanacheza* (playing) mpira.
5. Mama *anapika* (cooking) chakula.
6. Baba *anasoma* (reading) gazeti.
7. Dada *anaoga* (bathing) katika bafu.
8. Rafiki yangu *anaimba* (singing) wimbo.
9. Mwalimu *anafundisha* (teaching) darasani.
10. Kijana *anakimbia* (running) katika mji.
11. Tuna *tunaota* (dreaming) kila usiku.
12. Wao *wanapumua* (breathing) hewa safi.
13. Sisi *tunacheza* (dancing) kwenye sherehe.
14. Ali *anasoma* (reading) vitabu.
15. Mary *anafanya* (doing) kazi ngumu.
2. Wewe *unaoga* (bathing) kwa muda mrefu.
3. Yeye *anatembea* (walking) haraka sana.
4. Watoto *wanacheza* (playing) mpira.
5. Mama *anapika* (cooking) chakula.
6. Baba *anasoma* (reading) gazeti.
7. Dada *anaoga* (bathing) katika bafu.
8. Rafiki yangu *anaimba* (singing) wimbo.
9. Mwalimu *anafundisha* (teaching) darasani.
10. Kijana *anakimbia* (running) katika mji.
11. Tuna *tunaota* (dreaming) kila usiku.
12. Wao *wanapumua* (breathing) hewa safi.
13. Sisi *tunacheza* (dancing) kwenye sherehe.
14. Ali *anasoma* (reading) vitabu.
15. Mary *anafanya* (doing) kazi ngumu.
Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with the suitable intransitive verb.
1. Tuna *tunapenda* (liking) kuoga katika bwawa.
2. Wao *wanasikia* (feeling) baridi kali.
3. Mimi *naota* (dreaming) ndoto nzuri.
4. Wewe *unabembeleza* (bragging) kuhusu ufahari wako.
5. Yeye *anachelewa* (late) kazini.
6. Baba *anafunga* (closing) duka saa kumi na moja.
7. Wewe *unakataa* (refusing) kukubali makosa yako.
8. Kaka yangu *anakoroma* (snoring) usingizini.
9. Dada *anavuja* (leaking) damu hivi sasa.
10. Mimi *nasherehekea* (celebrating) siku yangu ya kuzaliwa.
11. Wao *wanadondoka* (falling) kwenye gari lao.
12. Tunapo *tunapumzika* (resting), tunasoma vitabu.
13. Mary *anakataa* (refusing) kunywa chai.
14. Wewe *unasinzia* (dozing) katika madarasa.
15. Rafiki yangu *anaamka* (waking up) mapema.
2. Wao *wanasikia* (feeling) baridi kali.
3. Mimi *naota* (dreaming) ndoto nzuri.
4. Wewe *unabembeleza* (bragging) kuhusu ufahari wako.
5. Yeye *anachelewa* (late) kazini.
6. Baba *anafunga* (closing) duka saa kumi na moja.
7. Wewe *unakataa* (refusing) kukubali makosa yako.
8. Kaka yangu *anakoroma* (snoring) usingizini.
9. Dada *anavuja* (leaking) damu hivi sasa.
10. Mimi *nasherehekea* (celebrating) siku yangu ya kuzaliwa.
11. Wao *wanadondoka* (falling) kwenye gari lao.
12. Tunapo *tunapumzika* (resting), tunasoma vitabu.
13. Mary *anakataa* (refusing) kunywa chai.
14. Wewe *unasinzia* (dozing) katika madarasa.
15. Rafiki yangu *anaamka* (waking up) mapema.
