Transitive verbs, also known as “nyenzo verbya” in Swahili, are a key part of the language’s grammar. These verbs transfer action from the subject to an object. For example, in the sentence “Mtu anapika chakula” (The person is cooking food), “anapika” is a transitive verb as it transfers action from the subject (“Mtu”) to the object (“chakula”). Understanding and correctly using transitive verbs are essential in gaining fluency in Swahili.
Exercise 1: Complete the sentence with the correct Swahili transitive verb
1. *Ninaomba* kikombe cha chai (I’m Asking)
2. Wewe *unacheza* mpira (You play)
3. Mimi *ninakula* tunda (I eat)
4. *Anasoma* kitabu (He/She reads)
5. Juma na Salim *wanacheza* mchezo (They play)
6. Mwalimu *anafundisha* darasa (Teacher teaches)
7. Mimi *ninafanya* kazi (I do)
8. Wao *wanatengeneza* chakula (They make)
9. Sisi *tunakunywa* maji (We drink)
10. Mama *anapika* chakula (Mother cooks)
11. Baba *anafagia* nyumba (Father sweeps)
12. Dada *anafua* nguo (Sister washes)
13. Ndugu *anaandika* barua (Brother writes)
14. Shangazi *anapanda* mti (Aunt plants)
15. Sisi *tunaimba* wimbo (We sing)
2. Wewe *unacheza* mpira (You play)
3. Mimi *ninakula* tunda (I eat)
4. *Anasoma* kitabu (He/She reads)
5. Juma na Salim *wanacheza* mchezo (They play)
6. Mwalimu *anafundisha* darasa (Teacher teaches)
7. Mimi *ninafanya* kazi (I do)
8. Wao *wanatengeneza* chakula (They make)
9. Sisi *tunakunywa* maji (We drink)
10. Mama *anapika* chakula (Mother cooks)
11. Baba *anafagia* nyumba (Father sweeps)
12. Dada *anafua* nguo (Sister washes)
13. Ndugu *anaandika* barua (Brother writes)
14. Shangazi *anapanda* mti (Aunt plants)
15. Sisi *tunaimba* wimbo (We sing)
Exercise 2: Complete the sentence with the correct Swahili transitive verb
1. *Ninasikiliza* muziki (I listen)
2. Rafael *anaandika* shairi (Rafael writes)
3. Dogo *analala* kitandani (Dogo sleeps)
4. Mimi *ninapanda* baiskeli (I ride)
5. Wazazi *wanafunza* watoto (Parents teach)
6. Maria *anasoma* gazeti (Maria reads)
7. Wewe *unatengeneza* mkate (You make)
8. Mimi *ninakimbia* mbio (I run)
9. Watoto *wanacheza* mpira (Children play)
10. Mzee *anapika* ugali (Elder cooks)
11. Jirani *anapanda* bustani (Neighbor gardens)
12. Wewe *unaogelea* kwenye bwawa (You swim)
13. Mimi *ninasoma* kitabu (I read)
14. Dada *anafua* sahani (Sister washes)
15. Baba *anacheza* gita (Father plays)
2. Rafael *anaandika* shairi (Rafael writes)
3. Dogo *analala* kitandani (Dogo sleeps)
4. Mimi *ninapanda* baiskeli (I ride)
5. Wazazi *wanafunza* watoto (Parents teach)
6. Maria *anasoma* gazeti (Maria reads)
7. Wewe *unatengeneza* mkate (You make)
8. Mimi *ninakimbia* mbio (I run)
9. Watoto *wanacheza* mpira (Children play)
10. Mzee *anapika* ugali (Elder cooks)
11. Jirani *anapanda* bustani (Neighbor gardens)
12. Wewe *unaogelea* kwenye bwawa (You swim)
13. Mimi *ninasoma* kitabu (I read)
14. Dada *anafua* sahani (Sister washes)
15. Baba *anacheza* gita (Father plays)
