INTRODUCTION |
In this lesson, we’ll introduce you to a phrase that will help you get to the places you need to be! In some places, trains are the way to travel, but it's also very useful to know how to rent a car, scooter, or bicycle. |
BODY |
In Swahili, “I would like to rent a car” is |
Ningelipenda kukodi gari. |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) Ningelipenda kukodi gari. |
Once more: |
Ningelipenda kukodi gari. |
The first word, ningelipenda, means “I would like to.” |
(slow)Ningelipenda |
Ningelipenda |
Next comes kukodi, which means “to rent” |
(slow) kukodi |
kukodi |
Then we have gari, which means “car” |
(slow) gari |
gari |
The whole sentence again: |
(slow) Ningelipenda kukodi gari. |
Ningelipenda kukodi gari. |
“Motorbike” in Swahili is pikipiki. |
(slow) pikipiki |
pikipiki |
Let’s use it in our sentence now: |
Ningelipenda kukodi pikipiki. |
(slow) Ningelipenda kukodi pikipiki. |
Renting a scooter is not as popular as in some Mediterranean countries, but you might want to try that too: |
In Swahili, it is kijigari. |
(slow) kijigari |
kijigari |
Ningelipenda kukodi kijigari. |
(slow) Ningelipenda kukodi kijigari. |
Again, we only have one new word: kijigari. |
Finally, why not rent a bike as well? |
Ningelipenda kukodi baiskeli. |
(slow) Ningelipenda kukodi baiskeli. |
baiskeli means “bike” in this sentence. |
(slow) baiskeli |
baiskeli |
If you're renting something, it's also important to know when you should return it. So here’s a phrase you can use to make sure you return it on time. |
In Swahili, “When must I return it?” is |
Napaswa kukirudisha lini? |
(slow) Napaswa kukirudisha lini? |
Napaswa kukirudisha lini? |
The first phrase, napaswa, means “supposed” or “required.” |
(slow) napaswa |
napaswa |
Next we have kukirudisha, which means “to return”. |
(slow) kukirudisha |
kukirudisha |
Then we have lini, which in English is “when.” |
(slow) lini, |
lini |
Altogether, we have |
(slow) Napaswa kukirudisha lini? |
Napaswa kukirudisha lini? |
Literally, this means “When must I return it?” |
Finally, you may want to return it at a different location. In Swahili “Can I return it somewhere else?” is |
Naweza kukirudisha pahali pengine? |
(slow) Naweza kukirudisha pahali pengine? |
The first word, naweza, means, “can I?” It is the word that converts the sentence into a question. |
(slow) naweza |
naweza |
We’ve already seen the word kukirudisha, which means “to return” |
(slow) kukirudisha |
kukirudisha |
And then we have pahali pengine, which refers to a location, “somewhere else.” |
pahali refers to “place” |
(slow) pahali |
pahali |
The word pengine in this context means “different” |
(slow) pengine |
pengine |
Together, it’s |
(slow) pahali pengine. |
pahali pengine. |
The entire sentence again: |
(slow) Naweza kukirudisha pahali pengine? |
Naweza kukirudisha pahali pengine? |
The answer could be a big yes and the name of the location. |
(slow) Ndio, …[place]. |
Ndio |
If you’re unlucky, they’ll say La, hauwezi kurudisha. Which literally means “No, you cannot return.” |
La as you now know means “no” |
Next hauwezi means “you cannot” |
the last word, kurudisha, means “return” |
Altogether, this will be, |
La, hauwezi kurudisha. |
(slow) La, hauwezi kurudisha |
La, hauwezi kurudisha. |
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