The Focus Of This Lesson Is Using Present Simple Tense to Describe Daily Activities.
Mohamed, mimi hukimbia asubuhi kila siku.
"Mohamed, I run every day in the morning."

1. Learning how to use present simple tense.

Let's start with an example in the dialogue:

1. Mimi hukimbia asubuhi kila siku.
   "I run every day in the morning."

Verbs in Swahili are words used for action, expression purposes, or a state of form or being. They can be conjugated into present tense, past tense, and future tense.

Present tense verbs explain a current or present time happening.

For example, Naongea Kiswahili meaning "I speak Swahili."

In Swahili, all verbs have the prefix na- used in cases of present continuous tense. For instance, na-enda "I am going," or na-andika "I am writing." For simple present tense the applicable prefix is hu- mimi huenda "I go,"  mimi huandika "I write".

The infinitive verbs here are enda "to go," and andika "to write."

Present simple tense is different from present continuous in Swahili.

Present simple tense expresses something that takes place regularly, in other words, it is a habitual tense. The prefix hu- is used with the verb. A good example is Mimi hupiga mswaki kila siku. meaning "I brush my teeth everyday." Present continuous tense in Swahili is a "now" tense.

Here are other examples:

1. Unatazama runiga sasa?
   "Are you watching TV now?"
2. Najiangalilia runinga sasa.
   "I am watching TV now."

2. Adverbs of frequency

1. kila siku kabla
   "Every day before"

These are Swahili words that modify phrases and verbs related to frequency directly. Swahili has adverbs of manner such as haraka meaning "quickly," and vigumu meaning "difficult." Adverbs of frequency include kila siku "every day," mara kwa mara "sometimes,"or Mara tatu, "three times."

3. Using adjectives to describe activities

In Swahili, some verbal adjectives describe activities and are connected to verbs. A good example of their use in the dialogue is utashinda ukiwa mchangamfu meaning "You will spend the rest of the day feeling happy." The verbal adjective in this case is changamfu, "happy."

Examples from the dialogue:

1. Kila siku kabla ya kula kiamsha kinywa.
   "Every day before eating breakfast."
2. Mimi huchelewa kuamka kwa hivyo mimi huoga na kuanza shughuli za siku
   "I usually wake up late and so I just shower and start my daily activities."

Sample Sentences

1. Mimi huamka saa kumi asubuhi kila siku.
   "I wake up at 4.00 a.m every day."
2. Sisi hupewa chai bila sukari.
   "We are usually given tea without sugar."
3. Dada yangu hupika mayai kila siku.
   "My sister cooks eggs every day."

mazoezi ("exercises")

Mazoezi is in plural form. The singular form is zoezi.

You use this word when talking about physical activities such as running, dancing, and engaging in sports, among other things.

This word is usually used in the field of health and fitness.

For example:

1.      Ukifanya mazoezi, mwili wako unatoa jasho.
               "When you exercise, your body produces sweat."

mwenye nguvu ("energetic")

Mwenye nguvu is one adjectival phrase, singular, made of mwenye meaning "belonging to something" and nguvu meaning "energy."

This phrase is used to refer to the ability to handle tasks requiring body energy or strength.

For example:

1.      Kukimbia hufanya mtu awe mwenye nguvu.
               "Running makes one energetic."

kiamsha kinywa ("breakfast")

Kiamsha kinywa is a phrase made up of two words. Kiamsha means "something that wakes up something" while kinywa refers to the mouth. Literally, the phrase indicates something that wakes up the mouth, so "breakfast."

For example:

1.      Leo nilikula matunda kama kiamsha kinywa changu.
               "Today I ate fruit for breakfast."

Discussing Daily Activities

In Kenya, most people in urban areas jog in the morning to keep fit. On the other hand, their counterparts in the village engage in farming activities which offer exercise benefits. There isn't any specific etiquette about what to wear while jogging in the street.

Useful expression:

1. Nguo za michezo
   "Sportswear."