English “but” → Swahili “lakini” - Contrast and Opposition
Welcome to Lesson 23 of our Swahili language course! Today we explore lakini, one of the most essential conjunctions in Swahili. This word corresponds to the English conjunction “but” and is used to introduce contrast, opposition, or an unexpected turn in thought between two clauses or ideas.
Link to course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “lakini” mean in Swahili?
Lakini is a coordinating conjunction that connects two clauses or statements while introducing a contrast or opposition between them. It functions similarly to “but” or “however” in English, allowing speakers to express disagreement, contrast, or unexpected outcomes. The word is derived from Arabic “lākin” (لكن), reflecting Swahili’s rich history of trade and cultural exchange along the East African coast.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how lakini functions in Swahili sentences, from simple everyday statements to complex literary expressions. We’ll explore 30 contextual examples showing lakini in action across formal and informal registers.
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Lakini is the most common word for “but” in Swahili -
It connects contrasting ideas between two independent clauses -
Lakini typically appears at the beginning of the second clause -
The related form “walakini” is more formal and emphatic -
“Bali” means “but rather” and introduces a stronger contrast or correction -
Lakini is one of several coordinating conjunctions in Swahili (na = and, au = or) -
Understanding lakini is essential for expressing nuanced thought in Swahili
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lakini [lɑ.ˈki.ni] -
la [lɑ] - as in “father” -
ki [ki] - as in “key” -
ni [ni] - as in “knee”
Stress falls on the second-to-last syllable: la-KI-ni
The word follows standard Swahili pronunciation rules: each vowel is pronounced distinctly, and consonants remain consistent. The ‘l’ is a clear alveolar lateral, the ‘k’ is unaspirated, and both ‘i’ vowels have the same pure [i] sound.
Related forms: -
walakini [wɑ.lɑ.ˈki.ni] - more formal “but, however” -
bali [ˈbɑ.li] - “but rather, on the contrary”
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23.1a Nina kahawa lakini sitaki chai 23.1b Nina (ˈni.nɑ) I-have kahawa (kɑˈhɑ.wɑ) coffee lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but sitaki (si.ˈtɑ.ki) I-not-want chai (tʃɑi) tea
23.2a Nyumba ni kubwa lakini bei ni ghali 23.2b Nyumba (ˈɲu.mbɑ) house ni (ni) is kubwa (ˈku.bwɑ) big lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but bei (ˈbe.i) price ni (ni) is ghali (ˈɣɑ.li) expensive
23.3a Nilisoma kitabu lakini sikuelewa 23.3b Nilisoma (ni.li.ˈso.mɑ) I-read kitabu (ki.ˈtɑ.bu) book lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but sikuelewa (si.ku.e.ˈle.wɑ) I-not-understand
23.4a Mvua inanyesha lakini jua linaonekana 23.4b Mvua (ˈmvu.ɑ) rain inanyesha (i.nɑ.ɲeˈʃɑ) is-falling lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but jua (ˈdʒu.ɑ) sun linaonekana (li.nɑ.o.ne.ˈkɑ.nɑ) appears
23.5a Anataka kwenda lakini hana pesa 23.5b Anataka (ɑ.nɑ.ˈtɑ.kɑ) he-wants kwenda (ˈkwe.ndɑ) to-go lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hana (ˈhɑ.nɑ) he-not-has pesa (ˈpe.sɑ) money
23.6a Ninapenda chakula hiki lakini kina chumvi nyingi 23.6b Ninapenda (ni.nɑ.ˈpe.ndɑ) I-like chakula (tʃɑ.ˈku.lɑ) food hiki (ˈhi.ki) this lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but kina (ˈki.nɑ) it-has chumvi (ˈtʃu.mvi) salt nyingi (ˈɲi.ŋgi) much
23.7a Wazazi walikasirika lakini mtoto hakuomba msamaha 23.7b Wazazi (wɑ.ˈzɑ.zi) parents walikasirika (wɑ.li.kɑ.si.ˈɾi.kɑ) they-got-angry lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but mtoto (ˈmto.to) child hakuomba (hɑ.ku.ˈo.mbɑ) did-not-ask msamaha (msɑ.ˈmɑ.hɑ) forgiveness
23.8a Alifanya kazi kwa bidii lakini hakupata mshahara mzuri 23.8b Alifanya (ɑ.li.ˈfɑ.ɲɑ) he-did kazi (ˈkɑ.zi) work kwa (kwɑ) with bidii (bi.ˈdi.i) diligence lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hakupata (hɑ.ku.ˈpɑ.tɑ) he-not-get mshahara (mʃɑ.hɑ.ˈɾɑ) salary mzuri (mˈzu.ɾi) good
23.9a Tulijaribu kusema lakini hakutusikiliza 23.9b Tulijaribu (tu.li.dʒɑ.ˈɾi.bu) we-tried kusema (ku.ˈse.mɑ) to-speak lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hakutusikiliza (hɑ.ku.tu.si.ki.ˈli.zɑ) he-not-us-listen
23.10a Njia ni refu lakini mandhari ni nzuri 23.10b Njia (ˈndʒi.ɑ) road ni (ni) is refu (ˈɾe.fu) long lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but mandhari (mɑ.ˈndhɑ.ɾi) scenery ni (ni) is nzuri (ˈnzu.ɾi) beautiful
23.11a Wanafunzi wengi walipita mtihani lakini wengine walishindwa 23.11b Wanafunzi (wɑ.nɑ.ˈfu.nzi) students wengi (ˈwe.ŋgi) many walipita (wɑ.li.ˈpi.tɑ) they-passed mtihani (mti.ˈhɑ.ni) exam lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but wengine (we.ˈŋgi.ne) some-others walishindwa (wɑ.li.ˈʃi.ndwɑ) they-failed
23.12a Daktari alimpima mgonjwa lakini hakugundua tatizo 23.12b Daktari (dɑk.ˈtɑ.ɾi) doctor alimpima (ɑ.li.mˈpi.mɑ) he-him-examined mgonjwa (mgo.ˈndʒwɑ) patient lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hakugundua (hɑ.ku.gu.ˈndu.ɑ) he-not-discover tatizo (tɑ.ˈti.zo) problem
23.13a Tunajua ukweli lakini hatuwezi kusema kwa wazi 23.13b Tunajua (tu.nɑ.ˈdʒu.ɑ) we-know ukweli (u.ˈkwe.li) truth lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hatuwezi (hɑ.tu.ˈwe.zi) we-not-can kusema (ku.ˈse.mɑ) to-speak kwa (kwɑ) with wazi (ˈwɑ.zi) openness
23.14a Alipokea zawadi lakini hakuonyesha furaha yoyote 23.14b Alipokea (ɑ.li.po.ˈke.ɑ) he-received zawadi (zɑ.ˈwɑ.di) gift lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hakuonyesha (hɑ.ku.o.ɲeˈʃɑ) he-not-show furaha (fu.ˈɾɑ.hɑ) happiness yoyote (jo.ˈjo.te) any
23.15a Walisafiri masaa mengi lakini bado hawajafika 23.15b Walisafiri (wɑ.li.sɑ.ˈfi.ɾi) they-traveled masaa (mɑ.ˈsɑ.ɑ) hours mengi (ˈme.ŋgi) many lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but bado (ˈbɑ.do) still hawajafika (hɑ.wɑ.dʒɑ.ˈfi.kɑ) they-not-yet-arrived
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23.1 Nina kahawa lakini sitaki chai → “I have coffee but I don’t want tea”
23.2 Nyumba ni kubwa lakini bei ni ghali → “The house is big but the price is expensive”
23.3 Nilisoma kitabu lakini sikuelewa → “I read the book but I didn’t understand”
23.4 Mvua inanyesha lakini jua linaonekana → “It’s raining but the sun is visible”
23.5 Anataka kwenda lakini hana pesa → “He wants to go but he has no money”
23.6 Ninapenda chakula hiki lakini kina chumvi nyingi → “I like this food but it has too much salt”
23.7 Wazazi walikasirika lakini mtoto hakuomba msamaha → “The parents got angry but the child didn’t apologize”
23.8 Alifanya kazi kwa bidii lakini hakupata mshahara mzuri → “He worked diligently but didn’t get a good salary”
23.9 Tulijaribu kusema lakini hakutusikiliza → “We tried to speak but he didn’t listen to us”
23.10 Njia ni refu lakini mandhari ni nzuri → “The road is long but the scenery is beautiful”
23.11 Wanafunzi wengi walipita mtihani lakini wengine walishindwa → “Many students passed the exam but some others failed”
23.12 Daktari alimpima mgonjwa lakini hakugundua tatizo → “The doctor examined the patient but didn’t discover the problem”
23.13 Tunajua ukweli lakini hatuwezi kusema kwa wazi → “We know the truth but we can’t speak openly”
23.14 Alipokea zawadi lakini hakuonyesha furaha yoyote → “He received the gift but didn’t show any happiness”
23.15 Walisafiri masaa mengi lakini bado hawajafika → “They traveled for many hours but still haven’t arrived”
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23.1 Nina kahawa lakini sitaki chai
23.2 Nyumba ni kubwa lakini bei ni ghali
23.3 Nilisoma kitabu lakini sikuelewa
23.4 Mvua inanyesha lakini jua linaonekana
23.5 Anataka kwenda lakini hana pesa
23.6 Ninapenda chakula hiki lakini kina chumvi nyingi
23.7 Wazazi walikasirika lakini mtoto hakuomba msamaha
23.8 Alifanya kazi kwa bidii lakini hakupata mshahara mzuri
23.9 Tulijaribu kusema lakini hakutusikiliza
23.10 Njia ni refu lakini mandhari ni nzuri
23.11 Wanafunzi wengi walipita mtihani lakini wengine walishindwa
23.12 Daktari alimpima mgonjwa lakini hakugundua tatizo
23.13 Tunajua ukweli lakini hatuwezi kusema kwa wazi
23.14 Alipokea zawadi lakini hakuonyesha furaha yoyote
23.15 Walisafiri masaa mengi lakini bado hawajafika
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These are the grammar rules for lakini in Swahili:
Lakini is a coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses. It typically appears at the beginning of the second clause, introducing a contrast or opposition to what was stated in the first clause. The basic pattern is:
[Statement 1] + lakini + [Contrasting Statement 2]
For example: -
Nyumba ni kubwa (The house is big) lakini bei ni ghali (but the price is expensive)
Swahili follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order, and lakini doesn’t disrupt this structure. Each clause connected by lakini maintains its own grammatical independence:
Subject + Verb + Object + lakini + Subject + Verb + Object
Both clauses before and after lakini are complete sentences that could stand alone. The conjunction simply links them to show contrast.
Swahili has several related adversative conjunctions: -
Lakini - standard “but” (most common) -
Walakini - more formal or emphatic “but, however” -
Bali - “but rather, on the contrary” (introduces correction) -
Ila - “except, but”
Example showing the difference: -
Sitaki chai lakini nataka kahawa (I don’t want tea but I want coffee) - simple contrast -
Si mwizi bali ni mwizi wa nyumbani (He’s not a thief but rather a house burglar) - correction/specification
Lakini can connect clauses in any tense combination. Common patterns include:
Present + Present: -
Nina pesa lakini sitaki kununua (I have money but I don’t want to buy)
Past + Past: -
Alifika mapema lakini hakukuta mtu (He arrived early but didn’t find anyone)
Present + Future: -
Ninajua lakini sitasema (I know but I won’t tell)
Past + Present: -
Alikuja jana lakini leo hayupo (He came yesterday but today he’s not here)
Notice in several examples how Swahili negation works with lakini: -
Affirmative + Negative: Nina pesa lakini sitaki = I have money but I don’t want -
Negative + Affirmative: Hakuja leo lakini atakuja kesho = He didn’t come today but he’ll come tomorrow
Swahili negation uses prefixes: -
Present: ha- + subject concord (hakuja, hataki, hawana) -
Past with -li-: ha- + ku- (hakupata, hakuelewa) -
With -na-: si-, hu-, ha- depending on subject (sitaki, hatutaki, hawataki)
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Position: Don’t place lakini at the end of clauses. It must introduce the second clause. -
❌ Incorrect: Sitaki chai, nataka kahawa lakini -
✅ Correct: Sitaki chai lakini nataka kahawa -
Comma usage: Swahili doesn’t require a comma before lakini as English sometimes does. -
Standard: Nina kahawa lakini sitaki chai (no comma needed) -
Overuse of walakini: The form “walakini” sounds overly formal in casual conversation. Use simple “lakini” in everyday speech. -
Confusing bali and lakini: -
Use lakini for general contrast -
Use bali when correcting or specifying something more precise
Remember that Swahili verbs incorporate subject markers. When using lakini, pay attention to the subject of each clause: -
Same subject: Alipokea zawadi lakini hakuonyesha furaha (He received the gift but he didn’t show happiness) - both clauses have “he” -
Different subjects: Wazazi walikasirika lakini mtoto hakuomba msamaha (The parents got angry but the child didn’t apologize) - subjects change
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Lakini ranks among the most frequently used words in spoken Swahili, appearing in virtually all contexts from casual conversation to formal writing. According to frequency studies, adversative conjunctions like lakini appear with high regularity because they’re essential for nuanced communication and expressing contrasts in everyday situations.
Lakini is appropriate across all registers: -
Informal conversation: Used freely in daily speech -
Formal writing: Acceptable in newspapers, official documents -
Literature: Common in both prose and dialogue -
Academic discourse: Standard in scholarly texts
The variant walakini adds formality and emphasis, often appearing in: -
Political speeches -
Religious sermons -
Formal announcements -
Written literature requiring gravitas
While lakini is understood and used throughout the Swahili-speaking world, some regional preferences exist: -
Kenya & Tanzania: Lakini is dominant in all contexts -
Congo (DRC): Both lakini and French mais influence each other -
Coastal regions: May occasionally use bali for stronger contrasts -
Zanzibar: Maintains purest usage of lakini in the Unguja dialect
Several common Swahili expressions feature lakini: -
Lakini kweli - “But truly” (emphasizing truthfulness) -
Ni rahisi kusema lakini kweli ni vigumu (It’s easy to say but truly it’s difficult) -
Lakini sana - “But very much” (adding emphasis) -
Napenda lakini sana! (I like it but very much! - meaning “I really do like it!”) -
Lakini je? - “But what about...?” (rhetorical questioning) -
Unasema hivyo, lakini je nyingine? (You say that, but what about the others?)
Lakini derives from Arabic لكن (lākin), reflecting Swahili’s rich history of cultural and linguistic exchange with Arab traders along the East African coast. This Arabic connection is shared by roughly 40% of Swahili vocabulary, particularly in: -
Religious terminology -
Trade and commercial language -
Abstract concepts -
Conjunctions and discourse markers
Other Arabic-derived conjunctions include: -
Ama (or) - from Arabic إمّا (immā) -
Ila (except) - from Arabic إلّا (illā) -
Hata (even, until) - from Arabic حتّى (ḥattā)
Swahili oral tradition includes many proverbs using lakini: -
Penzi ni kizuri lakini lina maumivu yake “Love is beautiful but it has its pain” -
Njia ni refu lakini mwisho ni mzuri “The road is long but the end is good” (patience brings rewards) -
Maneno ni mepesi lakini matendo ni magumu “Words are light but actions are heavy” (talk is easy, action is hard) -
Maji ni baridi lakini baada ya kuchemka huwa moto “Water is cold but after boiling it becomes hot” (circumstances change)
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From modern Swahili literature (contemporary usage example):
F-A.1a Alisema atakuja leo lakini sijamwona bado F-A.1b Alisema (ɑ.li.ˈse.mɑ) he-said atakuja (ɑ.tɑ.ˈku.dʒɑ) he-will-come leo (ˈle.o) today lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but sijamwona (si.dʒɑ.mˈwo.nɑ) I-not-yet-him-see bado (ˈbɑ.do) still
F-A.2a Dunia ina mambo mengi mazuri lakini pia ina matatizo mengi F-A.2b Dunia (ˈdu.ni.ɑ) world ina (ˈi.nɑ) has mambo (ˈmɑ.mbo) things mengi (ˈme.ŋgi) many mazuri (mɑ.ˈzu.ɾi) good lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but pia (ˈpi.ɑ) also ina (ˈi.nɑ) has matatizo (mɑ.tɑ.ˈti.zo) problems mengi (ˈme.ŋgi) many
F-A.3a Alipenda kusoma lakini masomo yalikuwa magumu sana F-A.3b Alipenda (ɑ.li.ˈpe.ndɑ) he-loved kusoma (ku.ˈso.mɑ) to-read lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but masomo (mɑ.ˈso.mo) studies yalikuwa (jɑ.li.ˈku.wɑ) they-were magumu (mɑ.ˈgu.mu) difficult sana (ˈsɑ.nɑ) very
F-B.1 Alisema atakuja leo lakini sijamwona bado → “He said he would come today but I haven’t seen him yet”
F-B.2 Dunia ina mambo mengi mazuri lakini pia ina matatizo mengi → “The world has many good things but it also has many problems”
F-B.3 Alipenda kusoma lakini masomo yalikuwa magumu sana → “He loved to read but the studies were very difficult”
F-C.1 Alisema atakuja leo lakini sijamwona bado
F-C.2 Dunia ina mambo mengi mazuri lakini pia ina matatizo mengi
F-C.3 Dunia ina mambo mengi mazuri lakini pia ina matatizo mengi
These examples demonstrate typical modern Swahili usage of lakini in various temporal contexts:
Example 1 shows lakini connecting a past statement with a present reality: -
Alisema (he said - past tense with -li- marker) -
Atakuja (he will come - future with -ta- marker embedded in reported speech) -
Sijamwona (I haven’t yet seen him - negative -ja- marker indicating action not yet completed)
Notice the object marker -m- (him) infixed in the verb sijamwona (si-ja-m-ona).
Example 2 demonstrates parallelism in structure, showing lakini connecting two similar constructions: -
Both clauses use ina (has/it has) -
Both use mengi (many/much) -
The structure creates balanced emphasis
Example 3 illustrates lakini with the past copula: -
Yalikuwa (they were - past tense of kuwa “to be”) -
Shows noun class agreement: ma- class for masomo (studies)
These sentences represent typical contemporary Swahili as spoken in Kenya, Tanzania, and across East Africa. The examples could appear in: -
Modern Swahili novels -
Newspaper articles -
Everyday conversation -
Educational materials
The balance between positive and negative statements connected by lakini reflects a common rhetorical pattern in Swahili discourse - acknowledging both sides of a situation before making a judgment or conclusion. This reflects the Swahili cultural value of hekima (wisdom) - seeing issues from multiple perspectives.
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Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
23.16a Teknolojia inabadilika haraka lakini watu wengi hawana uwezo wa kuinunua 23.16b Teknolojia (te.kno.lo.ˈdʒi.ɑ) technology inabadilika (i.nɑ.bɑ.di.ˈli.kɑ) is-changing haraka (hɑ.ˈɾɑ.kɑ) quickly lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but watu (ˈwɑ.tu) people wengi (ˈwe.ŋgi) many hawana (hɑ.ˈwɑ.nɑ) they-not-have uwezo (u.ˈwe.zo) ability wa (wɑ) of kuinunua (ku.i.nu.ˈnu.ɑ) to-it-buy
23.17a Serikali imeahidi kujenga barabara mpya lakini miradi inachelewa 23.17b Serikali (se.ɾi.ˈkɑ.li) government imeahidi (i.me.ɑ.ˈhi.di) has-promised kujenga (ku.ˈdʒe.ŋgɑ) to-build barabara (bɑ.ɾɑ.ˈbɑ.ɾɑ) roads mpya (ˈmpjɑ) new lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but miradi (mi.ˈɾɑ.di) projects inachelewa (i.nɑ.tʃe.ˈle.wɑ) is-delaying
23.18a Wafanyabiashara wanapinga bei ya mafuta lakini hatuwezi kubadilisha kitu 23.18b Wafanyabiashara (wɑ.fɑ.ɲɑ.bi.ɑ.ˈʃɑ.ɾɑ) businesspeople wanapinga (wɑ.nɑ.ˈpi.ŋgɑ) they-oppose bei (ˈbe.i) price ya (jɑ) of mafuta (mɑ.ˈfu.tɑ) fuel lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hatuwezi (hɑ.tu.ˈwe.zi) we-not-can kubadilisha (ku.bɑ.di.ˈli.ʃɑ) to-change kitu (ˈki.tu) thing
23.19a Shirika litafungua matawi mapya lakini linakabiliwa na ukosefu wa wafanyakazi 23.19b Shirika (ʃi.ˈɾi.kɑ) company litafungua (li.tɑ.fu.ˈŋgu.ɑ) it-will-open matawi (mɑ.ˈtɑ.wi) branches mapya (ˈmɑ.pjɑ) new lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but linakabiliwa (li.nɑ.kɑ.bi.ˈli.wɑ) it-is-faced na (nɑ) by ukosefu (u.ko.ˈse.fu) lack wa (wɑ) of wafanyakazi (wɑ.fɑ.ɲɑ.ˈkɑ.zi) workers
23.20a Vyuo vikuu vinaongeza nafasi lakini hakuna walimu wa kutosha 23.20b Vyuo (ˈvju.o) colleges vikuu (vi.ˈku.u) big vinaongeza (vi.nɑ.o.ŋgeˈzɑ) they-are-increasing nafasi (nɑ.ˈfɑ.si) spaces lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hakuna (hɑ.ˈku.nɑ) there-are-not walimu (wɑ.ˈli.mu) teachers wa (wɑ) of kutosha (ku.ˈto.ʃɑ) enough
23.21a Hospitali mpya imejengwa lakini vifaa vya matibabu havijafika 23.21b Hospitali (ho.spi.ˈtɑ.li) hospital mpya (ˈmpjɑ) new imejengwa (i.me.dʒe.ˈŋgwɑ) has-been-built lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but vifaa (vi.ˈfɑ.ɑ) equipment vya (vjɑ) of matibabu (mɑ.ti.ˈbɑ.bu) treatment havijafika (hɑ.vi.dʒɑ.ˈfi.kɑ) they-not-yet-arrived
23.22a Wanasiasa wanaahidi mabadiliko lakini baada ya uchaguzi wanasahau 23.22b Wanasiasa (wɑ.nɑ.si.ˈɑ.sɑ) politicians wanaahidi (wɑ.nɑ.ɑ.ˈhi.di) they-promise mabadiliko (mɑ.bɑ.di.ˈli.ko) changes lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but baada (bɑ.ˈɑ.dɑ) after ya (jɑ) of uchaguzi (u.tʃɑ.ˈgu.zi) elections wanasahau (wɑ.nɑ.sɑ.ˈhɑ.u) they-forget
23.23a Mazao yalikuwa mengi mwaka jana lakini mwaka huu tumekabiliwa na ukame 23.23b Mazao (mɑ.ˈzɑ.o) crops yalikuwa (jɑ.li.ˈku.wɑ) they-were mengi (ˈme.ŋgi) many mwaka (ˈmwɑ.kɑ) year jana (ˈdʒɑ.nɑ) last lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but mwaka (ˈmwɑ.kɑ) year huu (ˈhu.u) this tumekabiliwa (tu.me.kɑ.bi.ˈli.wɑ) we-have-been-faced na (nɑ) with ukame (u.ˈkɑ.me) drought
23.24a Wananchi wanataka usalama lakini polisi hawana rasilimali za kutosha 23.24b Wananchi (wɑ.nɑ.ˈndʒi) citizens wanataka (wɑ.nɑ.ˈtɑ.kɑ) they-want usalama (u.sɑ.lɑ.ˈmɑ) security lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but polisi (po.ˈli.si) police hawana (hɑ.ˈwɑ.nɑ) they-not-have rasilimali (ɾɑ.si.li.ˈmɑ.li) resources za (zɑ) of kutosha (ku.ˈto.ʃɑ) enough
23.25a Huduma za afya zimeimarishwa lakini gharama zinazidi 23.25b Huduma (hu.ˈdu.mɑ) services za (zɑ) of afya (ˈɑ.fjɑ) health zimeimarishwa (zi.me.i.mɑ.ɾi.ˈʃwɑ) have-been-strengthened lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but gharama (ɣɑ.ˈɾɑ.mɑ) costs zinazidi (zi.nɑ.ˈzi.di) are-increasing
23.26a Wakulima wanapata elimu ya kilimo lakini hawapati mikopo ya kuanza biashara 23.26b Wakulima (wɑ.ku.ˈli.mɑ) farmers wanapata (wɑ.nɑ.ˈpɑ.tɑ) they-receive elimu (e.ˈli.mu) education ya (jɑ) of kilimo (ki.ˈli.mo) agriculture lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hawapati (hɑ.wɑ.ˈpɑ.ti) they-not-get mikopo (mi.ˈko.po) loans ya (jɑ) of kuanza (ku.ˈɑ.nzɑ) to-start biashara (bi.ɑ.ˈʃɑ.ɾɑ) business
23.27a Uchumi unaendelea vizuri lakini watu wengi bado wanaishi katika umaskini 23.27b Uchumi (u.ˈtʃu.mi) economy unaendelea (u.nɑ.e.ndeˈle.ɑ) is-progressing vizuri (vi.ˈzu.ɾi) well lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but watu (ˈwɑ.tu) people wengi (ˈwe.ŋgi) many bado (ˈbɑ.do) still wanaishi (wɑ.nɑ.ˈi.ʃi) they-live katika (kɑ.ˈti.kɑ) in umaskini (u.mɑ.ˈski.ni) poverty
23.28a Nchi yetu ina rasilimali nyingi za asili lakini hatuzitumii kwa ufanisi 23.28b Nchi (ˈndʒi) country yetu (ˈje.tu) our ina (ˈi.nɑ) has rasilimali (ɾɑ.si.li.ˈmɑ.li) resources nyingi (ˈɲi.ŋgi) many za (zɑ) of asili (ɑ.ˈsi.li) natural lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hatuzitumii (hɑ.tu.zi.ˈtu.mi.i) we-not-them-use kwa (kwɑ) with ufanisi (u.fɑ.ˈni.si) efficiency
23.29a Watoto wanapenda kusoma lakini vitabu vya kutosha havipo 23.29b Watoto (wɑ.ˈto.to) children wanapenda (wɑ.nɑ.ˈpe.ndɑ) they-love kusoma (ku.ˈso.mɑ) to-read lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but vitabu (vi.ˈtɑ.bu) books vya (vjɑ) of kutosha (ku.ˈto.ʃɑ) enough havipo (hɑ.ˈvi.po) they-are-not-there
23.30a Jamii inatambua umuhimu wa elimu lakini hawawezi kulipia ada za shule 23.30b Jamii (dʒɑ.ˈmi.i) community inatambua (i.nɑ.tɑ.mˈbu.ɑ) recognizes umuhimu (u.mu.ˈhi.mu) importance wa (wɑ) of elimu (e.ˈli.mu) education lakini (lɑ.ˈki.ni) but hawawezi (hɑ.wɑ.ˈwe.zi) they-cannot kulipia (ku.li.ˈpi.ɑ) to-pay ada (ˈɑ.dɑ) fees za (zɑ) of shule (ˈʃu.le) school
Part B: Natural Sentences
23.16 Teknolojia inabadilika haraka lakini watu wengi hawana uwezo wa kuinunua → “Technology is changing quickly but many people don’t have the ability to buy it”
23.17 Serikali imeahidi kujenga barabara mpya lakini miradi inachelewa → “The government has promised to build new roads but projects are delayed”
23.18 Wafanyabiashara wanapinga bei ya mafuta lakini hatuwezi kubadilisha kitu → “Businesspeople oppose the fuel price but we can’t change anything”
23.19 Shirika litafungua matawi mapya lakini linakabiliwa na ukosefu wa wafanyakazi → “The company will open new branches but it faces a lack of workers”
23.20 Vyuo vikuu vinaongeza nafasi lakini hakuna walimu wa kutosha → “Universities are increasing spaces but there aren’t enough teachers”
23.21 Hospitali mpya imejengwa lakini vifaa vya matibabu havijafika → “A new hospital has been built but medical equipment hasn’t yet arrived”
23.22 Wanasiasa wanaahidi mabadiliko lakini baada ya uchaguzi wanasahau → “Politicians promise changes but after elections they forget”
23.23 Mazao yalikuwa mengi mwaka jana lakini mwaka huu tumekabiliwa na ukame → “Crops were plentiful last year but this year we’ve faced drought”
23.24 Wananchi wanataka usalama lakini polisi hawana rasilimali za kutosha → “Citizens want security but police don’t have enough resources”
23.25 Huduma za afya zimeimarishwa lakini gharama zinazidi → “Health services have been strengthened but costs are increasing”
23.26 Wakulima wanapata elimu ya kilimo lakini hawapati mikopo ya kuanza biashara → “Farmers receive agricultural education but they don’t get loans to start businesses”
23.27 Uchumi unaendelea vizuri lakini watu wengi bado wanaishi katika umaskini → “The economy is progressing well but many people still live in poverty”
23.28 Nchi yetu ina rasilimali nyingi za asili lakini hatuzitumii kwa ufanisi → “Our country has many natural resources but we don’t use them efficiently”
23.29 Watoto wanapenda kusoma lakini vitabu vya kutosha havipo → “Children love to read but there aren’t enough books available”
23.30 Jamii inatambua umuhimu wa elimu lakini hawawezi kulipia ada za shule → “The community recognizes the importance of education but they can’t afford school fees”
Part C: Target Language Only
23.16 Teknolojia inabadilika haraka lakini watu wengi hawana uwezo wa kuinunua
23.17 Serikali imeahidi kujenga barabara mpya lakini miradi inachelewa
23.18 Wafanyabiashara wanapinga bei ya mafuta lakini hatuwezi kubadilisha kitu
23.19 Shirika litafungua matawi mapya lakini linakabiliwa na ukosefu wa wafanyakazi
23.20 Vyuo vikuu vinaongeza nafasi lakini hakuna walimu wa kutosha
23.21 Hospitali mpya imejengwa lakini vifaa vya matibabu havijafika
23.22 Wanasiasa wanaahidi mabadiliko lakini baada ya uchaguzi wanasahau
23.23 Mazao yalikuwa mengi mwaka jana lakini mwaka huu tumekabiliwa na ukame
23.24 Wananchi wanataka usalama lakini polisi hawana rasilimali za kutosha
23.25 Huduma za afya zimeimarishwa lakini gharama zinazidi
23.26 Wakulima wanapata elimu ya kilimo lakini hawapati mikopo ya kuanza biashara
23.27 Uchumi unaendelea vizuri lakini watu wengi bado wanaishi katika umaskini
23.28 Nchi yetu ina rasilimali nyingi za asili lakini hatuzitumii kwa ufanisi
23.29 Watoto wanapenda kusoma lakini vitabu vya kutosha havipo
23.30 Jamii inatambua umuhimu wa elimu lakini hawawezi kulipia ada za shule
Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
This news report section demonstrates lakini in journalistic discourse, a common feature of modern Swahili media. Key grammatical patterns include:
1. Extended Subjects and Objects: Unlike the simpler examples in Section A, these sentences feature more complex noun phrases: -
Huduma za afya (health services - possessive construction) -
Rasilimali nyingi za asili (many natural resources - adjective + possessive) -
Vifaa vya matibabu (medical equipment - possessive construction)
2. Passive Voice Construction: Several examples use passive forms, common in news reporting: -
Zimeimarishwa (have been strengthened) - passive with -iw- marker -
Imejengwa (has been built) - passive with -w- marker -
Tumekabiliwa (we have been faced) - passive indicating involuntary experience
3. Tense Variety in News Reporting: -
Present continuous: inabadilika (is changing) -
Present perfect: imeahidi (has promised) -
Future: litafungua (will open) -
Past: yalikuwa (were) -
Negative present: hawana (they don’t have)
4. Object Infixes: Notice the object markers infixed within verbs: -
hatuzitumii (we don’t use them) - -zi- refers to rasilimali -
kuinunua (to buy it) - -i- refers to teknolojia -
hawapati (they don’t get) - no object infix needed when object follows
5. Nominal and Locative Expressions: -
katika umaskini (in poverty) - locative with katika -
kwa ufanisi (with efficiency) - instrumental kwa -
baada ya uchaguzi (after elections) - temporal expression
6. Rhetorical Pattern: These sentences follow a consistent pattern: positive development or intention + lakini + obstacle or problem. This reflects a common journalistic structure used to present balanced reporting while highlighting challenges facing East African development.
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning system developed by the Latinum Institute. Our methodology emphasizes:
Frequency-Based Vocabulary Progression Each lesson corresponds to high-frequency words in the target language, ensuring you learn the most useful vocabulary first. Lesson 23 focuses on “lakini” (but), the 23rd most common conjunction pattern in essential Swahili communication. By following this systematic approach from lessons 1-1000, you’ll build a solid foundation in the most important words of Swahili.
Authentic Usage Patterns All examples in this course reflect genuine Swahili as spoken by native speakers across East Africa. We’ve drawn from: -
Contemporary Swahili literature -
Daily conversations in Kenya, Tanzania, and throughout the Swahili-speaking world -
Modern journalistic writing -
Oral traditions and proverbs
Interlinear Construed Reading Method The granular word-by-word glossing in Section A enables beginners to understand exactly how Swahili works without getting lost in translation. This pedagogical approach has proven successful for thousands of language learners worldwide.
Cultural Integration Language learning is inseparable from cultural understanding. Each lesson includes insights into Swahili-speaking societies, from Tanzania’s diverse regions to Kenya’s multilingual landscape, from Zanzibar’s coastal traditions to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Swahili-speaking communities.
Support and Community For additional resources, visit: -
Main course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
Latinum Institute: https://latinum.org.uk -
Course reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
The Latinum Institute has been creating online language learning materials since 2006, helping thousands of students master languages through our proven methodology. Whether you’re learning for travel, work, academic research, or personal enrichment, our structured approach ensures steady progress from beginner to advanced levels.
Next Steps: -
Review this lesson multiple times, focusing on different sections each time -
Practice speaking the examples aloud to internalize pronunciation -
Try creating your own sentences using lakini -
Move on to Lesson 24 to continue building your Swahili foundation -
Join our learning community for support and practice opportunities
Remember: consistent practice with high-frequency words like lakini is the key to fluency. Even just 15-20 minutes daily with these materials will yield remarkable results over time.
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