Welcome to Lesson 6 of the Swahili for English Speakers course. In this lesson, we will explore the English word "to" and its various Swahili equivalents. For a complete index of all lessons in this course, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
The word "to" in English serves multiple functions - it can indicate direction (go to school), purpose (came to help), indirect objects (gave to me), and time limits (from dawn to dusk). In Swahili, these different functions are expressed through various words and constructions, primarily: -
kwa (to, for, with, by) -
-a (of, to - possessive/associative) -
hadi (to, until, up to) -
-ni (locative suffix meaning to/at/in) -
kwenda (when combined with verbs to mean "go to")
Question: What does "to" mean in Swahili? Answer: The English word "to" has several Swahili equivalents depending on context: "kwa" for purpose or direction, "-a" for possession or association, "hadi" for limits or endpoints, and "-ni" as a locative suffix. The choice depends on the grammatical function in the sentence.
Course: Swahili for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Prepositions and Directional Words Focus: The word "to" and its Swahili equivalents Learning Objective: Students will learn to use various Swahili words that translate the English "to" in different contexts
In this lesson, you will encounter "to" used in various contexts: -
Directional movement (going to a place) -
Giving or showing something to someone -
Purpose or intention -
Time and spatial limits -
Indirect objects
Each example will demonstrate a different usage, helping you understand when to use kwa, -a, hadi, or -ni in Swahili.
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Unlike English, Swahili uses different words for "to" depending on the grammatical context -
The locative suffix "-ni" is commonly used for places (nyumbani = to/at home) -
"Kwa" is versatile and often indicates purpose, means, or direction -
"Hadi" specifically indicates limits or endpoints -
Understanding context is crucial for choosing the correct Swahili equivalent
6.1 Ninaenda I-am-going shuleni to-school asubuhi morning
6.2 Alimpa He-gave-to-him kitabu book kwa to mwalimu teacher
6.3 Tutakwenda We-will-go sokoni to-market kununua to-buy chakula food
6.4 Njoo Come kwangu to-me usiku evening huu this
6.5 Walisafiri They-traveled kutoka from Dar Dar hadi to Mombasa Mombasa
6.6 Nimekuja I-have-come kukuona to-see-you leo today
6.7 Barua Letter hii this ni is kwa to Mama Mother yangu my
6.8 Watoto Children wanakimbia are-running uwanjani to-field kucheza to-play
6.9 Anapeleka She-is-sending pesa money kwa to dada sister yake her
6.10 Ninaelekea I-am-heading mjini to-town sasa now hivi right-now
6.11 Mchungaji Shepherd anawaongoza is-leading-them kondoo sheep bondeni to-valley
6.12 Wamefika They-have-arrived hadi to mlima mountain wa of Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro
6.13 Tunahitaji We-need kwenda to-go hospitalini to-hospital haraka quickly
6.14 Mkuu Chief aliwaita called-them watu people kwake to-his-place mkutano meeting
6.15 Mwanafunzi Student anasoma is-reading kutoka from ukurasa page wa of kwanza first hadi to wa of mwisho last
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6.1 Ninaenda shuleni asubuhi. I am going to school in the morning.
6.2 Alimpa kitabu kwa mwalimu. He gave the book to the teacher.
6.3 Tutakwenda sokoni kununua chakula. We will go to the market to buy food.
6.4 Njoo kwangu usiku huu. Come to me this evening.
6.5 Walisafiri kutoka Dar hadi Mombasa. They traveled from Dar to Mombasa.
6.6 Nimekuja kukuona leo. I have come to see you today.
6.7 Barua hii ni kwa Mama yangu. This letter is to my mother.
6.8 Watoto wanakimbia uwanjani kucheza. The children are running to the field to play.
6.9 Anapeleka pesa kwa dada yake. She is sending money to her sister.
6.10 Ninaelekea mjini sasa hivi. I am heading to town right now.
6.11 Mchungaji anawaongoza kondoo bondeni. The shepherd is leading the sheep to the valley.
6.12 Wamefika hadi mlima wa Kilimanjaro. They have reached to Mount Kilimanjaro.
6.13 Tunahitaji kwenda hospitalini haraka. We need to go to the hospital quickly.
6.14 Mkuu aliwaita watu kwake mkutano. The chief called people to his place for a meeting.
6.15 Mwanafunzi anasoma kutoka ukurasa wa kwanza hadi wa mwisho. The student is reading from the first page to the last.
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6.1 Ninaenda shuleni asubuhi.
6.2 Alimpa kitabu kwa mwalimu.
6.3 Tutakwenda sokoni kununua chakula.
6.4 Njoo kwangu usiku huu.
6.5 Walisafiri kutoka Dar hadi Mombasa.
6.6 Nimekuja kukuona leo.
6.7 Barua hii ni kwa Mama yangu.
6.8 Watoto wanakimbia uwanjani kucheza.
6.9 Anapeleka pesa kwa dada yake.
6.10 Ninaelekea mjini sasa hivi.
6.11 Mchungaji anawaongoza kondoo bondeni.
6.12 Wamefika hadi mlima wa Kilimanjaro.
6.13 Tunahitaji kwenda hospitalini haraka.
6.14 Mkuu aliwaita watu kwake mkutano.
6.15 Mwanafunzi anasoma kutoka ukurasa wa kwanza hadi wa mwisho.
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The English preposition "to" is expressed in several ways in Swahili, each with specific uses:
The suffix "-ni" is added to nouns to indicate location or direction: -
nyumba (house) → nyumbani (to/at the house) -
shule (school) → shuleni (to/at school) -
soko (market) → sokoni (to/at the market)
This is the most common way to express "to" when indicating movement toward a place.
"Kwa" is used: -
For indirect objects: "nimempa kwa wewe" (I have given to you) -
To indicate purpose or recipient: "barua kwa mama" (letter to mother) -
With people's names or titles: "kwa mwalimu" (to the teacher)
"Hadi" indicates: -
Spatial limits: "kutoka hapa hadi pale" (from here to there) -
Temporal limits: "kutoka asubuhi hadi jioni" (from morning to evening) -
Extent or degree: "hadi mwisho" (to the end)
The possessive/associative marker changes based on the noun class: -
wa (of/to - class 1/2) -
ya (of/to - class 9/10) -
cha (of/to - class 7/8)
-
Using "kwa" with places instead of "-ni" -
Wrong: "Ninaenda kwa shule" -
Correct: "Ninaenda shuleni" -
Forgetting to add "-ni" to place names -
Wrong: "Tunaenda soko" -
Correct: "Tunaenda sokoni" -
Using "hadi" for giving objects -
Wrong: "Nilimpa hadi mwalimu" -
Correct: "Nilimpa kwa mwalimu" -
Confusing infinitive "to" with directional "to" -
English: "I want to go" uses infinitive "to" -
Swahili: "Ninataka kwenda" (no separate word for infinitive "to")
When translating "to" from English to Swahili: -
Identify the function: Is it directional, purposive, or indicating a recipient? -
For places: Add "-ni" to the noun -
duka → dukani (to the shop) -
For people: Use "kwa" -
"Give this to John" → "Mpe hii kwa John" -
For limits: Use "hadi" -
"Count to ten" → "Hesabu hadi kumi" -
For infinitives: Use the "ku-" prefix on the verb -
"to eat" → "kula"
Swahili handles "to" through: -
Suffixation (-ni for locations) -
Prepositions (kwa, hadi) -
Verb prefixes (ku- for infinitives) -
Context-dependent constructions
Unlike English's single word "to," Swahili requires understanding the grammatical relationship to choose the correct form.
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Understanding how "to" functions in Swahili provides insight into East African cultural perspectives on space, relationships, and movement.
In Swahili-speaking cultures, the concept of location is deeply embedded in the language through the "-ni" suffix. This reflects a cultural emphasis on place and belonging. When someone says "nyumbani" (at/to home), it carries more weight than just a physical location—it implies a sense of belonging and rootedness.
The use of "kwa" when addressing or referring to people often incorporates respect markers. In formal contexts, you might hear "kwa Mzee" (to the elder) or "kwa Mama mkuu" (to the senior woman), reflecting the cultural importance of age and social standing.
The distinction between "hadi" (up to/until) and other forms of "to" reflects a cultural understanding of journeys having clear endpoints. This is evident in common expressions like "safari njema hadi nyumbani" (good journey to home), emphasizing both the journey and the destination.
The frequent use of "kwa" in contexts of giving and sharing ("nimempeleka kwa jirani" - I have taken it to the neighbor) reflects the communal nature of East African societies, where sharing and reciprocity are fundamental values.
Before modern transportation, Swahili speakers developed precise ways to describe movement and direction, which is why the language has such specific constructions for different types of "to." This precision was essential for trade routes along the East African coast.
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From "Mashairi ya Muyaka" (Poems of Muyaka), a 19th-century Swahili poet from Mombasa:
"Nimekwenda pwani kwa mawimbi, nikasikia sauti za bahari. Moyo wangu unaelekea kwa wapendwa walioko mbali, na mawazo yangu yanaruka hadi nyumbani kwao."
"I went to the shore to the waves, and I heard the voices of the sea. My heart goes out to loved ones who are far away, and my thoughts fly to their homes."
Nimekwenda I-have-gone pwani shore kwa to mawimbi waves, nikasikia and-I-heard sauti voices za of bahari sea. Moyo Heart wangu my unaelekea is-heading kwa to wapendwa loved-ones walioko who-are mbali far, na and mawazo thoughts yangu my yanaruka are-flying hadi to nyumbani home kwao their.
Nimekwenda pwani kwa mawimbi, nikasikia sauti za bahari. Moyo wangu unaelekea kwa wapendwa walioko mbali, na mawazo yangu yanaruka hadi nyumbani kwao.
I went to the shore to the waves, and I heard the voices of the sea. My heart goes out to loved ones who are far away, and my thoughts fly to their homes.
Nimekwenda pwani kwa mawimbi, nikasikia sauti za bahari. Moyo wangu unaelekea kwa wapendwa walioko mbali, na mawazo yangu yanaruka hadi nyumbani kwao.
This excerpt from Muyaka demonstrates three different uses of "to" in Swahili: -
"kwa mawimbi" (to the waves) - Here "kwa" indicates direction and purpose, suggesting the speaker went to be with or near the waves. -
"kwa wapendwa" (to loved ones) - This use of "kwa" shows emotional direction, where the heart "goes out to" people. -
"hadi nyumbani kwao" (to their homes) - This combines "hadi" (indicating extent) with "nyumbani kwao" (their homes), showing how thoughts can travel great distances.
The poet uses these different forms to create layers of meaning about physical, emotional, and mental journeys, reflecting the Swahili understanding that "to" encompasses various types of movement and connection.
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6.16 Mama Mother Fatuma Fatuma anabeba is-carrying kikapu basket kwenda going sokoni to-market alfajiri dawn
6.17 Anafikia She-arrives kwanza first kwa to muuzaji seller wa of samaki fish soko market kuu main
6.18 Muuzaji Seller anamwambia tells-her aje to-come karibu near kuona to-see samaki fish wazuri good
6.19 Mama Mother Fatuma Fatuma anatembea walks kutoka from kibanda stall kimoja one hadi to kingine another
6.20 Watoto Children wawili two wanakimbia are-running kwake to-her kuomba to-ask pesa money za for pipi candy
6.21 Anawapa She-gives-them pesa money kidogo little kwa to kila each mmoja one
6.22 Bibi Grandmother mzee old anauza is-selling mboga vegetables anaita calls watu people kuja to-come kwake to-her
6.23 Wanunuzi Buyers wanasonga are-pushing mbele forward kufika to-reach kwa to muuzaji seller wa of nyanya tomatoes
6.24 Mama Mother Fatuma Fatuma anachukua takes mkoba bag wake her kwenda to-go kwa to muuzaji seller wa of maharage beans
6.25 Mvulana Boy mdogo small anabeba is-carrying mzigo load kutoka from gari vehicle hadi to dukani to-shop
6.26 Wafanyabiashara Traders wanafika are-arriving kutoka from vijiji villages mbali far kuuza to-sell mazao produce yao their
6.27 Mama Mother Fatuma Fatuma anaendelea continues safari journey yake her hadi to sehemu section ya of matunda fruits
6.28 Muuzaji Seller wa of ndizi bananas anamwalika invites-her kuja to-come kuchagua to-choose ndizi bananas mbivu ripe
6.29 Anamwambia She-tells-him aje to-come chini down kwa to bei price nzuri good zaidi more
6.30 Baada After ya of kununua buying anarudi she-returns nyumbani to-home kupika to-cook chakula food cha of mchana afternoon
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6.16 Mama Fatuma anabeba kikapu kwenda sokoni alfajiri. Mother Fatuma is carrying a basket going to the market at dawn.
6.17 Anafikia kwanza kwa muuzaji wa samaki soko kuu. She arrives first to the fish seller at the main market.
6.18 Muuzaji anamwambia aje karibu kuona samaki wazuri. The seller tells her to come near to see the good fish.
6.19 Mama Fatuma anatembea kutoka kibanda kimoja hadi kingine. Mother Fatuma walks from one stall to another.
6.20 Watoto wawili wanakimbia kwake kuomba pesa za pipi. Two children are running to her to ask for candy money.
6.21 Anawapa pesa kidogo kwa kila mmoja. She gives them a little money to each one.
6.22 Bibi mzee anauza mboga anaita watu kuja kwake. The old grandmother selling vegetables calls people to come to her.
6.23 Wanunuzi wanasonga mbele kufika kwa muuzaji wa nyanya. Buyers are pushing forward to reach to the tomato seller.
6.24 Mama Fatuma anachukua mkoba wake kwenda kwa muuzaji wa maharage. Mother Fatuma takes her bag to go to the bean seller.
6.25 Mvulana mdogo anabeba mzigo kutoka gari hadi dukani. A small boy is carrying a load from the vehicle to the shop.
6.26 Wafanyabiashara wanafika kutoka vijiji mbali kuuza mazao yao. Traders are arriving from far villages to sell their produce.
6.27 Mama Fatuma anaendelea safari yake hadi sehemu ya matunda. Mother Fatuma continues her journey to the fruit section.
6.28 Muuzaji wa ndizi anamwalika kuja kuchagua ndizi mbivu. The banana seller invites her to come to choose ripe bananas.
6.29 Anamwambia aje chini kwa bei nzuri zaidi. She tells him to come down to a better price.
6.30 Baada ya kununua anarudi nyumbani kupika chakula cha mchana. After buying she returns to home to cook afternoon food.
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6.16 Mama Fatuma anabeba kikapu kwenda sokoni alfajiri.
6.17 Anafikia kwanza kwa muuzaji wa samaki soko kuu.
6.18 Muuzaji anamwambia aje karibu kuona samaki wazuri.
6.19 Mama Fatuma anatembea kutoka kibanda kimoja hadi kingine.
6.20 Watoto wawili wanakimbia kwake kuomba pesa za pipi.
6.21 Anawapa pesa kidogo kwa kila mmoja.
6.22 Bibi mzee anauza mboga anaita watu kuja kwake.
6.23 Wanunuzi wanasonga mbele kufika kwa muuzaji wa nyanya.
6.24 Mama Fatuma anachukua mkoba wake kwenda kwa muuzaji wa maharage.
6.25 Mvulana mdogo anabeba mzigo kutoka gari hadi dukani.
6.26 Wafanyabiashara wanafika kutoka vijiji mbali kuuza mazao yao.
6.27 Mama Fatuma anaendelea safari yake hadi sehemu ya matunda.
6.28 Muuzaji wa ndizi anamwalika kuja kuchagua ndizi mbivu.
6.29 Anamwambia aje chini kwa bei nzuri zaidi.
6.30 Baada ya kununua anarudi nyumbani kupika chakula cha mchana.
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In market scenes, movement is constant, and Swahili uses various forms: -
sokoni (to the market) - using the locative -ni -
kutoka...hadi (from...to) - showing range of movement -
kwenda kwa (going to) - combining verb and preposition
Special constructions appear in buying and selling: -
kwa muuzaji (to the seller) - "kwa" for person-to-person interaction -
kuja kwake (to come to him/her) - possessive form of "kwa" -
aje karibu (to come near) - subjunctive used for polite requests
The infinitive "ku-" frequently indicates purpose: -
kuona (to see) -
kuchagua (to choose) -
kuuza (to sell) -
kupika (to cook)
"To" in price contexts uses specific forms: -
kwa bei nzuri (to/for a good price) -
aje chini (to come down) - idiomatic for price reduction
These phrases demonstrate various "to" uses: -
kutoka kibanda kimoja hadi kingine (from one stall to another) -
kufika kwa muuzaji (to reach to the seller) -
kwenda sokoni (to go to market) -
kurudi nyumbani (to return to home)
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