Arabic Loan Verbs
Arabic loan verbs end in vowels other than the standard Bantu -a. They take standard prefixes but require specific morphophonological rules for suffixes.
How It Works
While Arabic loan verbs function identically to native Bantu verbs for core inflection—taking standard Verb Slot Order prefixes—they behave differently at the end of the word.
1. The Subjunctive and Imperative
In native Bantu verbs, the final -a mutates to -e in the subjunctive. Because the final vowels of Arabic loans ending in -e, -i, -u, -au are part of the root, they do not mutate. For example, kujibu (to answer) becomes ajibu (let him answer), not *ajibe. However, Arabic loans that end in -a (like kutawala or kusaidia) have fully assimilated and do mutate to -e in the subjunctive (atawale, asaidie).
2. Derivational Extensions
When adding Verb Extensions (passive, applicative, stative, causative), the final vowel dictates the suffix form to obey Swahili vowel harmony and phonotactics:
- Verbs in -a: Because these are fully assimilated, they take standard Bantu extensions just like native verbs. (e.g., tawala → tawaliwa).
- Verbs in -u: The -u is replaced by the extensions -iwa, -ia, -ika, -isha. (Passive: -iwa → haribiwa; Applicative: -ia → jibia; Stative: -ika → haribika; Causative: -isha → haribisha).
- Verbs in -i: The final -i is replaced by the extensions -iwa, -ia, -ika, -isha. (Passive: -iwa → rudiwa; Applicative: -ia → fikiria; Stative: -ika → fikirika; Causative: -isha → rudisha).
- Verbs in -e: The extensions -wa, -a, -ka, -sha are added directly to the existing -e. (Passive: -wa → samehewa; Applicative: -a → samehea; Stative: -ka → sameheka; Causative: -sha → samehesha).
- Verbs in -au: They take the extensions -liwa, -lia, -lika, -lisha. (Passive: -liwa → sahauliwa; Applicative: -lia → sahaulia; Stative: -lika → sahaulika; Causative: -lisha → sahaulisha).
Crucial Distinction: Do not confuse Arabic loans ending in -u (like kujibu) with Bantu verbs ending in -ua (like kununua). Bantu -ua verbs change to -ue in the subjunctive (anunue) and take -liwa in the passive (nunuliwa).
Examples (6)
- Tafadhali nijibu haraka iwezekanavyo.
Please answer me as soon as possible.
Word by Word: Please me-answer fast it-is-possible-how
The imperative/subjunctive retains the final -u of the root 'jibu'; it does not mutate to -e.
- Makosa yake yote yamesamehewa.
All his mistakes have been forgiven.
Word by Word: Mistakes his all they-have-been-forgiven
The passive extension -wa is added after the final -e of 'samehe' is replaced by -ewa.
- Suala hili halisahauliki kwa urahisi.
This issue is not easily forgotten.
Word by Word: Issue this it-is-not-forgotten-able by easiness
The stative extension -ika is added to the -au root 'sahau', utilizing the epenthetic -l- to become 'sahaulika'.
- Gari langu limeharibika sana.
My car is badly damaged.
Word by Word: Car my it-has-become-damaged very
The final -u of 'haribu' mutates to -i- before taking the stative extension -ka, forming 'haribika'.
- Tafadhali mfikirie kabla ya kuamua.
Please consider him before deciding.
Word by Word: Please him-think-for before of to-decide
The applicative extension -ia merges with the final -i of 'fikiri' to form 'fikiria'. Because 'fikiria' now ends in -a, it is treated as a derived Bantu verb and mutates to -e in the subjunctive, forming 'mfikirie'.
- Wimbo huu unanisahaulisha shida zangu.
This song makes me forget my problems.
Word by Word: Song this it-me-forget-cause problems my
The causative extension -isha is added to the -au root 'sahau' using the epenthetic -l-, forming 'sahaulisha' (to cause to forget).
Common Mistakes
Forcing an -e ending on loan verbs in the subjunctive or imperative.
Tafadhali usahaue kitabu hicho.Tafadhali usahau kitabu hicho.Because the final vowel of an Arabic loan verb is part of the root, it does not mutate to -e in the subjunctive or negative imperative.
Appending standard Bantu extensions without modifying the final vowel or adding the required epenthetic consonant.
Barua ilijibua jana.Barua ilijibiwa jana.For verbs ending in -u, the -u must mutate to -i- before adding the passive extension, resulting in -iwa (jibiwa), not -ua.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand Arabic loan verb integration, a learner needs to be familiar with the standard Swahili verb morphology. Specifically, they must know the default final vowel system to identify the irregular endings of loan verbs, and the verb extension system, as these loan verbs behave differently when derivational suffixes are added.
- The Verb Word
Learners must understand the standard verb structure (subject-tense-object-root-final vowel) to see how Arabic loan verbs deviate from the standard final vowel rule while still accepting other prefixes.
Foundations - The Final Vowel
Understanding that standard Bantu-origin verbs typically end in -a is necessary to recognize that Arabic loan verbs are exceptional because they can end in -i, -u, or -e.
Foundations - Verb Extensions
Arabic loan verbs require specific adjustments when taking extensions (like adding a buffer vowel), so knowledge of how extensions normally work is a prerequisite.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- -eSubjunctive -e
Unlike native Bantu verbs, Arabic loan verbs bypass the standard -e mutation rule in the subjunctive.
Level 3 - Borrowed Verb Endings
Provides the foundational identification of the -e, -i, -u, and -au endings that trigger these advanced integration rules.
Level 3 - Borrowed Verbs in the Subjunctive
Focuses specifically on the lack of final vowel mutation when these verbs are used in subjunctive clauses.
Level 3
Practice Arabic Loan Verbs in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Swahili lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
