kusudi + Subjunctive Verb

Purpose with Kusudi

Level 3

Kusudi is a conjunction meaning 'so that' or 'in order to.' It introduces a purpose clause and must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood.

How It Works

The structure for expressing deliberate purpose is: Main Clause + kusudi + Subjunctive Verb.

Forming the Subjunctive:

  • Use the appropriate subject prefix (e.g., ni-, u-, a-, tu-).
  • Do not use a tense marker (remove -na-, -li-, -ta-).
  • Change the final -a to -e (e.g., pata → apate). Arabic loan verbs ending in -e, -i, or -u do not change their final vowel (e.g., rudi → arudi).

Negative Purpose:
To express 'so that... not' or 'in order not to', insert the negative subjunctive marker -si- immediately after the subject prefix (e.g., kusudi a-si-pate).

Alternative Uses of Kusudi:

  • With the Infinitive: When the subject of both clauses is the same, you can use kusudi (or the formally correct Class 5 agreement kusudi la) followed by the infinitive instead of the subjunctive (e.g., Alikuja kusudi la kusoma - He came in order to read).
  • As an Adverb: Kusudi, makusudi, or the standard phrases kwa kusudi and kwa makusudi can also function as adverbs meaning 'on purpose' or 'intentionally' (e.g., Alifanya kwa makusudi - He did it on purpose).

Nuance and Register:
Kusudi is slightly more formal and literary than Purpose with ili. Crucially, it has a strong semantic preference for a volitional agent. While it is typically used for premeditated actions, Swahili speakers sometimes use it with inanimate subjects through personification or by implying a natural or divine design. In everyday spoken Swahili, ili is much more frequent, while kusudi is reserved for emphasizing a premeditated motive.

The Noun Behind the Conjunction:
Kusudi is also a Class 5 noun meaning “intention/purpose,” with plural makusudi. Thus kusudi la safari means “the purpose of the journey,” and kwa kusudi can mean “intentionally.” Identify the noun use separately from a purpose clause introduced by kusudi.

Examples (4)

  1. Anasoma kusudi apate elimu.

    He is studying in order to get an education.

    Word by Word: He is reading purpose he may get education.

    A classic example showing deliberate intent. The verb 'pata' changes to the subjunctive 'apate'.

  2. Alikaribia kusudi aweze kuona vizuri.

    He came nearer so that he could see better.

    Word by Word: He approached purpose he may be able to see well.

    The modal verb 'weza' takes the subjunctive form 'aweze', followed by the infinitive 'kuona'.

  3. Niliondoka mapema kusudi nisichelewe.

    I left early so that I wouldn't be late.

    Word by Word: I left early purpose I may not be late.

    Demonstrates negative purpose using the -si- infix inside the subjunctive verb 'nisichelewe'.

  4. Wanafanya kazi kwa bidii kusudi wamalize mradi.

    They are working hard so that they finish the project.

    Word by Word: They are doing work with effort purpose they may finish project.

    Shows plural subject agreement 'wa-' with the subjunctive verb 'wamalize'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood (with a tense marker) instead of the subjunctive.

    Anasoma kusudi anapata elimu.
    Anasoma kusudi apate elimu.

    Learners often forget to drop the tense marker (like -na-) and change the final vowel. Kusudi must be followed by the subjunctive mood, which has no tense marker and ends in -e for native verbs.

  • Mixing the conjunction 'kusudi' with the prepositional phrase 'kwa kusudi la'.

    Alikuja kwa kusudi la aone daktari.
    Alikuja kusudi aone daktari.

    Kusudi as a conjunction takes a conjugated subjunctive verb. The phrase kwa kusudi la ('for the purpose of') is a preposition and must be followed by an infinitive (e.g., kwa kusudi la kuona).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

kusudi + Subjunctive VerbLevel 3Purpose with Kusudi

Learn This First

To use 'kusudi' to express purpose, a learner must first understand how to form the subjunctive mood (changing the final vowel to -e) and how to apply subject markers to verbs. Familiarity with the more common purpose marker 'ili' is also helpful as 'kusudi' functions as a more formal alternative.

Words in This Pattern

kusudi