-ua / -oa
Reversive Extension
The reversive extension changes a verb to mean "undoing" that action (like funga "close" to fungua "open"). It uses -oa if the root has an 'o', and -ua for all other vowels.
How It Works
The -ua/-oa extension is a powerful tool in Swahili for expressing the reversal of an action. However, it is important to understand its nuances to become confident with its usage:
- Undoing and Intensive Meanings: It often refers to the undoing of a physical or logical action. For example, kufunga (to tie/close) becomes kufungua (to untie/open). Additionally, it can have an intensive or separative meaning (e.g., kukama 'to squeeze' → kukamua 'to wring out').
- Vowel Harmony: The suffix changes based on the vowel in the verb root. If the root vowel is o, use -oa (choma 'stick in' → chomoa 'pull out'). For all other vowels (a, e, i, u), use -ua (kunja 'fold' → kunjua 'unfold'). For vowel-ending roots, the form can be irregular, such as vaa (put on) becoming vua (take off).
- Transitivity: Verbs with -ua/-oa generally preserve the transitivity of the base verb. Since most reversible actions are transitive, these verbs typically involve an active agent (e.g., "I opened the door"). To say something came undone on its own (e.g., "The door opened"), use the Intransitive Reversive.
- Stacking Extensions and the Reappearing L: Historically, the underlying suffix for this extension is actually -ul- or -ol-. Over time, the "l" dropped out when it sat right before the final vowel -a (leaving just -ua or -oa). However, when the reversive is followed by another extension, the "l" is trapped and resurfaces. For example, adding the applicative to fungua makes it fung-ul-i-a (open for someone).
- Lexicalized Forms: Many common verbs end in -ua/-oa and carry a reversive or separative meaning, but their original base verbs are no longer used in modern Swahili (e.g., kuinua 'to lift', kukagua 'to inspect').
Examples (5)
- Mtoto alifungua dirisha.
The child opened the window.
Word by Word: Child opened window.
Derived from kufunga (to close). The root vowel is 'u', so it takes the -ua extension.
- Michael amefunua chakula.
Michael has uncovered the food.
Word by Word: Michael has-uncovered food.
Derived from kufunika (to cover). It shows the undoing of a physical action.
- Kaka anavua shati.
Brother is taking off a shirt.
Word by Word: Brother is-taking-off shirt.
Derived from kuvaa (to put on/wear). This is an example of an irregular vowel-ending root where 'vaa' becomes 'vua'.
- Tafadhali chomoa msumari.
Please pull out the nail.
Word by Word: Please pull-out nail.
Derived from kuchoma (to pierce/stick in). Because the root vowel is 'o', it takes the -oa extension due to vowel harmony.
- Wataalamu wanasimbua ujumbe.
The experts are decoding the message.
Word by Word: Experts are-decoding message.
Derived from kusimba (to encode). This shows that the extension is still productive for modern, logical reversals.
Common Mistakes
Confusing the active reversive (-ua/-oa) with the stative reversive (-uka/-oka).
Mlango umefungua.Mlango umefunguka.The -ua extension is transitive and requires an active agent (someone opening the door). If the door opens on its own or you are describing its state, you must use the intransitive -uka extension.
Overgeneralizing the extension to mean "the opposite of" for non-physical actions.
Nilipendua kitabu hiki.Sikupenda kitabu hiki.The reversive extension only applies to actions that can be physically or logically "undone" (like tying/untying). You cannot attach it to verbs like penda (love) or sema (say) to simply negate a feeling or state.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the reversive extension (-ua/-oa), you first need to be familiar with the general system of Swahili verb extensions and how the final vowel of a verb root is manipulated. Understanding the basic verb template ensures you know where to place these suffixes to change the meaning of the verb from an action to its reverse.
- Verb Extensions
The reversive extension is a specific type of verb extension, so understanding the general concept of how Swahili verbs are modified by suffixes is essential.
Foundations - The Final Vowel
The reversive extension involves changing or adding vowels at the end of the verb root, which requires knowledge of how the final vowel system operates in Swahili.
Foundations - The Verb Word
Learners need to understand where extensions fit within the standard Swahili verb structure (between the root and the final vowel).
Foundations
Related Patterns
- -uka / -okaIntransitive Reversive
The intransitive counterpart to the active -ua/-oa reversive, used when an action comes undone on its own without a specified agent.
Level 3 - Verb Extension Order
When combining the reversive with other extensions (like the applicative), it changes to -ul- or -ol- and must follow specific ordering rules.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ua / -oa in Bubblegum
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