Originally posted by: machieng https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/32164846
This preposition has 2 uses, depending on context:
- Functions as part of an adjective phrase (kirai kivumishi) in sentences, to introduce a modifier in a dependent clause (kishazi tegemezi), e.g. \"a person with a yellow shirt\", \"a woman of great power\", etc.
Noun class prefixes
Noun class | Singular | Plural |
---|---|---|
M/Wa | Mtu mwenye | Watu wenye |
Ki/Vi | Kiti chenye | Viti vyenye |
Ji/Ma | Jicho lenye | Macho yenye |
M/Mi | Mwiko wenye | Miiko yenye |
U/N | Uso wenye | Nyuso zenye |
N/N | Nyumba yenye | Nyumba zenye |
Adjective phrases
Sentence | Translation |
---|---|
The person with a yellow shirt will be photographed | Mtu mwenye shati ya manjano atapigwa picha |
The three-legged chair has been sold | Kiti chenye miguu mitatu kimeuzwa |
- Functions as a locative preposition that introduces the prepositional clause. In this context, it is always kwenye. Examples of prepositonal clauses are: \"sits on the chair\", \"featured in the news\". Note that other prepositions can be used in place of kwenye and vice versa to mean the same thing e.g. She is seated on the mat = Ameketi kwenye mkeka = Ameketi juu ya mkeka = Ameketi kwa mkeka.
Also note, in general the use of '-ni' at the end of a noun makes it a prepositional clause e.g. 'Nyumbani', 'shuleni'. Therefore, the suffix '-ni' functions as a locative preposition and as such, you would not use a preposition, such as kwenye, with it.
Also also, both functions of '-enye' can be used in the same sentence
Prepositional clauses
Sentence | Translation |
---|---|
The students are seated on the chairs | Wanafunzi wameketi kwenye viti |
Place the plate on the table | Weka sahani kwenye meza |
Football will be played at the big muddy field | Kandanda itachezwa kwenye uwanja kubwa wenye matope |
NOTE
Times, i.e. dates, days, months, holidays, do not need prepositions when used as adverbs of time.
Sentence | Translation |
---|---|
Shops/Stores will be closed on Christmas day | Maduka yatafungwa Sikukuu ya Krismasi |
The Mathematics class is on Thursdays | Somo la Hisabati huwa Alhamisi |
I was born in January | Nilizaliwa mwezi wa kwanza |
She leaves the office at 5 PM | Yeye huondoka ofisi saa kumi na moja (jioni) |