Conjunctions connect words, phrases and sentences. They help you express ideas such as addition, contrast, reason, condition and choice.
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Common Swahili conjunctions
- na — and
- lakini — but
- au — or
- kwa sababu — because
- kwa hiyo — therefore/so
- ingawa — although
- ikiwa — if
- kama — if/as
- kwamba — that
- wala — nor
- ili — so that/in order to
- kwa kuwa — because/since
- halafu — then/afterwards
- kisha — then/after that
Examples
Mimi na Ali tunasoma.
Ali and I are studying.
Ninataka kwenda lakini sina muda.
I want to go but I do not have time.
Unataka chai au kahawa?
Do you want tea or coffee?
Nimechelewa kwa sababu kulikuwa na msongamano.
I am late because there was traffic.
Amefanya kazi kwa hiyo amechoka.
He/she has worked, so he/she is tired.
Ikiwa una muda, njoo.
If you have time, come.
Why conjunctions matter
Learning conjunctions allows you to move from short sentences to longer, more natural conversations.
Compare:
Ninasoma.
I am studying.
with:
Ninasoma kwa sababu nataka kujifunza Kiswahili vizuri.
I am studying because I want to learn Swahili well.