isipokuwa
The Swahili word for 'unless' is isipokuwa.
isipokuwa is a conjunction used to introduce the only situation in which something will not happen. It can also be used to mean 'except' or 'except for' when you are excluding a specific noun or case.
Which one should you use?
While isipokuwa is used for 'unless', it also serves as the standard word for 'except' or 'except for' when the speaker is excluding a specific noun or case.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using isipokuwa to mean 'unless' in a conditional sense, it is frequently followed by the subject prefix and the conditional marker '-ki-'. For example, isipokuwa ukinipa means 'unless you give me'.
Did you know?
- In certain coastal dialects, isipokuwa is replaced by the word ila, which is borrowed from Arabic.
- The word isipokuwa is built from a negative conjugation of the verb kuwa, which means 'to be'. It literally functions as a phrase meaning 'if it is not' within a single word.
- If you want to say 'unless' in a way that sounds more natural in spoken Swahili, you might use the word lakini to mean 'but' instead of using a conditional construction. This shifts the sentence from a single complex thought into two separate ones.
Examples in context
- Sitakutalaki isipokuwa ukinipa sababu halali.I won't divorce you unless you give me a legitimate reason.This sentence shows how to use isipokuwa to introduce a condition regarding a legitimate reason.Tatoeba #10838102 by ecorralest101, translation #1224650 by CM
- "Usifunge miguu yako hivyo." "Kwa nini isiwe hivyo?" "Kweli, isipokuwa unayo uke, haifai.""Don't cross your legs like that." "Why not?" "Well, unless you've got a vagina, it's inappropriate."This sentence demonstrates the use of isipokuwa in a conversational context.Tatoeba #10869654 by ecorralest101, translation #4393623 by Lepotdeterre
- Kuna nafasi ndogo ya kubaki mwembamba, isipokuwa umeshikamana na kujinyima vyakula vingine.There's little chance of keeping slim, unless you stick to a diet.This sentence illustrates how isipokuwa introduces a condition regarding sticking to a diet.Tatoeba #10811124 by ecorralest101, translation #41234 by CM
- Nitakwenda kesho isipokuwa ukinizuia.I will go tomorrow unless you stop me.
- Hatutamaliza mradi kwa wakati isipokuwa tutapata msaada wa ziada.We won't finish the project on time unless we get additional help.
Example conversation
Fatuma and Said are discussing a planned trip.
- FatumaHatutaenda beach isipokuwa mvua ikome.We will not go to the beach unless the rain stops.
- SaidNaona bado kuna mawingu mengi.I see there are still many clouds.
- FatumaNi kweli, isipokuwa jua litokee sasa hivi.It is true, unless the sun comes out right now.
- SaidBasi tutasubiri kidogo hapa.Then we will wait here for a bit.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
