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To Be or Not To Be: Conjugating 'To Be' in Tshiluba

Conjugating 'to be' in Tshiluba can be complex. In this study, we explain the verb 'to be' and how to conjugate in two forms: the affirmative 'to be' and in the negative 'not to be.'

Tshim Tshimanga
March 24 2024 at 11:30 p.m. EST

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'To be, or not to be' is one of the most widely known lines from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The phrase encapsulates a profound philosophical question about the nature of existence and the human condition. It reflects Hamlet's existential crisis and his contemplation of the meaning of life.

At TSHILUBA.co, we contemplate the Tshiluba language, it's past, present, and future. "To be" is crucial for forming various tenses in English and other languages, indicating time (past, present, future) and aspect (continuous, perfect). Understanding and using "to be" correctly is fundamental to grasp many grammatical concepts, including subject-verb agreement, sentence structure, and word order.

The Verb "to be"

The verb "to be" in Tshiluba is: kuikala. Verbs in Tshiluba are constructed by a prefix, root, and suffix. These three components determine the tense, subject, and repetition of the verb. The infinitive in Tshiluba is always preceded by the prefix ku-, which is followed by the root word. For example, to run: kunyema. The prefix ku- and the root word -nyema.

Verbs in Tshiluba are conjugated based on its root word stem. In the case of kuikala, the verb root word stem is -ikala; however, kuikala, when conjugated, has a different root word form. The root word stem for the verb kuikala, when congujated in present tense is -di instead of -ikala. Tshiluba can be complex in that each person and each noun class has a distinct conjugation prefix. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the eight Tshiluba Noun Classes, read Exploring the Noun Class System in Tshiluba: A detailed examination.

Below is a table of how to conjugate kuikala in the present tense in first-person, second-person, and third-person singular and plural forms including all eight noun class conjugations.

Present Tense of To Be (Kuikala)
Singular
I am ndi
you are udi
he/she/it is udi
Plural
we are tudi
you are nudi
they are badi




As stated previously, conjugated verbs in Tshiluba require agreement with the subject prefix. This makes it that each noun class in Tshiluba has a distinct verb conjugated form.



Present Tense of To Be (Kuikala) For all noun classes. (He/She/It is)
Noun Class Singular Plural
mu-ba udi badi
mu-mi udi idi
bu-ma budi adi
di-ma didi adi
lu-n ludi idi
n-n udi idi
ka-tu kadi tudi
tshi-bi tshidi bidi


'Not To be'


Conjugation of the verb kuikala in the present tense is done by employing the suffix or root -di (to be). Negation of the verb kuikala is done by employing the suffix or root -ena (not to be). Below is a conjugation table of the negation of kuikala.

Present Tense Negation of To Be (Kuikala)
Singular
I am not tshiena
you are not kuena
he/she/it is not kena
Plural
we are not katuena
you are not kanuena
they are not kabena


Present Tense Negation of To Be (Kuikala) For all noun classes. (He/She/It is NOT)
Noun Class Singular Plural
mu-ba kena kabena
mu-mi kawena kayena
bu-ma kabuena kaena
di-ma kadiena kaena
lu-n kaluena kayena
n-n kena kayena
ka-tu kakena katuena
tshi-bi katshiena kabiena


Examples


I am big
Ndi munene

I am not big
Tshiena munene

You are small
Udi mukese

You are not small
Kuena mukese

He is strong
Udi mukole

He is not strong
Kena mukole

We are thieves
Tudi bivi

We are not thieves
Katuena bivi

They are not Baluba
Kabena Baluba

You all are not slaves
Kanuena bapika

The woman's cloth is not good
Tshilulu tshia mukaji katshiena tshimpe

I don't have
Tshiena ne

He does not have a chicken
Kena ne nzolu

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