Tunawasiliana

Tunawasiliana is a Swahili phrase that translates to "we are communicating" or "we communicate." It is a commonly used expression in everyday conversation in Swahili-speaking regions of East Africa. The phrase is formed by the prefix "tu-" indicating the first-person plural subject ("we"), the infix "-na-" signifying the present continuous tense, and the verb stem "-wasiliana," which means "to communicate" or "to get in touch."

The verb "wasiliana" itself is derived from the root word "sawala," meaning "to ask a question" or "to consult." The "-iana" suffix often indicates a reciprocal or reflexive action, suggesting that communication is a two-way process. Therefore, "tunawasiliana" emphasizes the ongoing interaction and exchange of information between individuals or groups.

This phrase can be used in various contexts. For instance, someone might say "Tunawasiliana kuhusu mipango ya safari" which means "We are communicating about travel plans." It can also be used more generally to signify that people are in contact or have a way of staying in touch, such as "Bado tunawasiliana na marafiki zetu kutoka chuo kikuu" meaning "We are still in touch with our friends from university." The simplicity and directness of "tunawasiliana" make it a fundamental part of conversational Swahili, reflecting the importance of connection and information sharing in social interactions.