mbona
interrogative adverb
why; for what reason.
Comes at the beginning of the question.
Origins
Its earlier history is still under review.
Sources4
Arvi Hurskainen, Translating Questions from Swahili to English (Helsinki: University of Helsinki, 2009), Printed p. 4, section 3.
Illustrates use at the start of a question.
Charles Sacleux, Grammaire des dialectes swahilis (Paris: Procure des Pères du Saint-Esprit, 1909), PDF page 168.
Documents asking why.
A. C. Madan, Swahili-English Dictionary (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1903), PDF page 244.
Documents asking why.
Edward Steere, A Handbook of the Swahili Language as Spoken at Zanzibar (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1884), PDF page 249.
Documents asking why.
Examples
Mbona unanitoza zaidi?
Why are you charging me more?
Mbona umechelewa hivi?
How come you're this late?
Mbona hakuna chenji?
Why isn't there any change?
Mbona hujaniambia?
Why didn't you tell me?
Mbona matatu haiondoki?
Why isn't the matatu leaving?
Mbona huli?
How come you're not eating?
Mbona umenuna?
Why are you sulking?
Mbona bei imebadilika?
How come the price has changed?
Mbona hapa kuna giza sana?
Why is it so dark here?
