Firstly, this is a verbal extension, and sometimes it also looks like ‘ukwenzakala’.
Secondly, it is almost the most common passive impambosi in the language. It is called the Neuter extension. Some of my students call it the Super-Passive, or the Passive-Aggressive.
Thirdly, what it does is:
- it allows for an action to happen, and for nobody to be blamed for it
- it allows for an action to be made possible, again with nobody actually doing it
Here are some examples explaining what happens to a verb’s meaning when you add this extension. Verbs with * usually add -AKAL- rather than -EK-.
| original verb | extended version |
| dla consume a thing eat a thing | dleka thing gets eaten thing is edible eating happens [eat + neuter] |
| bona* see a thing recognise a thing | bonakala thing is visible thing seems to be a certain way thing gets seen [see + neuter] |
| thola* find a thing get a thing | tholakala thing is available thing gets discovered thing can be obtained [find + neuter] |
| hamba thing walks thing travels | hambeka thing can walk path is traveled walking can happen [walk + neuter] |
| funda read a thing study a thing | fundeka thing is legible studying happens [study + neuter] |
| ehla* descend to a place fall upon a place fall from a place | ehlakala something happens something befalls someone [descend + neuter] |
| enza* do a thing make a thing | enzeka / enzakala thing happens thing gets done thing gets made [do + neuter] |
| zwa* feel a thing perceive a thing sense a thing | zwakala make sense get perceived [sense + neuter] |
Generally, the -EK- extension allows the verb to happen, in the most indirect way possible.
Other verbs that usually take -AKAL- include fihla and dinga.
As with the -IS- extension, whatever function a word fulfills before adding the impambosi gets incorporated into the new meaning.
If you still have questions, you know where to ask for help!