 Partial derivatives and superfield covariance

A supersymmetry transformation mixes the bosonic and odd coordinates of superspace. A bare derivative with respect to an odd coordinate therefore acquires a spacetime-derivative term under the coordinate Jacobian and is not a covariant spinor superfield. Supersymmetric covariant derivatives add terms linear in the other odd coordinate; their graded anticommutation with the supercharges makes their application to a scalar superfield transform covariantly.