Iwapo tarehe ya ukomo wa mkataba wa bima imepita, fomu itakataliwa.

If the policy expiry date has passed, the form will be rejected.

Breakdown of Iwapo tarehe ya ukomo wa mkataba wa bima imepita, fomu itakataliwa.

• fomu: the form
• iwapo: if
• kupita: to pass
• kukataliwa: to be rejected

Questions & Answers about Iwapo tarehe ya ukomo wa mkataba wa bima imepita, fomu itakataliwa.

What does iwapo mean, and is it the normal way to say if in Swahili?

Iwapo means if. It is correct and fairly formal or careful in tone. In everyday speech, many speakers would also use kama for if.

So:

• Iwapo ... = If ...
• Kama ... = If ...

In this sentence, iwapo gives a slightly more formal, official feel, which fits a sentence about contracts, insurance, and forms.

Why does the sentence begin with the condition first?

Swahili often puts the if-clause first, just like English often can:

• If the date has passed, the form will be rejected.

That is exactly what is happening here:

• Iwapo tarehe ya ukomo wa mkataba wa bima imepita = If the expiration date of the insurance contract has passed
• fomu itakataliwa = the form will be rejected

You could think of the sentence as:

• If X happens, Y will happen.

What does tarehe ya ukomo literally mean?