Tutashauriana kabla ya kujibu.

It breaks down like this:

• tu- = we
• -ta- = future tense marker, will
• -shauri- = the idea of advise / consult
• -an- = reciprocal extension, meaning each other / one another
• -a = final vowel

So tutashauriana means we will consult each other, we will discuss it together, or we will confer.

The -an- part is very important. It shows a reciprocal action: the people involved are doing the action to/with each other.

So:

• kushauri = to advise, to counsel
• kushauriana = to consult one another, to discuss together

Without -an-, the meaning would be less clearly mutual. In this sentence, the idea is not just we will advise, but specifically we will consult with each other.

kabla ya means before.

It is a very common expression in Swahili. You can use it before:

• a noun
  
  • kabla ya chakula = before food / before the meal
• an infinitive
  
  • kabla ya kwenda = before going
  • kabla ya kujibu = before answering

So in this sentence, kabla ya kujibu means before answering.

kujibu is the infinitive form, meaning to answer or answering.

After kabla ya, Swahili normally uses this infinitive form:

• kabla ya kuondoka = before leaving
• kabla ya kusema = before speaking
• kabla ya kujibu = before answering

By contrast, jibu on its own is usually:

• an imperative: Answer!
• or a noun: an answer

So kujibu is the correct form here because the structure is before + answering.

It can mean both, depending on context.

For example:

• kujibu swali = to answer a question
• kujibu barua = to reply to a letter
• kujibu mtu = to answer someone / reply to someone

In Tutashauriana kabla ya kujibu, the object is not stated, but it is understood from context.

Swahili often leaves out an object when it is already clear from context.

So this sentence could be expanded to something like:

• Tutashauriana kabla ya kujibu swali. = We will consult each other before answering the question.
• Tutashauriana kabla ya kumjibu. = We will consult each other before answering him/her.

But if everyone already knows what is being answered, kujibu by itself is perfectly natural.

Yes. Swahili allows some flexibility in word order.

These are both natural:

• Tutashauriana kabla ya kujibu.
• Kabla ya kujibu, tutashauriana.

The meaning stays basically the same. The second version puts more emphasis on before answering.

Yes. Swahili verbs are often quite compact and contain a lot of information in one word.

A single verb can include:

• subject
• tense
• object
• verb root
• extensions such as reciprocal, passive, applicative, etc.

So tutashauriana is one word, but in English it takes several words to translate: we will consult each other.

This is very normal in Swahili grammar.

It sounds natural and fairly neutral. It could be used in everyday speech, workplace settings, meetings, or formal discussion.

It has a slightly careful, thoughtful tone because tutashauriana suggests people want to discuss something together before responding.

So it works well in situations like:

• making a group decision
• responding to a request
• answering a question officially
• discussing a matter before replying

Sometimes, but the nuance is a little different.

• tutashauriana = we will consult with each other, confer, seek each other’s views
• tutajadiliana = we will discuss it together

Tutashauriana often suggests reaching a considered response after consulting.
Tutajadiliana focuses more on the act of discussing.

So in this sentence, tutashauriana is a good choice if the idea is we’ll confer before we answer.

One possible negative sentence would be:

• Hatutajibu kabla ya kushauriana.

This means We will not answer before consulting each other.

Breakdown:

• hatu- = we not
• -ta- = future
• jibu = answer

This is a useful comparison because it shows the same key structure:

• kabla ya + infinitive
• kushauriana / kujibu

A simple pronunciation guide is:

Too-ta-shau-ree-AH-na kah-BLAH yah koo-JEE-boo

A few helpful notes:

• tu sounds like too
• shauri has the sh sound as in ship
• au is like ow in cow
• j in Swahili is usually like the j in jam
• stress in Swahili usually falls on the second-to-last syllable, so:
  • shauriAna
  • kujiBU

So a natural rhythm is:

TutashauriANA kabla ya kuJIBU.