Learn Hardcore Swahili: Baba anakuja nyumbani jioni. - Father is coming home in the evening.

Baba translates to father, but it can also function like dad. In Swahili, you don’t need an article (like the or a) before baba, so the single word Baba conveys "father" or "dad" on its own.

What does anakuja literally mean?

Anakuja comes from the verb kuja, meaning to come. The ana- prefix indicates the present tense and the third person singular subject (he/she). So anakuja translates to he/she is coming.

Is there a separate word for he or she in Swahili?

Not usually. Swahili uses subject markers rather than separate pronouns before verbs. The a- in anakuja already represents he/she, so you don’t need to add another word for it.

Why don’t I see something like the house or to the house in the sentence?

Swahili doesn’t use articles (like a or the) and doesn’t always require a preposition for location. Instead, nyumbani has the -ni suffix signaling location, so nyumbani naturally communicates at home or to the house.

How do I say in the evening in Swahili?

Simply using jioni is enough. Swahili commonly drops prepositions for time expressions, so jioni directly conveys in the evening. That’s why Baba anakuja nyumbani jioni means Father is coming home in the evening without needing extra words.

Can I change the time of day to morning or night?

Yes! Just replace jioni with the appropriate time word. For instance:
• asubuhi for morning (e.g., Baba anakuja nyumbani asubuhi)
• usiku for night (e.g., Baba anakuja nyumbani usiku)