Learn Hardcore Swahili: Ni muhimu kusalimiana asubuhi kabla ya kuanza mazungumzo. - It is important to greet each other in the morning before starting a conversation.

Ni muhimu translates to “it is important.” In this context, it is used to emphasize that the actions which follow (greeting in the morning and starting conversations) are considered necessary or worthwhile.

Why are both kusalimiana and kuanza presented in the infinitive form?

In Swahili, verbs in the infinitive form (marked by the prefix ku-) are often used after adjectives like muhimu (important) to express general actions or recommendations. Using the infinitive here indicates that the sentence is stating a general rule or piece of advice without specifying who exactly must perform the action.

What does asubuhi mean, and how is it used compared to English time expressions?

Asubuhi means “morning.” Unlike English, which might include a preposition (as in “in the morning”), Swahili typically uses the time noun directly. The word stands alone to indicate the early part of the day.

How does the phrase kabla ya function in this sentence, and what is its equivalent in English?

Kabla ya means “before.” It connects the two actions by indicating that the greeting (kusalimiana) should happen prior to the beginning (kuanza) of conversations. This structure establishes a clear sequence, similar to using “before” in English.

Why is there no explicit subject in the sentence, and how does that differ from typical English structure?

The sentence uses an impersonal construction. The marker ni in ni muhimu sets up a general statement that applies universally, so there’s no need to specify a subject (like “you” or “we”). This is common in Swahili when giving general advice or stating a universal truth, whereas in English, subjects are often explicitly mentioned even in general statements.