Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tafadhali andika tarehe sahihi ya sherehe hii kwenye kalenda, ili tusisahau wakati wake. - Please write the correct date of this celebration on the calendar, so that we do not forget its time.

Andika is the imperative form of the verb kuandika (to write). In Swahili, commands are given using the bare verb form, so andika directly instructs someone to write something.

Why does the adjective sahihi follow the noun tarehe instead of preceding it?

In Swahili, adjectives generally come after the noun they describe. Thus, tarehe sahihi means the correct date, with tarehe meaning date and sahihi meaning correct. This order is a standard grammatical structure in Swahili.

What role does ya play in the phrase ya sherehe hii?

Ya is a possessive marker that links the noun it follows to another noun. In ya sherehe hii, it connects tarehe to sherehe hii (this celebration), indicating possession—i.e., the date of this celebration. It also reflects agreement with the noun class of sherehe.

How is the prepositional phrase kwenye kalenda formed, and what does it indicate?

Kwenye kalenda translates to on the calendar. The word kwenye is a locative preposition that indicates position or placement, much like on or in in English. Kalenda is the borrowing of the word “calendar.”

What function does ili serve in the sentence, and how is tusisahau constructed?

Ili introduces a purpose clause and translates to so that or in order to. In tusisahau, the prefix tu- stands for we in the jussive or subjunctive mood, and sahau means forget. Combined in the negative form, tusisahau expresses let us not forget. This construction explains the reason behind the command.

Could you provide a full translation of the sentence?

Certainly! The sentence translates to: Please write the correct date of this celebration on the calendar, so that we don’t forget its time.