Learn Hardcore Swahili: Usisahau kupasha maziwa kabla ya kuyanywa asubuhi. - Do not forget to warm the milk before drinking it in the morning.

Usisahau is the negative imperative form of the verb sahau (to forget). It means "Don't forget", serving as a command not to overlook the following action.

How is the negative imperative formed in Swahili, as seen here?

In Swahili, the negative imperative for a second-person command is created by adding the prefix usi- to the base form of the verb. Thus, sahau (forget) becomes usisahau (do not forget).

What does kupasha mean in this context?

Kupasha is the infinitive form of the verb used to describe an action performed on the milk. In this context, it generally means to prepare or to warm/heat the milk before it is consumed. Note that the exact nuance might vary by region.

Why is kuyanywa used instead of simply kunywa?

The form kuyanywa includes the object prefix ya-, which agrees with the noun maziwa (milk). In Swahili, when the object is clearly identified, the verb often incorporates an object concord to emphasize that the action (in this case, drinking) is directed toward that specific noun.

What roles do kabla ya and asubuhi play in the sentence?

Kabla ya means "before" and establishes a temporal relationship, indicating that one action should occur prior to another. Asubuhi means "morning," specifying when the drinking takes place. Together, they form a clause that tells the listener to prepare the milk before drinking it in the morning.