Learn Hardcore Swahili: Balozi anakuja sokoni leo asubuhi. - The ambassador is coming to the market this morning.

The verb anakuja breaks down into three pieces:
• a- = third-person singular subject prefix (“he/she/it”)
• -na- = present tense (imperfective) marker
• kuja = verb root meaning “to come”
Together, a-na-kuja literally means “he/she is coming” or simply “(he) comes.”

How is anakuja different from amekuja?

They use different tense markers:
• anakuja has -na- (present), so “he/she is coming”
• amekuja has -me- (perfect), so “he/she has come”
Use anakuja for ongoing or habitual action; use amekuja when the arrival is already completed.

Why is sokoni used instead of just soko?

Swahili indicates location with a locative suffix -ni attached to the noun:
• soko = “market”
• sokoni = “at/in/to the market”
Here, sokoni means “to the market” (the destination of coming).

Could I use a different phrasing to say “to the market”?

Yes. Two common alternatives:
• kwenye soko = “at/in the market”
• kwa soko (less common, more like “through the market”)
Example: Balozi anakuja kwenye soko still means “The ambassador is coming to the market.”

What does leo asubuhi mean, and why is this order used?

• leo = “today”
• asubuhi = “morning” or “in the morning”
Putting leo first stresses “today.” You will also often hear:
• asubuhi ya leo = “this morning”
• asubuhi leo = “this morning” (more colloquial)

Why is there no connector like ya between leo and asubuhi here?

You don’t need a connector when stacking adverbs and time words. Swahili allows simple sequences: leo asubuhi. If you want a genitive link, you can say asubuhi ya leo, but it’s optional in casual speech.

Why isn’t there a subject pronoun like yeye before anakuja?

The verb prefix a- already tells you the subject is “he/she.” Adding yeye (“he/she”) is redundant unless you want to emphasize or contrast:
• Balozi, yeye anakuja sokoni.

Can I omit leo asubuhi and still be correct?

Yes. Balozi anakuja sokoni. simply means “The ambassador is coming to the market.” Adding leo asubuhi just specifies when.

How would I change anakuja to the future tense “will come”?

Replace the present marker -na- with the future marker -ta-:
• Balozi atakuja sokoni leo asubuhi.
That means “The ambassador will come to the market this morning.”

How about making the sentence negative: “The ambassador is not coming this morning”?

You switch to the negative present by using ha- + subject + negative marker -i- + tense marker + root:
• Balozi ha-ja-kuja sokoni leo asubuhi.
Here ha- (neg. subject + -ja-) + -kuja = “is not coming.”