Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mvua ikianza leo, ukame huo utapungua polepole. - If it starts raining today, that drought will slowly decrease.

The iki- in ikianza comes from combining the subject prefix i- (for mvua, noun class 9) with the relative/conditional marker -ki- on the verb root anza. So ikianza literally means when/if it starts. By contrast, inaanza is just i- + na- (present tense marker) + anza, giving a neutral it starts with no built-in “when/if.”

Could I say inapoanza instead of ikianza, and is the meaning any different?

Yes. inapoanza breaks down as i- (subject prefix) + na- (present tense) + po (relative temporal connector) + anza. It also means when it starts. The nuance is minimal: ikianza uses the -ki- pattern for “if/when,” while inapoanza uses the -na-po- pattern. Both are common and interchangeable here.

Do I need kama or wakati to introduce this clause? Why can we start with Mvua ikianza leo directly?

No extra words are needed. The -ki- construction already carries the sense of if/when, so you can simply say Mvua ikianza leo without kama (if) or wakati (when). Swahili often uses these zero-linker patterns instead of separate conjunctions.

What kind of clause is Mvua ikianza leo? Is it conditional or temporal?

It’s a dependent clause that can serve both roles. Literally if/when the rain starts today. Context decides whether you read it as a strict condition (if) or a time marker (when). Here it’s mostly temporal: once it starts raining, the drought will ease.

How is utapungua built, and what do its parts represent?

utapungua = u- (subject prefix) + ta- (future tense marker) + pungua (verb root meaning “decrease”). Altogether it will decrease.

Why does utapungua start with u-, and how does it relate to ukame?

ukame (the drought) is in noun class 14, whose subject prefix on verbs is u-. So when ukame is the subject of pungua, the verb takes u- to agree: ukame huo utapungua = that drought will decrease.

In ukame huo, what does huo do, and why is it necessary (or optional)?

huo is the class 14 demonstrative meaning that (near you or in context). ukame huo = that drought. You could drop huo and still be understood, but it adds specificity or emphasis—identifying exactly which drought you mean.

Why is polepole doubled, and what does it mean?

polepole is a standard adverb formed by reduplicating pole. It means slowly or gradually. Swahili often doubles words like this to form adverbs or add emphasis.

Where does leo normally go, and can I put it before ikianza?

leo (today) is fairly flexible. Mvua ikianza leo is most neutral. You can also say Leo mvua ikianza, or Mvua leo ikianza, depending on which element you want to stress or the rhythm you prefer. None is grammatically wrong.

How would the iki- pattern change for other subjects, for example Mtoto akianza kucheza?

The -ki- relative/conditional marker stays the same, but you swap the subject prefix for the noun class. Mtoto is class 1, whose subject prefix is a-. So you get Mtoto akianza kucheza = when/if the child begins to play.