Learn Hardcore Swahili: Wazazi hupeleka watoto kupata chanjo mara wanapotimiza miezi sita. - Parents usually take children to get a vaccine once they reach six months.

The prefix hu- marks the habitual aspect in Swahili. It shows that the action happens regularly or as a rule. So hupeleka means “they habitually take” or “they always take,” unlike the simple present wanapeleka (“they are taking” or “they take right now”).

Why not use wanapeleka instead of hupeleka?

wana- combines the subject prefix wa- (class 2) with the present tense marker -na-, giving a present/ongoing sense: “they are taking.” In contrast, hu- alone indicates a habitual/repeated action. Thus wanapeleka = “they are taking” (right now), while hupeleka = “they regularly/tend to take.”

How is wanapotimiza constructed, and what does each part mean?

wanapotimiza breaks down as:
• wa- = subject prefix for 3rd person plural (“they”)
• -na- = present tense marker
• -po- = relative/time clause marker (“when/once”)
• timiza = verb root “to complete/fulfill”
Together, wanapotimiza means “when they complete/fulfill.”

What role does mara play in mara wanapotimiza miezi sita?

Here mara means “when” or “once.” It introduces a time clause and pairs with a verb in the -po- relative form. So mara wanapotimiza miezi sita = “once/when they reach six months.”

Why is the phrase miezi sita (“six months”) in this order, not sita miezi?

In Swahili, numerals from 2 to 9 normally follow the noun, and the noun appears in its plural form. Since miezi is the plural of mwezi (“month”), the standard order is miezi sita (“months six”).

What is the difference between kupata chanjo and kupewa chanjo?

kupata chanjo = “to get (obtain) a vaccine” (active infinitive focusing on the recipient).
kupewa chanjo = “to be given a vaccine” (passive infinitive focusing on the action by the vaccinator).

Why use kutimiza miezi sita (“complete six months”) instead of kufika or wanafikia miezi sita?

kutimiza literally means “to complete/fulfill,” making it the standard verb for “reach the age of.” While kufika miezi sita (“to arrive at six months”) is understandable, kutimiza miezi sita is more idiomatic when talking about age milestones.

Can mara be replaced by wakati in this sentence?

Yes. You could say wazazi hupeleka watoto kupata chanjo wakati wanapotimiza miezi sita. wakati also means “when,” though mara often adds a nuance of “as soon as” or “once.”