Learn Hardcore Swahili: Je, unahitaji kujisajili shuleni kesho asubuhi? - Do you need to register at school tomorrow morning?

Je, is a question particle used to introduce yes-no questions in Swahili. It doesn’t translate directly into English; instead, it signals that what follows is a question. In writing, it’s often followed by a comma to mark the slight pause a speaker would naturally make.

How is unahitaji constructed and what does each part mean?

unahitaji breaks down as follows:
• u- – second-person singular subject prefix (“you”)
• -na- – present tense (habitual/continuous) marker
• hitaji – verb root meaning “need”
• -a – final vowel required on Swahili verbs
Altogether, unahitaji means “you need” or “do you need” when used in a question.

Why is the verb kujisajili used instead of simply kusajili?

kusajili means “to register” (i.e., register someone else). Adding the reflexive prefix ji- turns it into kujisajili, “to register oneself.” Because the speaker asks if you have to sign yourself up, the reflexive form is required.

Why does shule become shuleni in this sentence?

Swahili uses the locative suffix -ni to mean “at/in/on.” Attaching it to shule (school) yields shuleni (“at school”). Without -ni, shule would just be the noun “school” without specifying location.

Could I use a preposition instead of the locative suffix, for example kwenye shule?

Yes. Instead of shuleni, you can say kwenye shule (“in/at school”). Both are correct, but shuleni is shorter and more idiomatic in many contexts, while kwenye shule feels a bit more formal or emphatic.

Why is kesho asubuhi used rather than asubuhi ya kesho or switching the order?

The typical time-expression order in Swahili is broader unit first (day) then narrower (part of day). Hence kesho asubuhi (“tomorrow morning”). You can say asubuhi ya kesho (“the morning of tomorrow”), but it’s less common in everyday speech. Reversing to asubuhi kesho sounds unusual.

If I want to ask “Will you need to register at school tomorrow morning?”, how would I change the verb?

Replace the present tense marker -na- with the future marker -ta-. So unahitaji becomes utahitaji, giving:
Je, utahitaji kujisajili shuleni kesho asubuhi?
= “Will you need to register at school tomorrow morning?”

How would you answer this question affirmatively or negatively?

Affirmative:
Ndiyo, nahitaji kujisajili shuleni kesho asubuhi.
(“Yes, I need to register at school tomorrow morning.”)

Negative:
Hapana, sitahitaji kujisajili shuleni kesho asubuhi.
(“No, I won’t need to register at school tomorrow morning.”)

Are there alternative verbs for “to register oneself” in Swahili?

Yes. A common synonym is kujiandikisha (from ji- + andikisha, “to write oneself in”). Usage is interchangeable:
• kujisajili – focus on “enrolling”
• kujiandikisha – focus on “writing one’s name down”
Both correctly convey “to register oneself.”