Learn Hardcore Swahili: Kesho mchana, sisi tutacheza mpira uwanjani. - Tomorrow afternoon, we will play ball in the field.

Kesho mchana means “tomorrow afternoon,” giving a specific time-of-day. Kesho alone means simply “tomorrow,” without specifying morning, afternoon, or evening. Pairing kesho with asubuhi, mchana, or jioni clarifies when exactly tomorrow’s event happens.

Can I say Mchana kesho, sisi tutacheza mpira uwanjani instead of Kesho mchana?

Swahili time expressions are somewhat flexible, but the idiomatic order is kesho mchana. Saying mchana kesho is technically understandable but uncommon and may sound awkward to native speakers.

Why is sisi used when the verb tutacheza already indicates “we”?

The subject prefix tu- in tutacheza indeed marks “we.” Sisi is optional and used here for emphasis or clarity. You can drop it entirely:
Kesho mchana tutacheza mpira uwanjani.

How is tutacheza formed? What does each part mean?

Tutacheza = tu- (subject prefix “we”) + -ta- (future-tense marker) + cheza (verb root “play”). Together they form “we will play.”

What does mpira refer to in Swahili? Is it always soccer?

Mpira literally means “ball” or “ball game.” In everyday conversation, mpira often implies soccer (football), since it’s the most popular ball sport. To specify another sport you add a qualifier, e.g. mpira wa kikapu (basketball).

Why say mpira uwanjani instead of mpira kwenye uwanja?

Swahili offers two common locative constructions:
• Adding the suffix -ni to the noun: uwanja (field) → uwanjani (“in/on the field”)
• Using the preposition kwenye + noun: mpira kwenye uwanja
Both are correct. mpira uwanjani is more concise; mpira kwenye uwanja is slightly more explicit.

What is the function of the comma after Kesho mchana? Is it required?

The comma simply sets off the introductory time phrase Kesho mchana. It’s not mandatory—its purpose is to aid readability. You can write without it:
Kesho mchana sisi tutacheza mpira uwanjani.

How would you turn this statement into a question?

Add the question marker je at the beginning or use rising intonation. For example:
Je, kesho mchana sisi tutacheza mpira uwanjani?
or simply
Kesho mchana sisi tutacheza mpira uwanjani?

Are there alternative ways to express the future besides using -ta-?

The standard simple future uses -ta-. For an immediate “going to” future, you can also use -enda + infinitive:
Kesho mchana tutaenda kucheza mpira uwanjani.
Here tutaenda (“we will go”) + kucheza (“to play”) emphasizes the action of going to play.