Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mwalimu anakagua kipaza sauti kabla ya mkutano. - The teacher checks the microphone before the meeting.

It’s built from a- (3rd-person singular subject prefix for class 1) + -na- (present tense/aspect marker) + the root kagua, which means inspect. Together anakagua = inspects.

Why is -na- used here instead of -hu-?

In Swahili -na- is the general present marker (covering both ongoing and simple present). -hu- marks habitual aspect only. So mwalimu ana–kagua means the teacher is inspecting (or simply inspects), whereas mwalimu hu–kagua would mean the teacher habitually inspects as a routine.

Why isn’t there an object prefix in anakagua even though there’s a direct object kipaza sauti?

Object prefixes are optional when the object appears as a full noun phrase. They’re mainly used with pronoun objects. Since kipaza sauti is spelled out right after the verb, you don’t need an extra prefix like ki- inside anakagua.

What noun class is kipaza sauti, why does it have ki-, and how do I make it plural?

kipaza sauti belongs to class 7 (tools/instruments). Class 7 singular prefix is ki-, so ki+paza sauti = sound amplifier. Its plural is class 8, which replaces ki- with vi-, giving vipaza sauti.

Why is there ya in kabla ya mkutano, instead of just kabla mkutano?

kabla (before) is a preposition that requires the genitive connector ya before any noun. You must say kabla ya [noun]; omitting ya would be ungrammatical.

Can I place kabla ya mkutano at the beginning of the sentence?

Yes. You can front time expressions in Swahili. For example:
Kabla ya mkutano, mwalimu anakagua kipaza sauti.
A comma is optional but common in writing to separate the clauses.

How do I say the teachers inspect the microphones before meetings in Swahili?

You would say:
Walimu wanakagua vipaza sauti kabla ya mikutano.
• Walimu is the plural of mwalimu (class 2)
• wa- (class 2 subject prefix) + -na- (present) + kagua
• vipaza sauti (plural of kipaza sauti)
• kabla ya mikutano (plural of mkutano is mikutano, class 4)