Learn Hardcore Swahili: Ni muhimu kupata kibali kabla ya kujenga nyumba. - It is important to get a permit before building a house.

Ni is the impersonal copula “it is.” In general statements about qualities or necessity (Ni muhimu, Ni lazima, Ni vizuri, etc.), Ni acts as the verb “to be” and never changes form.

What is the structure and meaning of kupata and kujenga?

Both words are infinitives formed with the prefix ku- plus a verb root:
• kupata = ku- + pata (“get” or “obtain”) → “to get/obtain”
• kujenga = ku- + jenga (“build”) → “to build”
Infinitives often function like nouns after adjectives (Ni muhimu kupata) or prepositions (kabla ya kujenga).

Why isn’t there an article like “the” or “a” before kibali?

Swahili does not use articles. Nouns stand alone without “a,” “an” or “the.” Context tells you whether kibali means “permission” in general or “the permission” in a specific sense.

Which noun class does kibali belong to, and what is its plural form?

kibali is in noun class 7 (ki-/vi- class). Its class 8 plural is vibali. So:
• Singular: kibali
• Plural: vibali

Which noun class does nyumba belong to, and why is singular and plural the same form?

nyumba is class 9/10 (n-/zero- class). In this class the prefix is zero in both singular and plural, so you don’t see a form change. Context shows whether it’s singular (“a house”) or plural (“houses”).

Why do we say kabla ya kujenga nyumba instead of kabla kujenga nyumba?

kabla is actually a noun meaning “before.” To link it to another noun or a nominalized verb, you need the preposition ya. Hence kabla ya + nominalized verb or noun = “before [doing/something].”

How would you make this sentence negative: “It is important to get permission before building a house”?

Replace Ni with its negative counterpart Si:
Si muhimu kupata kibali kabla ya kujenga nyumba
= “It is not important to get permission before building a house.”

How can you express “You must get permission before building a house” in Swahili?

You can use Lazima or Inabidi for “must.” For example:
• Lazima upate kibali kabla ya kujenga nyumba.
• Inabidi upate kibali kabla ya kujenga nyumba.

Can you move the phrase kabla ya kujenga nyumba to the front of the sentence?

Yes. Swahili allows fronting of time/place phrases. You can say:
Kabla ya kujenga nyumba, ni muhimu kupata kibali.

Could you use a different verb instead of pata for “get permission”?

Yes. A common alternative is omba (“ask for”). For example:
Ni muhimu kuomba kibali kabla ya kujenga nyumba.
That emphasizes “requesting permission” rather than simply “obtaining” it.