Learn Hardcore Swahili: Unaridhika na huduma nzuri sokoni? - Are you satisfied with the good service at the market?

Swahili verbs use prefixes for subject and tense.
• u- = subject prefix “you” (singular)
• -na- = present-tense (continuous) marker
• ridhika = verb root “be satisfied”
So Unaridhika literally means “you are satisfied.”

Why is there no Je at the beginning to make it a question?

In Swahili you can form yes/no questions simply by using rising intonation and a question mark. Adding Je is optional (often more formal). Both
Je, unaridhika na huduma nzuri sokoni?
and
Unaridhika na huduma nzuri sokoni?
work equally well.

What does na mean here? I thought it usually means “and.”

Na can mean “and,” but in ridhika na X it’s a preposition “with.” The verb ridhika requires na to introduce what you’re satisfied with.
Unaridhika na huduma … = “Are you satisfied with the service …?”

Why doesn’t the adjective nzuri change to agree with huduma?

Huduma (“service”) is in noun class 9/10, which takes invariable adjectives. Nzuri is the root for “good” (its initial n- is part of the root, not a class prefix), so it stays nzuri.

How is sokoni formed, and what does it mean?

Soko = “market.” To form a locative (“at the market”), you add the suffix -ni. With soko, the vowels merge into sokoni, meaning “at the market.”

Why is there no separate word for “you” before Unaridhika?

Swahili encodes the subject in the verb prefix (u- = “you”). A separate pronoun like wewe is optional and only used for emphasis:
Wewe unaridhika na huduma nzuri sokoni?

How would I answer this question positively and negatively?

Affirmative:
Ndiyo, naridhika na huduma nzuri sokoni. (“Yes, I am satisfied with the good service at the market.”)
Negative:
Hapana, sitaridhiki na huduma sokoni. (“No, I am not satisfied with the service at the market.”)

Can I move sokoni to the front for emphasis, e.g. “Sokoni unaridhika na huduma nzuri?”

Yes. Swahili allows locative phrases to be fronted.
Sokoni unaridhika na huduma nzuri?
still means “Are you satisfied with the good service at the market?”