Learn Hardcore Swahili: Sasa tutaweka kipaumbele kwa usikivu darasani. - Now we will give priority to attentiveness in class.

Sasa = Now/So (a discourse marker meaning “now” or “so”).
tutaweka = we will put/set/establish (tu- “we” + -ta- future + -weka “put”).
kipaumbele = priority (class 7 noun; plural: vipaumbele).
kwa = to/for (marks the thing receiving priority here).
usikivu = attentiveness/listening attentiveness (class 14 abstract noun from the root of “to hear/listen”).
darasani = in class/in the classroom (from darasa
- locative suffix -ni).

Together: “Now we will set priority to attentiveness in class.”

Why is kwa used after kipaumbele?

With kipaumbele, kwa commonly marks the target/beneficiary of the priority: kipaumbele kwa X = “priority to/for X.” So kipaumbele kwa usikivu means “priority to attentiveness.”

Could I use katika or kwenye instead of kwa?

kipaumbele kwa X = priority to/for X (recipient/target).
kipaumbele katika X = priority in X (domain/area).
kipaumbele kwenye X is colloquial, similar to katika, but less formal. In this sentence, kwa usikivu is natural because attentiveness is what receives the priority. Katika usikivu is possible but feels more like “in the area of attentiveness.”

Is there a more idiomatic way to say “give priority to attentiveness” with a verb like “to give”?

Yes. Use the verb -pa (to give) with an object marker that agrees with the noun:

Tutaupa usikivu kipaumbele darasani. = We will give attentiveness priority in class. Here u- is the object marker for class 14 (usikivu) and it fuses into the verb: tutaupa (tuta- + u- + pa).

What’s the difference between tutaweka and tuweke here?

tutaweka (future): “we will put/set” (a plan or promise).
tuweke (subjunctive/hortative): “let’s put/set” (a suggestion or directive). For a teacher telling the class what to do now, Sasa, tuweke kipaumbele... sounds like “Now, let’s prioritize...”.

How do I negate or change the tense of tutaweka?

Negative future: hatutaweka (we will not set).
Present progressive: tunaweka (we are setting).
Past: tuliweka (we set/placed).
Future progressive: tutakuwa tukiweka (we will be setting).

What exactly is usikivu, and how does it differ from kusikiliza or umakini?

usikivu: attentiveness/listening attentiveness (a general quality; class 14 noun).
kusikiliza: to listen (verb/infinitive; the act of listening).
umakini: focus/concentration/care. In a classroom, usikivu emphasizes listening attentiveness; umakini is broader “focus.”

Could I say “priority to listening” with a verb-noun instead of usikivu?

Yes, but prefer a domain preposition: kipaumbele katika kusikiliza darasani (“priority in listening in class”). Using kwa before an infinitive (e.g., kwa kusikiliza) often reads as “by/through listening,” i.e., means/way, not “priority to.”

Why darasani and not darasa? Can I use kwenye darasa or katika darasa?

darasani is darasa + -ni, the locative suffix meaning “in/at.” It’s the most idiomatic. kwenye darasa and katika darasa also mean “in the classroom,” but darasani is shorter and very common.

What does the -ni on darasani do more generally?

The suffix -ni creates a locative meaning “in/at/on” with many nouns:

shule → shuleni (at school)
nyumba → nyumbani (at home)
chuo → chuoni (at college)

Does darasani modify just usikivu or the whole sentence?

Positioned at the end, darasani usually scopes over the situation as a whole, but it most naturally reads as specifying the context of usikivu: attentiveness “in class.” Either way, the intended meaning is clear: prioritize attentiveness in the classroom setting.

Is there any punctuation nuance with Sasa at the start?

You can write Sasa tutaweka... or Sasa, tutaweka.... The comma simply reflects a spoken pause. Both are fine.

How do I make “priorities” plural and refer to them?

Singular: kipaumbele (class 7)
Plural: vipaumbele (class 8) Examples: vipaumbele vyetu (our priorities), kipaumbele chetu (our priority).

Are there good synonyms for “prioritize” here?

kutilia mkazo = to put emphasis on: Sasa tutilie mkazo usikivu darasani.
kusisitiza = to emphasize/stress: Tutasisitiza usikivu darasani.
kuipa/kuupa ... kipaumbele = to give priority to (as shown above).

Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?

Stress is typically on the penultimate syllable: sa-SA, tu-ta-WE-ka, ki-pau-MBE-le, da-ra-SA-ni.
we in weka is like “weh” (not English “wee”).
All vowels are pure and pronounced; no silent letters.

Can I move words around for emphasis?

Yes. Common, natural variants include:

Sasa, tuweke kipaumbele kwa usikivu darasani. (hortative)
Darasani, sasa tutaweka kipaumbele kwa usikivu. (fronts the location) Word order is fairly flexible for emphasis, but keep prepositions with their nouns.