Learn Hardcore Swahili: Weka kipaumbele kwa kazi za nyumbani angalau dakika kumi kila siku. - Give priority to homework for at least ten minutes each day.

It’s the 2nd-person singular imperative: “put/set.”
In the collocation weka kipaumbele, it idiomatically means “set/give priority” or “prioritize.”
Tone: a direct instruction. For politeness, add tafadhali or use naomba uweke ... (“I request that you prioritize ...”).

Could I use other verbs like ipa/zipa kipaumbele or tanguliza?

Yes. Common alternatives:
- Ipa kipaumbele X = “give X priority” (singular object, e.g., kazi ya nyumbani).
- Zipa kipaumbele X = “give them priority” (plural object, e.g., kazi za nyumbani, with object marker zi- “them”).
- Tanguliza X = “put X first/foremost,” a bit more dynamic/colloquial.

Why is kipaumbele singular? Could I say vipaumbele?

Singular kipaumbele is standard when telling someone to give “priority” (a status) to one area.
Use plural vipaumbele (“priorities”) when you mean several: e.g., Weka vipaumbele vyako (“Set your priorities”).

What noun class is kipaumbele, and what’s its plural and agreement?

Class 7/8 (ki-/vi-).
Singular: kipaumbele; plural: vipaumbele.
Agreement example: vipaumbele vyangu (“my priorities”), using vy- for class 8.

Does kazi za nyumbani mean “housework” or “homework”?

Context decides:
- kazi ya nyumbani (singular) typically = “homework” from a teacher.
- kazi za nyumbani (plural) = “household chores/housework.”
The plural in the sentence points to “chores.”

Why is it za and not ya in kazi za nyumbani?

kazi is class 9/10; its singular and plural look the same.
The linker -a agrees with number:
- Singular: kazi ya ...
- Plural: kazi za ...
Here it’s plural, so za.

What’s going on with nyumbani?

nyumba (“house/home”) + locative suffix -ni → nyumbani (“at home/of the home”).
In kazi za nyumbani, it functions like “of the home.”

Why use kwa after kipaumbele? Could I use kwenye/katika, or omit it?

kwa links the “priority” to its target and is common.
Natural alternatives:
- Weka kipaumbele kwenye/katika kazi za nyumbani.
- No preposition: Weka kipaumbele kazi za nyumbani (heard in speech).
- Verb option (no preposition): Zipa kipaumbele kazi za nyumbani.
All are acceptable; register and style vary.

Could I say kwa ajili ya instead of kwa?

Yes, but it’s longer and more formal: Weka kipaumbele kwa ajili ya kazi za nyumbani.
Meaning: “for the sake of/with regard to.” In everyday speech, kwa, kwenye, or katika are more succinct.

Where does angalau go? Can I move it?

Default: angalau dakika kumi (“at least ten minutes”).
Variants:
- angalau kwa dakika kumi (explicitly marks duration with kwa).
- dakika kumi angalau (also fine; slightly afterthought).
Keep it adjacent to the quantity it modifies.

Do I need kwa before the duration (dakika kumi)?

Not required. Bare duration is normal: ... angalau dakika kumi.
kwa is optional, adding emphasis on the span: ... angalau kwa dakika kumi.

What does kila siku mean, and can it move?

kila siku = “every day.”
Position is flexible:
- End: ... dakika kumi kila siku (very common).
- Fronted for emphasis: Kila siku, weka kipaumbele ...

How do I address more than one person or sound more polite?

Plural imperative: Wekeni kipaumbele ...
Polite/softer options:
- Tafadhali weka kipaumbele ...
- Naomba uweke kipaumbele ... (“I request that you...”)
- Inclusive suggestion: Tuweke kipaumbele ... (“Let’s prioritize ...”)

How do I make a negative command?

Use usi- (singular) / msi- (plural):
- Usiweke kipaumbele ... (“Don’t prioritize ...”)
- Msiweke kipaumbele ...

Any synonyms for kazi za nyumbani?

Does the number kumi need noun-class agreement?

No. Numbers 6–10 (including kumi) don’t take agreement.
Hence: dakika kumi. For 2–5, some classes take agreement (e.g., viti viwili), but class 9/10 uses bare forms (dakika mbili).

Is there a difference between dakika kumi kila siku and dakika kumi kwa siku?