Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mwalimu alikusanya takwimu za mahudhurio na kuziorodhesha kwenye jedwali. - The teacher collected the attendance statistics and listed them in a table.

a- = 3rd person singular subject marker for a class 1 noun (he/she)
-li- = simple past tense
-kusanya = the verb stem “collect, gather” Note: The ku in -kusanya here is part of the stem; it is not the infinitive marker.

What does "kuziorodhesha" break down into?

ku- = infinitive marker (“to”), used here after na to link actions: “and (to) …”
-zi- = object marker for class 10 plural (“them”), referring back to takwimu
-orodhesha = “list; arrange in a list” So na kuziorodhesha = “and (to) list them.”

Why use the infinitive "na kuziorodhesha" instead of conjugating the second verb again?

Swahili often links two actions with na + infinitive when the subject is the same: alikusanya … na kuziorodhesha. It’s smooth and neutral. You don’t need to repeat the full subject/tense on the second verb.

Could I use "aka-" instead of "na ku-"? What’s the difference?

Yes: alikusanya … akaziorodhesha means “he collected … and then he listed them,” with a clearer sense of sequence. na ku- is a simple coordination (“and [to] …”), while aka- adds a narrative “and then” flavor.

Do I have to include the object marker "zi-"? Could I say "na kuorodhesha"?

You can omit it: alikusanya takwimu … na kuorodhesha (takwimu). Including zi- is very natural because it avoids repeating takwimu and keeps the object explicit. Both are acceptable.

Why is the object marker "zi-" (not "wa-" or "zi-" vs something else)?

Because takwimu belongs to noun class 9/10 (N-class). The class 10 plural object marker is zi-. That’s why you see kuziorodhesha (“to list them”).

Why is it "takwimu za mahudhurio" and not "takwimu ya mahudhurio"?

The possessive connector agrees with the head noun, takwimu (class 10). The class 10 possessive is za. If the head were a class 6 noun, you’d use ya (e.g., majedwali ya…).

Is "mahudhurio" singular or plural?

Formally it’s class 6 (ma-), but it’s typically an abstract/mass noun meaning “attendance.” You’ll most often see mahudhurio as a fixed form. The theoretical singular hudhurio exists but is rare and context-dependent.

What does "na" mean here? Could it also mean “with”?

Here na is the coordinator “and.” It can mean “with/and (having)” in other contexts, but before an infinitive (na kuziorodhesha) it’s simply “and (to) …”.

Where does the object marker go with an infinitive, and how would you negate it?

Order: ku- + object marker + verb stem → ku-zi-orodhesha (“to list them”).
Negated infinitive: kuto- + object marker + verb stem → kutoziorodhesha (“not to list them”).

What’s the difference among "kwenye," "katika," and "juu ya" here?

kwenye jedwali / katika jedwali: both mean “in/into the table (as a chart/spreadsheet).”
juu ya meza: “on top of the (furniture) table.” Use kwenye/katika with a data table; use juu ya for physical surface contact.

Why "jedwali" and not "meza"?

jedwali = a chart/table in a document, spreadsheet, or report. meza = a piece of furniture. Here we mean a data table, so jedwali is correct.

Any pronunciation tips for the long word "kuziorodhesha"?

Break it into syllables: ku-zi-o-ro-dhe-sha. Swahili stress falls on the second-to-last syllable: ku-zi-o-ro-DHE-sha. Say “dhe” as in “they” but with a voiced “dh” sound (like English “this”).

Where does "orodhesha" come from?

It’s derived from the noun orodha (“list”) + the causative/applicative suffix -esha, yielding “to list, to put into a list.”

Can I rephrase with a relative clause, like “the attendance data that he listed”?

Yes. For example: Mwalimu alikusanya takwimu za mahudhurio alizoorodhesha kwenye jedwali = “The teacher collected the attendance data that he listed in the table.” Here alizoorodhesha uses the relative/agreeing form with class 10 (zi) embedded.

Is the "ku" in "alikusanya" the same as the "ku" in "kuziorodhesha"?

No. In alikusanya, -kusanya is the verb stem; the “ku” there is part of the stem. In kuziorodhesha, the initial ku- is the infinitive marker used after na.