Learn Hardcore Swahili: Sisi tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani. - We are learning to click the correct button in the classroom.

Tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani. = fully correct.
Use Sisi for emphasis or contrast: Sisi tunajifunza… (“We, as opposed to others, are learning…”).

What are the parts of the verb tunajifunza?

It’s built from several morphemes:

tu- = we (subject marker)
-na- = present/habitual/progressive tense-aspect
-ji- = reflexive (“oneself”)
-funz- = verb root related to teaching/learning
-a = final vowel So tunajifunza literally means “we are learning (we are teaching ourselves).”

Why is there ku- before bofya in kubofya?

ku- marks the infinitive (“to …”). After verbs like kujifunza (to learn), you can use another infinitive:

tunajifunza kubofya = “we are learning to click.” You can also say tunajifunza jinsi ya kubofya (“we are learning how to click”), but it’s not required.

What’s the difference between kubofya and kubonyeza?

kubofya: to click (most often for a mouse/trackpad or on-screen button).
kubonyeza: to press (a physical button, key, or switch); also used broadly, and many speakers use it for digital “press” too.
Both can be understood in this sentence; kubofya sounds more “computer-y.”

Why is it kitufe sahihi and not the other way around?

In Swahili, adjectives normally follow the noun. So:

kitufe sahihi = “correct/right button.” Note: sahihi is invariable (it doesn’t change with noun class or number), unlike many adjectives (e.g., -zuri → kizuri/vizuri).

How do I make “the right buttons” (plural)?

Change the class 7 singular ki- to the class 8 plural vi-:

Singular: kitufe sahihi
Plural: vitufe sahihi

How do I say “the” vs. “a”? Swahili has no articles here.

Swahili doesn’t use articles like “the/a.” kitufe sahihi can mean “the right button” or “a right button,” depending on context. To be specific, you can add a demonstrative:

kile kitufe sahihi = that right button
hiki kitufe sahihi = this right button

What does darasani mean exactly? Why the -ni?

darasani is darasa (class/classroom) + locative -ni, meaning “in/at the class.”
Alternatives with roughly the same meaning: kwenye darasa, katika darasa.
Related: shuleni = at school.

Can I move darasani to the front?

Yes. Swahili word order is flexible for emphasis:

Darasani tunajifunza kubofya kitufe sahihi. (Emphasizes location: In class, we’re learning…)

What exactly does the -na- tense marker express in tunajifunza?

-na- typically covers present time, both ongoing and habitual, depending on context.

Past: tulijifunza (“we learned”)
Future: tutajifunza (“we will learn”)
Past progressive: tulikuwa tunajifunza (“we were learning”)

How do I negate this sentence?

Use the negative subject prefix and the final -i (no -na- in negative present):

Hatujifunzi kubofya kitufe sahihi darasani. = “We are not (do not) learning to click the right button in class.”

Is there an inclusive/exclusive distinction for we in Swahili?

No. sisi (and the verb prefix tu-) covers both inclusive and exclusive “we.” Context tells you which is meant.

I see both tu- and tu in Swahili. Are they the same?

No:

tu- (attached to the verb) = “we” (subject prefix), as in tunajifunza.
tu (a separate word) = “only/just.”
Example: Sisi tu tunajifunza… = “Only we are learning…”

Are there other words for “button” besides kitufe?

Yes:

kitufe: common for device/UI buttons.
kibonyezo: also means “button/pressable control,” preferred in some regions.
batani: usually a clothing button.
In your sentence, kitufe or kibonyezo both work.

Is there a shorter/older form like twajifunza?

Yes. In more formal or older style writing, twa- can replace tu-na-:

Twajifunza kubofya…
In everyday speech, tunajifunza is more common.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

Stress the second-to-last syllable in each word: da-ra-SA-ni, ki-TU-fe, sa-HI-hi.
ji in jifunza sounds like “jee.”
The cluster fy in bofya is pronounced together: “boh-fyah.”
Putting it together: tu-na-jee-FOON-za koo-BOH-fyah kee-TOO-fe sa-HEE-hee da-ra-SA-ni.