Learn Hardcore Swahili: Yeyote anaweza kuuliza swali darasani.

Both are correct. Yeyote can stand alone to mean “anyone,” especially when the context clearly involves people. Mtu yeyote is a bit more explicit and is very common. Style-wise:

Yeyote anaweza... = Anyone can...
Mtu yeyote anaweza... = Any person can...

What’s the difference between yeyote and kila mtu?

yeyote = “anyone (whichever person)” — emphasizes lack of restriction/eligibility.
kila mtu = “everyone” — emphasizes universality (all people, without exception). So the nuance shifts from openness (anyone who wishes) to inclusiveness (everyone).

How is anaweza formed, and how would it change with different subjects?

a- (3sg subject) + -na- (present/habitual) + -weza (root “be able/can”) ⇒ anaweza (“he/she can”). Other persons (present):

I: naweza (also ninaweza in some styles)
You (sg): unaweza
We: tunaweza
You (pl): mnaweza
They: wanaweza

Why does the second verb keep ku- in kuuliza after anaweza?

In Swahili, when one verb governs another (modals like -weza, -taka, -paswa, etc.), the following verb stays in the infinitive with ku-:

Anaweza kuuliza... (He/She can ask...)
Sitaki kuondoka. (I don’t want to leave.)

Why is there a double “u” in kuuliza? How do I pronounce it?

It’s ku- (infinitive marker) + uliza (“ask”) → kuuliza. Both vowels are pronounced: ku-u-li-za (four syllables). Don’t collapse it to one “u.”

Is kuuliza swali redundant (like “ask a question” in English)?

No—this is the standard collocation. Uliza is typically transitive and takes an object:

kuuliza swali/maswali (ask a question/questions)
You can also ask a person: Niliuliza mwalimu (I asked the teacher).

What is the plural of swali, and does the verb agree with it?

Singular: swali (Class 5)
Plural: maswali (Class 6) The verb agrees with the subject, not the object. So:
Yeyote anaweza kuuliza maswali darasani. (Anyone can ask questions in class.)

What does the -ni in darasani do?

-ni is a locative suffix meaning “in/at/to.” darasa (class/classroom) → darasani (“in the classroom” or “in class,” depending on context).

Is there a difference between darasani and katika darasa?

Both can mean “in the classroom.” darasani is very natural and compact; katika darasa is fine but a bit more formal/explicit. darasani can also mean “during class” depending on context.

Can the position of darasani move in the sentence?

Yes. Word order is flexible for emphasis:

Yeyote anaweza kuuliza swali darasani. (neutral)
Darasani, yeyote anaweza kuuliza swali. (place-focused)
Yeyote darasani anaweza kuuliza swali. (restricts the “anyone” to those in class)

Should there be an object marker for swali in the verb?

No. Object markers in Swahili are normally used for specific/definite objects or when the object is pronominalized. Here the object is indefinite (“a question”), so you just say kuuliza swali. Using an object marker for an indefinite object is unnatural.

How would I say “Everyone can ask a question in class”?

Use kila mtu:

Kila mtu anaweza kuuliza swali darasani.

How would I say “No one can ask a question in class”?

A natural way is to use hakuna + relative:

Hakuna anayeweza kuuliza swali darasani. Avoid literally negating mtu yeyote with hawezi; it sounds off.

Does yeyote only refer to people? What about things or places?

yeyote is for people (Class 1/2). For other classes:

Things (Class 7/8): chochote/vyovyote (e.g., kitu chochote = “anything”)
Places: popote (e.g., mahali popote = “anywhere”)
Time: wowote (e.g., wakati wowote = “any time”)

Is it acceptable to write ye yote as two words, or must it be yeyote?

Standard modern spelling is one word: yeyote. The spaced form is older/less common in contemporary usage.

How would I politely ask, “Can I ask a question?” in class?

Good, natural options:

Naomba kuuliza swali? (Polite: “May I ask a question?”)
Naweza kuuliza swali? (Neutral: “Can I ask a question?”)
Ninaweza kuuliza swali? (Also fine; slightly more formal/explicit)