Learn Hardcore Swahili: Kabla ya kulala, tunanawa mikono na kupiga mswaki. - Before sleeping, we wash our hands and brush our teeth.

Kabla ya means before (literally “before of”). The ya is a linker used with certain prepositional expressions like kabla ya, baada ya (after), nje ya (outside of), etc. In this fixed expression, ya doesn’t change; you use it before either a noun or an infinitive:

kabla ya chakula = before the meal
kabla ya kuondoka = before leaving

Why is kulala (to sleep) used after kabla ya? Isn’t that “before to sleep”?

In Swahili, the infinitive with ku- can function like a verbal noun, so kulala here means “sleeping.” Kabla ya kulala thus means “before sleeping” or “before going to bed.” This is a very common and natural pattern: kabla ya + infinitive.

Is there another way to say “before we sleep,” using a full clause?

Yes. You can use kabla + a clause with the “not yet” perfect:

Kabla hatujalala, … = Before we sleep (literally “before we have not yet slept”).
For 1st person singular: Kabla sijalala, …
This form is especially common when you want a specific subject (“we,” “I,” etc.) right after “before.”

How is tunanawa built, and what tense is it?

It’s verb morphology: tu- (we) + -na- (present/ongoing) + -nawa (wash [hands/face]). So tunanawa means “we are washing” or “we wash” (present; in context it can be habitual). The -na- marker often covers both progressive and general present, depending on context.

Is the na in tunanawa the same word as na meaning “and”?

No. In tunanawa, -na- is a tense marker inside the verb. The separate word na between phrases is the conjunction and (it can also mean “with” in other contexts). They look the same but function differently.

Why is the second verb kupiga in the infinitive instead of repeating tuna-?

Swahili often avoids repeating the subject/tense on coordinated verbs by using na + ku- on the second (and later) verbs. So:

tunanawa mikono na kupiga mswaki = we wash hands and (we) brush teeth.
You could also say tunanawa mikono na tunapiga mswaki—both are correct; the infinitive version is just lighter.

What does kupiga mswaki literally mean, and is it the normal way to say “brush (your) teeth”?

Literally it’s “to hit/strike a toothbrush,” but idiomatically it means “to brush one’s teeth,” and it’s the most common, natural wording. The verb piga appears in many idioms:

kupiga simu (to make a phone call)
kupiga picha (to take a photo)
kupiga kelele (to make noise)

Why isn’t there a word for “our” before “hands” or “teeth”?

With body parts, Swahili usually omits the possessive when the owner is obvious from context. Tunanawa mikono is understood as “we wash our hands.” You can add it for emphasis or clarity—e.g., mikono yetu—but it’s not needed here.

Does mikono mean “hands” or “arms,” and what’s the singular?

Mikono is the plural of mkono (noun class 3/4), and it can mean “hand(s)” or “arm(s)” depending on context. In routines like washing, mikono is understood as “hands.” Singular: mkono; plural: mikono.

What’s the difference between kunawa, kuosha, and kuoga?

kunawa: wash parts of one’s body, especially hands/face (e.g., kunawa mikono/uso).
kuosha: wash things (dishes, clothes, a car) or someone/something else; many speakers also say kuosha mikono in everyday speech, and it’s widely understood.
kuoga: bathe/shower (wash the whole body).

Could I include “teeth” explicitly—like “brush the teeth”?

It’s normally just kupiga mswaki; “teeth” is understood. You might see kusafisha meno (“clean the teeth”) in more formal or medical contexts, but everyday Swahili prefers kupiga mswaki. Saying both “mswaki” and “meno” together is usually unnecessary.

How would I make the whole sentence negative (“we don’t…” and “nor”)?

Use negative subject marking and change the final vowel to -i:

Kabla ya kulala, hatunawi mikono wala hatupigi mswaki.
Here hatu- is the 1st plural negative, and wala means “nor.”

If I want to show sequence (“then”), what can I use instead of just na?

Use sequencing adverbs like kisha, halafu, or baadaye:

Kabla ya kulala, tunanawa mikono kisha tunapiga mswaki.
This highlights the order: first wash hands, then brush teeth.

Is the comma after kulala required?

It’s optional. It simply sets off the introductory time phrase (Kabla ya kulala) from the main clause. You’ll see the sentence written both with and without the comma.