Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tutanunua chai ile ile sokoni kesho. - We will buy the same tea at the market tomorrow.

ku- is the infinitive marker used with verbs functioning as nouns (e.g., kununua = “to buy”). In a normal finite verb with a subject and tense, you don’t use ku-.

What does the repetition ile ile mean?

Repeating the demonstrative adds emphasis: ile ile = “that very same (one), the exact same.” It indicates identity with something already known or previously mentioned.

Could I say hiyo hiyo instead of ile ile? What’s the difference?

Both doubled forms mean “the same (one).”
hiyo hiyo is “that same (near you/already mentioned).”
ile ile is “that same (over there/mentally distant).” In practice, either can mark “the same,” with a small nuance of distance. Choose what fits your context.

Why does the demonstrative come after the noun (chai ile ile) instead of before?

In standard Swahili, demonstratives typically follow the noun: chai ile, chai ile ile. Pre-nominal placement (e.g., ile chai) is possible for strong deictic emphasis or style, but post-nominal is the default.

What noun class is chai, and is ile the right form?

chai is class 9 (N-class). The matching demonstratives are:

this = hii
that (near/mentioned) = hiyo
that (far) = ile So chai ile (or chai ile ile) is correct.

Can I add an object marker to emphasize the specific tea, like Tutainunua chai ile ile?

Yes. tu-ta-i-nunua adds the class-9 object marker -i- for chai, giving “we will buy it.” With the noun also present, it often adds emphasis/topicality: “We will indeed buy that same tea.” Without the object marker is also fine here.

What exactly is sokoni?

It’s soko (market) + the locative suffix -ni, meaning “at/in the market.” With buying verbs, it often corresponds to “at/from the market.”

Does sokoni mean “to,” “at,” or “from” the market?

It depends on the verb:

With motion: kwenda sokoni = go to the market.
With location: yuko sokoni = he’s at the market.
With buying: kununua sokoni = buy at/from the market (place of purchase).

Can I say katika soko instead of sokoni?

Yes, but sokoni is the idiomatic, concise locative. katika soko sounds more literal/formal (“inside the market”).

Where can I put kesho in the sentence?

It’s flexible:

Kesho tutanunua chai ile ile sokoni.
Tutanunua chai ile ile sokoni kesho.
Kesho sokoni tutanunua chai ile ile. All are acceptable; end or beginning is most common.

How do I make the sentence negative?

Use the negative subject prefix:

Hatutanunua chai ile ile sokoni kesho. (ha- + tu- + -ta- + -nunua)

How would I say “this same tea” instead?

Use the proximal demonstrative doubled:

Tutanunua chai hii hii sokoni kesho.

How do I express plural “the same teas,” if I mean multiple kinds or cups?

Class 10 plural demonstrative is zile:

Tutanunua chai zile zile sokoni kesho. Note: chai often behaves like a mass noun; the plural sense comes from context and the plural demonstrative.

Is there any article like “the” in Swahili for chai?

No articles in Swahili. Definiteness is shown by context, demonstratives (ile), and sometimes object markers.

Does chai ever mean something other than “tea”?

Yes. In everyday East African usage, chai can also refer to a “tea break” or a simple breakfast (often tea plus a snack), depending on context.

Is ile ile written together or with a hyphen?

Write it as two separate words: ile ile (no hyphen).