Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tafadhali usisogeze meza; nitaisogeza baadaye. - Please don’t move the table; I will move it later.

It’s a negative command (2nd person singular): don’t move (something). Formed with u- (you), -si- (negation), and the subjunctive final vowel -e on the verb stem: u + si + sogeze → usisogeze. For talking to more than one person, use msisogeze.

Why does usisogeze end in -e instead of -a?

Negative imperatives (and the subjunctive/jussive) take the final vowel -e in Swahili. Compare:

Affirmative command (sing.): sogeza meza! move the table!
Negative command (sing.): usisogeze meza! don’t move the table!

How is nitaisogeza built?

It’s one verb word with stacked prefixes:

ni- = I (subject)
-ta- = future tense
-i- = object marker for noun class 9 (referring to meza “table”)
sogeza = move (something) Altogether: ni-ta-i-sogeza → nitaisogeza = I will move it.

Why is the object marker -i- used here?

Because meza (table) is a class 9 noun, and the class 9 object marker is i-. In the second clause, the table is already known, so Swahili naturally uses the object marker to mean “it”: nitaisogeza = I will move it.

Could I just repeat the noun instead of using the object marker?

Yes. Both are correct:

Nitasogeza meza baadaye. I will move the table later.
Nitaisogeza baadaye. I will move it later. (more natural when the object is already known)

Why isn’t there an object marker in the first clause (usisogeze meza)?

Because the noun meza is stated explicitly. You typically don’t double-mark a direct object with both the full noun and its object marker unless for special emphasis or when the object is preposed.

What’s the difference between sogeza and sogea?

sogeza (transitive): move something (often a short/closer shift). Example: Sogeza meza. Move the table.
sogea (intransitive): move yourself/come closer. Example: Sogea karibu. Come closer. So usisogee meza would mean “don’t move yourself toward the table,” which is not the same as “don’t move the table.”

How would I say this to more than one person?

Use the plural negative imperative msi-:

Tafadhali msisogeze meza; nitaisogeza baadaye. Please don’t move the table; I’ll move it later.

How would I say “Please don’t move the tables (plural); I’ll move them later”?

Tafadhali msisogeze meza; nitazisogeza baadaye. Notes:
meza is both singular (class 9) and plural (class 10).
The plural object marker for class 10 is zi- → nitazisogeza = I’ll move them.

Can I put tafadhali somewhere else?

Yes. Common placements:

Tafadhali, usisogeze meza…
Usisogeze meza tafadhali… You can also soften with Naomba usisogeze meza… (I kindly request…) or Samahani, usisogeze meza… (Excuse me, don’t move the table…).

Is the semicolon necessary? Could I use a comma or a connector?

A semicolon is fine in writing. You’ll also see:

Usisogeze meza, nitaisogeza baadaye.
Usisogeze meza; nitaisogeza baadaye.
Or add a connector: Usisogeze meza kwa sasa; nitaisogeza baadaye. / Usisogeze meza, lakini nitaisogeza baadaye.

What does baadaye mean exactly, and how do I pronounce it?

It means “later.” Pronunciation: baa-da-ye (with a long “aa”). Spelling is baadaye (not “baadae”).

Are there other verbs for “move” besides sogeza?

Yes, with nuances:

hamisha = relocate/transfer (often to a different place entirely)
songesha = move/push forwards/along
sukuma = push
vuta = pull Examples:
Usihamishe meza; nitaihamisha baadaye. Don’t relocate the table; I’ll relocate it later.
Usiisukume meza; nitaivuta/sogeza baadaye. Don’t push the table; I’ll pull/move it later.

How would the object marker change with other nouns?

It follows the noun class of the object:

Class 5 gari (car): OM li- → Usisogeze gari; nitalisogeza baadaye.
Class 8 vitabu (books): OM vi- → Usisogeze vitabu; nitavisogeza baadaye.
Class 1 (human singular) mtu (person): OM m- → Usimsogeze; nitamsogeza baadaye. Swahili chooses the OM that matches the object’s noun class.

Can I add direction or beneficiary, like “move it closer to the wall” or “for me”?

Use the applicative suffix -ea/-ia with sogeza → sogezea:

Nitaisogezea ukutani baadaye. I’ll move it (closer) to the wall later.
Naomba usisogeze meza; nitaisogezea mimi baadaye. Please don’t move the table; I’ll move it for myself later.

Any tips on pronunciation in this sentence?

Tafadhali: dh is like the voiced “th” in “this” in many accents (some pronounce it like a plain “d”).
nitaisogeza: syllables ni-ta-i-so-ge-za; primary stress is on the second-to-last syllable: so-GE-za.
baadaye: baa-DA-ye; stress on DA; keep the double “aa.”