Learn Hardcore Swahili: Simu ikilia, tafadhali jibu kwa sauti ya heshima. - If the phone rings, please answer in a respectful voice.

The -ki- in i-ki-lia marks a subordinate time/condition: “when/whenever/if (it) …”. So Simu ikilia means “When/If the phone rings,” introducing the circumstance under which the next action should happen.

Can you break down ikilia morphologically?

i- = subject marker for noun class 9 (for simu, “phone”)
-ki- = “when/if/while” marker (simultaneous/habitual)
-lia = verb root “cry/ring”
final vowel -a So: i-ki-lia = “when it rings.”

Why is the subject marker i- used and not a-?

Because simu is a class 9 noun, whose subject marker is i- (singular) and zi- (plural). For plural: Simu zikilia, … = “When the phones ring, …”. The marker a- is for class 1 (he/she).

Could I say Wakati simu inalia instead? Any nuance?

Yes. Wakati simu inalia, … is fine and slightly more explicit (“at the time when the phone is ringing”). Simu ikilia, … is more compact and very common in instructions. Both are natural; -ki- tends to sound more generic/habitual.

What about itakapolia? How is Simu itakapolia different from Simu ikilia?

Simu ikilia = “when/if/whenever it rings” (general, open-ended).
Simu itakapolia uses the future-time relative -takapo-, meaning “when (specifically, at that future time) it rings.” It’s more specific/one-off.

Could I use ikiwa or kama for “if”?

Yes:

Ikiwa/kama simu italia, … = “If the phone will ring, …” (conditional).
Kama simu inalia, … = “If the phone is ringing, …” (present-time check). The -ki- form is often preferred for concise instructions and “when/whenever” senses.

Is jibu the right verb for picking up a ringing phone, or should it be pokea?

Both occur, but:

pokea simu is the standard for “answer a call” (pick up).
jibu means “answer/reply (to a question/caller).” In many contexts you’ll hear Tafadhali pokea simu as the most idiomatic way to tell someone to answer the phone. Tafadhali jibu simu is understandable and used, but slightly less specific.

Do I need to repeat simu after jibu, or can I use an object marker?

Options:

Tafadhali jibu simu (common and clear).
Tafadhali ijibu (uses the class 9 object marker i-: “please answer it”).
Both are correct; repeating simu is very natural in speech.

How do I address more than one person?

Use the plural imperative:

Singular: jibu / pokea
Plural: jibuni / pokeeni So: Tafadhali jibuni/pokeeni kwa sauti ya heshima.

What does kwa do in kwa sauti ya heshima?

kwa introduces manner (“in/with/by”). Kwa sauti ya heshima = “in a respectful tone/voice.” Compare:

kwa haraka = quickly
kwa upole = gently/politely

Does kwa sauti ya heshima mean “quietly/softly”?

Not necessarily. It’s about tone and respectfulness, not volume. If you mean “quietly,” say kwa sauti ya chini or kimya kimya depending on context. Heshima focuses on politeness and deference.

Why ya heshima and not wa or za?

Agreement with sauti (class 9):

Singular class 9 uses ya: sauti ya heshima
Plural class 10 uses za: sauti za heshima wa is for class 1/2 (people), so it doesn’t fit sauti.

Can I drop “sauti” and just say kwa heshima?

Yes: Tafadhali jibu kwa heshima = “Please answer respectfully.” Using sauti highlights “tone of voice,” while kwa heshima is a broader adverbial “respectfully.”

Can the clause order change?

Yes. Both are fine:

Simu ikilia, tafadhali jibu kwa sauti ya heshima.
Tafadhali jibu kwa sauti ya heshima simu ikilia. Initial position is more common for instructions. The comma simply marks the pause; it’s optional but helpful.

How do I make a polite negative command?

Use the prohibitive with usi- (sg.) / msi- (pl.):

Singular: Tafadhali usijibu kwa sauti ya dharau. (Please don’t answer in a disrespectful tone.)
Plural: Tafadhali msijibu kwa sauti ya dharau.