Learn Hardcore Swahili: Je, unaweza kuhesabu vitabu hivi kwenye meza?

Je is a yes/no question marker. It turns a statement into a question without changing the word order: Unaweza kuhesabu… becomes Je, unaweza kuhesabu…? It’s common in writing and clear in speech.

Do I need the comma after Je?

No—the comma is optional. Many writers include it to show a pause (Je, unaweza…), but Je unaweza… is also acceptable.

Can I ask the same question without Je?

Yes. You can simply say Unaweza kuhesabu vitabu hivi kwenye meza? with questioning intonation. Both forms are natural.

Why is it unaweza kuhesabu and not unaweza hesabu?

After modal-like verbs such as -weza (can/be able), the following verb is normally in the infinitive with ku-: kuhesabu (“to count”). Dropping ku- here is ungrammatical.

How would I say “Will you count …” instead of “Can you count …”?

Use the future on the main verb: Je, utahesabu vitabu hivi kwenye meza? (uta- = future 2nd person singular).

How do I ask several people (you plural)?

Change the subject marker to plural: Je, mnaweza kuhesabu vitabu hivi kwenye meza? (m- = 2nd person plural).

Why is it vitabu and hivi? What are the singular forms?

kitabu = book (class 7), plural vitabu (class 8).
Demonstratives agree with noun class:
- Class 7 singular: hiki (“this”)
- Class 8 plural: hivi (“these”) So: kitabu hiki / vitabu hivi.

Why does the demonstrative come after the noun (vitabu hivi)?

The default order in Swahili is noun + demonstrative: kitabu hiki, vitabu hivi. Preposing (hivi vitabu) is possible for emphasis or contrast, but it’s less common in neutral speech.

What are the other “this/that” forms for this noun class?

For class 8 (plural of class 7):

Near the speaker: hivi = these
Near the listener/previously mentioned: hivyo = those
Far from both: vile = those (over there) Examples: vitabu hivyo, vitabu vile.

Is kwenye meza the best way to say “on the table”? What about juu ya meza or mezani?

kwenye meza = on/at the table (very common, general location)
juu ya meza = on top of the table (explicit surface)
mezani = at the table; often also used as “on the table” in context Avoid katika meza for “on the table” (it suggests “inside the table”).

Could the sentence mean “count while on the table” (i.e., the action happens on the table)?

Not normally. kwenye meza most naturally modifies the noun phrase vitabu hivi (“these books [that are] on the table”). For extra clarity: Je, unaweza kuhesabu vitabu hivi vilivyo juu ya meza?

Can I move the location phrase elsewhere in the sentence?

Yes, though the end position is most natural. Alternatives:

Je, unaweza kuhesabu vitabu hivi mezani?
Less common/marked: Je, unaweza kuhesabu mezani vitabu hivi?

Do I need an object marker like kuvihesabu?

No. When the object is a full noun phrase (vitabu hivi), you normally don’t also use the object marker. Use it when the object is pronominal/understood:

Je, unaweza kuvihesabu? = “Can you count them?” (ku-vi-hesabu = to-them-count, with vi- as the class-8 object marker).

How do I answer this yes/no question naturally?

Yes: Ndiyo, naweza (kuhesabu).
No: Hapana, siwezi (kuhesabu).

How do I ask the negative version, “Can’t you count …?”?

Use the negative present for 2nd person singular: Huwezi kuhesabu vitabu hivi kwenye meza? You can also add Je: Je, huwezi kuhesabu …?

How do I make it a polite request rather than an ability question?

Imperative with “please”: Tafadhali, hesabu vitabu hivi (kwenye meza).
Polite request: Naomba uhesabu vitabu hivi (kwenye meza).

Do I have to include the pronoun wewe?

No. The subject is already encoded in the verb prefix u- in unaweza. Wewe unaweza… adds emphasis/contrast (“you, specifically, can…”).

Any pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

Je = “jeh”
kwenye: ny is a single sound, like “ny” in “canyon”; say “kwen-ye”
hivi: “HEE-vee”
hesabu: the h is pronounced (not silent)