Learn Hardcore Swahili: Panguza sinki kwa sponji safi, kisha osha sahani. - Wipe the sink with a clean sponge, then wash the plates.

panguza = to wipe/wipe off (remove dirt/moisture using a cloth, sponge, paper towel, etc.). Typical: panguza meza/dirisha/gesi.
osha = to wash (with water, often soap). Typical: osha sahani/mikono/nguo.
Related verbs:
- futa = to wipe/erase (wipe off marks, delete). You can futa ubao (wipe the board), futa machozi (wipe tears).
- safisha = to clean (general “make clean”). Safisha sinki is broader than panguza sinki.
- oga = to bathe oneself; osha = to wash something/someone else. Example: naoga (I bathe), naosha mtoto (I wash the child).

Why is it kwa sponji safi? Could I say na sponji safi for “with a clean sponge”?

kwa marks means/instrument: “by/with the means of.” So panguza … kwa sponji is the standard, precise choice.
na primarily means “with (together with).” Many speakers also use na for instruments in casual speech, so panguza … na sponji safi will be understood, but kwa is more careful/neutral.
You can also say kwa kutumia sponji safi (“by using a clean sponge”) for extra clarity.

Why doesn’t the adjective safi change form? Shouldn’t it agree with sponji?

safi (clean) is invariable; it does not take class agreement. It’s from Arabic and behaves the same across noun classes: sponji safi, sahani safi, nyumba safi, vyombo safi.
Many native Bantu adjectives do show agreement, e.g. -zuri (“good”): mtu mzuri, kisu kizuri, vyombo vizuri, nyumba nzuri.

Why is it sponji safi (adjective after the noun)? Could I say safi sponji?

In Swahili, descriptive adjectives normally follow the noun: sponji safi (“clean sponge”).
Putting the adjective first (e.g., safi sponji) is ungrammatical in standard Swahili (apart from special fixed expressions or emphasis patterns that don’t apply here).

Is sahani singular or plural here?

sahani (plate) belongs to noun class 9/10, where singular and plural often look the same. Context decides.
In kitchen talk, sahani often means “plates” in general. If you want to be explicit:
- one plate: sahani moja
- the plates/all the plates: sahani zote
If you mean “the dishes/utensils” more broadly, use vyombo: osha vyombo.

How would I address more than one person (plural imperative)?

Add -ni to the verb:
- Panguzeni sinki kwa sponji safi, kisha osheni sahani.

How do I say “wash them all” or “wipe it” using object pronouns?

With object markers, the verb takes the subjunctive ending -e in commands.
Examples:
- “Wash it (the plate, class 9)” → Ioshe!
- “Wash them (the plates, class 10)” → Zioshe!
- “Wash it (the sink, class 5)” → Lioshe!
- “Wash them all (the dishes, class 8: vyombo)” → Vioshe vyote!
Negative commands take usi-/msi- plus the object marker and -e:
- “Don’t wash it (sg.)” → Usiioshe!
- “Don’t wash them (pl.)” → Musione / Msizio… (e.g., Msizioshe! for class 10)

Could I say kisha uoshe sahani instead of kisha osha sahani? What’s the difference?

osha is the bare imperative (“wash!”).
uoshe is the subjunctive (“that you should wash”), often used after connectors like kisha in instructions.
Both are acceptable. kisha osha… sounds a touch more direct; kisha uoshe… can feel slightly more “instructional/stepwise,” but both are natural.

Can I use halafu instead of kisha? Are there differences among kisha, halafu, baadaye, etc.?

kisha and halafu both mean “then/after that.” kisha can feel a bit more formal or written; halafu is very common in speech. Meaning-wise they overlap heavily here.
baadaye = “later” (not necessarily immediately next).
ndipo = “and then (that’s when) …,” often indicating a resulting step.

Is the comma before kisha required?

No. It’s optional and used for readability. You can write:
- Panguza sinki kwa sponji safi kisha osha sahani.
- or with a comma as given.

Is sinki the standard word for “sink”? What about its plural?

Yes, sinki is standard for a kitchen/bathroom sink. A common plural is masinki (many borrowed nouns take class 5/6 with plural ma-).
You may also hear sinki ya/jikoni in speech, but the more class-conscious “of” construction would be sinki la jikoni (class 5 takes la).

How do you pronounce the ng in panguza?

It’s like the “ng” in English “finger” ([ŋg]).
Contrast with ng’ (with an apostrophe), which is like the “ng” in English “singer” ([ŋ]) as in ng’ombe (cow).
So panguza is pronounced [paŋguza].

Can I move kwa sponji safi to a different position?

Yes. Prepositional phrases can be fronted for emphasis or style:
- Kwa sponji safi, panguza sinki, kisha osha sahani.
The original order (Panguza sinki kwa sponji safi …) is the most neutral and common.

If I want to say “first … then …,” how do I add “first”?

Is sahani the best word for “dishes,” or should I use something else?

sahani = plates specifically.
For “the dishes” (plates, cups, pans, etc.), use vyombo:
- Panguza sinki …, kisha osha vyombo.
For pots specifically: sufuria/masufuria.

Could I use futa or safisha instead of panguza? What changes?

futa overlaps with “wipe,” but often suggests wiping off/erasing marks or moisture (e.g., a whiteboard, tears). Futa sinki is understandable but less specific about using a wiping tool; it can also suggest “remove (traces).”
safisha is “clean (make clean)” and is broader. Safisha sinki is perfectly fine and emphasizes the end state (clean), not the method.
panguza foregrounds the wiping action/method (very natural with kwa sponji).