Learn Hardcore Swahili: Acha nitumie gundi kidogo kubandika kibandiko hiki kwenye daftari. - Let me use a little glue to stick this sticker on the notebook.

Pattern 1: Acha
- bare verb → “stop (doing)”: Acha kula = “Stop eating.”
Pattern 2: Acha
- subject prefix + subjunctive → “let/allow (someone) to …”: Acha nitumie = “Let me use,” Acha aende = “Let him go,” Acha tukutane = “Let’s meet.”

Because it’s followed by ni- + subjunctive (nitumie), it means “let me (use).”

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

The final -e marks the subjunctive mood. After verbs like acha (“let/allow”) you use the subjunctive:

Correct: Acha nitumie (“Let me use”)
Not correct: ✗ Acha nitumia

You’ll also see the subjunctive after purpose markers like ili (“so that”): ili nitumie (“so that I may use”). It’s also used for polite requests: Nipe gundi kidogo (“Give me a little glue”). Here, nipe is subjunctive of -pa (“give”).

Is gundi kidogo the right way to say “a little glue”? Can kidogo go elsewhere?

Yes. Gundi kidogo = “a little (bit of) glue.” Alternatives:

Adverbial: Acha nitumie gundi kidogo tu (“Let me use just a little glue.”)
Partitive: Acha nitumie kidogo cha gundi (“Let me use a little of the glue.”) Note the connector cha because kidogo behaves like a class 7 noun in this construction. Don’t say ✗ kidogo ya gundi.

Placing kidogo before the noun (✗ kidogo gundi) is not idiomatic; use one of the forms above.

What is kubandika doing here? Do I need ili before it?

Kubandika is the infinitive “to stick/paste” and here it expresses purpose: “to stick this sticker on the notebook.” In Swahili, an infinitive alone often marks purpose:

… gundi kidogo kubandika … = “… a little glue to stick …” You may add ili for clarity or formality: … gundi kidogo ili kubandika …. Both are acceptable. You can also say kwa ajili ya kubandika (“for the purpose of sticking”), which is more formal.

Why do we have both kubandika and kibandiko? Are they related? Can I just say stika?

Yes, they’re related. Bandika is the verb “to stick/paste.” Ki-…-o is a common derivational pattern for “tool/thing/result of the action,” so kibandiko is “a thing that is stuck/a sticker.” Other examples:

piga → kipigo (a blow/beating)
andika → andiko (a piece of writing)

In everyday speech you’ll also hear the loanword stika for “sticker.” So kibandiko and stika both work.

Why is it kibandiko hiki and not some other demonstrative? How do demonstratives agree?

Kibandiko is class 7 (ki-/vi-). The class-7 proximal demonstrative (“this, near me”) is hiki, so kibandiko hiki = “this sticker.” Quick reference:

Singular (class 7): hiki (this), hicho (that near you/aforementioned), kile (that over there)
Plural (class 8): hivi, hivyo, vile

How would I say “these stickers” instead of “this sticker”?

Make the noun and demonstrative plural (class 8):

vibandiko hivi = “these stickers” You’d then adjust the rest as needed: … kubandika vibandiko hivi kwenye daftari …

Can I replace kibandiko hiki with “it” and say kukibandika?

Yes, with an object marker for class 7 (ki-), the infinitive becomes ku-ki-bandika → kukibandika (“to stick it”). Use this if the object is already known:

… gundi kidogo kukibandika kwenye daftari = “… a little glue to stick it on the notebook.”

Avoid double-marking (object marker + full noun) unless for emphasis/topicalization. So normally don’t say ✗ kukibandika kibandiko hiki unless you intentionally want the redundancy.

Is kwenye the best way to say “on” here? How is it different from juu ya and katika?

kwenye is a general locative (“in/at/on”), very common in conversation: kwenye daftari can mean “on the notebook” (cover) or “in the notebook” (pages), depending on context.
juu ya is specifically “on top of”: juu ya daftari = “on top of the notebook (surface/cover).”
katika is “in/inside/within” and sounds a bit more formal: katika daftari = “in the notebook.”

You can also use the locative suffix -ni: daftarini = “in/at the notebook.” All are acceptable; choose based on the exact spatial meaning you want.

Can I say daftarini instead of kwenye daftari? What about using both?

Yes, daftarini (adding -ni) is idiomatic: … kubandika … daftarini. Many speakers also say kwenye daftarini (double locative), and it’s common in speech, though some style guides prefer using just one locative marker: either kwenye daftari or daftarini.

How can I make the request more polite or formal than Acha nitumie …?

Options:

Naomba nitumie gundi kidogo … (“May I please use a little glue …”)
Je, naweza kutumia gundi kidogo …? (“May I use a little glue …?”)
Tafadhali niruhusu nitumie gundi kidogo … (“Please allow me to use a little glue …”)

All are polite; naomba and naweza are very common in requests.

How do I say “on my/your/their notebook”?

Use class-5 possessives with daftari (sg. class 5):

kwenye daftari langu = on my notebook
kwenye daftari lako = on your (sg) notebook
kwenye daftari lake = on his/her notebook
kwenye daftari letu/lenu/lao = on our/your (pl)/their notebook

Plural (class 6) “notebooks” is madaftari, with plural possessives: madaftari yangu, yako, yake, etc.

Is there a difference between acha and wacha?

They’re variants of the same verb. Acha is standard; wacha is very common in Kenyan Swahili. Both are understood. Your sentence would also be fine as Wacha nitumie gundi kidogo …

Can I say hiki kibandiko instead of kibandiko hiki?

Default, neutral placement is noun + demonstrative: kibandiko hiki. Preposing the demonstrative (hiki kibandiko) is possible but adds emphasis/contrast, roughly “this sticker (as opposed to another).” For everyday neutral reference, stick with kibandiko hiki.

How do I negate it if I want “Let me not use glue …” or “Don’t let me use …”?

Use the negative subjunctive:

“Let me not use …”: Acha nisitumie gundi … (ni-si-tumi-e) For “Don’t let me …” directed at someone, you can say:
Usiniruhusu nitumie gundi … (“Don’t allow me to use glue …”)
Or simply state your intention: Sitaki kutumia gundi … (“I don’t want to use glue …”) depending on context.