Learn Hardcore Swahili: Kibandiko kikidondoka, ongeza gundi zaidi ili kishikane. - If the sticker falls off, add more glue so that it sticks.

Kibandiko is most commonly a sticker or any small item that’s pasted on a surface. It comes from the verb -bandika (to paste/attach). You might also hear the loanword stika for sticker, and lebo for a label (a tag with information). Kibandiko is broader than lebo and more native than stika.

Which noun class is kibandiko in, and what’s its plural?

Kibandiko is in noun class 7 (ki-/vi-). Its plural is vibandiko (class 8).

Singular subject marker: ki- (as in kikidondoka)
Plural subject marker: vi- (as in vikidondoka)

Why is it kikidondoka with a double ki?

Because two different morphemes are at work:

ki- = class 7 subject marker referring to kibandiko
-ki- = the conditional/temporal marker meaning if/when/whenever
dondoka = fall off/drop Together: kikidondoka = if/when the sticker falls off.

Could it be ikidondoka instead?

Not with kibandiko, because kibandiko (class 7) takes ki-. Ikidondoka would be correct with a class 9 noun like stika (sticker): stika ikidondoka, ...

What nuance does the -ki- marker have compared to using kama or ikiwa for if?

The -ki- marker is compact and often reads as if/when/whenever, especially for general conditions: kikidondoka, .... With kama or ikiwa, you typically use normal tense marking:

Kama kibandiko kitadondoka, ... (if it will fall off)
Ikiwa kibandiko kidadondoka/kitadondoka, ... (if it falls/if it will fall) The -ki- form feels more immediate and procedural; kama/ikiwa can sound a bit more explicit or formal.

What’s the difference between dondoka and anguka?

dondoka: to drop/fall off (often something detached from another surface), which fits a sticker.
anguka: to fall down (more general—people, trees, big objects). So a sticker inadondoka, a person anaanguka.

Is ongeza an imperative? How do I make it plural or more polite?

Yes, ongeza is the singular imperative (you, one person). For plural, use ongezeni. To be polite, add tafadhali: Tafadhali ongeza gundi zaidi. You can also soften with tafadhali unaweza kuongezea ... if specifying what you’re adding glue to.

Why is zaidi placed after gundi? Could I put it before?

Zaidi usually follows what it’s quantifying: gundi zaidi = more glue. Putting zaidi before can change the meaning (e.g., zaidi ya gundi = more than glue), which isn’t what you want here.

What does ili do to the verb form?

Ili means so that/in order that and it triggers the subjunctive (final vowel -e). That’s why we get kishikane (not kishikana/kishika). So: ... ili kishikane = so that it may stick/adhere.

What is the -an- in kishikane doing? Why not simply kishike?

The -an- here is the reciprocal/associative suffix: -shik- + -an- suggests sticking/holding together with something else. Kishike (without -an-) would mean so that it holds, but kishikane captures the idea of mutual adhesion (the sticker and the surface sticking to each other).

Why not kishikamane instead of kishikane?

Both exist but differ slightly:

-shikana (as in kishikane) = to stick/hold to each other (neutral, common for two things contacting/attaching).
-shikamana (as in kishikamane) = to cohere/adhere firmly, often implying a tighter or mass-like bonding. In everyday instructions, kishikane is perfectly natural; kishikamane adds a nuance of stronger, more cohesive sticking.

Do I need to mention what it sticks to after kishikane?

Not necessarily; it’s understood from context. If you want to be explicit, add na or a prepositional phrase:

... ili kishikane na ukuta (with the wall)
... ili kishikane kwenye uso wa kifaa (onto the device’s surface)
... ili kishikane vizuri na karatasi (well with the paper)

Can I change the word order or drop the comma?

Yes. You can front the condition or put it after the command:

Kikidondoka, ongeza gundi zaidi ...
Ongeza gundi zaidi kikidondoka ... The comma is optional but helps readability when the conditional clause comes first.

How would the sentence change in the plural or with a different noun?

Plural stickers (vibandiko, class 8): Vibandiko vikidondoka, ongeza gundi zaidi ili vishikane.
Loanword sticker (stika, class 9): Stika ikidondoka, ongeza gundi zaidi ili ishikane.