Learn Hardcore Swahili: Asubuhi niliamka mapema, nikaoga, nikavaa, nikatoka kwenda kazini. - In the morning I woke up early, then I bathed, got dressed, and went to work.

niliamka = ni- (I) + -li- (past) + -amka (wake up) → “I woke up”
nikaoga = ni- (I) + -ka- (sequential ‘and then’) + -oga (bathe/shower) → “and then I showered”
nikavaa = ni-
- -ka-
  - -vaa (wear/put on) → “and then I got dressed”
nikatoka = ni-
- -ka-
  - -toka (leave/go out) → “and then I left”

Why does the sentence switch from -li- (in niliamka) to -ka- (in nikaoga, nikavaa, nikatoka)?

-li- sets the time: simple past.
-ka- then chains subsequent actions under that same time, adding the sense “and then.” It’s the narrative/sequential marker. So after establishing past time with nili-, the nika- forms keep the story moving.

Can I just use the simple past for all the verbs?

Yes: Asubuhi niliamka mapema, nilioga, nilivaa, nilitoka kwenda kazini. This is correct. Using -ka- simply makes it flow more naturally as a sequence (“and then…”).

Can a sentence start with a nika- verb?

Only if you’re continuing from a previously established context/time. You wouldn’t normally open a story with nika- out of the blue. After one past-tense clause (or a preceding sentence), nika- is fine.

Why isn’t there na (“and”) between the verbs?

Because -ka- already means “and then.” You can add na to coordinate phrases or nouns, but for a chain of actions, -ka- (or adverbs like kisha/halafu) does the job.

Why is Asubuhi on its own—no word for “in the morning”?

Time words (like asubuhi, mchana, jioni, jana, leo, kesho) act adverbially by themselves. So Asubuhi = “In the morning.” No preposition is required.

Is it kwenda or kuenda?

Both occur, but kwenda is the standard infinitive of -enda (go). The usual pattern is ku- + verb, but with -enda, it becomes kwenda.

What does kazi-ni mean, and why does it translate as “to work” here?

-ni is a locative suffix: kazi (work) → kazini (“at/in work”). With movement verbs like kwenda (go), a locative often expresses destination: kwenda kazini = “go to work.” Common parallels: nyumbani (home), shuleni (at school/to school), sokoni (at the market/to the market).

Could I say nikaenda kazini instead of nikatoka kwenda kazini?

Yes. nikaenda kazini = “and then I went to work.”
nikatoka kwenda kazini = “and then I left (the house/where I was) to go to work,” which subtly emphasizes the act of leaving before heading there.

What’s the difference between toka and ondoka?

toka: to come out/exit/leave (often from a specific place).
ondoka: to depart/leave (more general “set off”).
Both work here: nikatoka kwenda kazini or nikaondoka kwenda kazini. If you mention the place, kutoka nyumbani (“from home”) pairs naturally with toka.

Is kuoga the right verb for “to shower”? What about kujioga or kuosha?

kuoga = to bathe/shower (yourself). This is the normal verb; no reflexive ji- is needed.
kujioga is nonstandard/hypercorrect in most contexts.
kuosha = to wash something/someone else (e.g., kuosha vyombo “wash dishes”).

Is nikavaa okay without an object? Should I add nguo?

nikavaa is fine and idiomatic for “I got dressed.” If you want to specify, you can add an object: nikavaa nguo (“I put on clothes”), nikavaa shati (“I put on a shirt”), etc.

How would I negate parts of this sequence?

There’s no negative form of -ka-. For negation in the past, use si-…-ku- on the verb you want to negate and keep -ka- for continued positives. For example:

Asubuhi niliamka mapema, sikuoga, nikavaa, sikutoka kwenda kazini.
“I woke up early, didn’t shower, got dressed, and didn’t leave for work.”

How do I say this as a routine (habit), not a one-time event?

Use the habitual hu- (no subject prefix, no tense marker) for each verb:

Asubuhi huamka mapema, huoga, huvaa, huenda kazini.
“In the mornings I (usually) wake up early, shower, get dressed, and go to work.”

Can I use words like kisha or halafu instead of the -ka- chain?

Yes. You can say:

Asubuhi niliamka mapema, kisha nikaoga, kisha nikavaa, kisha nikaenda kazini.
Or drop -ka- after each kisha/halafu and use simple past:
Asubuhi niliamka mapema, kisha nilioga, kisha nilivaa, kisha nilienda kazini.
All are acceptable; -ka- is simply a compact, very natural way to narrate sequences.