Learn Hardcore Swahili: Asha alipiga simu, akaomba ruhusa, akaenda saluni kukata nywele. - Asha made a phone call, asked for permission, then went to the salon to cut her hair.

It’s the consecutive/narrative marker -ka- attached to the subject prefix a- (she), giving aka-. It links events in sequence by the same subject and roughly means “and then (she) …”. It inherits the time already set by the first verb (alipiga).

Why not just say alipiga … aliomba … alienda …?

You can. Using ali- each time is grammatical but sounds more list-like. The aka- chain makes the flow of consecutive actions clearer and more story-like.

Do I need na (and) before akaomba or akaenda?

No. aka- itself implies “and then.” You can add na, kisha, or halafu for style or emphasis: alipiga simu, kisha akaomba ruhusa…

How is alipiga formed, and why does piga mean “make a call”?

Morphology: a- (she) + -li- (past) + piga (hit/strike). piga appears in many fixed collocations: kupiga simu (make a call), kupiga picha (take a photo), kupiga mswaki (brush teeth), kupiga kelele (make noise).

Does simu mean the phone device or the call?

Both, depending on context. Here kupiga simu = “to make a call.” To say “call someone,” include the object: alimpigia bosi simu (she called her boss).

What exactly does kuomba ruhusa mean?

“Ask for permission/leave.” It’s a common polite phrase in work or social contexts. You’ll also hear Naomba ruhusa = “May I be excused?” Near-synonyms: idhini, kibali (more formal/official).

What’s the difference between alipiga and amepiga?

alipiga = simple past (“she called”). amepiga = present perfect (“she has called”), often implying current relevance. In a narrative chain, alipiga … aka-… is the norm.

Why is it kukata nywele after akaenda saluni?

kukata is an infinitive of purpose: “she went to the salon to cut (her) hair.” If you say akaenda saluni akakata nywele, you assert that the cutting actually happened next; the infinitive just states the intention.

Why not nywele zake (“her hair”)?

With body parts, possession is usually understood. kukata nywele normally means “get a haircut (one’s own hair).” Specify only if needed: kukata nywele za mtoto (cut the child’s hair).

Is saluni the same as kinyozi?

Not exactly. saluni is a salon/beauty parlor (often broader services), while kinyozi is a barbershop/the barber. Choice depends on context and the service.

Do I need a preposition before saluni?

No. Motion verbs can take a bare place noun: akaenda saluni. You can also say akaenda kwenye saluni (“went to the salon”) or akaenda kwa kinyozi (“went to the barber’s”).

Is the -ni at the end of saluni a locative suffix?

No. saluni is the base form of a borrowed noun; the final -ni here is part of the word, not the locative ending. If you want a locative, use a preposition: kwenye saluni.

Can I start a sentence with aka-, e.g., Akaenda saluni…?

Yes, but typically only when continuing a story where the subject/time is already known (“Then she went…”). For a fresh start, anchor first with a normal past (alipiga…), then use aka-.

How do I negate parts of this chain?

Use the regular past negative and break the aka- sequence: hakuomba ruhusa (she didn’t ask), hakuenda saluni (she didn’t go). You can contrast with lakini/wala: alipiga simu, lakini hakuenda saluni.

Are the commas required?

No. They’re optional and mainly help readability: Asha alipiga simu, akaomba ruhusa, akaenda saluni… Without commas is also fine.

What noun classes are simu, saluni, and nywele?

simu and saluni are class 9/10: simu mpya, saluni nzuri. nywele is class 10 (usually plural/mass): nywele ndefu.