Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tukimaliza kazi, tutazima taa zote, tutafunga mlango, tutaondoka kwa utaratibu. - When we finish the work, we will switch off all the lights, lock the door, and leave in an orderly way.

tu- = “we” (1st‑person plural subject marker)
-ta- = future tense “will” So:
tutazima = tu- (we) + -ta- (will) + zima (turn off)
tutafunga = tu- + -ta- + funga (close)
tutaondoka = tu- + -ta- + ondoka (leave/depart) In tukimaliza, there’s no -ta-. It’s tu-
- -ki-
  - maliza → “when/if we finish.”

What does -ki- in tukimaliza mean?

-ki- marks a dependent time/condition clause: “when/if/while.” With a future main clause, it usually means “when/once.” So Tukimaliza kazi, … ≈ “When we finish the work, …” Context can make it conditional (“if we finish”).

Could I say Tukishamaliza kazi instead? What’s the difference?

Yes. -sha- is the completive (“already/completely”), so tukishamaliza means “once we’ve finished (completely).” tukimaliza is a neutral “when we finish.”

Can I rephrase the opener with baada ya (“after”)?

Yes: Baada ya kumaliza kazi, … = “After finishing the work, …” You can also say Baada ya kazi kumalizika, … = “After the work is finished, …”

Why is there no “and” between the future actions?

Swahili often lists actions with commas and repeats the verb: tutazima…, tutafunga…, tutaondoka… You may optionally add sequence words like kisha or halafu (“then”): … tutazima taa zote, kisha tutafunga mlango, halafu tutaondoka kwa utaratibu.

What does zima mean here?

zima = extinguish/turn off (a light, fire, engine). The opposite is washa (turn on/light). So tutazima taa zote = “we will turn off all the lights.”

Why is it taa zote and not taa yote or taa wote?

Because taa is class 9/10. The quantifier -ote (“all”) must agree with the noun class. For class 10 plural, the correct form is zote → taa zote (“all the lights”).

Is taa singular or plural here?

Taa can be singular or plural (class 9/10 doesn’t change form). The modifier shows number. taa zote is clearly plural; singular would be taa moja (“one light”).

Can I put zote before the noun, like zote taa?

Inside a noun phrase, -ote normally follows the noun: taa zote. You can front for focus in certain structures (e.g., as subject: Taa zote zimezimwa), but “zote taa” is not the normal order.

Why not use object markers like tutazizima or tutaufunga?

Object markers (OM) are used when the object is pronominal/given/topical.

Neutral/new objects: no OM → Tutazima taa zote. Tutafunga mlango.
Known objects (pronominalized): use OM and usually drop the noun → Tutazizima (zote). Tutaufunga. OM + full noun (e.g., Tutazizima taa zote) occurs for emphasis/topicality, but many learners avoid it until they’re comfortable with information structure.

Does funga mlango mean “close” or “lock”?

Both are possible from context. funga = close/shut/fasten; it can imply “lock.” To be explicit:

“close the door” → funga mlango
“lock the door” → funga mlango kwa funguo / funga kwa kufuli (with a key/padlock) There’s also fungia = “lock in/lock up.”

Could I avoid repeating tuta- three times?

In standard Swahili, each verb in the sequence carries its own subject/tense marker: tutazima…, tutafunga…, tutaondoka… You can add connectors (kisha/halafu), but don’t drop tuta- from the later verbs in neutral prose.

What’s the nuance of kwa utaratibu? Could I just say taratibu?

kwa utaratibu literally “with order/procedure” → “in an orderly/organized way.” taratibu used adverbially means “gently/carefully/slowly.” Both are positive, but:

kwa utaratibu = orderly/by the book
taratibu = gently/carefully/slowly (not necessarily organized)

Could I say Kazi ikimalizika, … instead of Tukimaliza kazi, …?

Yes. Kazi ikimalizika, … uses an inchoative/passive-like form: “when the work is finished.” It omits the agent. Other natural variants: Kazi ikishamalizika, … or Kazi ikisha, …

Why is there a comma after Tukimaliza kazi?

It separates the dependent clause from the main clause. You could also place the time clause at the end: Tutazima taa zote, tutafunga mlango, tutaondoka kwa utaratibu tukimaliza kazi.

How do I say “we will all leave,” making “all” refer to the people, not the lights?

Add sote (“all of us”): Tukimaliza kazi, tutazima taa zote, tutafunga mlango, sote tutaondoka kwa utaratibu.

Anything to note about mlango?

It’s class 3 (m-/mi-). Singular mlango, plural milango. For several doors you’d say: Tutafunga milango yote (“we’ll close all the doors”).