Learn Hardcore Swahili: Nikirudi nyumbani, nitaoga, nitapasha maziwa, nitapumzika mapema. - When I return home, I will bathe, warm the milk, and rest early.

The initial ni- is the subject prefix for first person singular (I). Swahili verbs mark the subject on the verb, so you usually don’t need the pronoun mimi unless you want emphasis.

ni
- ta
  - oga = I + future + bathe/shower
ni
- ta
  - pasha = I + future + warm/heat
ni
- ta
  - pumzika = I + future + rest

What does the -ta- part mean?

-ta- is the future tense marker, roughly “will.” So nitaoga = “I will bathe,” nitapasha = “I will heat,” nitapumzika = “I will rest.”
Negation uses si- before -ta-: sitaoga, sitapasha, sitapumzika = “I will not …”

Why is it Nikirudi nyumbani instead of something like Nitarudi nyumbani?

Nikirudi uses the -ki- dependent marker to mean “when/if I return.” It makes a time/condition clause that sets the stage for what follows.
Using Nitarudi nyumbani, nitaoga… simply lists two future actions (“I will return home, I will shower…”), without the same “when … then …” relationship that nikirudi …, nita-… expresses.

Does -ki- in nikirudi mean “if” or “when”?

It can express either, depending on context:

“When” for a real, expected time: Nikirudi nyumbani, nitaoga = “When I get home, I’ll shower.”
“If” for a condition: Nikipata muda, nitapika = “If I get time, I’ll cook.” Tone and context usually make the intention clear.

Could I say nitakaporudi instead of nikirudi? What’s the difference?

Yes. NITAKAPORUDI uses the future-relative -kapo- (“when [in the future]”) and is often more precise/formal for a one-time future moment:

Nitakaporudi nyumbani, nitaoga… = “When I return home (at that time), I will shower …”
Nikirudi is very common, slightly more general/neutral.

Why is there no preposition like “to” before nyumbani?

The -ni ending on nyumbani is a locative. With motion verbs, it naturally means “to home”; with stative verbs, “at home”; with source verbs, “from home.”

Ninarudi nyumbani = I’m going (back) home
Niko nyumbani = I’m at home
Ninatoka nyumbani = I’m leaving (from) home

Is nitapasha maziwa natural, or should it be nitapasha maziwa moto or nitachemsha maziwa?

kupasha moto = to warm/heat up (not necessarily to boil). Many speakers include moto explicitly for clarity: nitapasha maziwa moto.
kuchemsha maziwa = to boil milk.
Using kupasha without moto occurs in speech but can be ambiguous, since kupasha also means “to inform” in some contexts (kupasha habari). For clear “heat the milk,” say nitapasha maziwa moto; for “boil the milk,” say nitachemsha maziwa.

What’s the difference between kuoga and kuogelea?

kuoga = to bathe/shower (wash one’s body).
kuogelea = to swim.
Learners sometimes confuse them because both involve water.

Where can I put mapema? Must it come at the end?

Mapema (“early”) is a flexible adverb and commonly comes after the verb: nitapumzika mapema. You can move it for emphasis:

Mapema nitapumzika (fronted, more emphatic/stylistic)
Nitapumzika mapema sana (very early) Keeping it after the verb is the most neutral.

Are the commas necessary? How else can I show the sequence of actions?

Commas are fine and common. To make the sequence explicit, you can add connectors:

Nikirudi nyumbani, nitaoga, kisha nitapasha maziwa, halafu nitapumzika mapema. Common sequencers: kisha, halafu, baadaye. Semicolons also work in writing.

Do I need to repeat nita- before every verb, or can I avoid repetition?

Repeating nita- is perfectly normal in Swahili. Alternatives:

Use a coordinator plus an infinitive for closely linked actions: Nikirudi nyumbani, nitaoga na kupumzika mapema.
Keep nita- but add sequencers: nitaoga kisha nitapasha maziwa halafu nitapumzika. Avoid piling many bare infinitives; use them sparingly to join very closely related actions.

How would I negate the whole thing, including the “when” clause?

Use the negative future in the main clauses and the negative “when/if not” form in the opener:

Nisiporudi nyumbani, sitaoga, sitapasha maziwa, sitapumzika mapema. Here nisiporudi = “if/when I don’t return,” and sita-… = “I will not …”

Is maziwa singular or plural in Swahili?

Maziwa is a class 6 noun (ma-), used as a mass noun for “milk.” It historically looks like a plural (of ziwa, “breast”), but for “milk” you just use maziwa as-is. Adjectives and agreement follow class 6 when needed:

maziwa mengi = a lot of milk
maziwa yote = all the milk