Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mama anatumia cherehani kutengeneza nguo nyumbani. - Mother uses a sewing machine to make clothes at home.

a- = 3rd person singular subject marker (class 1: he/she)
-na- = present tense marker (often “is …ing” or general present)
tumia = verb root “use” So anatumia = “she/he is using” or “she/he uses” (context decides).

Can I say Mama hutumia cherehani…? What’s the difference from anatumia?

Yes. hu- marks habitual/generic actions.

Mama anatumia… = she is using (right now) or currently uses.
Mama hutumia… = she usually/typically uses.
Note: with hu- there is no subject marker before the verb (not anahutumia, just hutumia).

Why isn’t there a word for “with” before cherehani?

Because tumia already means “use,” so the instrument is just the object: anatumia cherehani = “uses a sewing machine.”
If you use a different verb, you can add “with”: Anashona nguo kwa cherehani = “She sews clothes with a sewing machine.”

Is cherehani singular or plural? Which noun class is it?

Cherehani is class 9/10 (N-class) and its form is the same in singular and plural. Context or a number shows plurality:

Singular subject: Cherehani inaharibika (The sewing machine is breaking down).
Plural subject: Cherehani zinaharibika (The sewing machines are breaking down).
With a number: cherehani mbili (two sewing machines).

How would I say “Mothers are using a sewing machine…”?

Use the class-2 plural for people: Wamama wanatumia cherehani…
(You may also hear akina mama for “mothers/women” in some contexts.)

How do I make the sentence negative?

Use the negative subject marker plus final -i:

Mama hatumii cherehani kutengeneza nguo nyumbani. = “Mom is not using a sewing machine to make clothes at home.”

Why not say Mama anaitumia cherehani?

The object marker -i- (“it,” class 9) is usually used when the object is pronominal (not stated) or topicalized. With a full noun right after, you normally omit it:

Natural: Mama anatumia cherehani…
With topicalization/emphasis: Cherehani, mama anaiTUMIA… (here the doubling can signal emphasis/definiteness).

What’s the difference between kutengeneza nguo and kushona nguo?

kushona nguo = to sew/stitch clothes (specifically sewing).
kutengeneza nguo = to make/produce or even repair clothes (broader meaning).
With a sewing machine, kushona is very common: Mama anashona nguo kwa cherehani.

What exactly does nyumbani mean and how is it formed?

It’s nyumba (house/home) + the locative suffix -ni = “at home/at the house.”
It can mean location or direction depending on context:

Niko nyumbani = I’m at home.
Ninarudi nyumbani = I’m going home.
To specify whose home: nyumbani kwake (her home), kwangu (my), kwetu (our).

Can I move parts of the sentence around?

Yes, Swahili word order is flexible, though the original is very natural. Variants:

Mama anatumia cherehani nyumbani kutengeneza nguo.
Nyumbani, mama anatumia cherehani kutengeneza nguo.
Mama anatumia cherehani kutengeneza nguo nyumbani.
Shifts can affect focus/emphasis, but all are acceptable.

Do I need something like ili to express purpose before kutengeneza?

Not required. The bare infinitive often expresses purpose: … anatumia cherehani kutengeneza nguo… = “…uses a sewing machine to make clothes…”
You can add:

ili kutengeneza nguo (so as to make clothes)
kwa ajili ya kutengeneza nguo (for the purpose of making clothes).

How do I say “my mom” or “her mom” here?

Add a possessive after the noun:

Mama yangu anatumia… = My mom…
Mama yake anatumia… = Her/His mom…

How do I talk about past or future with this verb?

Past: Mama alitumia cherehani… (she used) / Mama ametumia… (she has used).
Future: Mama atatumia cherehani… (she will use).
Past progressive: Mama alikuwa akitumia cherehani… (she was using).

What about articles “a/the”? How do I say “the sewing machine/the clothes”?

Swahili has no articles. Use context or demonstratives for specificity:

cherehani hii/ile (this/that sewing machine)
nguo hizi/zile (these/those clothes)

How do the noun classes in this sentence affect agreement?

Mama (class 1, human) → verb takes a-: anatumia.
Cherehani (class 9/10) → if subject, uses i- (sg) / zi- (pl): inatumika/zinatumika.
Nguo (class 9/10) → as subject: nguo zinatengenezwa (clothes are being made).
Nyumbani is locative (-ni), not controlling standard subject agreement.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

nyu in nyumbani is like the “ny” in canyon (a palatal “ny”), roughly “nyu-”.
Initial ng in nguo is pronounced like “ng” in “sing,” followed by a “w” glide: “ngwo-oh.”
r in cherehani is a tapped/flapped r.
Swahili stress is usually on the second-to-last syllable: a-na-tu-MI-a, che-re-HA-ni, nyu-MBA-ni.