Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mvua ilinyesha; hata hivyo, tulifika sokoni mapema. - It rained; however, we arrived at the market early.

hata hivyo literally means “even so/like that,” and functions like English “however” or “nevertheless.” It usually links two independent statements and prefers a pause/comma after it.
lakini means “but” and directly contrasts two clauses; it’s the most common, neutral coordinator.
ingawa means “although/though” and introduces a subordinate clause: Ingawa mvua ilinyesha, tulifika sokoni mapema.

Why is there a semicolon before hata hivyo? Could I use a period or a comma instead?

A semicolon is fine because you have two closely related independent clauses. You could also write:

Mvua ilinyesha. Hata hivyo, tulifika sokoni mapema.
Or use lakini with just a comma: Mvua ilinyesha, lakini tulifika sokoni mapema.

How is ilinyesha formed? What does the initial i- mean?

Swahili verb template: Subject Marker + Tense/Aspect + Verb Stem.

i- = subject marker for noun class 9/10 (fits mvua, “rain”)
-li- = past tense
-nyesha = verb stem “to rain” So i-li-nyesha = “(it) rained,” with “it” referring to a class 9 subject like mvua.

Do I have to include mvua? Could I just say Ilinyesha or Kulinyesha?

With mvua: Mvua ilinyesha is explicit and very natural.
Without the noun: Ilinyesha can work when context makes the weather subject clear.
Weather-neutral alternative: Kulinyesha = “it rained” (impersonal “it”). For present: Kunanyesha = “it’s raining.”

What’s the difference between Mvua ilinyesha and Kulikuwa na mvua?

Mvua ilinyesha focuses on the event “it rained.”
Kulikuwa na mvua = “there was rain,” emphasizing the existence/presence of rain (often used with quantities: Kulikuwa na mvua nyingi = there was a lot of rain).

What does the -ni in sokoni do? Is it “at,” “in,” or “to” the market?

The suffix -ni is a locative marker meaning “at/in/to” depending on the verb. With motion/arrival verbs like fika (“arrive”), sokoni naturally means “at the market” as the arrival point (functionally “to the market” in English).

Can I say kwenye soko or katika soko instead of sokoni?

Yes:

sokoni is the most idiomatic and concise for common places.
kwenye soko is widely used and neutral.
katika soko is a bit more formal/literary. All mean “at/in the market” as context dictates.

How is tulifika formed? Do verbs show the subject in Swahili?

Yes. tu-li-fika:

tu- = “we”
-li- = past tense
-fika = “arrive” Swahili marks the subject on the verb, so you don’t need a separate pronoun for “we.”

Where does mapema go? Is Tulifika mapema sokoni also correct?

Both Tulifika sokoni mapema and Tulifika mapema sokoni are acceptable. mapema (“early”) is an adverb and can float; many speakers place place-phrases (like sokoni) before time/manner, but word order here is flexible.

Would lakini be better than hata hivyo here?

Both are fine, but they differ slightly in feel:

…; hata hivyo, … mirrors written “however” and reads a bit more formal.
…, lakini … is the common, straightforward “but” in speech and writing.

Could I use the narrative -ka-: Mvua ilinyesha, tukafika sokoni mapema?

Yes. -ka- links sequential past events (“and then”). Mvua ilinyesha, tukafika… emphasizes sequence more than contrast. To keep the concessive “despite that” meaning, keep hata hivyo or lakini.

How would I say “it was raining (ongoing)” instead of “it rained (completed)”?

Use a past progressive:

Mvua ilikuwa ikinyesha; hata hivyo, tulifika sokoni mapema. You can also hear Mvua ilikuwa inanyesha in everyday speech.

Is an object marker needed with fika?

No. fika (“arrive”) is intransitive. You don’t use an object marker; you mark location with -ni or a preposition: tulifika sokoni, tulifika kwenye soko.

Why does English show “the market,” but Swahili doesn’t have articles?

Swahili has no articles (“a/the”). sokoni can mean “at the market” or “at a market” depending on context. English articles are supplied in translation based on what sounds natural or what the context implies.