Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mpokezi atasajili wageni mapema asubuhi. - The receptionist will register the guests early in the morning.

Mpokezi means a receptionist/front-desk clerk (literally “one who receives”). It’s a class 1 human noun (m-/wa-). Singular: mpokezi; plural: wapokezi. Depending on context it can also mean “greeter” or “person who receives visitors.”

How is atasajili built morphologically?

atasajili = a- (3rd person singular subject “he/she”) + -ta- (future tense) + -sajili (verb stem “register”). So a-ta-sajili = “he/she will register.”

Where is the pronoun “he/she” in Swahili?

It’s baked into the verb as the subject marker a-. You don’t add a separate pronoun unless you want emphasis or contrast. Mpokezi already serves as the subject noun; the verb agrees with it via a-.

Why isn’t there ku- after ta- (why not ata kusajili)?

ku- is the infinitive marker (kusajili = “to register”). Once the verb is fully conjugated with a subject and tense (a- + -ta- + -sajili), you drop ku-. You’ll keep ku- only when you need an infinitive, e.g., Anataka kusajili “He/she wants to register.”

Do I need an object marker (wa-) for wageni, or is the sentence fine as is?

The sentence is fine as is. Without an object marker, it’s a neutral statement: Mpokezi atasajili wageni. If the guests are already known/specific and you want to resume or emphasize them, you can add the object marker wa-: Mpokezi atawasajili (wageni). Using both at once tends to signal emphasis/topicalization: Wageni, mpokezi atawasajili mapema asubuhi.

Is mapema asubuhi the only natural way to say “early in the morning”?

All of these are acceptable:

asubuhi mapema = early in the morning
mapema asubuhi = early in the morning
asubuhi na mapema = bright and early (very idiomatic) You’ll hear asubuhi na mapema very often in speech.

Where can I place the time expression in the sentence?

Common options:

End position (neutral): Mpokezi atasajili wageni mapema asubuhi.
Fronted for emphasis/topicalization: Asubuhi mapema, mpokezi atasajili wageni. Both are natural; fronting draws attention to the time.

How do I negate the future here?

Use ha- (negative subject) + -ta- (future): Mpokezi hatasajili wageni mapema asubuhi = “The receptionist will not register the guests early in the morning.”

How do I make the subject plural (“The receptionists will register the guests…”)?

Change the noun and the verb agreement to class 2 (wa-): Wapokezi watasajili wageni mapema asubuhi.

How do I say it in the passive (“The guests will be registered…”)?

Use the passive suffix -wa: Wageni watasajiliwa mapema asubuhi (na mpokezi). “na mpokezi” (by the receptionist) is optional.

Do I need a preposition for “in the morning,” like katika asubuhi?

No. Time-of-day nouns often function adverbially with no preposition: asubuhi, mchana, jioni, usiku. So asubuhi alone means “in the morning.” You might add detail: asubuhi ya leo (this morning).

What part of speech is mapema? Can it modify nouns?

mapema is primarily an adverb meaning “early.” It can combine with time nouns (asubuhi mapema) or be intensified (mapema sana “very early”). It’s not used as a regular attributive adjective before nouns.

How do I pronounce Mpokezi?

Pronounce the initial m and p together: [m-po-KE-zi], with stress on the second-to-last syllable: -KE-. The m is not silent.

Is there any difference between “will” and “going to” in ata-?

Swahili -ta- covers most “future” senses, whether English would use “will” or “be going to.” If you specifically mean “will be (in the process of) registering,” use a progressive future: Atakuwa akisajili wageni mapema asubuhi.

Are there synonyms for kusajili in this context?

Yes:

kuandikisha = to register/enroll (very common in hotels and admin contexts)
kupokea = to receive (less about entering names, more about receiving guests) All of these can be used depending on the nuance: Mpokezi ataandikisha wageni… (register them); Mpokezi atapokea wageni… (receive them).