Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tafadhali niletee uma mezani. - Please bring me a fork to the table.

Tafadhali = please.
ni- = object marker for “me.”
letee = “bring for” (from leta “bring” + applicative -ea “for/to [someone]” + imperative/subjunctive final vowel -e; -ea
- -e coalesces to -ee).
uma = a fork.
mezani = at/to the table (from meza “table” + locative suffix -ni).

So niletee literally means “bring-for-me,” and mezani locates the action at the table.

Why is it niletee and not nilete?

nilete would make “me” the direct object (Bring me). You’d say that if you want someone to bring you (e.g., to another place): Nilete hapa = Bring me here.
In this sentence, the fork is the thing being brought, and “me” is the beneficiary. That requires the applicative: letea → subjunctive/imperative letee. Hence ni-letee = “bring for me.”

Why are there two e’s in letee?

Because it’s the applicative -ea (“for/to someone”) plus the imperative/subjunctive final vowel -e. -ea + -e → -ee by vowel coalescence. So letea becomes letee in this form.

Is this addressing one person or more than one?

One person: niletee (as in the sentence).
Speaking to more than one person: add the plural imperative ending -eni → nileteeni.
- Example: Tafadhali nileteeni uma mezani.

Could I say letea mimi instead of using the ni- object marker?

Yes. You can say:

Tafadhali letea mimi uma mezani. This places the beneficiary as a full pronoun after the verb. Using ni- (niletee) is more compact and very natural. You can also combine them for emphasis: Tafadhali, niletee mimi uma mezani (stressing “me”).

What does mezani add? Could I use kwenye meza or juu ya meza?

mezani (meza + -ni) = “at the table” (often also understood as “to the table” depending on the verb).
kwenye meza = “at/on the table” (general location; very common in modern usage).
juu ya meza = “on top of the table” (specifically on the surface). Your sentence is asking for delivery to the table, so mezani is spot-on. For a strictly surface meaning, use juu ya meza.

Does Swahili mark “a” vs. “the” fork?

No articles. uma can mean “a fork” or “the fork” from context. If you want to be explicit:

“a/one fork” = uma mmoja
“that fork” = ule uma

Where does the object marker go in commands like this?

In positive imperatives with an object marker, the object marker comes before the verb stem, and the final vowel is -e:

Pattern: [Object marker] + [verb stem (+ extensions)] + -e
Example here: ni-
- letea → niletee.

Could I just say letee uma mezani without ni-?

Yes, but then you haven’t said for whom. Letea uma mezani means “Bring a fork to the table (for someone/for the table/there).” niletee specifies the beneficiary as “me.”

How polite is this? Is tafadhali enough?

Tafadhali softens an otherwise direct imperative, so it’s a polite request in everyday contexts (e.g., to a waiter).
To be even more deferential or formal, use a request structure: Naomba uniletee uma mezani (“I request that you bring me a fork to the table.”).

What’s the difference between leta and peleka here?

leta = bring (toward the speaker/beneficiary).
peleka = take (away from the speaker, to some destination). Since the fork is to be brought to you at the table, leta is the right choice: niletee. If you were telling someone to take a fork to the table for someone else (not you), you might use mpelekee uma mezani.

When would I use nipe instead?

nipe = “give me.” Use it when the person already has the item or is handing it directly to you: Tafadhali nipe uma = Please give me a fork (right now).
niletee = “bring me (for me).” Use it when they need to go get it or deliver it to you at some place (e.g., the table).

How do I negate this request?

Negative imperative to one person: Tafadhali usiniletee uma mezani. (“Please don’t bring me a fork to the table.”)
- Pattern: usi- (neg. 2sg) + object marker + verb (subjunctive).

Can I change the order of uma and mezani?

The neutral order is object first, then the locative: … uma mezani.
You can front the location for emphasis or focus: … mezani uma, but it’s less common and sounds marked. Stick to uma mezani for a natural flow.

If I want the fork for someone else, how do I say it?

Change the object marker:

For him/her: Tafadhali mletee uma mezani. (m- = “him/her”)
For us: Tafadhali tuletee uma mezani. (tu- = “us”)
For them: Tafadhali waletee uma mezani. (wa- = “them”)

Any pronunciation tips for tafadhali and mezani?

dh in tafadhali is a voiced “th” as in English “this.”
Vowels are pure and pronounced for each letter; letee has a long “ee” sound because of the double e.
Stress is typically on the penultimate syllable: ta-fa-DHA-li, ni-le-TEE, me-ZA-ni.