Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tukimaliza kuandika barua, tutaenda posta. - When we finish writing the letter, we will go to the post office.

It’s made of three parts: tu- (we), -ki- (when/if/as), maliza (finish). So tukimaliza means when/if we finish and introduces a dependent clause.

What exactly does the -ki- marker express here?

-ki- links a background or conditional action to a main action. In this sentence it’s best read as when/once, not “while,” because finishing is a single event that triggers the next action. In other contexts, -ki- can also mean if or while.

Could I say Tutakapomaliza kuandika barua, tutaenda posta instead?

Yes. -takapo- is a future-time relative marker meaning when (we will). Compared with tukimaliza, tutakapomaliza feels more definite and anchored to a particular future moment. Both are correct here.

Why is kuandika used after maliza? In English we say “finish writing,” not “finish to write.”

Swahili commonly uses the infinitive (ku- + verb) as a verbal noun after verbs like maliza. Kumaliza kuandika literally means to finish writing and is the standard way to say it.

Can I say tukimaliza barua instead of tukimaliza kuandika barua?

Yes. Tukimaliza barua means when we finish the letter, focusing on the letter as a task/object. Tukimaliza kuandika barua highlights the action of writing. Both are idiomatic; the second is more explicit about the activity.

Why is there no object marker for barua (like kuiandika)?

Because the object barua is expressed overtly and is indefinite, no object marker is needed. If you pronominalize it, you can use the class 9 object marker i-: tukimaliza kuiandika, tutaenda... (when we finish writing it), and then you’d usually drop barua.

Can I put the dependent clause second, like Tutaenda posta tukimaliza kuandika barua?

Yes. Both orders are fine and mean the same thing. A comma after the initial dependent clause is common but not mandatory.

Do I need a preposition meaning “to” before posta?

No. Enda already implies “go (to).” You can say tutaenda posta directly. You may also hear tutaenda kwenye posta (“to the post office”), but it’s not required.

Should it be posta or postani?

Both occur. Postani adds the locative suffix -ni (“at/to the post office”) and is very common and safe: tutaenda postani. Bare posta is also heard, especially in casual speech.

Why tutaenda and not tutakwenda?

Both are correct variants of “we will go.” You’ll hear both tutaenda and tutakwenda; the former is very common, the latter can sound a bit more formal or traditional.

Does barua mean “a letter” or “the letter” here?

Swahili has no articles, so barua can be either, depending on context. To be explicit, add a determiner: barua moja (one letter), barua ile (that letter), barua yetu (our letter).

How would I say As soon as we finish writing the letter, we’ll go to the post office?

Use mara tu for immediacy: Mara tu tukimaliza kuandika barua, tutaenda postani. Another option: Tutakapomaliza kuandika barua, tutaenda postani mara moja.

Could I use baada ya instead of -ki-, e.g., Baada ya kuandika barua, tutaenda postani?

Yes. Baada ya + infinitive means after -ing and is perfectly natural: Baada ya kuandika barua, tutaenda postani. It states sequence without emphasizing completion with maliza.

How would I make the object explicitly plural?

Modify barua with a quantifier or determiner: barua mbili (two letters), barua zote (all the letters). For example: Tukimaliza kuandika barua mbili, tutaenda postani.