Learn Hardcore Swahili: Pilau si tamu pekee, bali pia hutoa harufu nzuri ukipika taratibu. - Pilau is not only delicious, but also gives a nice aroma when cooked slowly.

si = “is not” (negative copula)
bali = “but rather/whereas” (typically used after a negation)
pia = “also/too”
So: “Pilau is not only sweet, but it also gives off a nice smell …”

Could I use "tu" instead of "pekee" for “only”? What’s the difference?

Yes. You will often see the fixed pattern si … tu, bali pia … for “not only … but also ….”

tu = “only/just,” and it follows the word it limits: “tamu tu.”
pekee = “only/alone,” more common with nouns (“mwanafunzi pekee” = “the only student”). With adjectives, both are acceptable, but “tu” sounds a bit more idiomatic in this set phrase.
So you could say: Pilau si tamu tu, bali pia …

What is the "hu-" in "hutoa"? Why not just "toa"?

The prefix hu- marks a habitual/general truth: “generally/typically gives off.”

hutoa = hu- (habitual) + toa (give/emit)
Without hu-, you’d use a tense marker: inatoa harufu nzuri = “it is giving off a nice smell (now/these days).”
Note: hu- does not combine with a subject marker and doesn’t have a direct negative form. To negate, use the normal present negative: Pilau haitoi harufu nzuri = “Pilau does not give off a nice smell.”

Why "hutoa harufu nzuri" and not "hutoka harufu nzuri"?

toa (“give/emit”) fits a source that gives off something: Pilau hutoa harufu nzuri = “Pilau gives off a nice smell.”
toka (“come out from”) is used when the smell itself is the subject: Harufu nzuri hutoka kwenye pilau = “A nice smell comes from the pilau.”
Both are correct, but the subject changes.

Could I use a single verb like “smell nice” instead of “give off a nice smell”?

Yes. Swahili has the pair kunuka (smell bad) and kunukia (smell nice). For a general truth:

Pilau hunukia ukipika taratibu = “Pilau smells nice when you cook slowly.”

What exactly does "ukipika" mean—“if” or “when”?

The -ki- form often translates as “when(ever)” in general truths, and as “if” in conditionals.

u-ki-pik-a = you-ki-cook-indicative → “when/if you cook.”
Here it’s “when(ever) you cook (it) slowly,” describing a typical result.

Why does the sentence switch to “you” (u-) in "ukipika"? Can I keep “pilau” as the subject instead?

Using “you” generically is very common in Swahili (like English “when you cook X …”). If you want to keep “pilau” as the subject, use:

Pilau hutoa harufu nzuri inapopikwa taratibu = “Pilau gives off a nice smell when it is cooked slowly.”
You can also include an object prefix for “it” with “you”:
Ukiipika taratibu, pilau hutoa harufu nzuri = “When you cook it slowly, pilau gives off a nice smell.”
(Here “-i-” is the object marker for class 9 nouns like “pilau.”)

Is "taratibu" the same as "polepole"?

Both can mean “slowly,” but:

polepole focuses on speed (“slowly”).
taratibu adds a nuance of carefully/gently/methodically.
For cooking, taratibu can suggest a careful, gentle process. “Polepole” simply stresses slowness.

Why isn’t there a “ni” after “Pilau”? Shouldn’t it be “Pilau ni …”?

“Ni” is the positive copula (“is/are”). In the negative, Swahili uses si. So:

Positive: Pilau ni tamu = “Pilau is sweet.”
Negative: Pilau si tamu = “Pilau is not sweet.”
In the structure “si … bali pia …,” si replaces “ni.”

Can I write "sio" or "siyo" instead of "si"?

In everyday writing you’ll see sio/si yo/siye variants, but si is the standard negative copula in formal Swahili. In this sentence, si is the safest choice: Pilau si tamu pekee …

What noun class is "pilau," and does that affect agreement?

“Pilau” is commonly treated as class 9 (N-class). That matters for agreement:

Verb subject marker (non-habitual): i- → Pilau inatoa/inanukia
Negative present: hai- → Pilau haitoi/HAINUKII (spelled “haitoi/HAINUKII,” final -i marks the negative present)
Object marker: -i- → ukiipika = “when you cook it.”
With the habitual hu-, you won’t see a subject marker: Pilau hutoa …

Why is it "harufu nzuri" (not “harufu mzuri”)? How does adjective agreement work here?

“Harufu” is also class 9 (N-class). The adjective “-zuri” takes the N-class form nzuri, not “mzuri” (which is for class 1/3).

harufu nzuri = “nice smell.”
By contrast: chakula kitamu (class 7 “chakula” → adjective takes prefix “ki-”).

Speaking of adjectives, why is it "tamu" and not "kitamu" after "pilau"?

The adjective root is -tamu. It takes different prefixes depending on the noun class:

Class 7 (ki-/vi-): chakula kitamu.
N-class (9/10): no overt prefix → pilau tamu.
So “Pilau (ni) tamu” is correct; “Pilau kitamu” would be wrong.

Can I front the “when/if”-clause?

Yes. Both orders are fine:

Ukipika taratibu, pilau hutoa harufu nzuri.
Pilau hutoa harufu nzuri ukipika taratibu.
Use a comma when the “ukipika …” clause comes first.

Do I need to say "kwa taratibu" instead of just "taratibu"?

Both are acceptable:

taratibu (adverbial use)
kwa taratibu (“in a careful way/with care”)
“Kwa taratibu” can sound a bit more formal or emphatic; the meaning here is the same.

Is "harufu" neutral or negative in Swahili? Do I need another word for a pleasant aroma?

“Harufu” is neutral—it can be good or bad. You specify with an adjective:

harufu nzuri = pleasant smell
harufu mbaya = bad smell
For stronger “pleasant aroma,” you can also use manukato (perfume(s)/fragrance), but for food “harufu nzuri” is perfect.