Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tutaimba wimbo tukisubiri wageni ukumbini. - We will sing a song while we wait for the guests in the hall.

Tutaimba = tu- (we) + -ta- (future) + -imba (sing) → we will sing.
wimbo = song (noun class 11; plural is nyimbo, class 10).
tukisubiri = tu- (we) + -ki- (while/when/if, simultaneous/conditional marker) + subiri (wait) → while we wait.
wageni = guests (class 2; singular is mgeni, class 1).
ukumbini = u-kumbi (hall, auditorium; in some regions also veranda/lobby) + -ni (locative “in/at”) → in the hall.

Pronunciation tip: in tutaimba, the vowels a + i are pronounced separately (tu-ta-im-ba), often with a slight glide.

Why is -ki- used in tukisubiri?

The infix -ki- forms an adverbial clause meaning “while/when/as” for simultaneous events, or “if” for conditions. Here it means “while/as,” linking two actions happening at the same time: singing and waiting.

Could I say tunaposubiri instead of tukisubiri? What’s the difference?

Yes. Tunaposubiri = tu- (we) + -na- (present) + -po- (definite “when/at the time that”) + subiri.

-ki- often feels like general simultaneity (“as/while”).
-po- is more definite/anchored in time (“when/at the time that”).
In this sentence both are acceptable; tukisubiri is a bit lighter and very natural for “while.”

Could tukisubiri mean “if we wait” here?

In isolation -ki- can be “if.” Context decides. With a main clause in the future (“we will sing”) and a natural simultaneity reading, speakers default to “while/as.” If you truly meant “if,” you’d likely make that conditional clearer, e.g., Tutaimba wimbo ikiwa tutasubiri (“if we will wait”) or put contrastive emphasis in speech.

Do I need an object marker for “guests,” as in tukiwasubiri wageni?

Not required. Subiri takes a direct object, so tukisubiri wageni is fine. Adding the class-2 object marker -wa- (→ tukiwasubiri wageni) is also correct and can signal that the object is specific/topical. Many speakers add the object marker with human, specific objects; others omit it unless the object is pronominal or fronted.

Why isn’t there a word for “for” before “guests”? In English we “wait for” something.

In Swahili subiri (and its near-synonym goja/ngojea) is transitive: it takes its object directly. So you say kusubiri wageni, not “kusubiri kwa wageni” or “kwa ajili ya wageni.”

Who is “in the hall” — we or the guests?

As written, ukumbini most naturally attaches to the activity of waiting (and by extension the whole situation), so it usually means “we (are) in the hall waiting for the guests.” It can be ambiguous in writing, though.

How can I remove the ambiguity about “in the hall”?

We are in the hall: Tutaimba wimbo ukumbini tukisubiri wageni. (Place the location right after the main verb phrase.)
The guests are (to be) in the hall: Tutaimba wimbo tukisubiri wageni watakaokuja ukumbini or … wageni walioko ukumbini (guests who will come to/are in the hall).
The singing specifically happens in the hall: Ukumbini tutaimba wimbo tukisubiri wageni (front the location for focus).

Is wimbo necessary, or can I just say “we will sing”?

Both work.

With the object: Tutaimba wimbo = we will sing a/the song (more concrete).
Without the object: Tutaimba = we will sing (general activity).
Including wimbo is common and idiomatic when a song is in view.

What are the singular/plural pairs here?

mgeni (guest, sg.) ↔ wageni (guests, pl.; class 1/2).
wimbo (song, sg.; class 11) ↔ nyimbo (songs, pl.; class 10).

How would I say “We will sing songs (plural) …”?

Use the plural: Tutaimba nyimbo tukisubiri wageni ukumbini.

Is there any special reason it’s spelled “tutaimba” with adjacent vowels?

Yes—Swahili affixes often meet vowels. There’s no extra consonant inserted: tu- + -ta- + -imba → tutaimba. Pronounce both vowels distinctly (ta-im), often with a light glide.

Could I use a different verb for “wait”?

Yes: kungoja/kuwagoja and kungojea are very common.

Tukingoja wageni (while we wait for the guests)
Tukiwaongojea wageni (with an object marker and applicative -ea; also fine)

What does the -ni in ukumbini do, and can I say the same thing another way?

-ni is a locative suffix meaning “in/at/on.” Alternatives:

kwenye ukumbi (in/at the hall)
katika ukumbi (in the hall; a bit more formal)
ndani ya ukumbi (inside the hall) All are acceptable; -ni is concise and very common.

Can I move the location to the start of the sentence?

Yes, for focus or flow: Ukumbini tutaimba wimbo tukisubiri wageni. Word order is flexible with adverbials.

How would I say “We will sing while we wait for them,” without naming the guests?

Use the object marker only: Tutaimba wimbo tukiwasubiri. (Here -wa- refers to “them,” class 2/people.)

How do I negate this sentence?

Negate the main verb: Hatutaimba wimbo tukisubiri wageni ukumbini.
If you wanted “We will sing if we don’t wait,” that’s a real conditional: Tutaimba wimbo tusiposubiri wageni.

Could I replace tukisubiri with a full “wakati” phrase?

Yes: Tutaimba wimbo wakati tunaposubiri wageni ukumbini. This is slightly heavier/more explicit; the meaning is the same.