Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tutaimba wimbo wageni watakapoingia ukumbini. - We will sing a song when the guests enter the hall.

No. When the object noun is stated right after the verb, the object marker is usually omitted. Tutauimba wimbo is grammatical but adds emphasis to a specific, known song. Neutral style: Tutaimba wimbo.

Why is it wageni watakapoingia and not something with a separate “when”?

Swahili can build “when” into the verb using a relative-tense form. watakapoingia literally means “when they will enter.” So no separate “when” word is needed.

Break down watakapoingia for me.

wa- = they (class 2, people)
-ta- = future tense
-kapo- = relative “when (at that time)”
-ingia = enter Together: “when they will enter.”

What’s the difference between watakapoingia and wakiingia?

watakapoingia = “when they will enter” (a specific future time/occasion).
wakiingia = “when(ever)/as they enter,” often simultaneous, habitual, or conditional (“if they enter”). For a one-time future event, watakapoingia fits best.

Can I use wakati to say “when”?

Yes. Two natural patterns:

Keep the relative on the verb: …wakati wageni watakapoingia ukumbini.
Or use ambapo: …wakati ambapo wageni wataingia ukumbini. You can also place the clause first: Wageni watakapoingia ukumbini, tutaimba wimbo.

Why does wageni trigger wa- in watakapoingia?

wageni (guests) is the class 2 plural of mgeni (guest). Class 2 subjects take the verb prefix wa- (“they”), hence watakapoingia.

What does the -ni ending in ukumbini mean?

-ni is a locative suffix meaning “in/at/to.” ukumbi = hall; ukumbini = “in/at/into the hall.” With -ingia (“enter”), it naturally means “into the hall.”

Could I use a preposition instead of -ni, like katika or kwenye?

Yes: kuingia katika/kwenye ukumbi also works. The -ni locative is very common and concise. Avoid kwa ukumbi here; kwa typically means “at/to someone’s place” or “by means of.”

Can I move the “when” clause to the beginning?

Yes: Wageni watakapoingia ukumbini, tutaimba wimbo. Same meaning. A comma is customary when the dependent clause comes first.

How would I say this in the past or present?

Past: Tuliimba wimbo wageni walipoingia ukumbini. (“We sang a song when the guests entered the hall.”)
Present/habitual: Tunaimba wimbo wakiingia ukumbini. (“We sing a song when/whenever they enter.”)

What’s the difference among -po, -ko, and -mo in forms like watakapo-?

They are locative relatives:

-po = definite place/time (“there/then”); most common for “when”: watakapoingia.
-ko = non-specific place (“somewhere/sometime”).
-mo = inside an interior space (“inside”). For time clauses, use -po.

Why isn’t there a preposition for “to” before “the hall”?

The verb -ingia (“enter”) already implies movement into. Combined with the locative -ni (as in ukumbini), it expresses “into the hall” without needing a separate “to.”

How do I make “song” plural here?

Plural of wimbo is nyimbo. So: Tutaimba nyimbo wageni watakapoingia ukumbini. (“We will sing songs when the guests enter the hall.”)

Can I emphasize the subject “we”?

Yes: Sisi tutaimba wimbo… This stresses that it’s us (not others) who will sing.

Is there any spelling issue with Tutaimba vs Tutaimba?

They refer to the same word; the standard spelling is one word: tutaimba (with tu-ta-imba as its internal segments). At the start of a sentence it’s capitalized: Tutaimba.

How would I say “We will sing for the guests”?

Use the applicative suffix -ia: Tutaimbia wageni (wimbo). The -ia on imba means “sing for/to.” The object wimbo is optional here.