Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mwalimu alituomba tusubiri nje, kisha tukaitwa mmoja mmoja. - The teacher asked us to wait outside, then we were called in one by one.

a- = 3rd person singular subject “he/she”
-li- = past tense
-tu- = object marker “us”
-omb- = verb root “ask/request”
-a = final vowel So a-li-tu-omb-a literally “he asked us.” Using the object marker -tu- makes the people asked explicit.

Why is tusubiri used (and why does it end with -i)?

Tusubiri is the subjunctive: tu-subir-i = “that we wait” or “let us wait.” After verbs of requesting/ordering (e.g., kuomba “to request,” kuambia “to tell,” kuamuru “to order”), Swahili uses a subjunctive clause rather than an infinitive:

Mwalimu alituomba tusubiri = The teacher asked us (that) we wait. Verbs that already end in -i (like subiri) keep -i in the subjunctive. If the verb ends in -a (e.g., soma), the subjunctive would change -a → -e (e.g., tusome).

Could I say alituomba kusubiri instead of alituomba tusubiri?

Not for “asked us to wait.” Alituomba kusubiri typically means “he asked to wait” (i.e., he himself asked for permission to wait). To express asking someone else to do something, use the subjunctive clause: alituomba tusubiri.

What would the negative be—“asked us not to wait”?

Use the negative subjunctive:

Mwalimu alituomba tusisubiri nje = The teacher asked us not to wait outside. Structure: tu-si-subir-i (we-NEG-wait-SUBJ).

Why isn’t it tukasubiri after alituomba?

Tukasubiri (with -ka-, the sequential/consecutive marker) would mean “we then waited,” a new event the speaker asserts. After “ask/request,” you want a dependent clause expressing what is being requested, so you use the subjunctive tusubiri, not a new sequential action.

What’s the role of kisha and of the -ka- in tukaitwa?

kisha = then/after that; a discourse connector.
-ka- = the narrative/consecutive marker meaning “and then/so.” Kisha tukaitwa literally “then we were called,” with both kisha and -ka- reinforcing sequence. Either one can mark sequence; using both is common and natural.

How is tukaitwa built, and is there an object marker -i- in there?

tu-ka-itw-a:

tu- = we (subject)
-ka- = consecutive “then”
-itwa = passive of ita “call” (ita → itwa) There’s no object marker -i- here; the -i- you see is the vowel at the start of the passive suffix -itwa.

Why use the passive “we were called” instead of “he called us”?

Swahili often uses the passive to keep the topic (here, “we”) as the subject: kisha tukaitwa. The active alternative shifts the subject back to the teacher: kisha akatuita (“then he called us”). Both are correct; pick the one that matches your focus.

Could I say kisha akatuita mmoja mmoja? Is that different?

Yes: kisha aka-tu-it-a mmoja mmoja = “then he called us one by one.” It’s the active voice, focusing on the teacher’s actions rather than on “we” as the topic. Meaning is the same in context; the difference is perspective.

What does mmoja mmoja mean, and why the double m?

mmoja mmoja literally “one one,” meaning “one by one; individually.”
The double m in mmoja comes from the class 1 agreement prefix m- attaching to moja “one,” giving m-moja → mmoja. Repetition (mmoja mmoja) creates the distributive “one at a time.”

Is nje used by itself, or do I need a preposition?

Nje can stand alone to mean “outside” as an adverbial of place:

... tusubiri nje = ... wait outside. If you want “outside of X,” use nje ya:
nje ya darasa = outside the classroom. You can also hear huko nje (“out there”) for more deictic nuance.

What’s the difference between kisha, halafu, and baadaye?

kisha = then/after that (neutral, common in narratives).
halafu = then/and then (more colloquial).
baadaye = later (not necessarily immediately next). All would fit here, but kisha is a neat narrative connector.

Why is there no word for “the” in Mwalimu?

Swahili has no articles. Mwalimu can mean “a teacher” or “the teacher,” depending on context. If the teacher is known/specific in the discourse, English uses “the,” but Swahili still just uses mwalimu.

Could I use kuuliza instead of kuomba for “asked us”?

kuomba = to request/ask (for something to be done); polite/requestive.
kuuliza = to ask (a question). In this sentence the teacher is making a request, so alituomba fits. Alituuliza would suggest “he asked us (a question),” which changes the meaning.

How would I say “The teacher told us to wait outside ...”?

Use kuambia plus a subjunctive clause:

Mwalimu alituambia tusubiri nje, kisha tukaitwa mmoja mmoja. (alituambia = he told us)

Can I add kwamba before the subjunctive clause?

Yes, optionally, for clarity or emphasis:

Mwalimu alituomba kwamba tusubiri nje ... Kwamba “that” introduces a content clause; it’s not required here, but it’s acceptable.