Learn Hardcore Swahili: Sharti ufunge mlango kabla ya kuondoka.

Sharti means a requirement/obligation, essentially must. It sounds a bit formal or rule-like. (Ni) lazima is the most common neutral way to say must. Inabidi/itabidi is more colloquial and means have to. All three fit here: Sharti/ni lazima/inabidi ufunge mlango...

Why does the verb appear as ufunge (ending in -e) instead of ufunga?

Because this is the subjunctive mood. After expressions like sharti, ni lazima, bora, afadhali, Swahili uses the subjunctive, formed by the subject prefix plus the verb with final -e. So kufunga becomes ufunge.

What does the prefix u- in ufunge mark?

It’s the 2nd person singular subject prefix: you (singular).

How would I say this to more than one person?

Use the 2nd person plural subject prefix m-: Sharti mfunge mlango kabla ya kuondoka. If you want the second part to clearly refer to you plural, the alternative structure is Sharti mfunge mlango kabla hamjaondoka.

Could I just use an imperative like Funga mlango kabla ya kuondoka?

Yes. Funga... is a direct command. Sharti ufunge... presents it as a rule/requirement. Both can feel equally strong; the difference is tone/register.

Why is there no object marker on the verb (e.g., why not uufunge mlango)?

When the object is stated right after the verb, you usually omit the object marker. The class 3 object marker for mlango would be u-, and you might include it mainly when the object is topicalized or highly definite/emphatic, often with fronting: Mlango uufunge kabla ya kuondoka. Neutral style is ufunge mlango.

What noun class is mlango, and what’s its plural?

It’s class 3/4 (m-/mi-). Singular mlango, plural milango. Agreement markers for this class are u- (sg) and i- (pl) in many concord slots (including object markers).

What does kabla ya do, and why is ya there?

Kabla is a noun meaning before. When followed by a noun or an infinitive (verbal noun), it takes associative ya: kabla ya + [noun/infinitive]. Hence kabla ya kuondoka = before leaving.

What exactly is kuondoka in this structure?

It’s the infinitive/verbal noun of ondoka (leave). After kabla ya, the infinitive is the standard way to say before doing X.

Is there another way to say before you leave?

Yes: use kabla + (subject) + -ja- (negative perfect) to mean before (subject) has left:

2sg: kabla hujaondoka
2pl: kabla hamjaondoka Both this and kabla ya kuondoka are common.

Can I specify a different subject for the leaving part?

Yes. With the infinitive pattern: kabla ya mtoto kuondoka (before the child leaves). With the -ja- pattern: kabla mtoto hajaondoka (before the child leaves).

What’s the nuance difference between ondoka and toka?

Ondoka: leave/depart (from a place/event; also for scheduled departures).
Toka: come from/go out (often with a direction, e.g., toka nje = go outside). Here, kuondoka is the idiomatic choice for leave.

Could I say kabla ya kutoka instead?

Yes, if you specifically mean before going out (outside). For the general idea before leaving (the place/event), kuondoka is better.

How would I express a prohibition like You must not close the door before leaving?

Most natural: Usifunge mlango kabla ya kuondoka. To keep the explicit must not idea, you can say Hairuhusiwi kufunga mlango kabla ya kuondoka (it’s not permitted to close the door...), or less commonly Sharti usifunge mlango... (it is required that you not close...).

Is sharti always used alone, or can it be ni sharti?

Both are fine. Sharti ufunge... and Ni sharti ufunge... mean the same. Many speakers more often say Ni lazima ufunge... in everyday speech.

Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?

mlango: [m-la-ngo], with an audible initial m.
ufunge: [u-fun-ge], g as in get.
kabla: [ka-bla].
kuondoka: [ku-on-do-ka], keep u and o separate (not [kwon-]).

Does funga mlango imply locking or just closing?

Usually it means close/shut the door. Context can imply lock, but to be explicit say funga kwa kufuli (lock with a padlock) or funga kwa ufunguo (lock with a key). The opposite is fungua mlango (open/unlock).

Can the word order change, e.g., putting the object first?

Yes, for focus/topicalization. You typically front the object and include an object marker: Mlango uufunge kabla ya kuondoka. The neutral order remains ufunge mlango.

Is there a softer alternative to must, like should?

Use unapaswa or inapasa: Unapaswa kufunga mlango kabla ya kuondoka. Also common: Ni bora ufunge mlango... (it’s better that you close the door).