Learn Hardcore Swahili: Muuguzi alimwambia mwanamke apumzike kabla ya vipimo. - The nurse told the woman to rest before the tests.

It’s: a- (3rd person singular subject = he/she) + -li- (past tense) + -mw- (3rd person singular object = him/her, class 1) + -ambia (tell). Because the stem begins with a vowel (ambia), the object marker m- surfaces as mw- for ease of pronunciation. So alimwambia = “he/she told him/her.”

Why include the object marker -mw- when mwanamke is stated right after?

In Swahili it’s common (and often preferred) to include an object marker when the object is a specific person, even if you also name them. With -ambia you’ll frequently see both: alimwambia mwanamke…. You may also encounter aliambia mwanamke… without the object marker; it’s understood, but many speakers find the version with -mw- smoother and more idiomatic.

Why does apumzike end in -e instead of -a?

It’s the subjunctive mood, used after verbs like -ambia to express what someone tells another to do. Hence apumzike (“that she rest / to rest”) rather than apumzika.

How do I say “told the woman not to rest”?

Use the negative subjunctive: Muuguzi alimwambia mwanamke asipumzike kabla ya vipimo. The pattern is asi- + verb stem + -e.

Can I say alimwambia mwanamke kupumzika with an infinitive?

That sounds unnatural for this meaning. After -ambia, use the subjunctive (apumzike). If you want an infinitive, use a different structure, e.g., alimwambia mwanamke kwamba anapaswa kupumzika (“told the woman that she should rest”).

What does kabla ya do here, and why not agree it with vipimo?

kabla ya is a fixed prepositional phrase meaning “before.” The ya is part of the preposition and does not change with noun class. So it’s kabla ya vipimo, not “kabla vya vipimo” and not just “kabla vipimo.”

What is vipimo, and what’s the singular?

vipimo = “tests/measurements” (class 8, vi-). Singular: kipimo (class 7, ki-). In medical contexts, vipimo normally means diagnostic tests.

How do I know whether vipimo means “tests” or “the tests,” since Swahili has no articles?

Definiteness comes from context. Here, because specific upcoming tests are implied, English uses “the tests,” but Swahili just uses vipimo.

Can I say kabla ya kupimwa or kabla ya kufanya vipimo instead?

Yes:

kabla ya kupimwa = “before being tested” (focus on undergoing).
kabla ya kufanya vipimo = “before undergoing/doing tests” (common in hospital talk). All are idiomatic; choose based on nuance.

Is muuguzi gendered? How do I specify male/female?

muuguzi (“nurse”) is gender-neutral. To specify: muuguzi wa kiume (male nurse) / muuguzi wa kike (female nurse).

What are the plurals of muuguzi and mwanamke?

muuguzi → wauguzi (class 1/2)
mwanamke → wanawake (class 1/2)

Could I use akamwambia instead of alimwambia?

Yes. aka- is the sequential marker (“and then”). Akamwambia fits in a narrative sequence; alimwambia is plain past.

Can I change the word order to Muuguzi alimwambia apumzike mwanamke…?

No. With -ambia, the person being told normally follows the verb: alimwambia mwanamke …. Placing mwanamke after the subordinate clause sounds ungrammatical.

How would I express it with direct speech?

Use the imperative inside the quote: Muuguzi alimwambia mwanamke: Pumzika kabla ya vipimo. Outside direct speech, the subordinate clause uses the subjunctive (apumzike).

Why is the object marker -mw- (not just -m-)?

The class-1 object marker is m-, but before a vowel-initial stem like -ambia, it surfaces as mw- to avoid a vowel clash: alimwambia.

Do I need a preposition like kwa for “tell to/for” with -ambia?

No. -ambia takes the person told as an object directly: alimwambia mwanamke…. Using kwa here would be incorrect.

How do I say “to rest a bit” in this sentence?

Add kidogo: Muuguzi alimwambia mwanamke apumzike kidogo kabla ya vipimo.