Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mhasibu wa shule anapanga bajeti ya mwezi huu. - The school accountant is planning this month’s budget.

Mhasibu = class 1 noun meaning accountant (m- person prefix + hasibu)
wa = associative particle of (agrees with the head noun’s class)
shule = school (class 9/10; same singular/plural form)
anapanga = a- (3rd person singular class 1) + -na- (present) + panga (plan/arrange)
bajeti = budget (class 9/10; loanword)
ya = associative particle of (agrees with head noun bajeti, class 9 → ya)
mwezi = month (class 3; plural miezi)
huu = this (proximal demonstrative for class 3, agreeing with mwezi)

How is the verb anapanga formed, and what does each piece mean?

a- = subject prefix for class 1 (he/she)
-na- = present tense/aspect marker
panga = verb root plan/arrange Together: anapanga = he/she is planning or he/she plans.

Does -na- mean present progressive (is doing) or present habitual (does)?

Both, depending on context. -na- covers general present time. With context like sasa hivi (right now), it clearly means progressive. Without extra context, it can be read as either progressive or habitual.

Why is it wa shule and not ya shule after mhasibu?

The associative of agrees with the head noun. The head noun is mhasibu (class 1), so the connector is wa. If the head noun were class 9 (e.g., bajeti), you would use ya: bajeti ya shule (the school’s budget). So:

mhasibu wa shule = the school’s accountant
bajeti ya shule = the school’s budget

What does ya mwezi huu do, and why is it ya?

It means of this month and modifies bajeti. The associative agrees with the head noun bajeti (class 9), which takes ya: bajeti ya mwezi huu. The demonstrative huu agrees with mwezi (class 3).

Why huu and not hii with mwezi?

Mwezi is class 3 (m-/mi-), whose proximal demonstrative is huu. Hii is the proximal demonstrative for class 9/10 (e.g., shule hii, bajeti hii).

How do I make the sentence plural (accountants instead of accountant)?

Noun: mhasibu (sg, class 1) → wahasibu (pl, class 2)
Subject prefix: a- (sg) → wa- (pl) Sentence: Wahasibu wa shule wanapanga bajeti ya mwezi huu.

How can I replace bajeti with it (object pronoun) once it’s known?

Use the class 9 object marker i-: Mhasibu wa shule anaipanga sasa. Structure: a- (subject) + -na- (present) + -i- (object marker for class 9) + panga (verb).

Can I drop ya and say bajeti mwezi huu?

Colloquially you might hear it, where mwezi huu functions adverbially (this month). However, to express the possessive/associative relationship budget of this month, standard Swahili prefers bajeti ya mwezi huu.

Is there a more explicit way to say is currently planning right now?

Yes, you can emphasize ongoing action:

Anaendelea kupanga bajeti ya mwezi huu. (He/She continues/is in the process of planning…)
Yuko akipanga bajeti ya mwezi huu. (He/She is currently planning…; progressive with yuko + -ki-/aki- form)

What’s the difference between mhasibu wa shule and mhasibu shuleni?

mhasibu wa shule = the school’s accountant (possessive/associative relationship)
mhasibu shuleni = an accountant at the school (locative; shuleni = at/in the school) They can overlap in meaning in context, but wa shule encodes ownership/affiliation more directly.

What else can panga mean here? Are there synonyms?

Panga can mean plan, arrange, organize. Common synonyms in budgeting contexts:

kuandaa bajeti (prepare a budget)
kutayarisha bajeti (prepare a budget)
kuunda bajeti (form/create a budget) All of these are natural.

Why is it mhasibu (with a) and not mhesabu (with e)? Is this related to hesabu (math)?

Yes, related but different:

hesabu = arithmetic/math; kuhesabu = to count
hasibu/uhasibu = accounting; mhasibu = accountant So mhasibu is correct for accountant; mhesabu is not standard.

How do I say it in the past or future?

Past (recent/simple): Mhasibu wa shule alipanga bajeti ya mwezi huu. (he/she planned)
Future: Mhasibu wa shule atapanga bajeti ya mwezi huu. (he/she will plan)

How do I say last month/next month in this structure?

bajeti ya mwezi uliopita = last month’s budget
bajeti ya mwezi ujao = next month’s budget Examples: Mhasibu wa shule anapanga bajeti ya mwezi ujao. Mhasibu wa shule alipanga bajeti ya mwezi uliopita.

Any pronunciation tips for tricky clusters like mhasibu and mwezi?

mhasibu: syllabify as m-ha-si-bu. The initial m can be syllabic; pronounce the h clearly: m-ha…
mwezi: mwe-zi, with mw as a consonant cluster (like m + w glide).
bajeti: ba-je-ti (soft j, like in jam).
shule: shu-le (sh as in ship).