Learn Hardcore Swahili: Dada yangu alithibitisha muda wa mkutano kwa kutuma barua pepe. - My sister confirmed the meeting time by sending an email.

a- = 3rd person singular subject (he/she)
-li- = past tense (completed past)
thibitisha = verb root “confirm/verify” So a-li-thibitisha = “she/he confirmed.” Negative past: haku-thibitisha.

Why is it dada yangu and not dada wangu?

Dada is a class 9 noun, and possessives agree with the noun’s class. For class 9 singular, “my” is yangu, so dada yangu is standard. Note: with human nouns like dada, verb and demonstrative agreement often use class 1 (e.g., dada huyu anakuja), but the possessive commonly stays class 9 (yangu).

What does muda wa mkutano show, and why wa?

It’s a genitive “of” construction linking the head noun muda (class 3) to mkutano (“meeting”). The “of”-concord for class 3 singular is wa, hence muda wa mkutano = “the time of the meeting.” If the head were class 9, you’d see ya (e.g., saa ya mkutano).

Could I say wakati wa mkutano or saa ya mkutano instead?

Yes, but the nuance shifts:

muda wa mkutano: the meeting time (the scheduled slot).
saa ya mkutano: the clock time of the meeting (e.g., 3:00 pm).
wakati wa mkutano: a broader “time/period of the meeting,” and can also mean “during the meeting.” For confirming a specific time, muda or saa is clearer.

What does kwa kutuma barua pepe literally mean, and how does kwa + ku- work?

Literally “by sending an email.” kwa + infinitive (ku- + verb) expresses means/method: “by doing X.” For purpose (“in order to”), use ili + ku-, e.g., ili kuthibitisha.

Can I just say kwa barua pepe instead of kwa kutuma barua pepe?

Yes. kwa barua pepe = “by/via email” (instrument). kwa kutuma barua pepe highlights the action of sending. Both are natural.

Is barua pepe one word or two? Is it countable?

Both barua pepe and baruapepe are used; preference varies by region/style. It behaves like a class 9 noun whose singular and plural look the same. To count, add numerals: barua pepe moja (one email), barua pepe mbili (two emails).

How would I say “She has confirmed …” (present perfect) instead of simple past?

Use ame-: Dada yangu amethibitisha … Often implies recent action or present relevance. alithibitisha is completed past. In Tanzania, ame- tends to mean “already/just,” while ali- is the straightforward past everywhere.

Pronunciation tips for thibitisha and stress?

th is like the “th” in English “think” (voiceless). Swahili stress falls on the second-to-last syllable: a-li-thi-bi-TI-sha.

Can I move kwa kutuma barua pepe to the front?

Yes: Kwa kutuma barua pepe, dada yangu alithibitisha muda wa mkutano. Fronting such adverbials is fine and keeps the meaning.

Do I need an object marker for muda wa mkutano? Could I say aliuthibitisha muda wa mkutano?

No object marker is needed. Object markers are typically used when the object is already known/topical or when there’s no overt object. If “the time” is already in context, you can use the class 3 object marker u- and even omit the noun: Aliuthibitisha = “She confirmed it (the time).” Keeping both (aliuthibitisha muda …) can sound redundant unless for emphasis.

Could I use kuhakikisha instead of kuthibitisha? What’s the difference?

kuthibitisha: to confirm/verify (something is correct/settled), e.g., a time or reservation.
kuhakikisha: to ensure/make sure (that something happens/is the case). Here, kuthibitisha muda … is the natural collocation.

What’s the difference among kutuma, kutumia, and kupeleka?

kutuma: to send/dispatch (focus on sending).
kutumia: to use; also “to send to someone” when followed by a person: kumtumia barua pepe = send him/her an email.
kupeleka: to take/deliver something (physically) somewhere. You can say kwa kumtumia barua pepe = “by sending him/her an email.”

Does dada mean older sister? How do I specify older/younger?

dada = “sister” (unspecified). Add mkubwa (older) or mdogo (younger): dada yangu mkubwa/mdogo.

Why is the subject marker a- on the verb? Is it because dada is human?

Yes. Human nouns take class 1 agreement on verbs, so the subject prefix is a-. A non-human class 9 subject would take i- (e.g., barua ilithibitishwa = “the letter was confirmed”).

Could I use kwenye with barua pepe here?

kwenye barua pepe means “in the email” (location). For means/instrument, use kwa barua pepe or kwa kutuma barua pepe.

If the meeting were plural (“meetings”), how would muda wa mkutano change?

The head noun is still muda (class 3), so the “of”-concord wa stays. Only mkutano pluralizes: muda wa mikutano (“time of the meetings”).

Any alternative, more casual phrasing?

Yes: Dada yangu alituma barua pepe kuthibitisha muda wa mkutano. This foregrounds the sending (“She sent an email to confirm the meeting time”) rather than the confirming-by-means-of-sending. Both are natural.