Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tafadhali kaa sebuleni ukisubiri chai. - Please sit in the living room while you wait for tea.

It can mean either, depending on context. With a place word like sebuleni, kaa often means “sit (and remain)” there. So the host is inviting you to take a seat and stay in the living room while you wait. If you want to emphasize the physical action of “sitting down” right now, you can say kaa chini or use keti.

Can I use keti instead of kaa? Is there a difference?

Yes. Keti focuses on “sit (down)” and sounds a bit more formal/polite and unambiguous. Kaa can mean “sit” or “stay.” Both work here.

Singular: Tafadhali keti sebuleni ukisubiri chai.
Singular: Tafadhali kaa sebuleni ukisubiri chai.

How do I say this to more than one person?

Use the plural imperative and plural subject marking:

Tafadhali kaeni sebuleni mkisubiri chai. You can also use ketini (plural of keti):
Tafadhali ketini sebuleni mkisubiri chai.

What exactly does sebuleni mean, and what’s the role of -ni?

Sebule = “living room.” Adding the locative suffix -ni gives “in/at the living room”: sebuleni.

Alternatives: katika sebule, kwenye sebule.
Don’t double-mark location: avoid forms like kwenye sebuleni or katika sebuleni (redundant).

Why isn’t there a word for “in” or “for” in the sentence?

“In”: The locative -ni on sebuleni already encodes “in/at.”
“For”: The verb subiri takes a direct object (no preposition).
- Correct: subiri chai = “wait for tea”
- Avoid: subiri kwa chai

What does the -ki- in ukisubiri do?

It’s a temporal marker meaning “when/while/as.” Morphology: u- (you, singular) + -ki- (when/while) + subiri (wait). So ukisubiri ≈ “while you wait.” It links a simultaneous action to the main clause.

Could I use unasubiri instead of ukisubiri?

Not in this structure. Kaa sebuleni unasubiri chai is awkward. You need a linker for simultaneity:

Good: Kaa sebuleni ukisubiri chai.
Also good: Kaa sebuleni wakati unasubiri chai.

Where does the u- in ukisubiri come from, and how does it change?

u- is the 2nd person singular subject marker (“you”). It changes with the subject:

nikisubiri = while I wait
ukisubiri = while you (sg.) wait
akisubiri = while he/she waits
tukisubiri = while we wait
mkisubiri = while you (pl.) wait
wakisubiri = while they wait

How would I say “Please sit in the living room while I prepare tea”?

Use first-person subject in the -ki- clause:

Tafadhali kaa sebuleni nikitayarisha chai.
Variant: Tafadhali kaa sebuleni nikiandaa chai.

Are subiri and ngoja/ngojea interchangeable here?

Yes, in most everyday contexts:

subiri = wait (commonly takes a direct object): ukisubiri chai
ngoja (often intransitive or set phrases) and ngojea (transitive) are also common:
- ukingoja chai (dialectally common)
- ukingojea chai (explicitly “wait for tea”) All are understood; subiri is a very safe choice.

Where can I put tafadhali?

It’s flexible:

At the start: Tafadhali kaa sebuleni ukisubiri chai.
At the end: Kaa sebuleni ukisubiri chai, tafadhali.
After the verb (less common but heard): Kaa tafadhali sebuleni ukisubiri chai.

How do I emphasize “sit down now,” not just “stay”?

Use kaa chini or keti, and optionally add sasa:

Kaa chini sasa, tafadhali.
Keti sasa, tafadhali.

How do I negate the command?

Use usi- (sing.) or msi- (pl.) with the subjunctive:

Singular: Tafadhali usikae sebuleni.
Plural: Tafadhali msikae sebuleni. You can keep the while-clause if needed:
Tafadhali usikae sebuleni ukisubiri chai.

Do I need na (“and”) to join the actions?

No. -ki- already links them:

Correct: Kaa sebuleni ukisubiri chai.
Avoid: Kaa sebuleni na unasubiri chai. (unnatural here)

Does chai always mean tea, or can it mean a meal?

Chai primarily means “tea” (the drink). In some contexts people might use chai to refer to a tea break (with snacks), but it doesn’t mean a full meal. If you mean a meal, use words like kifungua kinywa (breakfast), chakula cha mchana (lunch), chakula cha jioni (dinner).