Learn Hardcore Swahili: Kwa uhakika, tutakutana kesho jioni. - For sure, we will meet tomorrow evening.

Kwa uhakika = with certainty/for sure (the preposition kwa turns the noun uhakika “certainty” into a manner phrase).
tuta-kutana = we will meet. Breakdown: tu- (we) + -ta- (future) + -kutana (meet).
kesho jioni = tomorrow evening.

Is the ku in tutakutana the object marker “you”?

No. Here -kutana is the verb stem meaning “meet.” The sequence happens to start with ku, but it’s not the 2nd-person object marker. Compare:

Where is “we” in the verb? Do I need to say sisi?

“We” is the subject prefix tu- in tutakutana. You only add sisi for emphasis or contrast:

Why use kwa before uhakika? Could I use na?

Use kwa to express manner (how something is done). Na typically means “and/with/having” and doesn’t form these adverbial expressions. So:

Are there common alternatives to kwa uhakika?

Yes, with slight stylistic differences (all can mean “certainly/indeed”):

Bila shaka (without a doubt) – very common.
Kwa hakika / Hakika – also common; Hakika! can stand alone as “Certainly!”
Kwa kweli (truly/indeed) – a bit more like “honestly/indeed.”
Kwa uhakika is fine and understood; some speakers use (kwa) hakika more often.

Can I move the parts around? Is the comma necessary?

Word order is flexible:
- Kwa uhakika, tutakutana kesho jioni.
- Tutakutana kesho jioni, kwa uhakika.
- Kesho jioni tutakutana.
- Tutakutana jioni ya kesho. (more formal)
The comma after a fronted phrase like Kwa uhakika is optional but common for clarity.

Is kesho jioni the only way to say “tomorrow evening”?

No. Alternatives:

Jioni ya kesho (tomorrow’s evening) – a bit more formal.
Kesho usiku = tomorrow night (later than evening).
Avoid Jioni kesho; it’s not the usual order. Kesho jioni is the natural collocation.

What time range does jioni cover? How is it different from usiku or alasiri?

Jioni ≈ late afternoon to early evening (roughly 4–7 pm, varies by region).
Usiku = night (around 7/8 pm onward).
Alasiri = afternoon (often mid-to-late afternoon). Note: With Swahili time, you may hear things like saa moja jioni (literally “hour one evening”) which corresponds to 7:00 pm in the Western clock.

How do I negate it: “We will not meet tomorrow evening”?

Use the negative subject prefix with future:

Hatutakutana kesho jioni. Breakdown: ha-
- tu- → hatu- (we, negative) + -ta- (future) + -kutana (meet).

How do I turn it into a yes/no question?

Several options:

Just rising intonation: Tutakutana kesho jioni?
Add the question particle: Je, tutakutana kesho jioni?
For scheduled/arranged plans, Swahili often uses the present: Tunakutana kesho jioni?

How do I say “Let’s meet tomorrow evening”?

Use the hortative/subjunctive:

Tukutane kesho jioni. You can soften it: Tafadhali, tukutane kesho jioni, or make it a polite suggestion: Tunaweza kukutana kesho jioni?

Can I say tutaonana instead of tutakutana?

Yes, both are natural but slightly different:

Does kukutana take an object with na?

You can add who you’re meeting with using na:

Tutakutana na Amina kesho jioni. When it’s “we” meeting each other, na isn’t needed: Tutakutana kesho jioni.

Can I emphasize certainty at the end in Swahili like in English?

Yes:

Tutakutana kesho jioni, kwa uhakika.
Or with other adverbs: Hakika tutakutana kesho jioni. / Bila shaka tutakutana kesho jioni.

How is the stress and pronunciation?

Swahili stress is on the second-to-last syllable.
- Kwa uhaKIka (u-ha-ki-ka).
- TutakuTAna (tu-ta-ku-ta-na).
Pronounce each vowel clearly; there are no diphthongs, so ua/uh are separate vowel sounds.

Can I use the present to mean future here?

Yes, for planned/scheduled events:

Tunakutana kesho jioni ≈ “We’re meeting tomorrow evening.” It implies an arrangement, whereas tutakutana is a straightforward future.