Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mwalimu mkuu anahusika na uendeshaji wa shule. - The headteacher is involved in the running of the school.

Both are acceptable translations. In East Africa, mwalimu mkuu commonly refers to the head teacher/principal of a school. It’s gender‑neutral and the exact English choice depends on your regional preference.

Is mkuu an adjective or a noun here, and how does it behave?

Here mkuu functions as a descriptor meaning “chief/head/main,” modifying mwalimu. It behaves like an adjective that agrees with noun class:

Singular class 1: mwalimu mkuu
Plural class 2: walimu wakuu It can also be a standalone noun meaning “chief/leader,” as in mkuu wa polisi (police chief).

How do I make the subject plural and keep agreement?

Use class 2 forms:

Subject: walimu wakuu
Verb: wanahusika Full sentence: Walimu wakuu wanahusika na uendeshaji wa shule.

How is anahusika built, and what does it convey?

a- = subject prefix (he/she; class 1)
-na- = present tense marker
husika = verb “be involved/concerned” So anahusika means “he/she is involved” or “is responsible (for).”

Why is na used after kuhusika? Can I use katika or kwa instead?

The idiomatic pattern is kuhusika na “to be involved with / responsible for.” Alternatives:

kuhusika katika emphasizes involvement “in/within” a process: anahusika katika uendeshaji wa shule (also fine).
kwa is less common here; you’d more naturally switch verbs: anawajibika kwa uendeshaji wa shule (“is responsible for…”).

What does uendeshaji mean exactly, and how is it formed?

It’s a verbal noun meaning “operation/running/management,” formed from the verb -endesha (“to drive/run/operate”) with the nominalizing pattern u-…-aji:

-endesha → u-endesha-ji = “the running/operation (of).”

Why is it uendeshaji wa shule and not ya shule?

The “of” connector (the associative -a) agrees with the first noun (uendeshaji, an u- class noun). For u- class, the form is wa:

uendeshaji wa shule = “the running of the school.” If the first noun were in the N class, you’d use ya (e.g., safari ya shule “school trip”).

Can I drop the connector and say uendeshaji shule?

No. In Swahili, when one noun modifies another, you generally need the associative -a with the correct agreement: uendeshaji wa shule.

How do I say it in a general/habitual sense (“the head teacher generally handles the running…”)?

Use the general/habitual marker hu-:

Mwalimu mkuu huhusika na uendeshaji wa shule.

How do I negate the sentence?

Use the negative present for class 1:

Mwalimu mkuu hahusiki na uendeshaji wa shule. You can also use a cleft for emphasis: Si mwalimu mkuu anayehusika na uendeshaji wa shule.

Any quick pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

mwalimu: pronounce the initial cluster mw as “m” + “w” smoothly: mwá-li-mu.
mkuu: the mk cluster is allowed; the final uu is long: m-kúu.
uendeshaji: five syllables u-en-de-shá-ji; stress is typically on the second-to-last syllable (shá).
shule: SHOO-leh.

Which noun classes are involved, and how do they affect agreement?

mwalimu: class 1 (plural walimu, class 2) → subject agreement a- (singular), wa- (plural).
uendeshaji: u- class (abstract noun) → takes associative wa.
shule: N class (same form singular/plural) → no change here; it follows wa because agreement is with uendeshaji.

Are there good synonyms or alternative ways to express this idea?

Yes, depending on nuance:

Responsibility: anawajibika kwa/na …
Management/supervision: anasimamia …; usimamizi wa shule
Administration: utawala wa shule
Leadership: uongozi wa shule Examples:
Mwalimu mkuu anasimamia uendeshaji wa shule.
Mwalimu mkuu anawajibika kwa usimamizi wa shule.

How can I emphasize “It is the head teacher who is responsible…”?

Use a cleft with a relative clause:

Ni mwalimu mkuu anayehusika na uendeshaji wa shule.

What’s the difference between kuhusika and kuhusisha?

kuhusika = to be involved/concerned (intransitive, often with na/katika): anahusika na…
kuhusisha = to involve/associate (transitive): amehusisha walimu katika mradi (“he has involved the teachers in the project”).

Can mkuu agree with other nouns? Examples?

Yes. It follows the noun’s class:

Class 1/2: mwalimu mkuu / walimu wakuu
Class 3/4: mji mkuu / miji mikuu (“capital city/capital cities”)