Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mteja ana chaguo la kulipa kwa pesa taslimu au kwa kadi. - The customer has the choice to pay in cash or by card.

ana = “has.” It’s from the verb kuwa na (to have). Present-tense forms are irregular: nina, una, ana, tuna, mna, wana. Here it’s not the progressive marker; it’s simply “has.”
chaguo is a class 5 noun (ji-/ma-), so the associative “of” linker agrees with class 5: la. Hence: chaguo la ... (“option of ...”).
If it were plural (machaguo, class 6), the linker would change to ya: machaguo ya ....

Why is it kulipa and not analipa or kulipia?

After a noun like chaguo (option), Swahili commonly uses the infinitive (the ku- form) to express “of doing X”: chaguo la kulipa = “the option of paying.”
analipa means “he/she is paying” (a full finite verb), which doesn’t fit after chaguo la.
kulipia means “to pay for (something)” and focuses on the item paid for (e.g., kulipia tiketi = pay for a ticket). With a payment method, plain kulipa is the natural choice: kulipa kwa kadi/pesa taslimu.

What does kwa do in kulipa kwa pesa taslimu/kwa kadi? Could I use na instead?

kwa marks the means/instrument: “pay by/with.”
Standard, safest choice: kulipa kwa kadi, kulipa kwa pesa taslimu.
na can mean “with/and,” but it’s more ambiguous (it can also mean “together with”). Some people say kulipa na kadi, and you’ll be understood, but kwa is preferred in careful/standard usage for methods and instruments.

Do I have to repeat kwa before kadi?

Both are acceptable:
- Symmetrical: kulipa kwa pesa taslimu au kwa kadi (clear and formal-looking).
- Single kwa: kulipa kwa pesa taslimu au kadi (common in speech and writing).
Repeating kwa can add clarity and rhythm; omitting it is fine if the meaning is obvious.

What exactly does pesa taslimu mean? Are there synonyms?

pesa taslimu = “cash” (literally “cash money,” “money in full/settled”).
Synonyms for “money”: pesa (everyday), fedha (more formal), hela (colloquial/regional). You can say fedha taslimu or hela taslimu too.

Can I say just taslimu without pesa?

Yes. You’ll often hear: Unaweza kulipa taslimu au kwa kadi (“You can pay cash or by card.”).
taslimu can function adverbially (“in cash/paid in full”). Phrases like bei ni taslimu (“price is cash only”) are also common.

What’s the difference between chaguo and uchaguzi?

chaguo = “a choice/option” (the thing chosen; a concrete option). Plural: machaguo.
uchaguzi = “choice” as a process/act; also commonly “election(s).” Plural: chaguzi.
Example: Machaguo mengi (many options) vs Uchaguzi wa rais (presidential election).

Why is it la and not ya after chaguo?

Agreement with noun class: chaguo is class 5, so the associative linker is la.
ya would be correct for class 6 plural (machaguo ya ...) or for some other classes (e.g., class 9/10).

Can I flip the order of the payment methods?

Yes. ... kulipa kwa kadi au kwa pesa taslimu is just as correct. The conjunction au (“or”) works either way. Repeating kwa on both sides remains optional.

Is there a simpler, more conversational way to say the same thing?

Very common and natural: Mteja anaweza kulipa kwa pesa taslimu au kwa kadi (“The customer can pay cash or by card.”).
When speaking directly: Unaweza kulipa taslimu au kwa kadi.
On signs: Tunapokea kadi na pesa taslimu / Tunakubali malipo kwa kadi au taslimu.

What’s the nuance difference between ana chaguo la ... and anaweza ...?

ana chaguo la ... emphasizes the existence of an option/choice.
anaweza ... emphasizes ability/permission (“can/may”).
In practice, both often communicate the same idea; anaweza is shorter and more conversational.

Is yuko na chaguo acceptable instead of ana chaguo?

Use ana for possession in general. yuko na tends to mean “is (located) with/has on (them) right now,” and it’s not idiomatic with an abstract like chaguo. So say ana chaguo, not yuko na chaguo.

How would I make it plural: “Customers have options to pay ...”?

Subject plural + noun/linker agreement:
- Wateja wana chaguo la kulipa kwa pesa taslimu au kwa kadi. (Singular “option.”)
- Wateja wana machaguo ya kulipa kwa pesa taslimu au kwa kadi. (Plural “options”; note machaguo ya.)

Could I use ama instead of au for “or”?

Yes, ama is also used for “or,” especially in East Africa. In many contexts au and ama are interchangeable here: ... taslimu ama kwa kadi.
Style can vary by region and register; au is the default textbook choice.

Does kadi need more detail to mean a bank card or credit card?

kadi by itself can mean a card in general. For clarity:
- kadi ya benki = bank card
- kadi ya mkopo = credit card
- kadi ya debit or kadi ya malipo = debit/payment card
  So you might see: kulipa kwa kadi ya benki or kulipa kwa kadi ya mkopo.