Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tusije tukapoteza muda; tuanze mkutano sasa. - Let’s not end up wasting time; let’s start the meeting now.

Tusije is the negative subjunctive of kuja (to come): tu- (we) + -si- (negative) + -je (irregular subjunctive stem of kuja) → “that we not come.”
In Swahili, negative subjunctive (usije/tusije/msije … uka-/tuka-) is a set idiom meaning “lest/so that (we) don’t end up …”. So literally “Let’s not come (to the point where) we waste time.”

How does the construction Tusije tukapoteza work?

Pattern: [Subject]-si-je
- [same subject]-ka- + VERB.
Meaning: a caution about an undesirable consequence: “lest we (then) X,” “so we don’t end up X.”
Here: Tusije tuka-poteza muda = “Let’s not end up wasting time.”
More examples:
- Usije ukachelewa. = Don’t end up being late.
- Msije mkasahau vitambulisho. = Don’t (you pl.) end up forgetting the IDs.

What does the -ka- in tukapoteza do?

-ka- is the “consecutive/so-then” marker. It links a result that follows from the first clause.
After usije/tusije/msije, -ka- often marks an unintended or feared outcome.
It’s also common in narratives: Akaingia, akakaa, akanywa chai = He entered, then sat, then drank tea.

Why not just say Tusipoteze muda?

Tusipoteze muda = straightforward “Let’s not waste time” (simple prohibition).
Tusije tukapoteza muda = “Let’s not (allow things to go such that we) end up wasting time” (warns about a possible consequence if we delay).
Both are correct; the original is more cautionary/nuanced.

Is the -je in Tusije the same as the question particle je?

No. In Tusije, -je is the irregular subjunctive stem of kuja.
The question particle je is a separate word (often sentence-initial or attached in other ways), e.g., Je, unaenda? It’s unrelated here.

Why does tukapoteza end in -a and not -e?

After -ka-, the verb takes the normal final -a (indicative form): tuka-poteza.
The subjunctive -e is in tuanze and within the negative subjunctive (tusije), but the -ka- clause itself doesn’t switch to -e.

What mood is tuanze, and why does it end in -e?

Tuanze is first-person plural subjunctive (hortative): “let’s start.”
Subjunctive verbs take final -e: tu- + anz(e) → “let’s start.” Negative would be Tusianze = “let’s not start.”

Could I say Anzeni mkutano sasa instead of Tuanze…?

Anzeni mkutano sasa addresses “you (plural)” directly: “Start the meeting now (you all).”
Tuanze mkutano sasa is inclusive “let’s start,” suggesting collective action including the speaker. Choose based on who should act.

Can I move sasa elsewhere in the sentence?

Yes. Common options:
- Tuanze mkutano sasa. (neutral “now” at the end)
- Sasa, tuanze mkutano. (“Now/Well, let’s start the meeting.” discourse-launching)
- Tuanze sasa mkutano. (possible but less natural; end position for sasa is most typical here)

Why use muda and not wakati for “time” here?

Muda = duration/amount of time. The idiom is kupoteza muda (to waste time).
Wakati = (a) point/period/occasion (“when/as”), less natural with “waste.” So say poteza muda, not poteza wakati.

What noun class is mkutano, and what’s its plural?

Could I add an object marker and say tukaupoteza muda?

You can use the class 3 object marker u- when the object is specific/already known: tuka-u-poteza muda ≈ “then (we) waste that time.”
It’s more natural if “the time” has been established in context. Without prior reference, tukapoteza muda is better.

Is the semicolon necessary here?

No. You could use a comma or a period:
- Tusije tukapoteza muda, tuanze mkutano sasa.
- Tusije tukapoteza muda. Tuanze mkutano sasa.
You can also add connectors like basi/kwa hiyo: Basi, tuanze mkutano sasa.

How else could I express the same idea without the kuja/ka idiom?

Tusipoteze muda; tuanze mkutano sasa. (simple)
Ili tusipoteze muda, tuanze mkutano sasa. (“so that we don’t waste time…”)
Tusipoanza mkutano sasa, tutapoteza muda. (“If we don’t start now, we’ll waste time.”)

Can the subject change across the two clauses?

Yes, if context warrants it. For example: Tusije tukapoteza muda; waanze mkutano sasa. = “So we don’t end up wasting time, let them start the meeting now.”
In the original, both clauses use tu- (“we”), keeping the subject consistent.

Where would a natural pause fall in speech?

Typically after muda: “Tusije tukapoteza muda, [pause] tuanze mkutano sasa.”
The first clause gives the caution; the second delivers the proposed action.