Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tunapanga ratiba kama unavyoshauri, ili kazi iende kwa mpangilio. - We are arranging the schedule as you advise, so that the work goes in order.

kama can mean both if and as/like. In this sentence it means as/like because it’s followed by a clause with the relative marker -vyo-: kama unavyoshauri = as you advise. If you wanted if, you’d normally say something like kama unashauri (without -vyo-).

How is unavyoshauri built up morphologically?

It’s: u- (you, 2nd sg subject) + -na- (present/imperfective) + -vyo- (relative marker of manner: how/in the way that) + shauri (advise). So: “(the way) you are advising.”

What exactly does -vyo- do, and are there alternatives?

-vyo- marks a relative clause of manner/degree (how/in the way that). Common alternatives that express the same idea:

vile unavyoshauri or kama vile unavyoshauri = in the way you advise
jinsi unavyoshauri = the way you advise
kadiri unavyoshauri = to the extent/according to how you advise
A non-relative option: kulingana na ushauri wako = according to your advice

Should there be an object marker for us in unavyoshauri (as in “as you advise us”)?

If you want to make the object explicit, add -tu-: kama unavyotushauri (as you advise us). Without it, kama unavyoshauri is understood from context and can mean as you advise (us).

Why is it iende after ili, not inaenda?

ili introduces a purpose clause and requires the subjunctive. The subjunctive in Swahili uses the final vowel -e, so you get iende (so that it may go/proceed). inaenda is indicative present (is going), which doesn’t fit after ili.

Why is the subject prefix i- used on iende?

Because kazi is a class 9 noun, and class 9 uses i- as its subject prefix. So: kazi iende… If referring to plural “tasks” (kazi as class 10), you’d use zi-: kazi ziende…

Could I say kazi ziende instead?

Yes, if you mean multiple separate tasks/jobs (class 10 plural). For a single body of work or work in general (mass sense), kazi iende (class 9 singular) is natural.

What does kwa mpangilio literally mean? Is kwa utaratibu okay?

kwa mpangilio literally = in/by arrangement → in an orderly way/systematically. kwa utaratibu is also fine and common; it means in an orderly/organized/controlled manner, and can also suggest carefully/politely depending on context. Both work here.

What’s the difference between mpangilio, mpango, and ratiba?

mpangilio: arrangement/order/sequence (the way things are organized)
mpango: a plan (an intended scheme)
ratiba: a schedule/timetable (often time-based) In the sentence, ratiba is the concrete schedule you’re making so that things proceed kwa mpangilio (orderly).

Is tunapanga ratiba redundant? Are there alternatives?

It’s idiomatic, not redundant: “we are making/setting a schedule.” Alternatives:

tunaandaa ratiba = we are preparing a schedule
tunaweka ratiba = we are setting/putting a schedule in place
If you mean planning the work (not necessarily a timetable): tunapanga kazi

Can I drop kama and just say … unavyoshauri?

You’ll usually keep kama (or kama vile/jinsi). You can sometimes omit it in very colloquial speech, but kama unavyoshauri or kama vile unavyoshauri is the clear, standard form.

How do I say “as you advised (before)” instead of “as you advise (now)”?

Use the past in the relative clause: kama ulivyoshauri (as you advised). For future advice: kama utakavyoshauri (as you will advise).

Why isn’t there ku- before ende?

Because iende is not an infinitive; it’s the subjunctive form: i- (subject for class 9) + -end- (verb stem of kwenda) + -e (subjunctive). The infinitive would be kwenda (or kuenda in older/variant spelling).

Could I use iwe or ifanyike instead of iende?

Yes, with slightly different nuance:

ili kazi iwe kwa mpangilio = so that the work is in order (more static state)
ili kazi ifanyike kwa mpangilio = so that the work is done in an orderly way (focus on how it’s carried out)
ili kazi iende kwa mpangilio = so that the work proceeds in an orderly way (focus on progression)

Is the comma before ili required?

No. It’s optional and used for readability. You can write either with or without the comma.

Does kama ushauri wako work to mean “as your advice”?

That sounds off. Use kama unavyoshauri (as you advise) or kulingana na ushauri wako / kwa mujibu wa ushauri wako (according to your advice).

Is there a difference between kwenda and kuenda?

Both are seen, but kwenda is the standard modern spelling. The stem is -enda, which is why the subjunctive is iende, not “ikwende.”