Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tafadhali andika maelezo kama unavyoyasikia, kisha uyapitie tena. - Please write the notes as you hear them, then review them again.

u- = you (2nd person singular subject marker)
-na- = present/progressive tense
-vyo- = relative marker of manner (“the way/how”)
-ya- = object marker for noun class 6 (referring back to maelezo)
sikia = hear (verb root) Literal sense: “you-are-(in the way/how)-them-hear” → “as you hear them.”

What exactly does kama mean here? Is it “if” or “like/as”?

Here kama means as/like: “as you hear them.”

With condition: kama = “if” (e.g., “Kama unataka…” = “If you want…”).
With manner/comparison: kama = “as/like” (e.g., “Fanya kama unavyofundishwa” = “Do as you are taught”).

What does the piece -vyo- contribute?

-vyo- is the relative marker of manner (“the way/how”). It turns the clause into “the way/how you [do something].”
Examples:

“Kula unavyopenda” = “Eat how you like.”
“Fanya kama unavyoweza” = “Do it as you’re able.”

Why is the object marker -ya- present in unavyoyasikia?

Because it refers back to maelezo. Maelezo is noun class 6 (ma-), whose object marker is ya-. So -ya- = “them (class 6).”
Without -ya-, “kama unavyosikia” would mean “as you hear (in general),” not explicitly “as you hear them.”

Is “kama unavyosikia” (without -ya-) wrong?

Not wrong, but less specific.

kama unavyoyasikia = “as you hear them (the notes/explanations).”
kama unavyosikia = “as you hear (it/in general),” leaving the object implicit.

Why is the first verb andika but the second is uyapitie?

andika is a direct imperative (“write!”).
uyapitie is the subjunctive (“that you go through them”), commonly used after connectors like kisha in step-by-step instructions. It reads as “then you should review them again.” Using the subjunctive here is natural in formal or written directions.

Could the second instruction also be a bare imperative?

Yes, you’ll also hear/see the imperative with an object marker: yapitie tena (“go through them again”). The version in the sentence, uyapitie, is the subjunctive and is especially common in written instructions after kisha.

Why does pitia end with -e in (u)ya-piti-e?

That final -e marks the subjunctive (and also appears in many object-marked imperatives).

Indicative: anapitia (“he/she is going through”).
Subjunctive/command-like: apitie (“that he/she go through”).

What does kisha mean, and how is it different from halafu?

Both mean then/after that.

kisha tends to be a bit more formal/literary.
halafu (often pronounced alafu in speech) is very common in everyday conversation.
You could say: “..., halafu uyapitie tena.”

Where can I place tafadhali? Is it required?

It’s optional and can appear at the start or end:

Tafadhali andika…
Andika…, tafadhali.
It softens the command to a polite request. Alternatives include Naomba uandike… or Tafadhali uandike… (subjunctive for extra politeness).

What exactly is maelezo? Singular or plural? Which class?

Maelezo means “explanations/details/information/notes.” It’s class 6 (ma-). The singular elezo (class 5) exists but is uncommon in everyday use. Agreement for class 6 uses ya- (object marker), haya (these), etc.:

maelezo haya = “these explanations”
uyapitie = “review them (the explanations)”

How do I refer back to maelezo with pronouns and agreement?

Use class 6 agreement:

Demonstratives: haya maelezo / maelezo haya (“these explanations”)
Object marker: ya- (e.g., nimeyasoma = “I have read them”)
Relative: -yo- in some contexts, but for manner you use -vyo- plus the class-6 object marker if needed, as in unavyoyasikia.

Is unavyoyasikia written as one word? How is it pronounced?

Yes—Swahili writes the whole verbal complex as one word: unavyoyasikia.
Pronunciation: u-na-vyo-ya-si-kia. Stress the penultimate syllable: u-na-vyo-ya-SI-kia.

Could I replace kama with jinsi?

Yes. Jinsi unavyoyasikia also means “the way/how you hear (them).” You can say: Andika jinsi unavyoyasikia. With jinsi, many speakers drop kama.

How would I say “Please don’t review them again”?

Tafadhali usiyapitie tena.
Explanation: negative imperative/subjunctive uses usi- + object marker (-ya-) + verb with final -e.

What’s the difference between sikia and sikiliza?

sikia = hear (perceive sound); also “listen” in many contexts.
sikiliza = listen (actively pay attention).
So you could say: andika maelezo kama unavyoyasikiliza (“as you listen to them”) if you want to emphasize active listening.