Learn Hardcore Swahili: Tusije tukasahau vitambulisho; tutaingia ukumbini leo jioni. - Let’s not forget the IDs; we will enter the hall this evening.

Literally, Tusije tukasahau is “Let’s not come and then forget.” Swahili uses the verb kuja (to come) in the negative subjunctive (tusije) followed by a verb with the consecutive marker -ka- (tuka-), to express a warning about an undesired eventual outcome—roughly “lest we (end up) forget(ting).” It’s a very natural way to say “so that we don’t happen to forget.”

How is Tusije tukasahau different from simply saying Tusisahau?

Tusisahau = “Let’s not forget.” It’s a direct prohibition/reminder.
Tusije tukasahau = “Let’s not (end up) forgetting.” It adds a cautionary, “lest” sense, imagining the possibility of a slip-up down the line. It’s slightly softer and more anticipatory.

What does the -ka- in tukasahau do?

The -ka- is the consecutive/sequential marker. It often means “and then/so then,” linking an event to a prior one. With the negative subjunctive of kuja (tusije), tuka- signals an undesired consequence: “let’s not come (to the point that) we then forget.”

Could we replace tukasahau with tukisahau or drop the -ka-?

tukisahau (with -ki-) means “if we forget,” introducing a condition, not a “lest” warning.
tusisahau (dropping kuja … -ka-) is fine but loses the “lest/end up” nuance.
For the original cautionary tone, stick with Tusije tukasahau.

Can you break down the verbs morphologically?

Tusije = tu- (we) + negative subjunctive of ja (come) → “let’s not come (to…)”
tukasahau = tu- (we) + -ka- (consecutive) + sahau (forget) → “(and then) forget”
tutaingia = tu- (we) + -ta- (future) + ingia (enter) → “we will enter”

How would this pattern change for other subjects, like “you” or “he/she”?

Use the negative subjunctive of kuja for the subject, then the consecutive on the next verb:

You (sg): Usije ukasahau (lest you forget)
You (pl): Msije mkasahau
He/She: Asije akasahau
They: Wasije wakasahau

Do we need to say “our IDs”? How do we add “my/your/our” to vitambulisho?

Context often supplies possession, so bare vitambulisho is fine. To add it:

Singular (class 7, kitambulisho): changu, chako, chake, chetu, chenu, chao (e.g., kitambulisho changu)
Plural (class 8, vitambulisho): vyangu, vyako, vyake, vyetu, vyenu, vyao (e.g., vitambulisho vyetu = our IDs)

What noun class is kitambulisho/vitambulisho, and how does agreement work?

It’s class 7/8 (ki-/vi-). Key agreements:

Singular: kitambulisho kipya (a new ID)
Plural: vitambulisho vipya (new IDs) Possessives and many adjectives change form accordingly: cha-/vya-, ki-/vi-, etc.

Could we add an object marker to the verb, like tukavisahau?

Yes. Class 8’s object marker is vi-, so:

Tusije tukavisahau (vitambulisho). In standard style, if you use the object marker, you usually omit or front the full noun:
Vitambulisho tusije tukavisahau. Keeping both is possible for emphasis or topicalization but can sound redundant in neutral prose.

What is ukumbini exactly, and what does the -ni mean?

Ukumbi = “hall.” Adding -ni makes a locative: ukumbini = “in/at/into the hall.” With motion verbs like kuingia (enter), -ni naturally conveys “into.” With stative contexts, it means “in/at.”

Could we say tutaingia kwenye ukumbi or katika ukumbi instead of ukumbini?

Most idiomatic with ingia is the locative: kuingia ukumbini.
kuingia ndani ya ukumbi (enter inside the hall) is also common.
kuingia kwenye/katika ukumbi is heard and generally understood, but many speakers prefer -ni or ndani ya with motion into enclosed spaces.

What time does leo jioni refer to? Is it the same as “tonight”?

Jioni is late afternoon/evening (roughly ~4–7/8 p.m.). Usiku is night (later evening onward). Leo jioni = “this evening (today).” For “tonight” (later), leo usiku is clearer.

Is the word order flexible for the time phrase?

Yes. All are natural, with slightly different emphasis:

Tutaingia ukumbini leo jioni.
Leo jioni tutaingia ukumbini. The time expression often goes at the end, but fronting it for emphasis is common.

Why is there a semicolon? Could we use a comma or a connector?

A semicolon neatly links two closely related clauses. You could also write:

Tusije tukasahau vitambulisho, tutaingia ukumbini leo jioni.
Or add a connector for clarity: … kwa sababu tutaingia … (because), … maana tutaingia … (since).

Could the future tutaingia be replaced with present to talk about a scheduled plan?

Yes. Swahili often uses the present for near-future schedules:

Tunaingia ukumbini leo jioni. (We’re entering/We go in this evening.) Both are natural; tutaingia makes the futurity explicit.

How is sahau pronounced, and is it regular?

sahau has three syllables: sa-HA-u. The two vowels a-u are pronounced separately (no diphthong). The verb is otherwise regular: nimesahau (I have forgotten), tutasahau (we will forget), tusisahau (let’s not forget).