Breakdown of Tutaimba wimbo kama unavyoshauri, kisha tutapumzika kidogo.
sisi
we
wimbo
the song
kuimba
to sing
kupumzika
to rest
kidogo
a bit
kisha
then
kama unavyoshauri
as you advise
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Questions & Answers about Tutaimba wimbo kama unavyoshauri, kisha tutapumzika kidogo.
What does the prefix tu- in Tutaimba and tutapumzika mean?
It marks the subject we (1st person plural). The verbs are built like this:
- tu- (we) + -ta- (future) + verb. So Tutaimba = we + future + sing, and tutapumzika = we + future + rest.
What does the infix -ta- express? Is it the only way to talk about the future?
-ta- marks the neutral future (any time after now). Other future-ish options:
- Present + time word: Tunaimba kesho (we’re singing tomorrow).
- Progressive future: Tutakuwa tunaimba (we will be singing).
In kama unavyoshauri, does kama mean if, like, or as?
Here kama means as / in the way that. The relative element -vyo- in unavyoshauri signals “manner,” which blocks the usual conditional if meaning. Without -vyo-, kama unashauri would normally read as if you advise.
What exactly is unavyoshauri made of?
It’s four parts:
- u- = you (singular)
- -na- = present/habitual
- -vyo- = relative of manner (“in the way that/how”)
- shauri = advise Together: unavyoshauri = “(the way) you advise.”
Why not just say kama unashauri?
Because that typically means if you advise (a condition). To mean as you advise, use the relative-of-manner -vyo-: kama unavyoshauri.
How would I say “as you advised (earlier)”?
Put the past inside the relative: kama ulivyoshauri (u- + -li- + -vyo- + shauri). This is “as you advised.”
How do I say it to more than one person: “as you (plural) advise”?
Use the plural subject prefix m-: kama mnavyoshauri.
Do I need to include sisi to say “we”?
No. tu- already marks “we.” Add Sisi only for emphasis/contrast: Sisi tutaimba… (We, as opposed to others, will sing…).
Why isn’t there an object marker before -imba for wimbo?
Swahili usually omits an object marker when the object comes right after the verb. You add an object marker when:
- The object is a pronoun: Tutauimba (We’ll sing it).
- The object is fronted/topicalized: Wimbo tutauimba (The song, we’ll sing it). For wimbo (class 11), the object marker is u-: tutauimba.
Is wimbo singular or plural? What’s the plural?
wimbo is singular (“song”). The plural is nyimbo (“songs”). It’s an irregular pair (class 11/10).
Can I specify “this/that song”?
Yes, use demonstratives for class 11:
- wimbo huu = this song (near me)
- wimbo huo = that song (near you/just mentioned)
- wimbo ule = that song (over there/previously mentioned) Example: Tutaimba wimbo huo.
Is kisha the same as halafu? Are both fine here?
Both mean then/after that. kisha feels a bit more formal/written; halafu is common in speech. You can use either here.
Where does kidogo go, and what does it modify?
It normally follows the verb and modifies the extent/duration: tutapumzika kidogo = “we’ll rest a bit/a little.” Alternatives: tutapumzika kwa muda mfupi, kidogo tu.
How would I negate the sentence?
Use the negative future ha-…-ta- with the correct subject:
- Hatutaimba wimbo… (We will not sing a song…)
- …kisha hatutapumzika kidogo. (…then we will not rest a bit.) Structure: ha- + tu + -ta- + verb → hatuta-…
Is kama required before a -vyo- relative, or can I drop it?
You can drop kama in many “as/how” expressions: Tutaimba wimbo unavyoshauri is also acceptable and means the same. Including kama is very common and often a bit clearer for learners.
What’s the difference between shauri and ushauri?
- shauri = to advise (verb). In this sentence it’s the verb inside unavyoshauri.
- ushauri = advice (noun). For example: kulingana na ushauri wako (according to your advice).