Learn Hardcore Swahili: Sitaki udaku darasani; mbona mnanong’ona badala ya kusoma? - I don’t want gossip in class; why are you whispering instead of reading?

Mbona means roughly “how come” and carries a tone of surprise, concern, or mild reproach. It implies the speaker thinks the behavior is unexpected or not appropriate. Kwa nini is a neutral “why.” So Mbona mnanong’ona…? sounds more scolding than Kwa nini mnanong’ona…?

How is mnanong’ona built morphologically?

mna-nong’ona = m- (2nd person plural subject “you all”) + -na- (present tense marker) + nong’ona (verb “whisper”). So it means “you (plural) are whispering/you whisper.”

Is the -na- present tense like English “are …-ing,” or can it be simple present too?

Both. The -na- tense covers present progressive and present habitual/simple present. Context supplies the nuance. In a classroom reprimand, mnanong’ona is naturally read as “you’re whispering (right now).”

Why is there an apostrophe in nong’ona, and how do I pronounce it?

In Swahili orthography, ng and ng’ are different:

ng = [ŋg], as in ngoma “drum” ([ŋgoma]).
ng’ = [ŋ] (no hard g), as in ng’ombe “cow” ([ŋombe]). So nong’ona is pronounced [noŋona], without a hard g.

If I’m talking to one person, how do I change mnanong’ona?

Use the 2nd person singular subject prefix: una-. So: Mbona unanong’ona badala ya kusoma? Everything else stays the same.

What exactly does udaku mean, and how formal is it?

Udaku is “gossip,” often with a slightly tabloid/rumor feel. It’s common and somewhat informal. A more “moralizing” word for gossip/tale-bearing is umbea. In some contexts, udaku can specifically evoke celebrity/tabloid gossip.

Why isn’t there an object marker for udaku in Sitaki udaku?

Because udaku here is a general, indefinite object (“gossip” in general). Swahili typically adds an object marker when the object is specific/known or for emphasis. If the gossip had been mentioned already, you could say Siutaki (darasani) (“I don’t want it in class”), where -u- refers back to a known class 11/14 noun like udaku.

What does the -ni in darasani do?

It’s the locative suffix meaning “in/at/on.” Darasa = “class/classroom,” and darasani = “in the class/classroom.” Common parallels: nyumbani (at home), shuleni (at school), kanisani (at church).

Could I say katika darasa or kwenye darasa instead of darasani?

Yes. Katika darasa and kwenye darasa both mean “in/inside the classroom.” Darasani is very idiomatic and compact, so it’s often preferred.

How is Sitaki formed? Why not nataka?

Affirmative present: na- + verb ⇒ nataka (“I want”).
Negative present uses a negative subject prefix and a final -i on the verb: si- + -taka + -i ⇒ sitaki (“I don’t want”).
Other persons follow the same pattern: hutaki, hataki, hatutaki, hamtaki, hawataki.

What’s the difference between Sitaki and Sipendi here?

Sitaki = “I don’t want / I won’t allow” (stronger, rules/discipline).
Sipendi = “I don’t like” (softer preference). A posted rule might also use Hakuna udaku darasani (“No gossip in class”).

Why is it badala ya kusoma and not badala ya mnasoma?

After badala ya (“instead of”), use:

the infinitive ku-
- verb: badala ya kusoma (“instead of studying/reading”), or
a noun phrase: badala ya mazungumzo (“instead of conversation”). You don’t conjugate the verb there; you use the infinitive.

Why is the connector ya used after badala? Could it be wa/cha/la instead?

Badala behaves like a fixed expression badala ya (“instead of”). It doesn’t change to wa/cha/la. Think of ya here as part of the set phrase, not something that agrees with the following noun/verb.

Does kusoma mean “read” or “study” here?

Kusoma can mean either “to read” or “to study.” In a classroom context, it naturally reads as “study,” but “read” is also possible.

Is the semicolon necessary?

No. It just links two closely related clauses. You could write:

Sitaki udaku darasani. Mbona mnanong’ona badala ya kusoma? (period) A comma can work in informal writing, but a period or semicolon is clearer.

Could I use the reciprocal “whisper to each other” form?

Yes: mnanong’onezana = “you (pl) are whispering to each other.” It’s more explicit about mutual action. Either is fine; the original already implies whispering among several students.

Isn’t mna also “you (pl) have”? How do I know it’s not “you have” here?

As a standalone word, mna means “you (pl) have” (e.g., Mna kazi nyingi = “You have a lot of work”). In mnanong’ona, mna- is not a separate word; it’s the subject prefix m- plus present -na- attached to the verb. Orthographically, the whole verb form is one word: mnanong’ona.

Can the word order change, like putting darasani first?

Yes. Swahili word order is flexible. You can front the location for emphasis: Darasani, sitaki udaku (“In class, I don’t want gossip”). The original order—object before location—is also very natural.