Learn Hardcore Swahili: Machweo leo yalikuwa mazuri sana; yaya alipiga picha nzuri. - The sunset today was very beautiful; the nanny took nice photos.

Because machweo is a class 6 (MA) noun that takes the subject prefix ya-. The past of kuwa then becomes ya- + -li- + -kuwa → yalikuwa. The form ilikuwa is used with class 9/10 (N-class) nouns, e.g., nyumba ilikuwa.

Is machweo singular or plural? In English “sunset” is singular.

In Swahili machweo is usually treated as plural (class 6) and often works like a plural-only or collective noun referring to the sunset period. That’s why you see plural agreement: yalikuwa mazuri. If you want a clearly singular idea, you can use the verbal noun kuchwa (class 15): Kuchwa leo kulikuwa kuzuri sana.

Can I say Machweo ya leo instead of Machweo leo?

Yes. Machweo ya leo uses the connective ya (“of”) for “today’s sunset(s).” Machweo leo uses leo as a time adverb (“today”). Both are correct; the version with ya feels a bit more explicit/formal.

Why is the adjective mazuri here, but later it’s nzuri in picha nzuri?

Adjectives agree with the noun class:

machweo (class 6) → adjective takes ma-: mazuri.
picha (class 9/10, N-class) → adjective form is nzuri (same in singular and plural).

Why is sana placed after the adjective? Can it go before?

sana (very) follows the word or phrase it modifies. So mazuri sana and picha nzuri sana are correct. Placing sana before the adjective is ungrammatical.

Does the semicolon mean anything special in Swahili? Could I use a period or na instead?

It’s just punctuation style. You can use a period or link with na (and) or kwa hivyo (so). For example: Machweo leo yalikuwa mazuri sana. Yaya alipiga picha nzuri. All are fine.

What exactly does yaya mean? Is it always female, and is it polite?

yaya commonly means “nanny/babysitter/house helper.” It often refers to a woman but can be used for a man. Politer or more formal options include mfanyakazi wa nyumbani (domestic worker) or mlezi (caregiver). When addressing someone, using their name or dada/kaka is courteous.

How is alipiga formed?

It’s: a- (3rd person singular subject) + -li- (past tense) + verb root pig- + final vowel -a → alipiga. The expression piga picha is idiomatic for “take a photo.”

Why is it piga picha and not chukua picha?

piga picha is the standard, natural expression in Swahili. chukua picha is widely understood but sounds influenced by English and is less idiomatic. You’ll see piga in many set phrases, e.g., piga simu (make a call), piga pasi (iron clothes), piga kelele (make noise).

Can I move leo to another position?

Yes. All of these are acceptable, with similar meaning:

Leo machweo yalikuwa mazuri sana.
Machweo yalikuwa mazuri sana leo.
Machweo ya leo yalikuwa mazuri sana.

Why not use ni instead of yalikuwa?

ni is a present-tense copula and does not mark tense. To express the past (“were”), you use kuwa with the past marker: yalikuwa. If you’re speaking while the sunset is happening, you could say Machweo leo ni mazuri sana.

Who does the a- in alipiga refer to? Why isn’t there a separate “she”?

Swahili marks the subject on the verb. a- means “he/she.” A separate pronoun is usually unnecessary unless for emphasis. Context (here, yaya) makes it clear.

Is picha singular or plural here? How do I say “many photos”?

picha (class 9/10) has the same form for singular and plural; context decides. To be explicit, add a quantifier: picha nyingi (many photos), picha chache (a few), picha kadhaa (several).

How do I pronounce the tricky parts like machweo, yalikuwa, and nzuri?

Swahili stress is on the second-to-last syllable.
machweo: ma-chwe-o (stress on chwe); say “chwe” as one syllable.
yalikuwa: ya-li-ku-wa (stress on ku).
nzuri: n-zu-ri; start with the “nz” cluster together.

Does mazuri appear because machweo is plural? What would singular agreement look like in this adjective pattern?

Yes. Class 6 plural uses ma- on adjectives: mazuri. For a singular in the related JI/MA system, the adjective often appears as bare zuri: e.g., jambo zuri (singular) → mambo mazuri (plural). With machweo, speakers normally use the plural form; a singular counterpart isn’t used in everyday speech.

Could I connect the clauses with cause/effect, like “because” or “so”?

Yes, depending on nuance:

Cause: Kwa sababu machweo leo yalikuwa mazuri sana, yaya alipiga picha nzuri.
Result: Machweo leo yalikuwa mazuri sana, hivyo yaya alipiga picha nzuri.