Akipata nafasi, atauliza swali darasani.

Akipata can be broken down like this:

• a- = he/she
• -ki- = if/when
• pata = get, obtain, find

So Akipata means if/when he or she gets.

It can mean either, depending on context.

In many sentences, -ki- introduces a condition or situation:

• if he gets a chance
• when he gets a chance

In this sentence, English could naturally use either one. If sounds a bit more conditional; when sounds a bit more expected.

Because Swahili usually puts several pieces of information into one verb word.

atauliza =

• a- = he/she
• -ta- = will
• uliza = ask

So one Swahili word can correspond to a whole English phrase: he/she will ask.

The dictionary form of a verb usually includes ku-, which marks the infinitive, like to in English.

• kuuliza = to ask
• uliza = the verb stem used when the verb is conjugated

So:

• kuuliza = to ask
• atauliza = he/she will ask

The ku- of the infinitive is not kept in normal finite verb forms.

It can mean either he or she.

Swahili does not usually mark gender in the third-person singular verb prefix. So a- simply means he/she. You find out which one is meant from context.

Here, nafasi means chance, opportunity, or time in the sense of having an opening to do something.

Depending on context, nafasi can also mean things like:

• space
• room
• position
• seat

But in this sentence, chance/opportunity is the natural meaning.

Darasani comes from darasa plus the locative ending -ni.

• darasa = class, classroom
• darasani = in class, in the classroom, at school/in class context

The ending -ni often gives a location meaning, such as in, at, or to a place.

Because Swahili does not use articles the same way English does.

So swali can mean:

• a question
• the question

The exact meaning depends on context. In this sentence, a question is the most natural English translation.

Yes, swali is singular: question.

Its plural is maswali: questions.

So:

• atauliza swali = he/she will ask a question
• atauliza maswali = he/she will ask questions

Because the subject is already built into the verb.

• Akipata already includes a- = he/she
• atauliza also includes a- = he/she

So you do not need to add yeye unless you want emphasis.

For example:

• Yeye akipata nafasi, atauliza swali darasani.

This would sound more like He/She, if given a chance, will ask a question in class.

Yes. You change the subject prefix in both verbs.

Examples:

• Nikipata nafasi, nitauliza swali darasani. = If I get a chance, I will ask a question in class.
• Ukipata nafasi, utauliza swali darasani. = If you get a chance, you will ask a question in class.
• Wakipata nafasi, watauliza swali darasani. = If they get a chance, they will ask a question in class.

So the pattern stays the same; only the subject prefix changes.

The given order is very natural:

• Akipata nafasi = conditional part first
• atauliza swali darasani = main statement after that

Swahili word order is somewhat flexible, but this version is clear and standard. Putting the condition first is especially common when you want to set up the situation before the main action.