Nikiwa darasani, ninapenda kuuliza maswali.

Nikiwa means when I am or while I am.

It is built from:

• ni- = I
• -ki- = a marker often meaning when, if, or while
• -wa = be

So nikiwa literally works like when/while I am.

In this sentence, Nikiwa darasani means when I am in the classroom or while I am in class.

Swahili often shows location by adding -ni to a noun.

So:

• darasa = classroom / class
• darasani = in the classroom / in class

This -ni ending is a locative ending. Because of that, you do not need a separate word like in.

The difference is location.

• darasa = class or classroom
• darasani = in class / in the classroom

The ending -ni adds the idea of place or location.

Examples:

• Niko darasani. = I am in the classroom.
• Darasa ni kubwa. = The classroom/class is big.

In Swahili, subject markers and tense markers are usually attached directly to the verb.

Ninapenda can be broken down like this:

• ni- = I
• -na- = present tense
• -penda = like / love

So ninapenda means I like or I love.

This is very normal in Swahili: a lot of information that English puts into separate words is built into one verb form.

Kuuliza means to ask.

The ku- is the infinitive marker, like to in English infinitives:

• kuuliza = to ask
• kusoma = to read / study
• kwenda = to go

After verbs like ninapenda (I like), Swahili often uses the infinitive:

• ninapenda kuuliza = I like to ask

This is because the verb stem is -uliza (ask), and the infinitive prefix ku- is added to it:

• ku-
  • -uliza → kuuliza

So the double vowel is just the result of putting the infinitive prefix before the stem. This is normal in Swahili spelling.

Maswali means questions, plural.

The singular is:

• swali = question

The plural is:

• maswali = questions

This is part of the noun class system in Swahili:

• singular: swali
• plural: maswali

Since the sentence talks about asking questions in general, the plural is natural.

Yes, but the meaning changes.

• nauliza maswali = I ask questions / I am asking questions
• ninapenda kuuliza maswali = I like to ask questions

So:

• nauliza describes the action itself
• ninapenda kuuliza describes your preference or habit

It can mean different things depending on context, especially when, while, or sometimes if.

In this sentence, the most natural meanings are:

• when I am in class
• while I am in class

So nikiwa is a very useful form for expressing a situation happening at the same time as the main action.

That first part sets the scene.

• Nikiwa darasani = When I am in class
• ninapenda kuuliza maswali = I like to ask questions

Putting the time/situation phrase first is very natural in Swahili, just as in English:

• When I am in class, I like to ask questions.

You could think of it as giving the context before the main statement.

The comma is helpful because Nikiwa darasani is an introductory clause.

So the sentence is divided into:

• background/context: Nikiwa darasani
• main statement: ninapenda kuuliza maswali

In writing, the comma makes it clearer and more natural, much like in English:

• When I am in class, I like to ask questions.

Yes. Very often it suggests a general habit or tendency.

Ninapenda kuuliza maswali usually means:

• I like asking questions
• I like to ask questions

So the full sentence often means something like:

• When I am in class, I tend to like asking questions
• In class, I like to ask questions

It is not limited to one single moment. It can describe your usual behavior.

The structure is:

• Nikiwa darasani = subordinate clause / time-context phrase
• ninapenda = main verb
• kuuliza maswali = infinitive phrase acting like the thing you like doing

So the pattern is roughly:

When/while I am in class, I like to ask questions.

A helpful breakdown is:

• Nikiwa = when/while I am
• darasani = in class
• ninapenda = I like
• kuuliza = to ask
• maswali = questions

Yes. In real use, darasani can refer to:

• the physical place: in the classroom
• the activity/context: in class

Which one is meant depends on context. In your sentence, either translation works well:

• When I am in the classroom, I like to ask questions
• When I am in class, I like to ask questions

The second one often sounds more natural in English.