Tunasikia fisi usiku karibu na mbuga.

Tunasikia breaks down like this:

• tu- = we
• -na- = present tense
• -sikia = hear

So tunasikia means we hear or we are hearing.

It can mean either, depending on context.

In Swahili, the tense marker -na- often covers both:

• a general present: we hear
• an ongoing present: we are hearing

So this sentence could describe a regular situation, or something happening now. Context tells you which meaning is intended.

Swahili does not use articles like English does.

So:

• fisi can mean a hyena, the hyena, or hyenas
• mbuga can mean a park, the park, or parks

The exact meaning depends on context, not on a separate word like a or the.

It can be either singular or plural.

Fisi is one of those Swahili nouns whose singular and plural have the same form. Context tells you whether it means:

• a hyena
• hyenas

This is normal for many nouns in the N/N noun class.

Swahili often uses time words without a preposition.

So usiku can mean:

• night
• at night
• during the night

English usually needs at, but Swahili often does not. That is why usiku by itself works naturally here.

Karibu na means near or close to.

Here:

• karibu = near / close
• na = to / with, depending on context

When karibu is followed by a noun, na is normally used:

• karibu na mbuga = near the park

Also, karibu by itself can mean welcome in other situations, so karibu na is a useful fixed expression to learn.

Mbuga means park, but in many contexts it especially refers to a game park, wildlife park, or reserve.

Because the sentence mentions fisi, a wild-animal setting is very likely. So mbuga here probably suggests a place like a national park or wildlife area, not just a city park.

This follows a very natural Swahili pattern:

• Tunasikia = verb
• fisi = object
• usiku = time expression
• karibu na mbuga = place expression

So the structure is basically:

We hear + hyena(s) + at night + near the park

Swahili word order is somewhat flexible, but this version sounds normal and straightforward.

Yes. Swahili often allows time expressions to move for emphasis.

For example, you could also say:

• Usiku tunasikia fisi karibu na mbuga.

That puts more focus on at night. The original sentence is still completely natural.

A helpful rough guide is:

too-nah-see-KEE-ah FEE-see oo-SEE-koo kah-REE-boo nah m-BOO-gah

A few pronunciation notes:

• Swahili vowels are usually clear and consistent.
• fisi sounds like FEE-see
• usiku sounds like oo-SEE-koo
• mbuga begins with an mb sound together, not with a silent m
• Stress in Swahili is usually on the second-to-last syllable

So the sentence has a smooth, regular rhythm once you break it into syllables.