When you're just starting out in Swahili, knowing how to talk about time is super useful. Kesho is one of those words you'll use all the time, because it simply means 'tomorrow'.
It's rated A1 on the CEFR scale, which means it's considered a beginner word. This makes sense, as it's a basic concept needed for everyday conversation.
You'll often hear it in simple sentences to indicate when something will happen. For example, if someone asks 'When will we meet?', a common answer could be 'Kesho!', meaning 'Tomorrow!'.
Mastering words like kesho early on will quickly boost your ability to communicate in Swahili.
When you're discussing plans, you can use kesho to indicate something happening the day after today. For example, Tutakutana kesho means "We will meet tomorrow." You can also combine it with other words for more specific timing, like kesho asubuhi for "tomorrow morning" or kesho jioni for "tomorrow evening." It's a very common and essential word for scheduling and talking about future events.
§ Don't confuse 'kesho' with 'asubuhi'
Many English speakers learning Swahili accidentally use 'asubuhi' when they mean 'tomorrow.' While 'asubuhi' means 'morning,' it doesn't carry the meaning of the next day. 'Kesho' specifically refers to the entire next day, not just the morning part of it. Always use 'kesho' for 'tomorrow.'
Nitakuja kesho. (I will come tomorrow.)
Tutakutana kesho asubuhi. (We will meet tomorrow morning.)
§ Using 'kesho' for 'next day' in general
Remember that 'kesho' specifically means 'tomorrow' (the day after today). It does not mean 'the next day' in a general sense or a future, unspecified day. If you want to say 'the next day' or 'the following day' in a narrative or more general context, you'd use phrases like 'siku iliyofuata' (the day that followed) or 'siku nyingine' (another day).
- DEFINITION
- Siku iliyofuata: The day that followed.
- DEFINITION
- Siku nyingine: Another day.
Alisema atakuja, na siku iliyofuata alifika. (He said he would come, and the following day he arrived.)
Avoid saying things like "Kesho nilikwenda sokoni" (Tomorrow I went to the market) when you mean "The next day I went to the market." 'Kesho' always refers to the future relative to the present moment of speaking, not the future relative to a past event.
§ Not using 'kesho kutwa' for 'the day after tomorrow'
Just as 'jana' (yesterday) has 'juzi' (the day before yesterday), 'kesho' has 'kesho kutwa' for 'the day after tomorrow.' A common mistake is to try and construct a phrase for 'the day after tomorrow' using 'kesho' in a roundabout way. The correct and simplest way is 'kesho kutwa.'
- DEFINITION
- Kesho kutwa: The day after tomorrow.
Safari yetu ni kesho kutwa. (Our trip is the day after tomorrow.)
§ Omitting 'kesho' when it's implied in English
In English, sometimes we say "See you then!" or "I'll call you" and the 'tomorrow' is implied by context. In Swahili, it's safer to explicitly state 'kesho' if you mean tomorrow, especially when you are just starting out. While context can sometimes make it clear, being explicit avoids confusion.
- Incorrect (potentially confusing): "Tutakutana!" (We will meet!) - could be anytime.
- Correct and clear: "Tutakutana kesho!" (We will meet tomorrow!)
Always make sure your temporal adverbs are precise. 'Kesho' is a straightforward word, but like many simple words, it's easy to make small, common errors in usage. Focus on its specific meaning: the day after today. Practice using it with future tense verbs, and you'll master it quickly.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the 'e' like in 'she' instead of like in 'get'.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Kesho kutwa nitasafiri kwenda Mombasa, nimechoka na baridi ya Dar es Salaam.
The day after tomorrow, I will travel to Mombasa; I am tired of Dar es Salaam's cold.
Here, 'kesho kutwa' refers to the day after tomorrow, showing a common extension of 'kesho'.
Ah, kesho! Nani ajuaye yatakayojiri? Ni Mungu pekee ndiye afahamu.
Ah, tomorrow! Who knows what will happen? Only God knows.
'Kesho' is used here in a more philosophical sense, referring to the unknown future.
Kama huwezi leo, usiahirishe hadi kesho mambo unayoweza kumaliza sasa hivi.
If you can't do it today, don't postpone until tomorrow things you can finish right now.
This is a common proverb, where 'kesho' represents procrastination.
Nina matumaini makubwa kuwa kesho itakuwa siku njema zaidi kuliko leo, licha ya changamoto zilizopo.
I have great hope that tomorrow will be a better day than today, despite the existing challenges.
'Kesho' is used to express optimism for the future.
Hatuwezi kujenga taifa imara bila kuzingatia elimu bora kwa vizazi vya kesho.
We cannot build a strong nation without considering quality education for tomorrow's generations.
Here, 'vizazi vya kesho' refers to future generations, an abstract use of 'kesho'.
Waziri alisisitiza umuhimu wa kupanga mikakati sasa kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya nchi kesho.
The minister emphasized the importance of planning strategies now for the country's development tomorrow (in the future).
'Kesho' is used here to signify the future or long-term development.
Ingawa leo imetuletea machungu, tusikate tamaa; kesho inaweza kuwa na furaha isiyo na kikomo.
Although today has brought us pain, let's not lose hope; tomorrow can hold boundless joy.
Another idiomatic use of 'kesho' representing a hopeful future.
Mikataba iliyosainiwa leo italeta athari kubwa kwa uchumi wa nchi kesho na hata miaka ijayo.
The agreements signed today will have significant effects on the country's economy tomorrow (in the future) and even in the coming years.
'Kesho' is used to denote immediate future impact, followed by 'miaka ijayo' for longer term.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
While 'baadaye' means 'later', it's not a direct synonym for 'tomorrow'. 'Kesho' is specific to the next day.
Means 'in the future'. This is a much broader term than 'kesho', which is very specific.
Means 'tonight'. This is not 'tomorrow'. 'Kesho' refers to the entire next day.
Grammatikmuster
Leicht verwechselbar
Often confused with 'tomorrow'.
Means 'the day after tomorrow'. 'Kesho' means 'tomorrow'.
Nitakuona kesho kutwa. (I will see you the day after tomorrow.)
Sometimes confused due to its relation to time.
Means 'yesterday'. 'Kesho' means 'tomorrow'. They are opposites.
Nilikuona jana. (I saw you yesterday.)
Can be confused as it also refers to a day.
Means 'today'. 'Kesho' means 'tomorrow'.
Nitafanya kazi leo. (I will work today.)
Confused because it refers to a recurring time.
Means 'every day'. 'Kesho' is a specific future day.
Ninaenda shuleni kila siku. (I go to school every day.)
Confused as both refer to a future time.
Means 'next month'. 'Kesho' specifically means 'tomorrow'.
Tutatembelea Zanzibar mwezi ujao. (We will visit Zanzibar next month.)
Satzmuster
Kesho nitakwenda [mahali].
Kesho nitakwenda sokoni. (Tomorrow I will go to the market.)
[Nani] atafanya [kitendo] kesho.
Yeye atafanya kazi kesho. (He/she will work tomorrow.)
Tutaonana kesho [wakati maalum].
Tutaonana kesho asubuhi. (We will see each other tomorrow morning.)
Je, unafanya nini kesho?
Je, unafanya nini kesho? (What are you doing tomorrow?)
Kesho kutakuwa na [tukio].
Kesho kutakuwa na sherehe. (Tomorrow there will be a party.)
Siwezi kuja kesho.
Siwezi kuja kesho. (I cannot come tomorrow.)
Kesho ni [siku ya wiki].
Kesho ni Jumanne. (Tomorrow is Tuesday.)
[Kivumishi] kesho.
Nzuri kesho. (Good tomorrow.) - Often used as a farewell.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Talking about future plans with friends.
- Tutakutana kesho?
- Uko huru kesho?
- Kesho nina mipango.
Scheduling a meeting at work.
- Mkutano wetu ni kesho.
- Naweza kukuona kesho?
- Tutatuma barua pepe kesho.
Discussing daily activities for the next day.
- Kesho nitaenda sokoni.
- Ninafanya kazi kesho.
- Kesho ni siku yangu ya kupumzika.
Asking about a deadline.
- Je, kazi hii inahitajika kesho?
- Muda wa mwisho ni kesho.
- Naweza kuikamilisha kesho.
Talking about upcoming events or holidays.
- Kesho ni likizo.
- Kesho kutakuwa na sherehe.
- Ninasafiri kesho.
Gesprächseinstiege
"Uko huru kufanya nini kesho?"
"Una mipango gani kwa ajili ya kesho?"
"Kesho utaenda wapi?"
"Ungependa kufanya nini kesho na mimi?"
"Kesho ni siku gani muhimu kwako?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Andika kuhusu mipango yako ya kesho. (Write about your plans for tomorrow.)
Eleza jinsi unavyohisi kuhusu kesho. (Describe how you feel about tomorrow.)
Ukiwa na fursa ya kufanya jambo lolote kesho, ungefanya nini? (If you had the chance to do anything tomorrow, what would you do?)
Andika kuhusu kitu kimoja unachotarajia kufanya kesho. (Write about one thing you are looking forward to doing tomorrow.)
Je, kuna kitu chochote unachohitaji kukamilisha kesho? (Is there anything you need to accomplish tomorrow?)
Teste dich selbst 30 Fragen
Nitaenda sokoni ___. (I will go to the market tomorrow.)
The sentence indicates a future action, so 'kesho' (tomorrow) is the correct adverb.
Tutakutana ___. (We will meet tomorrow.)
'Kesho' is used to indicate something happening on the next day.
Anafanya kazi ___. (He is working tomorrow.)
To express an action scheduled for the next day, 'kesho' is the appropriate word.
Watasafiri ___. (They will travel tomorrow.)
'Kesho' specifically means 'tomorrow', indicating an immediate future event.
Je, utakula nini ___? (What will you eat tomorrow?)
The question asks about a future meal, so 'kesho' is the correct time reference.
Mkutano ni ___. (The meeting is tomorrow.)
To state that an event occurs on the next day, 'kesho' is the correct term.
Write a short paragraph about your plans for tomorrow, using 'kesho' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kesho nitaamka mapema. Nitaenda sokoni kununua matunda na mboga. Baadaye, nitasoma kitabu changu kipya.
Imagine you are talking to a friend. Write three sentences asking about their plans for tomorrow.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Habari rafiki! Utafanya nini kesho? Utaenda wapi kesho? Unapanga nini kesho?
Write a sentence using 'kesho' that describes something you will *not* do tomorrow.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kesho sitaenda kazini kwa sababu ni Jumamosi.
What will they do tomorrow?
Read this passage:
Kesho kutwa tutaenda shambani. Tutapanda mahindi na maharagwe. Kesho, tunaweza kupumzika na kusoma vitabu.
What will they do tomorrow?
The passage says, 'Kesho, tunaweza kupumzika na kusoma vitabu,' meaning 'Tomorrow, we can rest and read books.'
The passage says, 'Kesho, tunaweza kupumzika na kusoma vitabu,' meaning 'Tomorrow, we can rest and read books.'
What food will be prepared tomorrow?
Read this passage:
Jana nilikula wali na samaki. Leo nitakula ugali na kuku. Kesho nitapika pilau.
What food will be prepared tomorrow?
The passage states, 'Kesho nitapika pilau,' which translates to 'Tomorrow I will cook pilau.'
The passage states, 'Kesho nitapika pilau,' which translates to 'Tomorrow I will cook pilau.'
When is the doctor's appointment?
Read this passage:
Nina miadi na daktari kesho asubuhi. Baada ya miadi, nitaenda duka kununua dawa. Halafu nitarejea nyumbani kupumzika.
When is the doctor's appointment?
The passage clearly says, 'Nina miadi na daktari kesho asubuhi,' meaning 'I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning.'
The passage clearly says, 'Nina miadi na daktari kesho asubuhi,' meaning 'I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning.'
The sentence translates to 'I will finish my work tomorrow.' In Swahili, the verb typically comes before the object.
This means 'He/she will go to the market tomorrow morning.' The time phrase 'kesho asubuhi' usually comes at the end.
The sentence 'We will travel to Mombasa tomorrow' follows the standard subject-verb-object-time order.
Listen for when the speaker will travel to Mombasa.
Listen for when the reply to the letter is expected.
Listen for when the meeting for the project is proposed.
Read this aloud:
Nina mpango wa kupika chapati kesho.
Focus: kesho (ke-sho)
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Read this aloud:
Kesho nitakwenda sokoni kununua mboga za majani.
Focus: kesho (ke-sho), nitakwenda (ni-ta-kwen-da)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Je, unafanya nini kesho?
Focus: kesho (ke-sho), unafanya (u-na-fan-ya)
Du hast gesagt:
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Write a short paragraph about your plans for tomorrow, using 'kesho' at least once. Make sure to include details about what you will do and why.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kesho, nitaamka mapema na kwenda sokoni kununua mboga mboga. Baadaye, nitapika chakula cha mchana kwa ajili ya familia yangu. Jioni, nitasoma kitabu kipya ambacho nimenunua. Ninapenda kusoma.
Imagine you have an important meeting tomorrow. Write an email to a colleague confirming the meeting and mentioning a task you need to complete 'kesho' before the meeting.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Habari, Natumai uko salama. Nakutumia barua pepe hii kuthibitisha mkutano wetu kesho saa nne asubuhi. Kabla ya mkutano, nitahakikisha nimekamilisha ripoti ya mauzo. Tuonane kesho. Asante,
Describe a hypothetical future event that will happen 'kesho' and explain its potential impact. For example, a new policy or a significant discovery.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kesho, serikali itatangaza sera mpya ya elimu itakayolenga kuboresha upatikanaji wa elimu kwa watoto wote vijijini. Hii itakuwa na athari kubwa kwa vizazi vijavyo, ikitoa fursa zaidi za maendeleo na kupunguza pengo la elimu kati ya miji na vijijini.
Ni tukio gani linatarajiwa kutokea kesho?
Read this passage:
Kesho, kutakuwa na sherehe kubwa kijijini kwetu kusherehekea miaka 50 ya uhuru. Watu wengi wanatarajiwa kuhudhuria, ikiwemo viongozi mbalimbali. Maandalizi yamekuwa yakiendelea kwa wiki kadhaa, na kila mtu ana hamu ya kusherehekea pamoja.
Ni tukio gani linatarajiwa kutokea kesho?
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema 'Kesho, kutakuwa na sherehe kubwa kijijini kwetu kusherehekea miaka 50 ya uhuru.'
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema 'Kesho, kutakuwa na sherehe kubwa kijijini kwetu kusherehekea miaka 50 ya uhuru.'
Ni kitu gani mkulima alihofia kitatokea kesho?
Read this passage:
Mkulima mmoja alipanda mbegu za mahindi shamba lake. Alitarajia kuvuna mavuno mengi. Hata hivyo, alihofia mvua nyingi ambayo ilitabiriwa kunyesha kesho, ambayo ingeweza kuharibu mimea yake. Alijaribu kutafuta suluhisho la kulinda mazao yake.
Ni kitu gani mkulima alihofia kitatokea kesho?
Sentensi ya tatu inasema, 'Hata hivyo, alihofia mvua nyingi ambayo ilitabiriwa kunyesha kesho, ambayo ingeweza kuharibu mimea yake.'
Sentensi ya tatu inasema, 'Hata hivyo, alihofia mvua nyingi ambayo ilitabiriwa kunyesha kesho, ambayo ingeweza kuharibu mimea yake.'
Kulingana na kifungu hiki, ni nini kitatokea kesho?
Read this passage:
Kesho, kampuni yetu itazindua bidhaa mpya inayolenga kurahisisha maisha ya watu. Bidhaa hii imetengenezwa kwa teknolojia ya kisasa na inatarajiwa kubadilisha jinsi tunavyofanya mambo mengi. Wataalamu wamefanya kazi kwa bidii kuhakikisha ubora wake.
Kulingana na kifungu hiki, ni nini kitatokea kesho?
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema, 'Kesho, kampuni yetu itazindua bidhaa mpya inayolenga kurahisisha maisha ya watu.'
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema, 'Kesho, kampuni yetu itazindua bidhaa mpya inayolenga kurahisisha maisha ya watu.'
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