Wao ni marafiki.

They are friends.

Breakdown of Wao ni marafiki.

• ni: to be
• rafiki: the friend
• wao: they

Questions & Answers about Wao ni marafiki.

What does Wao mean in English?

Wao is the Swahili pronoun for they.

Why is ni used in this sentence?

In Swahili, ni acts like the verb to be in English, linking the subject (Wao) to the description (marafiki).

Is marafiki singular or plural?

Marafiki is the plural form of rafiki (friend). So marafiki means friends.

How would I say the sentence if referring to just one friend?

You would say Yeye ni rafiki. Yeye means he or she, and rafiki means friend in the singular form.

Is it common to omit Wao in everyday speech?

Yes, in Swahili conversation, speakers often drop the subject pronoun when context is clear because the verb form can indicate the subject. However, using Wao for clarity is perfectly fine.