Mimi nina pesa sokoni.

I have money at the market.

Breakdown of Mimi nina pesa sokoni.

• mimi: I
• kuwa na: to have
• kwenye: at
• soko: the market
• pesa: the money

Questions & Answers about Mimi nina pesa sokoni.

Why do we use Mimi if nina already indicates “I have”?

In Swahili, the verb nina already contains the subject marker ni-, which indicates "I." However, adding Mimi provides emphasis or clarity. It’s similar to how in English you might say "I personally have money" instead of just "I have money."

Why is the verb form nina used instead of another structure like niko na?

Both nina and niko na can mean "I have," but they have slightly different nuances. Nina literally means "I possess," while niko na can feel like "I am with." In many contexts, nina is the more direct way to say "I have" in Swahili.

What is the function of the -ni ending in sokoni?

The -ni ending in sokoni marks a locative form, indicating "at the market" or "to the market." So soko means "market," and sokoni means "in/at/to the market," showing the place where the action or situation is happening.

What’s the difference between pesa and fedha in Swahili?

Both pesa and fedha can mean "money," but pesa is more colloquial and commonly used in everyday conversation. Fedha is more formal or can refer to "currency" in a broader sense. In day-to-day speech, most speakers naturally use pesa.