Mimi sipendi kufundisha usiku.

I do not like to teach at night.

Breakdown of Mimi sipendi kufundisha usiku.

• mimi: I
• kupenda: to like
• usiku: the night
• kufundisha: to teach

Questions & Answers about Mimi sipendi kufundisha usiku.

Why is mimi included at the beginning of the sentence instead of just saying sipendi?

In Swahili, you can often drop the subject pronoun if the conjugation already makes it clear who is speaking. However, adding mimi (meaning I) can put emphasis on the speaker, making it very clear that I am the one who doesn’t like teaching at night.

What does the si- prefix in sipendi mean?

The si- prefix marks the negative form in the present tense. So while napenda means I like, sipendi changes it to I do not like.

Why is there a ku- in kufundisha?

The ku- is the infinitive marker for Swahili verbs. Fundisha means teach, so kufundisha means to teach.

Is usiku always placed at the end of the sentence?

Not always. In Swahili, word order is flexible. You can say Usiku sipendi kufundisha or Mimi sipendi usiku kufundisha, but the more natural or common order is as given: Mimi sipendi kufundisha usiku (meaning I don’t like to teach at night).

Can I say sifundishi instead of sipendi kufundisha?

Not exactly. Sifundishi means I am not teaching, referring to the action of teaching in the present tense (or habitual present). Sipendi kufundisha means I do not like to teach, focusing on your preference rather than the action itself.