Mimi nina muda wa kusoma kitabu leo.

I have time to read a book today.

Breakdown of Mimi nina muda wa kusoma kitabu leo.

• mimi: I
• kuwa na: to have
• kitabu: the book
• kusoma: to read
• leo: today
• muda: the time

Questions & Answers about Mimi nina muda wa kusoma kitabu leo.

Why do we use Mimi when Nina already indicates the first-person subject?

Using Mimi clarifies or emphasizes that the speaker is talking about themselves. In Swahili, the subject prefix (like ni- in nina) can indicate who is speaking, but adding Mimi makes it extra clear or provides emphasis.

What does Nina muda literally mean, and why is it formed this way?

Literally, nina muda means “I have time.” In Swahili, the verb kuwa na (to have) is often shortened to forms like nina (I have), una (you have), etc. So saying nina muda is a straightforward way to say “I have time.”

What role does the word wa play in Muda wa kusoma?

The word wa acts as a connector (a possessive or relative marker) linking muda (time) with kusoma (to read). Essentially, muda wa kusoma is “time of reading” or “time to read.”

Why do we use kusoma instead of soma?

Swahili uses the ku- infinitive marker to express “to” in verbs. So, kusoma is the infinitive form meaning “to read.” Without ku-, soma can be used as an imperative or part of conjugated forms, but here we need the infinitive.

Why is Leo placed at the end of the sentence?

In Swahili, adverbs of time like leo (today) can come at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Putting leo at the end is common in everyday speech: Mimi nina muda wa kusoma kitabu leo (“I have time to read a book today”). Swahili word order can be flexible, so you would still be understood if you said Leo mimi nina muda wa kusoma kitabu.