Mimi ninapenda kwenda sokoni kulipia chakula.

I like to go to the market to pay for food.

Breakdown of Mimi ninapenda kwenda sokoni kulipia chakula.

• mimi: I
• kupenda: to like
• kwenye: at
• soko: the market
• kwenda: to go
• chakula: the food
• kulipia: to pay

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninapenda kwenda sokoni kulipia chakula.

What does Mimi mean in this sentence?

Mimi means “I.” It is the pronoun for the first person singular. Although Swahili verbs already include the subject prefix (in this case ni- in ninapenda), using Mimi can add clarity or emphasis.

How is the verb ninapenda structured and what does it convey?

Ninapenda translates to “I like.” It comes from the verb kupenda (“to like”) with the subject prefix ni- for “I” and the present habitual marker -na-. This construction tells us that the speaker regularly or habitually enjoys the action that follows.

Why are kwenda and kulipia in their infinitive forms?

In this sentence, kwenda (“to go”) and kulipia (“to pay for”) are in their infinitive forms because they follow the main verb ninapenda. Swahili, like English, uses the infinitive to express actions that are liked, desired, or intended after certain verbs. This structure is similar to saying “I like to go” and “to pay for” in English.

What does sokoni mean, and how is its form developed?

Sokoni means “at the market” or “to the market.” It is derived from the noun soko (“market”) with the locative suffix -ni attached. This suffix is used in Swahili to indicate a location related to the action.

How does the word order in this sentence reflect typical Swahili syntax?

The sentence starts with the subject Mimi, followed by the main verb ninapenda, and then the two linked infinitive phrases: kwenda sokoni and kulipia chakula. While English often uses “to” before an infinitive (as in “to go” or “to pay”), Swahili directly attaches the locative and object after the respective infinitives. This chaining of infinitives is a common structure in Swahili to express purpose and sequence of actions.

Why is chakula placed at the end of the sentence?

Chakula means “food” and functions as the object of the infinitive kulipia (“to pay for”). Placing it at the end emphasizes that the ultimate goal of these actions—going to the market and paying—is to obtain or pay for food.