Mimi ninapenda samaki kwa sababu ni kitamu.

I like fish because it is delicious.

Breakdown of Mimi ninapenda samaki kwa sababu ni kitamu.

• mimi: I
• ni: to be
• kupenda: to like
• samaki: the fish
• kitamu: delicious
• kwa sababu: because

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninapenda samaki kwa sababu ni kitamu.

What does Mimi mean in this sentence?

Mimi is the subject pronoun meaning “I” in English. Although Swahili verbs include a subject prefix (in this case, ni- in ninapenda also indicates “I”), using Mimi can add emphasis or clarification, especially for beginners.

How is the verb ninapenda constructed, and what does it convey?

The verb ninapenda breaks down into three parts:
• ni- is the first person singular subject prefix (“I”)
• na- indicates the present tense
• penda is the root meaning “to like” or “to love”
Combined, ninapenda means “I like” or “I love.”

What does samaki refer to in this sentence?

Samaki translates as “fish” in English. It designates fish either as a general noun or as the specific food item the speaker enjoys.

What is the meaning and function of kwa sababu in this sentence?

Kwa sababu means “because” (literally “by reason”). It introduces the explanatory clause that gives the reason for liking fish, linking the two parts of the sentence.

How does the phrase ni kitamu work grammatically, and what does it mean?

In ni kitamu, ni acts as the copula equivalent to “is,” and kitamu is an adjective meaning “delicious” or “tasty.” Together, they form a predicate complement that explains the quality of the fish—why the speaker likes it.

Why is the subject Mimi explicitly stated even though the verb already shows the subject?

While the subject prefix ni- in ninapenda already communicates that the action is done by “I,” including Mimi makes the sentence clearer and more emphatic. This explicit subject can be especially helpful for learners who are getting used to Swahili’s structure.