Mimi nina dada zangu.

I

Breakdown of Mimi nina dada zangu.

• kuwa na: to have
• dada: the sister
• zangu: my

Questions & Answers about Mimi nina dada zangu.

What does Mimi mean in this sentence?

Mimi translates to I in English. In Swahili, the subject pronoun is often used to emphasize the speaker, even though the verb conjugation might already indicate the subject.

How is the verb nina constructed, and what does it mean?

Nina is made up of the subject prefix ni- (meaning I) attached to the verb root with the present marker -na. Together, it means I have (or is equivalent to saying I have when referring to possession). It shows both the subject and present tense aspect.

What does dada mean, and how is it used here?

Dada means sister. In this sentence, it functions as a noun that is being possessed by the speaker. Although it appears in a plural context here, the specific plurality is indicated by the possessive adjective that follows.

Why is zangu used, and what does it tell us about possession and number?

Zangu is a possessive adjective that means my in a plural sense. In Swahili, possessive adjectives must agree with the noun in number and noun class. Here, zangu is used with dada (sisters) to indicate that the speaker is referring to her or his multiple sisters. The ending -angu is specifically the form used when referring to plural nouns in the first person singular possessive form.

Why is the subject pronoun Mimi included even though it might seem redundant with nina?

Including Mimi is optional in many Swahili sentences because the verb conjugation (in this case, nina) already encodes the subject information. However, Mimi is often used for emphasis, clarity, or stylistic purposes. It reinforces that the speaker is talking about themselves and can add emphasis in contexts where the subject might otherwise be ambiguous.

How do the elements within the sentence reflect Swahili’s approach to word order and agreement?

Swahili typically follows a Subject–Verb–Object (SVO) structure. In this sentence:
• Mimi (subject) appears at the beginning for clarity and emphasis.
• Nina (verb) correctly reflects the first-person subject through its prefix and present marker.
• Dada zangu (object and possessive adjective) shows agreement in number and ownership. The possessive adjective zangu is tailored to agree with dada, supporting the communication of plurality and possession within a unified noun phrase.