Mimi ninategemea dada yangu.

I

Breakdown of Mimi ninategemea dada yangu.

• yangu: my
• dada: the sister
• kutegemea: to depend on

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninategemea dada yangu.

What does Mimi mean, and why is it included even though the verb already shows the subject?

Mimi means I in Swahili. Although the verb ninategemea already contains the subject prefix ni- (indicating I), using Mimi adds emphasis or clarity. It can be used to stress that it is specifically I who am acting, which is particularly useful in contexts where contrast or extra emphasis is desired.

How is the verb ninategemea structured, and what does its form tell us about the tense?

The verb ninategemea is built from three parts: • ni-: the subject prefix for I. • na-: the present tense marker, which can indicate a continuous or habitual action. • tegemea: the core verb meaning to rely on or to depend on. Together, they form a present tense expression that translates to I rely on in English.

What role does yangu play in the sentence, particularly in relation to dada?

Yangu is the first person singular possessive adjective, meaning my. In the phrase dada yangu, it shows that the noun dada (sister) is possessed by the speaker, thus forming my sister. Its form is chosen to match the noun class of dada.

Why isn’t there a preposition like “on” before dada yangu as we would expect in English?

In Swahili, some verbs inherently express their relational meaning without requiring an extra preposition. The verb kutegemea (to rely on) already implies the sense of on or upon in its meaning. Therefore, the sentence Mimi ninategemea dada yangu directly translates to I rely on my sister without the need for an additional word equivalent to “on.”

Can the subject pronoun Mimi be omitted, and if so, what impact does that have on the sentence?

Yes, Mimi can be omitted because the subject is already indicated by the ni- prefix in ninategemea. The sentence ninategemea dada yangu is perfectly clear and grammatically correct, still meaning I rely on my sister. Including Mimi is optional and is typically done for emphasis or to remove any doubt about the subject.