Mbwa wangu ni mzito.

My dog is heavy.

Breakdown of Mbwa wangu ni mzito.

• ni: to be
• wangu: my
• mbwa: the dog
• mzito: heavy

Questions & Answers about Mbwa wangu ni mzito.

What does each word in Mbwa wangu ni mzito mean?

Mbwa translates to dog, wangu means my, ni is the linking verb is, and mzito means heavy. So the full sentence means My dog is heavy.

How is possession indicated in this sentence?

In Swahili, possession is typically shown by adding a possessive adjective after the noun. Here, wangu means my and comes directly after mbwa (dog) to indicate that the dog belongs to the speaker.

Why is the copula ni used, and can it be omitted?

The copula ni is essential in Swahili for linking the subject with its complement in equational sentences. It functions like the English is in “My dog is heavy” and cannot be omitted if you want the sentence to be grammatically complete.

How do noun classes affect the adjective mzito in this context?

Swahili requires adjectives to agree with the noun they describe according to its noun class. Mbwa belongs to a noun class that uses the prefix m- in its adjectives. Thus, mzito is the form of heavy that correctly agrees with mbwa. If the noun belonged to a different class, the adjective would have a different prefix.

What is the overall structure of the sentence Mbwa wangu ni mzito?

The sentence follows a clear pattern: it begins with the noun (mbwa) along with its possessive adjective (wangu), then uses the copula (ni) to link to the descriptive adjective (mzito). This structure—noun plus possessive, followed by the linking verb, then the adjective—is common in Swahili equational sentences.

How would I form a similar sentence with a different subject and adjective?

To create a similar sentence, replace the noun and adjust the adjective for proper noun class agreement. For example, to say My cat is small, use paka for cat and the class-appropriate form of small (mdogo), resulting in Paka wangu ni mdogo. Always ensure that the adjective matches the noun’s class for correct agreement.