Mimi nina gari bora.

I

Breakdown of Mimi nina gari bora.

• kuwa na: to have
• gari: the car
• bora: good

Questions & Answers about Mimi nina gari bora.

What does the word Mimi mean in this sentence?

Mimi means "I". It is the subject pronoun that identifies who is performing the action. While Swahili verbs often imply the subject, including Mimi adds clarity or emphasis.

How is the verb nina formed and what does it signify?

Nina is a conjugated form derived from the verb phrase "kuwa na" (to have). The prefix ni- represents the first person singular (I), and the suffix -na indicates the present tense. Combined, nina means "I have."

Why is the adjective bora placed after the noun gari instead of before it as in English?

In Swahili, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. So "gari bora" literally translates to "car best," which corresponds to "the best car" in English. This noun-adjective order is a standard feature of Swahili grammar.

Why are articles like a or the omitted in this Swahili sentence?

Swahili does not use articles in the same way English does. Definiteness or indefiniteness is usually inferred from context, so "Mimi nina gari bora" effectively communicates "I have the best car" without needing an explicit article.

Is it necessary to always include the subject pronoun Mimi in sentences like this?

Not necessarily. Swahili often omits the subject pronoun because the verb conjugation already makes it clear who is acting. However, including Mimi can be useful for emphasis or to avoid ambiguity, especially in contexts where you wish to stress that "I" am the one doing the action.