Mimi ninataka kuweka kitabu juu ya meza.

I want to put the book on the table.

Breakdown of Mimi ninataka kuweka kitabu juu ya meza.

• mimi: I
• kutaka: to want
• kitabu: the book
• meza: the table
• juu ya: on
• kuweka: to put

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninataka kuweka kitabu juu ya meza.

What does Mimi mean in this sentence, and why is it used even though the verb already shows the subject?

Mimi means I. Although the verb ninataka already contains the subject marker ni- (indicating I), including Mimi adds emphasis or clarity. In everyday Swahili, native speakers often drop the subject pronoun when it’s clear from the verb form.

How is ninataka formed, and what does it convey?

Ninataka is made up of the subject prefix ni- (meaning I) and the present-tense form of kutaka (to want). Together, ninataka translates as I want. This structure shows how Swahili verbs incorporate subject information directly into the verb.

Why is the verb kuweka in its infinitive form, and what role does it play in the sentence?

Kuweka is the infinitive form of the verb weka (to put/place). When expressing desires or intentions (often using kutaka meaning to want), Swahili uses the infinitive for the action that follows. In this sentence, kuweka specifies the action that the speaker wants to perform—to put.

What does kitabu mean, and what can be observed about its noun structure?

Kitabu means book. Notice the prefix ki-, which is characteristic of noun class 7/8 in Swahili. This prefix indicates the noun’s class and number, revealing part of the language’s systematic noun classification.

How is the phrase juu ya meza structured, and what does it mean?

Juu ya meza translates to on the table. Here, juu means on top or above, and ya serves as a linking word that often corresponds to of or a possessive construction in English. Meza means table. Together, the phrase specifies the location where the book is to be placed.