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Questions & Answers about Mimi nina pesa ndani ya mfuko.
What does Mimi mean in this sentence, and why is it sometimes explicitly stated even if the verb already implies the subject?
Mimi translates to "I" in English. Although the verb form nina already includes the subject information through its prefix, Mimi is often used for emphasis or clarity.
How is the verb nina formed, and what does it tell us about tense and subject?
Nina is derived from the verb phrase kuwa na ("to have"). It combines the subject prefix ni- (meaning "I") with the present tense marker -na-, thereby conveying the meaning "I have" in the present tense.
What does pesa translate to in English?
Pesa means "money" and serves as the object of the sentence.
How does the phrase ndani ya mfuko function in the sentence, and what does each part mean?
Ndani ya mfuko is a prepositional phrase that indicates location. Ndani means "inside," ya is a linking word that agrees with the noun that follows, and mfuko means "bag." Together, they tell us that the money is located inside the bag.
Why are there no articles like "the" or "a" in this sentence, and how is definiteness conveyed in Swahili?
Swahili does not use definite or indefinite articles such as "the" or "a." Instead, definiteness is understood through context and the use of noun classes, making separate article words unnecessary.
How does the word order in this Swahili sentence compare to that of English?
The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Object structure similar to English: Mimi is the subject, nina is the verb, and pesa is the object. The additional phrase ndani ya mfuko functions as an adverbial element indicating location, much like a prepositional phrase in English.