Maisha ni safari.

to be

Breakdown of Maisha ni safari.

• maisha: the life
• safari: the journey

Questions & Answers about Maisha ni safari.

What does ni do in the sentence Maisha ni safari?

Ni functions as the linking verb or copula in Swahili. It plays the same role as is in English, connecting the subject Maisha (life) with the predicate safari (journey) to state that the two are equivalent.

Is maisha singular or plural, and how should I understand it?

Although maisha may look plural in form, it is used to express the concept of life in a general, often abstract sense. In Swahili, some nouns appear in what looks like a plural form even when referring to a singular or uncountable idea.

Why doesn't safari have an article like a or the before it?

Swahili grammar does not use articles in the same way as English. By default, nouns like safari stand alone without definite or indefinite articles, so the sentence is complete without needing a or the as in English.

How does the structure of Maisha ni safari compare to its English equivalent?

Both sentences follow a subject-copula-predicate structure. In English, we say Life is a journey, while in Swahili the sentence is structured as Maisha (life) ni (is) safari (journey). The main difference is that Swahili does not use articles, and the copula ni directly links the components.

Is Maisha ni safari used as a metaphor in Swahili, and what does it convey?

Yes, the phrase is metaphorical. It suggests that life is not a static state but rather a journey full of varied experiences, challenges, and changes. Much like the English saying Life is a journey, it encourages the idea of embracing life’s ups and downs as part of a broader adventure.