Mimi ninapenda harufu ya maua.

I

Breakdown of Mimi ninapenda harufu ya maua.

• kupenda: to like
• ya: of
• ua: the flower
• harufu: the scent

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninapenda harufu ya maua.

What does mimi mean, and is it necessary in this sentence?

Mimi means I in Swahili. Although the verb ninapenda already incorporates the subject (through the prefix ni-), including mimi is common for emphasis or clarity. In casual conversation, many speakers might drop it, but using it makes the sentence explicitly personal.

How is the verb ninapenda constructed?

Ninapenda breaks down into three parts:
• ni- – a subject prefix meaning I.
• -na- – the present tense marker.
• penda – the base verb meaning to like or to love.
Together, they form the meaning I like (or I love).

What do harufu and maua mean in this sentence?

In this sentence, harufu means smell (or scent), and maua means flowers. Combined, harufu ya maua translates to the smell of flowers.

What is the function of ya in the phrase harufu ya maua?

Ya serves as a possessive or linking word in Swahili. It connects harufu (smell) with maua (flowers), indicating that the smell belongs to or is derived from the flowers—similar to the English “of” in “the smell of flowers.” Its form is determined by the noun class of the possessed noun.

How would you form the negative version of this sentence?

To form a negative sentence, replace the positive verb ninapenda with its negative counterpart. In this case, sipendi means I do not like. The negative version becomes: Mimi sipendi harufu ya maua. This shows how the subject and possessive structure remain the same, while the verb is modified to express negation.