Word
Mimi ninataka kutengeneza meza mpya.
Meaning
I want to make a new table.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of Mimi ninataka kutengeneza meza mpya.
mimi
I
kutaka
to want
mpya
new
meza
the table
kutengeneza
to make
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Questions & Answers about Mimi ninataka kutengeneza meza mpya.
What does Mimi mean in this sentence?
Mimi means “I” in Swahili. It is the subject pronoun used to indicate that the speaker is referring to themselves in the first-person singular.
What is the breakdown of the verb ninataka?
Ninataka translates to “I want.” It is formed by the subject prefix ni- (meaning “I”), the present tense marker na-, and the verb stem taka (meaning “to want”). Together, they express a current desire.
Why is kutengeneza in the infinitive form, and what does it mean?
Kutengeneza means “to make” or “to construct.” It appears in the infinitive form because it is the action that follows the expression of desire (ninataka). In Swahili, when verbs like “want” are used, the following verb is typically in its infinitive form, marked by the prefix ku-.
What does meza refer to in the sentence?
Meza means “table.” It is the object that the speaker plans to create.
What is the role of mpya in this sentence?
Mpya translates as “new” and functions as an adjective. In Swahili, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify, which is why mpya follows meza to indicate that it is a new table.
Is it necessary to include Mimi at the beginning, given that the verb already reflects the subject?
No, it isn’t strictly necessary. Swahili verb conjugation inherently includes subject information—as seen in the prefix ni- of ninataka. However, including Mimi can add clarity or emphasis, so both forms are acceptable.
Can you outline the overall sentence structure compared to English?
Certainly. The sentence follows a Subject–Verb–Infinitive–Object–Adjective order:
• Mimi (Subject: I)
• ninataka (Verb: want)
• kutengeneza (Infinitive verb: to make)
• meza (Object: table)
• mpya (Adjective: new)
This is similar to English in that the subject comes first. However, note that in Swahili the adjective typically follows the noun, unlike in English where it usually precedes it.
Are there any nuances in using kutengeneza for “to make” in Swahili?
Yes, while kutengeneza directly translates to “to make” or “to construct,” the context may call for different verbs. For example, if you meant “to create” in a more artistic or abstract sense, another verb like kuunda might be used. In this sentence, however, kutengeneza is the most common choice for constructing or building something, such as a table.
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