Mimi nina njaa sana.

I

Breakdown of Mimi nina njaa sana.

• kuwa na: to have
• sana: very
• njaa: the hunger

Questions & Answers about Mimi nina njaa sana.

What does Mimi mean in the sentence?

Mimi means I in Swahili. It explicitly identifies the speaker and is often used for emphasis, even though the subject is usually indicated by the verb prefixes.

How is the verb nina constructed, and what does it signify?

The verb nina is built from the first-person singular prefix ni- combined with the present tense marker -na-. Together, they mean I have. In this construction, Swahili expresses states or conditions by indicating that the subject has something—in this case, the state of hunger.

What is the role of njaa in the sentence?

Njaa translates to hunger. Instead of saying I am hungry, Swahili uses a possession construction—I have hunger—to describe the state of being hungry.

What function does sana serve in this sentence?

Sana is an adverb meaning very or extremely. It intensifies the state described by njaa, so njaa sana effectively means very hungry.

Why is the subject Mimi explicitly mentioned when the verb nina already indicates the speaker?

While the subject prefix in nina inherently means I, including Mimi can add clarity or provide extra emphasis. It assures the listener exactly who is performing the action, which is especially useful in contexts where clarity is desired.

Is the structure Mimi nina njaa sana typical in Swahili, and how does it compare to English?

Yes, this structure is very typical in Swahili. Instead of using a linking verb like am as in English, Swahili often uses a construction that means I have [state]. Hence, Mimi nina njaa sana is the natural way to express "I am very hungry."