Mimi nina idadi ya marafiki.

I have a number of friends.

Breakdown of Mimi nina idadi ya marafiki.

• mimi: I
• rafiki: the friend
• kuwa na: to have
• ya: of
• idadi: the number

Questions & Answers about Mimi nina idadi ya marafiki.

What does each word in Mimi nina idadi ya marafiki mean?

Each word breaks down as follows: Mimi means I; nina is the present tense form of have (with ni- indicating I and -na marking the present tense); idadi means number or quantity; ya functions as a possessive connector (similar to of in English); and marafiki is the plural of rafiki meaning friend(s). Altogether, the sentence translates as I have a number of friends.

Why does the verb appear as nina instead of a separate word for have like in English?

In Swahili, subject pronouns and tense markers are incorporated directly into the verb. The prefix ni- signifies the subject I, while the infix/suffix -na indicates the present tense. This combined form, nina, succinctly means I have, eliminating the need for a separate word for have as is required in English.

Is it necessary to include the pronoun Mimi even though the verb nina already implies the subject?

No, including Mimi is not strictly necessary because the verb’s prefix already identifies the subject. However, beginners often include the full pronoun for added clarity and emphasis, especially while still mastering Swahili’s verb conjugation system.

What role does ya play in the sentence?

ya serves as a genitive or possessive connector that links idadi (number) to marafiki (friends). This construction shows that the number describes or belongs to the friends, similar to how we say number of friends in English.

How is plurality indicated in the noun marafiki?

Swahili uses a system of noun classes to express plurality. In this sentence, marafiki is the plural form of rafiki (friend), achieved by the appropriate class prefix. This noun class system is essential for correctly forming singular and plural versions of nouns in Swahili.