Mimi nafanya kazi kwa ajili ya pesa.

I

Breakdown of Mimi nafanya kazi kwa ajili ya pesa.

• pesa: the money
• kazi: the work
• kufanya: to do
• kwa ajili ya: for

Questions & Answers about Mimi nafanya kazi kwa ajili ya pesa.

What is the literal breakdown of the sentence Mimi nafanya kazi kwa ajili ya pesa?

The sentence can be broken down as follows:

• Mimi means I.
• Nafanya comes from the verb fanya (to do or work) with the prefix na- signaling present habitual or continuous action.
• Kazi translates to work or job.
• Kwa ajili ya means for the sake of (indicating purpose or reason).
• Pesa means money. So, the sentence literally means I work for money.

Why is the subject pronoun Mimi explicitly included even though the verb form nafanya already implies the subject?

In Swahili, the subject is often encoded within the verb conjugation, making the explicit subject pronoun unnecessary for basic communication. However, beginners or speakers who seek clarity and emphasis may include Mimi to explicitly show that I am the one performing the action.

What role does the prefix na- in nafanya play in this sentence?

The prefix na- is used to indicate a present continuous or habitual action. In nafanya, it shows that the speaker is currently engaged in or regularly performs the action of working.

What is the meaning and purpose of the phrase kwa ajili ya in this context, and could it be replaced with kwa?

Kwa ajili ya means for the sake of or because of and is used to express the purpose or reason behind an action. While kwa can also denote association or means in some contexts, kwa ajili ya provides a clearer sense of intent, explaining that the work is done specifically for money.

Is it common in Swahili to omit subject pronouns, and when is it appropriate to include them?

Yes, it is common to omit subject pronouns in Swahili because the verb conjugation clearly indicates the subject. Nevertheless, including the subject pronoun—like Mimi—can be helpful for learners, for emphasis, or in contexts where clarity is desired.