Mimi ninataka kuwapa marafiki zawadi.

I want to give friends a gift.

Breakdown of Mimi ninataka kuwapa marafiki zawadi.

• mimi: I
• rafiki: the friend
• kutaka: to want
• zawadi: the gift
• kuwapa: to give

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninataka kuwapa marafiki zawadi.

What does Mimi mean in this sentence?

Mimi means “I” in Swahili. Although the subject is already indicated by the prefix on the verb (ni- in ninataka), the subject pronoun is often included for emphasis or clarity.

How is ninataka formed and what does it mean?

Ninataka comes from the verb kutaka (“to want”). The prefix ni- indicates “I,” and the rest of the word, -nataka, is conjugated in the present tense to express desire. Thus, ninataka translates as “I want.”

What is the function of the word kuwapa in the sentence?

Kuwapa is the infinitive form of the verb “to give.” It is constructed with the infinitive marker ku- attached to wapa. Within wapa, the wa- prefix functions as an object marker referring to the recipients (in this case, friends). So kuwapa means “to give (them).”

How does the object marker wa- in kuwapa relate to the word marafiki?

In Swahili, object markers attach to the verb to indicate the recipient when that recipient is a person or people. The wa- in kuwapa corresponds to marafiki (meaning “friends”), showing that the act of giving is directed toward friends. This marker ensures that the verb agrees with the class of the noun receiving the action.

What do marafiki and zawadi mean, and how are they positioned in the sentence?

Marafiki means “friends” and zawadi means “gifts.” In the sentence, marafiki serves as the indirect object—the group of people to whom something is given—while zawadi is the direct object, specifying what is being given.

Is it necessary to include the subject pronoun (Mimi) in the sentence?

While it is not strictly necessary (since the ni- in ninataka already indicates “I”), including Mimi can add emphasis or clarity. Many learners find that using the subject pronoun is helpful, especially in the early stages of learning, even though Swahili frequently omits it once the subject is clear.