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Questions & Answers about Mimi nina ndoto kubwa.
What does Mimi nina ndoto kubwa mean in English?
It translates to I have a big dream. Mimi means I, nina means have, ndoto means dream, and kubwa means big.
Why is the subject pronoun Mimi explicitly included in this sentence?
In Swahili, subject pronouns are often optional because the conjugated verb already indicates the subject. However, including Mimi can provide clarity or add emphasis, much like saying I myself in English for extra focus.
How is the verb nina formed, and what does it tell us about possession in Swahili?
The verb nina is created by combining the subject prefix ni- (meaning I) with the form -na, which comes from the expression kuwa na (to have). This construction shows that possession in Swahili is conveyed by attaching the subject prefix directly to a form that indicates having.
What does the placement of kubwa after ndoto tell us about Swahili adjective order?
In Swahili, adjectives typically follow the noun they describe. So even though in English we say big dream (adjective before noun), the correct order in Swahili is ndoto kubwa (noun followed by adjective).
Why does the sentence lack an article like a or the before the noun?
Swahili does not use articles in the way English does. The definiteness or indefiniteness of a noun is understood from context without needing an article equivalent to a or the.
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