Mimi ninasikiliza wimbo nyumbani.

I am listening to a song at home.

Breakdown of Mimi ninasikiliza wimbo nyumbani.

• mimi: I
• nyumba: the home
• kwenye: at
• wimbo: the song
• kusikiliza: to listen

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninasikiliza wimbo nyumbani.

What does each word in the sentence "Mimi ninasikiliza wimbo nyumbani" mean?

• Mimi means I (subject pronoun).
• Ninasikiliza is a conjugated form of the verb sikiliza (to listen). It breaks down into ni- (first-person singular subject marker), na- (present tense marker), and sikiliza (the root meaning listen).
• Wimbo means song.
• Nyumbani means at home, functioning as an adverb of place.

Why is the subject pronoun Mimi included even though the verb ninasikiliza already has a subject prefix?

In Swahili, the verb's subject prefix (in this case, ni- indicating "I") already shows who is performing the action. However, including Mimi can add emphasis, provide clarity, or serve as reinforcement for learners. While subject pronouns are often optional, they become useful when starting out or when the speaker wishes to stress the identity of the subject.

How is the verb ninasikiliza structured, and what does each part signify?

The verb ninasikiliza is formed by combining three elements:
• Ni-: the subject prefix for first-person singular (I).
• Na-: the tense/aspect marker indicating the present tense, which can imply a habitual or ongoing action.
• Sikiliza: the verb root meaning to listen.
Together, they form a present tense statement that means "I listen" or "I am listening."

What role does the word nyumbani play, and why doesn't it require a separate preposition like "at"?

Nyumbani functions as an adverb of place that inherently means at home. In Swahili, many words indicating location already include the notion of place without needing a separate preposition. Thus, nyumbani conveys the idea of "at home" on its own, streamlining the sentence structure.

What aspect of time or habit does the sentence express with its tense marker?

The sentence employs the present tense, marked by na- in the verb ninasikiliza. This formation indicates that the action is taking place now, is ongoing, or may even be habitual, depending on the context. The use of this marker allows for flexibility in meaning—either emphasizing that the speaker is currently listening or that they typically listen to a song while at home.