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Questions & Answers about Mimi nina nguvu.
What is the literal translation of Mimi nina nguvu?
It translates directly to I have strength, which can also imply that the speaker is strong.
What does mimi mean and why is it included in the sentence?
Mimi means I. Although Swahili verbs typically carry the subject information, including mimi adds emphasis or clarity by explicitly stating the subject.
How is the verb form nina constructed, and what does it signify?
Nina is built by combining the first-person singular prefix ni- with the present tense marker -na, derived from the verb kuwa na (to have). This construction indicates that the subject is currently in possession of something—in this case, strength.
What does the word nguvu mean in this context?
Nguvu means strength, referring to physical or metaphorical power.
Is it necessary to include mimi in the sentence?
No, it isn’t strictly necessary. Swahili often omits the subject pronoun because the verb ending already indicates the subject. However, using mimi can emphasize or clarify that the speaker is referring to themselves.
How would you change the sentence to express You have strength?
For addressing one person, you would say Wewe una nguvu. Here, wewe means you and the verb changes to una, the second-person singular form of kuwa na.