Mimi ninataka kuhamia mjini.

I

Breakdown of Mimi ninataka kuhamia mjini.

• kutaka: to want
• kwenye: at
• mji: the town
• kuhamia: to move

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninataka kuhamia mjini.

What does Mimi mean and why is it used here?

Mimi means I in Swahili. Although the verb ninataka already has the subject embedded (the ni- indicates “I”), using mimi adds emphasis or clarity. In everyday conversation, native speakers might drop mimi since the verb conjugation clearly indicates the subject.

How is ninataka formed and what does it express?

Ninataka comes from the verb kutaka, which means to want. The prefix ni- indicates that the subject is I, and -nataka is the present tense form. Together, it translates as I want. In Swahili, the present tense is often used to express present desires or near-future intentions.

Why is the verb kuhamia in its infinitive form after ninataka?

In Swahili, when one verb follows another—especially after verbs like kutaka (to want)—the second verb is used in its infinitive form. Kuhamia means to move (or to migrate/move to a place) and serves as the complement to ninataka. So, ninataka kuhamia mjini means I want to move to the city.

What does mijini mean and how is it formed?

Mijini means in the city. It is the locative form of the noun mji (which means city or town). In Swahili, the suffix -ni is attached to nouns to indicate location or direction, so mijini conveys that the action is taking place in or towards a city.

Is it necessary to include Mimi at the beginning of the sentence when ninataka already specifies the subject?

No, it isn’t necessary. Swahili verbs include subject prefixes, so ninataka already means I want. However, including Mimi can be useful for emphasis, contrast, or clarity. In more casual or fluid speech, native speakers often omit explicit subject pronouns.