Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Swahili grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Mimi ninataka kuokoa pesa.
What does Mimi mean in this sentence?
Mimi means "I". It is the subject pronoun used to refer to the speaker.
How is ninataka formed and what does it indicate?
Ninataka is formed from the verb kutaka (to want). The prefix "ni-" denotes the first-person singular (I), and the infix "-na-" marks the present tense. Together, ninataka translates to "I want" in the present tense.
Why is kuokoa in its infinitive form?
In Swahili, when expressing a desire or intention with a verb like kutaka (to want), the action that follows is in the infinitive form. Thus, kuokoa—which means "to save"—is used to indicate the action that the subject wants to perform.
What does pesa mean?
Pesa means "money" in Swahili.
Is it necessary to include Mimi when the verb already contains the subject marker?
No, including Mimi is not strictly necessary because the verb ninataka already has the first-person singular marker (ni-). However, beginners often include it for clarity or emphasis.