Maendeleo ni muhimu.

Progress is important.

Breakdown of Maendeleo ni muhimu.

• ni: to be
• muhimu: important
• maendeleo: the progress

Questions & Answers about Maendeleo ni muhimu.

What is the function of ni in the sentence "Maendeleo ni muhimu"?

The word ni serves as the copula (linking verb) in Swahili. It connects the subject maendeleo to the predicate adjective muhimu, much like the English "is" in the sentence "Development is important."

What is the grammatical structure of the sentence "Maendeleo ni muhimu"?

The sentence follows a straightforward equative structure: Subject (maendeleo) + Copula (ni) + Predicate Adjective (muhimu). This construction asserts a state or quality about the subject without using an extra verbal element beyond the copula.

Does the adjective muhimu change its form to agree with maendeleo?

No, in this equative construction using ni, the adjective muhimu remains in its base form. Swahili adjectives used as predicates in such sentences typically do not change to match the noun's class or number.

What kind of noun is maendeleo, and how does its form affect the sentence?

Maendeleo comes from the ma- noun class. Although this prefix is generally associated with plurals or mass nouns, in the context of this sentence it refers to the abstract concept of "development" or "progress." Despite its form, it does not affect the form of ni or muhimu in an equative sentence.

Why doesn’t Swahili require a separate verb for "is" like English does in "Development is important"?

In Swahili, the copula ni inherently carries the meaning of "is" and is all that is needed to link the subject with its attribute in the present tense. There is no additional auxiliary verb used for "to be" in such constructions.

Can the sentence "Maendeleo ni muhimu" be expanded or modified for different contexts?

Yes, the sentence can be extended to include more detail. For example, you might specify the type of development by saying, Maendeleo ya jamii ni muhimu ("Community development is important"). When expanding sentences, keep in mind that additional adjectives or modifiers may need to agree with their corresponding noun classes. However, in the simple equative structure, the basic order and forms remain unchanged.