Mimi nina shida nyumbani.

I have a problem at home.

Breakdown of Mimi nina shida nyumbani.

• mimi: I
• kuwa na: to have
• nyumba: the home
• kwenye: at
• shida: the problem

Questions & Answers about Mimi nina shida nyumbani.

What does the word Mimi mean in this sentence?

Mimi translates to "I" in English. It serves as the subject pronoun, indicating that the speaker is referring to themselves.

What is the function and meaning of the verb form nina?

Nina comes from the verb phrase kuwa na, which means "to have." In its present tense form, nina translates to "I have," with the prefix ni- designating the first person singular.

How is possession expressed in the sentence "Mimi nina shida nyumbani"?

Possession is expressed through the verb nina ("I have"). Instead of using a separate construction to show ownership, Swahili uses kuwa na to indicate that the subject possesses something—in this case, shida ("problem" or "trouble").

What does shida mean, and does it imply a singular or plural problem?

Shida generally means "problem" or "trouble." Swahili nouns like shida can refer to either a single issue or multiple issues, with the context of the conversation clarifying which is intended.

What role does nyumbani play in the sentence?

Nyumbani functions as an adverb indicating location. It means "at home," specifying where the problem is occurring.

Is it necessary to include the subject pronoun Mimi in every sentence like this?

No, including Mimi is not strictly necessary because the verb nina already implies the first person singular subject. However, using Mimi can add emphasis or clarity, especially for learners who are still becoming familiar with the language.

How does the word order in this Swahili sentence compare to standard English sentence structure?

The sentence follows a structure similar to English: Subject (Mimi) + Verb (nina) + Object (shida) + Adverb of Place (nyumbani). This parallel can help learners by providing a familiar framework as they study Swahili sentence construction.