Learn Hardcore Swahili: Mimi na Juma tunafanya tengenezo nyumbani.

Mimi means “I,” na is the conjunction “and,” and Juma is a proper name. Together, they mean “Juma and I” (even though in standard English you might say “Juma and I” rather than “I and Juma”).

Why is the subject pronoun Mimi explicitly mentioned even though the verb already shows the subject?

In Swahili, verbs include subject prefixes—in this case, tu- in tunafanya means “we.” However, using explicit pronouns like Mimi adds emphasis or clarity, especially when listing multiple subjects. It helps specify exactly who is involved in the action.

How is the verb tunafanya formed and what does it indicate?

The verb tunafanya comes from the root fanya (to do or to make) with the subject prefix tu-, which stands for “we.” This conjugation indicates that the action is being performed collectively by the speakers—in this case, both Mimi and Juma are “doing” or “making” something.

What does tengenezo mean in this sentence?

Tengenezo means “repairs” or “repair work.” It is a noun form derived from the verb kutengeneza (to repair). In the sentence, it specifies the type of work being carried out—namely, repairing or maintaining something around the home.

What does nyumbani mean and what role does it play in the sentence?

Nyumbani translates as “at home.” It functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the location where the activity (the repairs) is taking place.

How does the overall sentence structure in Swahili compare to English, and what is its basic pattern?

The sentence follows a clear structure: • Subject: Mimi na Juma (Juma and I) • Verb: tunafanya (we are doing/making) • Object: tengenezo (repairs) • Adverbial (place): nyumbani (at home) While Swahili word order can be flexible, this sentence mirrors a typical subject-verb-object (and then adverbial) order, which makes it relatively easy to understand for English speakers.