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Questions & Answers about Mimi ninachoka darasani.
What does Mimi mean in this sentence?
Mimi means "I" or "me". Although the subject is already expressed in the verb form, using Mimi emphasizes the speaker's identity.
How is ninachoka formed and what does it indicate?
Ninachoka is a compound of the subject prefix ni- (meaning "I") and the verb root choka (meaning "to be tired"). Together, they indicate the state of being tired, translating to "I am tired."
Why is the noun darasani used instead of just darasa?
Darasani is derived from darasa (meaning "class" or "classroom") with the locative suffix -ni attached. This suffix shows location, so darasani means "in the classroom."
Is the subject pronoun Mimi necessary in the sentence?
No, it isn’t strictly necessary because the verb ninachoka already includes the first person singular marker ni-. However, including Mimi adds emphasis or clarity about who is performing the action.
Is ninachoka in the present continuous or the simple present tense?
Swahili often uses the present tense to express both habitual actions and current states. In this case, ninachoka effectively conveys a present state of being tired, much like the English "I am tired."
How would you modify the sentence to express that you were tired in class in the past?
To indicate the past tense, change the subject prefix from ni- to nili-. The sentence becomes Mimi nilichoka darasani, which translates to "I was tired in class."