Mimi ninataka kuonja supu hii.

I

Breakdown of Mimi ninataka kuonja supu hii.

• kutaka: to want
• hii: this
• supu: the soup

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninataka kuonja supu hii.

Why is Mimi used at the beginning, and can I drop it?

Mimi means “I.” In Swahili the subject pronoun is optional because the verb prefix already shows the subject. Here the verb prefix in ninataka already means “I.” So you can drop Mimi and simply say Ninataka kuonja supu hii, unless you want extra emphasis or clarity.

What is the structure of ninataka?

Ninataka breaks down into:
• n- (first-person singular subject marker = “I”)
• -na- (present tense marker = “am …ing” / “wanting”)
• taka (verb root “want”)
Together, ninataka = “I want” (literally “I am wanting”).

Why is there a ku before onja?

Kuonja is the infinitive “to taste.” In Swahili you form infinitives by adding ku- to the verb root. After verbs of liking, wanting or needing, you use the infinitive to express the action you want to do.

Why do verbs like taka require the infinitive form after them?