Mimi ninaitwa Rahma.

I am called Rahma.

Breakdown of Mimi ninaitwa Rahma.

• mimi: I
• Rahma: Rahma
• kuitwa: to be called

Questions & Answers about Mimi ninaitwa Rahma.

Do I need to include Mimi, or is Ninaitwa Rahma enough?

No, you don’t need Mimi. In ninaitwa, the prefix ni- already means I. Mimi ninaitwa Rahma adds emphasis to I. The most common neutral introductions are Ninaitwa Rahma or Naitwa Rahma.

Why is ninaitwa one word? Can you break it down?

Swahili writes the whole finite verb as one word. Breakdown:

• ni- = I (1st person singular subject prefix)
• -na- = present/habitual tense marker
• -itwa = be called/named (passive stem of -ita, to call) So: ni-na-itwa → ninaitwa.

Can I say Naitwa Rahma instead of Ninaitwa Rahma?

Yes. Naitwa Rahma is extremely common in speech. It’s essentially a colloquial shortening that drops the ni-. In formal writing or teaching materials, ninaitwa is the fully marked form.

What’s the difference between Mimi ninaitwa Rahma, Mimi ni Rahma, and Jina langu ni Rahma?

• Mimi ninaitwa Rahma: I am called Rahma; Mimi adds emphasis.
• Mimi ni Rahma: I am Rahma; uses the copula ni.
• Jina langu ni Rahma: My name is Rahma; explicitly references the name. All are acceptable for introductions; choose based on style or emphasis.

How do I ask someone their name?

Common options:

• Jina lako ni nani? or Jina lako nani? = What is your name?
• Unaitwa nani? = What are you called? Typical replies: Naitwa Rahma or Jina langu ni Rahma.

How do I pronounce ninaitwa, and where is the stress?

• Say every vowel clearly: ni-na-it-wa (no diphthongs; a and i are separate).
• Stress the penultimate syllable: ni-na-it-wa.
• The cluster tw is t + w said together: twa.
• Rahma has a light tapped r, clear h, and stress on the first syllable: Rah-ma.

What verb is -itwa from? Is it passive?

Yes. The active verb is -ita (to call/name/summon). The passive is made with -w-, giving -itwa (to be called/named). Examples:

• anaitwa = he/she is called
• tunaitwa = we are called
• niliitwa = I was called (past)
• nitaitwa = I will be called (future)

Could ninaitwa mean someone is calling me right now?

Yes. ninaitwa can mean:

• be named: Ninaitwa Rahma
• be summoned/called: Ninaitwa na mwalimu (I am being called by the teacher) When a name follows, the naming meaning is intended.

Why is Mimi capitalized? Is that normal?

Yes. Swahili capitalizes the first word of a sentence and proper names. Mimi is capitalized here only because it begins the sentence; otherwise it’s mimi. Rahma is capitalized as a proper name. The period is standard.

What does the -na- inside ninaitwa do?

-na- marks present/habitual time. Compare:

• niliitwa (past, -li-) = I was called
• nitaitwa (future, -ta-) = I will be called
• ninaitwa (present, -na-) = I am called

Is the i in ninaitwa an object marker?

No. The i at the start of -itwa belongs to the passive stem -itwa (from -ita). There is no object marker in ninaitwa.

Is ninaitwa ever written as two words, like ni naitwa?

No. Prefixes attach to the verb, so it’s written as one word: ninaitwa. Writing ni naitwa is incorrect.

How would the sentence change for other persons?

Use subject prefixes:

• unaitwa Rahma = you are called Rahma
• anaitwa Rahma = he/she is called Rahma
• tunaitwa = we are called
• mnaitwa = you (plural) are called
• wanaitwa = they are called

Are there regional preferences I should know about?

Yes:

• Naitwa (without ni-) is very common in East African speech; ninaitwa is more common in careful writing and textbooks.
• You may hear Kwa jina, naitwa Rahma (by name, I am called Rahma). It’s common but optional; Naitwa Rahma or Jina langu ni Rahma are simpler.