Tafadhali, naomba maji kidogo.

Please, may I have a little water.

Breakdown of Tafadhali, naomba maji kidogo.

• maji: the water
• tafadhali: please
• kidogo: a little
• kuomba: to request

Questions & Answers about Tafadhali, naomba maji kidogo.

What does naomba literally mean, and how is it functioning in this sentence?

Literally, naomba means “I request/ask (for).” In everyday Swahili it doubles as a polite way to ask for something, so in context it functions like “May I have…?” rather than a dramatic “I beg.”

Where is the “I” subject? Why isn’t it ninaomba?

The full, textbook form is ninaomba (ni- “I” + -na- present + omba “ask”). In casual, very common speech, nina- is shortened to na-, so naomba still means “I ask/I’m asking.” Both are correct; ninaomba is a bit more formal/explicit.

Is tafadhali necessary, or is it redundant with naomba?

You don’t have to use tafadhali. Naomba maji kidogo is already polite. Adding tafadhali adds extra courtesy/emphasis, much like saying “please” on top of a polite phrasing in English. It’s common and not considered overkill.

Can I put tafadhali at the end? Is the comma required?

Yes, placement is flexible:

• Tafadhali, naomba maji kidogo.
• Naomba maji kidogo, tafadhali.
• Naomba maji kidogo tafadhali. The comma just marks a pause in writing; it’s optional.

Why does kidogo come after maji? Could I say kidogo maji?

In Swahili, descriptive words like quantities and many adjectives usually follow the noun. So maji kidogo (“a little water”) is the natural order. Kidogo maji sounds off here.

Does kidogo agree with maji? Should it change form?

No. Kidogo is invariable in this use; it doesn’t take noun-class agreement. For example:

• maji kidogo = a little water
• maji mengi = a lot of water (here mengi does agree with maji, but kidogo does not change).

Can I say maji machache for “a little water”?

Generally, no. Machache means “a few” and is used with countable items. Maji is a mass noun, so use maji kidogo or kiasi kidogo cha maji (“a small amount of water”).

Is naomba too strong, like “I beg you”? Would nataka maji be better?

In everyday usage, naomba is the standard polite way to ask for something. Nataka maji (“I want water”) can come across as blunt or demanding. If you want something softer than nataka, stick with naomba or one of the polite alternatives below.

What are other natural ways to ask for a little water?

Common options (from polite to direct):

• Naweza kupata maji kidogo? (Can I get a little water?)
• Ningependa maji kidogo. (I’d like a little water.)
• Ningependa kupata maji kidogo. (I’d like to get a little water.)
• Nipe maji kidogo, tafadhali. (Give me a little water, please.) — more direct/imperative but softened by tafadhali.

How do I pronounce these words, and where is the stress?

Stress is on the second-to-last syllable in each word:

• Tafadhali: ta-fa-DHA-li. The dh is like the voiced “th” in “this.”
• naomba: na-OM-ba. Keep the “ao” as two vowels (na-om-ba), not “nowm.”
• maji: MA-ji. j as in “jam.”
• kidogo: ki-DO-go. g is always hard, as in “go.”

Why does maji look plural? Is there a singular form?

Maji belongs to the “ma-” noun class and is a mass noun; it doesn’t have a usable singular form in normal speech. You express amounts with measure words: glasi ya maji (a glass of water), nusu lita ya maji (half a liter of water), etc.

Should I use kuomba or kuuliza when I want something?

• kuomba = to ask/request something (a favor/item). Use this when requesting water, money, help.
• kuuliza = to ask (a question). Use this when asking for information.
  So naomba maji is right; nauliza maji would be wrong.

Can I turn this into a question just with intonation?

Yes. Naomba maji kidogo? with rising intonation works as a polite question. If you prefer an explicit question, use Naweza kupata maji kidogo?

How do I say “just a little (bit)”?

Add tu: maji kidogo tu = “just a little water.” You’ll also hear kiduchu (very small amount) or kiasi kidogo (a small amount).

Is it okay to say only Maji tafadhali?

Yes. It’s brief but polite and very natural, especially when context is obvious (e.g., at a restaurant).

What’s the difference between tafadhali and samahani at the start?

• Tafadhali = please (polite request).
• Samahani = excuse me/sorry (to get attention or apologize).
  You can combine them: Samahani, naomba maji kidogo (Excuse me, may I have a little water).

Is tafadhali sana natural?

It’s understandable but not common. People more often intensify thanks (asante sana) than please. Tafadhali alone is usually enough; add tone/body language for extra politeness.

How could I include the person I’m asking, like “Could you give me a little water?”

Two natural options:

• Tafadhali, naweza kunipa maji kidogo? (please, can you give me a little water?)
• Naomba unipe maji kidogo, tafadhali. (I request that you give me a little water, please.)