1 Lesson 1: Maamkio baina ya watu wawili 

MSAMIATI

Swahili pronouns are more multifaceted than their English counterparts. They include several forms: independent pronouns, subject and object markers that attach to verbs, and possessive forms that must agree with the noun class of the possessed item.

Personal pronouns in Swahili are used to refer to people and things. They primarily serve two functions: for emphasis or to stand alone as the subject of a sentence, often with the verb “to be” (ni).

For instance, you can use an independent pronoun to emphasize the subject, as in this example:

• Wewe unatoka Kenya. – You are from Kenya.

In this sentence, the second-person singular pronoun wewe is used to emphasize the subject, which is also indicated by the subject marker u- attached to the verb. While adding wewe is grammatically correct for emphasis, it is not required. The sentence Unatoka Kenya (“You are from Kenya”) is also complete and grammatically correct. Though this repetition might seem redundant in English, it is a common and accepted structure in Swahili.

Independent pronouns can also be used with the verb “to be” (ni) to identify or describe a subject.

• Mimi ni mwalimu. – I am a teacher.

In this case, the independent pronoun mimi is essential and cannot be dropped.

It is also important to note that while Swahili personal pronouns change based on whether they are singular or plural, they are not gender-specific. For example, the third-person singular pronoun yeye means “he” or “she,” with the context clarifying the gender.

The grammatically correct/formal  Swahili greetings are formed by attaching a negative subject prefix to the root word “-jambo.” These prefixes correspond to personal pronouns. The root “-jambo” literally translates to “matter” or “affair.” Therefore, when you greet someone with a prefixed form of “-jambo,” you are essentially asking, “Do you have any issues?” or more simply, “How are you?” The corresponding response indicates, “I have no issues,” or “I am fine.”

For emphasis or clarity, the personal pronoun can be added before the greeting. For example:

Wewe hujambo? (How are you?)

Mimi sijambo. (I am fine.)

In most conversational contexts, however, the pronoun is omitted as the prefixes (hu and si)already identify the subject. The choice often depends on the specific interaction or the speaker’s preference.

A: Hujambo?

B: Sijambo.

These greetings are built around the subject pronoun, which dictates the prefix used. Here is a breakdown of the subject pronouns in Swahili and their corresponding prefixes in the context of “-jambo” greetings.

Mazungumzo 1: Amina na  Karimu wanaamkuana

Musa:  Hujambo, bibi?

Amani:  Sijambo, bwana. Na wewe je?

Musa:  Mimi pia sijambo.

Mazungumzo 2: Mazungumzo katika ya  Amani na Malaika

Amani: Hujambo, Malaika?

Malaika: Sijambo. Na wewe je?

Amina: Mimi pia sijambo