mimi
The Swahili phrase 'me' is translated as mimi.
Which one should you use?
Using the independent pronoun mimi instead of a verb prefix often serves to add emphasis, similar to saying 'it is I' or 'as for me' in English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Kenya, variations of mimi such as miye may be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word mimi is used as both the subject pronoun 'I' and the object pronoun 'me'.
Did you know?
- Using mimi too frequently in a sentence can actually make a speaker sound boastful or overly self-centered to a native listener.
- Because Swahili is a Bantu language, the root of mimi is related to pronouns in hundreds of other languages across Central and Southern Africa.
- While mimi is used for 'me', the concept of 'self' is expressed with the word nafsi. This word is also used in religious and philosophical contexts to refer to the 'soul'.
Examples in context
- Ni mimi, Shangazi Wong.This is me, Aunt Wong.Tatoeba #10896473 by ecorralest101, translation #7783997 by shayan
- Yeye ni maarufu kuliko mimi.She's more popular than me.Tatoeba #10850496 by ecorralest101, translation #2453630 by Hybrid
- Mario, acha kuniita shoga! Mimi si shoga!Mario, stop calling me gay! I'm straight!Tatoeba #10866063 by ecorralest101, translation #3788443 by Ooneykcall
- Mimi ni JohnI am John
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Juma are discussing who will go to the market.
- AishaJe, ni nani atakayekwenda sokoni?Who will go to the market?
- JumaMimi nitakwenda leo.I will go today.
- AishaHaya, Juma, nenda salama.Okay, Juma, go safely.
- JumaAsante, Aisha.Thank you, Aisha.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mimi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
