nini
/ˈni.ni/
The Swahili word for the English interrogative pronoun 'what' is nini.
nini is the standard interrogative pronoun used to ask 'what'. While 'nini' is the standard word for 'what', it is often used in isolation to express shock or disbelief, similar to saying 'What?!' in English.
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Which one should you use?
While nini is the standard word for 'what', the related form eti can be used as an interjection to express surprise.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈni.ni/. The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the 1st of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Swahili, the word nini can be used as a noun meaning 'a thing' in certain contexts, moving beyond its role as a question word.
- In many Swahili-speaking contexts, using nini too sharply can come across as more aggressive or confrontational than the English 'what?', depending on your tone.
- Swahili uses different words for 'what' depending on whether it is an interrogative pronoun like nini or a relative pronoun used to link clauses.
Examples in context
- Kazi yake nini kitu hiki?What is this thing used for?This sentence shows how to use nini to ask about the purpose of an object.Tatoeba #700368 by Alois, translation #700373 by Alois
- Je hiyo inamaanisha nini?What does this even mean?This sentence demonstrates using nini to ask for the meaning of something.Tatoeba #10858404 by ecorralest101, translation #3211891 by Hybrid
- Je, sababu yake ilikuwa nini?What was the reason for that?This sentence illustrates using nini to inquire about a reason.Tatoeba #10869086 by ecorralest101, translation #4012941 by CK
- Ninaweza kufanya nini?What can I do?
- Nini tena? Sema tena.What? Say it again.
- Ninafanya nini tena kesho?What am I doing tomorrow again?
- Nini tena hapo?What's that again?
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omari and Aisha are talking about a new project.
- OmariUnasema nini, Aisha?What are you saying, Aisha?
- AishaNasema tunahitaji msaada.I am saying we need help.
- OmariMsaada wa nini?Help with what?
- AishaMsaada wa kupanga mkutano.Help with organizing the meeting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries nini, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
