A1 Expression خنثی

Ni nani?

Who is it?

معنی

Asking for the identity of a person.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The 'Hodi' culture is strongest here. You must never enter a house without hearing 'Karibu' after your 'Hodi' and 'Ni nani?' exchange. Politeness is highly valued. Using 'Ni nani mwenzangu?' on the phone is a sign of good upbringing (upole). In fast-paced Nairobi, 'Ni nani?' is often shortened to just 'Nani?' or 'Nani huyo?' in Sheng (slang). Identity is often tied to family. When asked 'Ni nani?', people often reply with their father's name or their role in the village.

💡

Rising Tone

Always use a rising tone at the end to make it a question, otherwise it sounds like a statement.

⚠️

Don't use for things

Never use 'nani' for a dog or a car unless you are being poetic/personifying them.

معنی

Asking for the identity of a person.

💡

Rising Tone

Always use a rising tone at the end to make it a question, otherwise it sounds like a statement.

⚠️

Don't use for things

Never use 'nani' for a dog or a car unless you are being poetic/personifying them.

🎯

The 'Mwenzangu' Trick

If you want to sound like a native on the phone, always add 'mwenzangu'.

💬

Wait for the answer

In Swahili culture, asking 'Ni nani?' is a serious inquiry. Wait for the person to identify themselves before opening the door.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the missing word to ask 'Who is it?'

Hodi! ____ nani?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni

'Ni' is the copula meaning 'is'.

Which phrase is the most polite way to ask who is on the phone?

Choose the best option:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni nani mwenzangu?

'Mwenzangu' (my companion) adds a layer of politeness.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Hodi! B: Ni nani? A: ____ mimi, Juma.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni

The response 'Ni mimi' means 'It is I'.

Match the phrase to the situation.

You see a group of people you don't recognize.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni akina nani?

'Akina' is used for groups of people.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

Common Interrogatives

👤

People

• Nani?

📦

Things

• Nini?

📍

Place

• Wapi?

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها

Fill in the missing word to ask 'Who is it?' جای خالی A1

Hodi! ____ nani?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni

'Ni' is the copula meaning 'is'.

Which phrase is the most polite way to ask who is on the phone? Choose A2

Choose the best option:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni nani mwenzangu?

'Mwenzangu' (my companion) adds a layer of politeness.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: Hodi! B: Ni nani? A: ____ mimi, Juma.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni

The response 'Ni mimi' means 'It is I'.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching B1

You see a group of people you don't recognize.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Ni akina nani?

'Akina' is used for groups of people.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No, it's neutral. However, 'Wewe ni nani?' can be blunt. Use 'Ni nani mwenzangu?' to be extra polite.

Yes, in very informal settings or if you are surprised, but 'Ni nani?' is better for learners.

Reply with 'Ni mimi, [Your Name]' (It is I, [Name]).

No, 'ni' stays the same for 'is', 'am', and 'are' in this context.

'Nani' is for people (Who), 'nini' is for things (What).

Usually no, use 'Ni nini?'. But if the pet is like a family member, some might say 'Ni nani?'.

Use 'Alikuwa nani?' for a person or 'Ilikuwa nani?' for a voice.

Yes, very common when a new number messages you on WhatsApp.

It means 'who' in the plural sense, like 'who all' or 'which group of people'.

'Hodi' is the announcement of arrival; 'Ni nani?' is the host's response to identify the visitor.