The Verb 'to have' -na (Expressing Possession)
-na, literally saying you are 'with' something.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Swahili, you don't 'have' things; you say something 'is with' you using the -na particle.
- Use the subject prefix + na + the object: Nina gari (I have a car).
- For negative, use the negative prefix + na: Sina gari (I don't have a car).
- Questions use the same structure with a rising tone: Una gari? (Do you have a car?).
Overview
-na.-na is everywhere.How This Grammar Works
to have. Swahili does things a bit differently. It doesn't have a single, standalone word for have. Instead, it uses the concept of being with something. The word na actually means and or with. To say I have, you literally say I-with. It is a very logical way to think.with a bag, you have a bag. If you are with a friend, you have a friend. You just glue a person prefix to the front of -na.
Formation Pattern
having.
Ni- (I)
U- (You, singular)
A- (He/She)
Tu- (We)
M- (You, plural)
Wa- (They)
-na directly after the prefix.
Ni + na = Nina (I have)
U + na = Una (You have)
A + na = Ana (He/She has)
Tu + na = Tuna (We have)
M + na = Mna (You all have)
Wa + na = Wana (They have)
Nina kitabu. (I have a book.)
Ana pesa. (He has money.)
When To Use It
-na whenever you want to show ownership. This includes physical objects like a phone or a house. Use it for family members too.have a sister or a father. It is perfect for talking about abstract things. You can have time or have an idea.I have a feveruses this same pattern. It is very versatile. You will use it when asking for directions.
Do you have a map?is a classic
-na sentence. It works for almost any scenario where something belongs to you.
When Not To Use It
-na for things you are doing right now. In English, we say I am having dinner.In Swahili, that is a different verb entirely. Use
-na only for possession or being with. Also, don't use it for locations.I am at the market,you use a different rule. Avoid using it for age if you are confused. While you can say
Nina miaka... (I have years), some regions prefer other ways.must. In English, we say I have to go.Swahili uses a different structure for obligations. Stick to physical or conceptual possession. Think of it like a grammar traffic light.
I own this. Red means I am doing this action.
Common Mistakes
Mimi nina every single time. You don't need Mimi. The Ni- in Nina already means «I.» It's like saying I I have. It sounds a bit repetitive. Just say Nina. Another mistake is forgetting the prefix. Beginners often just say na. Na by itself just means and. If you say Pesa na, people will wait for you to finish. They will think you mean Money and... something else.Always attach the prefix. Yes, even native speakers might drop things in slang. But for you, keep them attached. Think of the prefix and
-na as twins. They never go anywhere without each other.Contrast With Similar Patterns
-na as a verb with -na- as a tense marker. This is the biggest hurdle for new learners. Swahili uses -na- to show the present continuous tense.Ninasoma means I am reading. In that case, -na- is sandwiched between a prefix and a verb. But when -na is the main event, it means to have.Ninasoma: I am reading (Action).Nina kitabu: I have a book (Possession).
have. If there is a verb, it is just a tense marker. It is like a hat that changes its meaning depending on the outfit.Quick FAQ
Is it the same for male and female?
Yes! Ana means both he has and she has.
Can I use it for my pets?
Absolutely. Nina mbwa means
I have a dog.
How do I ask a question?
Just raise your voice at the end. Una kalamu? (Do you have a pen?)
Is it formal or informal?
It is both! It works in a palace or a pub.
Does it work for plural things?
Yes. Nina vitabu (I have books). The verb doesn't change for plural objects.
1. Affirmative Possession
| Person | Prefix | Particle | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
ni
|
na
|
nina
|
|
You
|
u
|
na
|
una
|
|
He/She
|
a
|
na
|
ana
|
|
We
|
tu
|
na
|
tuna
|
|
You (pl)
|
m
|
na
|
mna
|
|
They
|
wa
|
na
|
wana
|
Meanings
The -na particle is used to express possession or accompaniment.
Possession
Owning or holding an object.
“Nina pesa.”
“Ana nyumba.”
Accompaniment
Being with someone or something.
“Nina rafiki hapa.”
“Ana mume wake.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + na
|
Nina kitabu
|
|
Negative
|
Neg-Subj + na
|
Sina kitabu
|
|
Question
|
Subj + na + ?
|
Una kitabu?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Ndiyo/Hapana
|
Ndiyo, nina
|
|
Emphasis
|
Subj + na + -yo
|
Ninacho kitabu
|
|
Plural
|
Subj + na
|
Tuna vitabu
|
Espectro de formalidade
Nina gari. (General)
Nina gari. (General)
Nina gari. (General)
Niko na gari. (General)
The 'Na' Web
Possession
- nina I have
Accompaniment
- tuna rafiki we are with a friend
Exemplos por nível
Nina gari.
I have a car.
Sina pesa.
I don't have money.
Una watoto wangapi?
How many children do you have?
Tuna nyumba nzuri.
We have a beautiful house.
Ana kazi nzuri jijini.
He has a good job in the city.
Hamna shida yoyote.
You (plural) have no problem at all.
Wana uwezo wa kufanya hivyo.
They have the ability to do that.
Huna sababu ya kuondoka.
You have no reason to leave.
Tunayo nafasi ya kubadilisha mambo.
We have the opportunity to change things.
Anayo elimu ya kutosha.
He has sufficient education.
Wanao wajibu wa kulinda haki hizi.
They have the duty to protect these rights.
Sina budi ila kukubali.
I have no choice but to accept.
Fácil de confundir
Learners mix up existence and possession.
Both mean 'I have' in some dialects.
Mixing up subject prefixes.
Erros comuns
Mimi na gari
Nina gari
Nina kuwa gari
Nina gari
I na gari
Nina gari
Yeye ana gari
Ana gari
Sina na gari
Sina gari
Tuna na gari
Tuna gari
Kuna gari yangu
Nina gari yangu
Anayo gari
Ana gari
Sina gari yoyote
Sina gari
Nina kuwa na gari
Nina gari
Anayo yeye gari
Anayo gari
Sina yeye gari
Sina gari
Padrões de frases
Nina ___.
Sina ___.
Una ___?
Real World Usage
Una muda?
Nina uzoefu.
Sina pesa.
Prefixes are key
Don't use 'kuwa'
Use 'Sina' for everything
Smart Tips
Drop the pronoun and just use the prefix.
Use 'Sina' instead of 'Si na'.
Just add a question mark to the statement.
Pronúncia
Stress
Stress the second to last syllable.
Question
Una gari? (rising pitch at end)
Turns statement into question
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of 'na' as 'n-a' (Near-Attached). If it's near you and attached to you, you have it!
Associação visual
Imagine holding a giant letter 'N' and 'A' in your hands. Whatever you are holding, you 'na'.
Rhyme
To say you have, just add 'na', it's the easiest thing, ha-ha!
Story
Juma is walking. He has a bag. 'Nina mfuko,' he says. He meets Maria. 'Una mfuko?' she asks. 'Ndiyo, nina,' Juma replies.
Word Web
Desafio
Look around your room and say 'Nina [object]' for 5 items in 1 minute.
Notas culturais
In Tanzania, 'Nina' is standard and polite.
In Kenya, you might hear 'Niko na' more often in casual speech.
The particle 'na' is a Proto-Bantu comitative marker.
Iniciadores de conversa
Una gari?
Una muda?
Una ndugu hapa?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
___ gari. (I have a car)
Find and fix the mistake:
Mimi na gari.
I don't have a car.
We have money.
Answer starts with: Tun...
Score: /4
Exercicios praticos
4 exercises___ gari. (I have a car)
Find and fix the mistake:
Mimi na gari.
I don't have a car.
We have money.
Score: /4
Perguntas frequentes (6)
Yes, 'nina rafiki' means 'I have a friend'.
No, it is a particle.
Use 'Sina'.
Yes, for every person.
Yes, it is standard.
Yes, 'kuna' is for existence.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tener
Swahili is not a verb-based possession system.
Avoir
French uses a verb; Swahili uses a particle.
Haben
German is a verb-based system.
ga aru
Japanese distinguishes between animate/inanimate.
Indi
Both use a prepositional/particle approach.
