Ninatumia

Ninatumia is a Swahili verb phrase that expresses the present tense with a sense of ongoing action, typically translated as “I am using” or “I use.” It is formed from the subject prefix ni- (first person singular), the present tense marker na, and the verb stem tumia, meaning “to use.” The combination usually appears as ninatumia in standard orthography.

In Swahili, the order is subject, tense, and verb: ni- (I) + na (present) + tumia (to use). The sequence yields ninatumia, a single word in written form that can convey either a present habitual action or an action occurring at the moment of speaking, depending on context. The phrase can take various complements to specify what is being used.

Examples:

- Ninatumia kompyuta yangu kufanya kazi. I am using my computer to work.

- Ninatumia simu yangu kuwasiliana na rafiki zangu. I am using my phone to contact my friends.

Usage and notes:

Ninatumia can describe both immediate actions and general usage, reflecting Swahili’s present-tense aspect that often covers both “am using” and “uses.” The construction is common in everyday speech and written Swahili, and it forms part of a broader pattern where subject prefixes attach to tense markers before the verb stem.

See also: Swahili grammar, Swahili verbs, Bantu languages.