indimi

kwa nini

KWAH NEE-nee

How to say it

Swahilikwa niniKWAH NEE-neesoon
Englishwhysoon
Frenchpourquoisoon

Meaning

Asks for the reason or the cause of something.

Good to know

It usually starts the question: Kwa nini umechelewa? why are you late? The answer often begins with kwa sababu, because.

Examples

  • Kwa nini umechelewa leo?Why are you late today?
  • Sijui kwa nini hakuja shuleni.I do not know why he did not come to school.
  • Kwa nini bei ya mafuta imepanda?Why has the price of fuel gone up?

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