na...na

Both...And

Level 4

The pattern na...na is used to say both...and in Swahili. It emphasizes that two things are equally included.

How It Works

The correlative conjunction na...na is a highly frequent and standard way to express 'both...and' in Swahili.

What it attaches to:
Because na is fundamentally a preposition, it attaches to nominals (noun-like words). This includes:

  • Nouns: na matunda na mboga (both fruits and vegetables)
  • Nominalized Adjectives: na mrefu na mwerevu (both the tall one and the smart one)
  • Independent Pronouns: na mimi na wewe (both you and I)
  • Infinitives: na kusoma na kuandika (both reading and writing)

Important Rules:
1. Plural Agreement: When na...na links two subjects, the following verb must take a plural subject concord (e.g., wa- for all animates, including both people and animals, tu- for 'we'). If linking two inanimate subjects of the same noun class, the verb takes their regular plural concord (e.g., Class 3 + Class 3 = Class 4 i-). If linking two inanimate subjects of different noun classes, the verb defaults to the Class 8 plural concord (vi- / vy-).
2. Pronoun Usage: When using pronouns, you must use full, uncontracted independent pronouns (like na mimi na wewe). It is structurally unnatural to use contracted enclitic forms (e.g., nami nawe) as a standalone correlative subject phrase for this pattern.
3. No Conjugated Verbs: You cannot use na...na to link conjugated verbs. You cannot say *na alikula na alilala (both he ate and he slept). Instead, you must use infinitives: alipenda na kula na kulala (he liked both eating and sleeping).
4. Pairing with -ote: This pattern is very frequently followed by the appropriate class agreement for -ote (all/both) to complete the emphasis. Note that mimi na wewe equates to 'we', so it takes the first-person plural agreement (e.g., Na mimi na wewe sote tutakwenda).
5. Adjective Restriction: You generally cannot use na...na to link two regular adjectives describing the same noun. Saying *shati na jekundu na kubwa sounds like you are listing three separate things. Instead, just list the adjectives: shati jekundu na kubwa.

Spelling Note: In Standard Swahili, na is always written as a separate word before nouns, even if the noun starts with a vowel (e.g., na embe, not *n'embe).

Examples (4)

  1. Na Asha na Juma watahudhuria mkutano.

    Both Asha and Juma will attend the meeting.

    Word by Word: And Asha and Juma they-will-attend meeting.

    Here, na...na links two proper nouns. Notice the plural verb agreement: because it links two subjects, the verb takes the plural wa- subject marker (watahudhuria).

  2. Alinunua na matunda na mboga.

    He bought both fruits and vegetables.

    Word by Word: He-bought and fruits and vegetables.

    The pattern links two regular nouns as the object of the sentence.

  3. Ninapenda na kusoma na kuandika.

    I like both reading and writing.

    Word by Word: I-like and to-read and to-write.

    This shows na...na linking two infinitives. This is the correct way to say you like doing 'both X and Y'.

  4. Na mimi na wewe tutakwenda.

    Both you and I will go.

    Word by Word: And me and you we-will-go.

    When using pronouns with this pattern, you must use the full independent pronouns (like mimi and wewe). It is structurally unnatural to use contracted forms like nami nawe as a standalone correlative subject phrase.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'na...na' with negative verbs to mean 'neither...nor'.

    Sipendi na chai na kahawa.
    Sipendi wala chai wala kahawa.

    Na...na is strictly affirmative. If the verb is negative, you must use wala...wala to mean 'neither...nor'.

  • Trying to link conjugated verbs with 'na...na'.

    Na ninasoma na ninaandika.
    Ninasoma na kuandika.

    Because na functions like a preposition, it cannot link finite (conjugated) verbs. You must link infinitives or use standard narrative tenses.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

na...naLevel 4Both...And

Learn This First

To understand the 'na...na' construction, you first need to be familiar with the basic use of 'na' as a conjunction meaning 'and' or 'with'. This pattern simply repeats that basic particle before each item to emphasize that both alternatives are included.

Words in This Pattern