Language/Swahili-individual-language/Grammar/Adjectives
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Hi Swahili (individual language) learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be exploring the use of adjectives in Swahili (individual language) grammar. Adjectives are essential to describe and provide more context to a sentence. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of how to use adjectives in Swahili (individual language).
Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Pronouns, Swahili (individual language) Grammar → Idioms and Proverbs ..., Questions & Tenses.
What are adjectives?[edit | edit source]
Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns (a person, place, or thing). In Swahili (individual language), adjectives are placed before the noun they describe. In English, the order is usually the opposite. For example, in English, we say "a red car" while in Swahili (individual language) it is "gari jekundu".
Types of adjectives[edit | edit source]
There are two types of adjectives in Swahili (individual language): qualitative and classificatory. Qualitative adjectives describe the quality, property, or state of the noun, while classificatory adjectives classify or identify the noun.
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| qualitative adjective | ki-Swahili (individual language) aridhifu | English translation |
| classificatory adjective | ki-Swahili (individual language) darasa | English translation |
In Swahili (individual language), the majority of adjectives are qualitative.
Qualitative adjectives[edit | edit source]
Qualitative adjectives are always singular, regardless of the noun they describe. In Swahili (individual language), there is no equivalent to the plural form of adjectives in English. They also have no gender or case agreement with the noun.
Here are some examples of qualitative adjectives in Swahili (individual language):
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mrefu | m-re-fu | tall |
| mnene | m-ne-ne | fat |
| mzuri | m-zu-ri | good, beautiful |
| mbaya | m-ba-ya | bad |
To use a qualitative adjective in a sentence, simply place it before the noun it describes.
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Kikombe hiki ni kizuri. (This cup is good.)
- Person 2: Ndiyo, kikombe kizuri sana. (Yes, this cup is very good.)
Classificatory adjectives[edit | edit source]
Classificatory adjectives are used to classify or identify nouns, such as color, shape, or material. These adjectives are not describing quality, state, or property, but rather classifying and identifying the noun being described.
Here are some examples of classificatory adjectives in Swahili (individual language):
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| mwekundu | m-we-kun-du | red |
| mrefu | m-re-fu | tall (used as a classificatory adjective in some instances) |
| mstatili | m-sta-ti-li | rectangular |
| mguu | m-guu | made of wood (referring to furniture or items made using wood) |
In Swahili (individual language), classificatory adjectives follow the noun they describe, unlike qualitative adjectives that come before the noun.
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Ninataka ile shati la bluu. (I want that blue shirt.)
- Person 2: Lile shati jipya au lile la zamani? (Do you want the new shirt or the old one?)
Comparison of adjectives[edit | edit source]
In Swahili (individual language), comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are formed using the adverbs "zaidi" and "sana". For example, "mrefu" (tall) becomes "mrefu zaidi" (taller) and "mrefu sana" (tallest).
Here are some examples of comparative and superlative forms of adjectives in Swahili (individual language):
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| baridi | ba-ri-di | cold |
| zaidi baridi | zai-di ba-ri-di | colder |
| sana baridi | sa-na ba-ri-di | coldest |
| mtamu | m-ta-mu | sweet |
| zaidi mtamu | zai-di m-ta-mu | sweeter |
| sana mtamu | sa-na m-ta-mu | sweetest |
Example dialogue:
- Person 1: Hii chakula ni kitamu sana. (This food is very delicious.)
- Person 2: Lakini hiki kimehifadhiwa kwa siku mbili, kwa hiyo chakula kipya kinaweza kuwa tamutamu zaidi. (But this has been stored for two days, so fresh food might be sweeter.)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In conclusion, adjectives play a necessary role in both written and spoken Swahili (individual language). Qualitative adjectives describe the noun, while classificatory adjectives classify or identify the noun. Moreover, it is also essential to understand the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives, so you can express yourself more accurately.
To improve your Swahili (individual language) grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Impressive work on finishing this lesson! Explore these additional pages to enhance your understanding: Dependent Clauses, 0 to A1 Course, Negation & Swahili Dialects.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Pronouns
- Questions
- Give your Opinion
- Plurals
- Nouns
- Conditional Mood
- Future Tense
- Negation
- How to Use Be
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