Swahili

Intro to Adjectives

Adjectives add color, detail, and dimension to conversations. They can be used to describe, make an opinion more vivid, or enhance your language. Swahili adjectives, like everything else, need to agree to the noun class of the noun they are modifying.

Below are two types of adjectives:

Some adjectives take –a before them, the –a is used with the right prefix for the noun classi.e.  kisa cha kushtua  –  a shocking incident

Confused/confusing        -a kuchanganyikiwa/ -a kuchanganyisha

Amused/amusing            -a kufurahi/ -a kufurahisha

Shocked/shocking          -a kushtua/-a kushtua

Bored/boring                 -a kuudhi/-a kuudhisha

Amazing                           -a kushangaza

Embarrassing                  -a kuaibisha

Annoyed/annoying          -a kukasirika/-a kukasirisha

Sufficient                         -a kutosha

Some adjectives use -enye before them with the appropriate noun class prefixes i.e. mtu mwenye kufurahisha – an interesting person 

Disappointing                 -enye kuvunja moyo

Identical/similar             -enye kufanana

Interesting                     -enye kufurahisha

Responsible                   -enye jukumu

Respectful                     -enye heshima

Respectable                   -enye kuheshimika

Grateful                        -enye shukurani

Disciplined                    -enye nidhamu

Extravagant                   -enye kuvuja mali

Comfortable                  -enye starehe

Attractive                      -enye kuvutia

Happy                           -enye furaha

Hungry                         -enye njaa

Thirsty                          -enye kiu

Angry                           -enye hasira

Ugly                             -enye sura mbaya

Healthy                         -enye afya nzuri

Busy                             -enye shughuli nyingi

Shy                               -enye haya

Wise                             -enye hekima

Mature                          -enye kukomaa

Humble                         -enye kunyenyekea

Timid                            -enye uoga

Attractive                      -enye kuvutia

Loose                            -enye kuregea

Able                             -enye uwezo

Muddy                          -enye matope

Lucky                           -enye bahati nzuri

Two examples sentences: 

Mtihani ulikuwa wa kuchanganyisha kwa hivyo wanafunzi wengi walifanya vibaya.

Uchaguzi wa hivi karibuni ulikuwa wenye kuvunja moyo kwa chama pinzani.

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