Sura ya kumi na mbili [12]
86 Matumizi ya Lugha
Sarufi: Kudogowesha na Kukubwisha
KUDOGOWESHA
Nouns may take on a diminutive meaning by adding the prefixes ki-/vi– and ka-/tu- to the noun stem. The second pair suggests a greater degree of diminution. The tu– plural is rarely used. The rules for forming the diminutives follow the division of noun stems into:
| consonant stems (polysyllabic) | m-toto |
| vowel stems (polysyllabic) | ny-umba |
| monosyllabic stems | m-bwa |
| ki-stems | ki-tabu |
| ch-stems | ch-umba |
| Class 14 | u-baridi |
Examples:
| 1 m-toto | ki-toto | ka-toto |
| 2 ny-umba | ki-j-umba | ka-j-umba |
| 3 m-bwa | ki-ji-bwa | ka-ji-bwa |
| 4 ki-tabu | ki-ji-tabu | ka-ji-tabu |
| 5 ch-umba | ki-ch-umba | ka-ch-umba |
| 6 u-baridi | ki-u-baridi | ka-u-baridi |
Usages exist outside these categories, e.g. ki-m-radi, ‘little/negligible/silly little project’.
Translation depends on context, as the diminutive may express a small size or endearment, or both, or may be used to belittle.
Zoezi la kwanza. TAFSIRI
- 1 kijia
2 vijiji
3 kijito
4 kijiko
5 kilima
6 vijoka
7 kabarua
8 kasichana
9 kadege
10 kawimbo
11 kipenzi
KUKUBWISHA
Augmentatives convey the meaning of large size or derogation and disrespect. They are formed by adding the prefix ji-/ma– to the noun stem. Similar rules apply as for diminutives. Note the nouns that originally belong to Classes 5/6, i.e. those whose secondary use is augmentation.
Examples:
| 1 m-toto | ji-toto/ma-toto |
| 2 ny-umba | j-umba/ma-j-umba |
| 3 m-bwa | ji-bwa/ma-ji-bwa |
| 4 n-goma | goma/ma-goma |
| 5 ki-tabu | tabu/ma-tabu OR ji-tabu/ma-ji-tabu |
| 6 jambazi | ji-jambazi/ma-ji-jambazi |
Zoezi la kwanza. TAFSIRI
1 jiji
2 jitu
3 jike: ng’ombe jike
4 majoka
5 buzi
6 a huge bird
7 big cats
8 (Thereza na Rosa wanazungumza)
“Sijui mavulana mengine yakoje! Kuna mvulana mmoja
nimekwishamjibu vikali kwamba simtaki. […] Lakini yeye
anajibu: ‘Aksante sana kwa barua yako: hiyo ni alama
ya mapenzi.’ (34)
9 (Thereza na Rosa wanaendelea)
“Wanasema sijui ni jitu la wapi – lina miguu mirefu kama mbuni!” (34).
Zoezi la pili. MCHEZO
Tunga mchezo mfupi pamoja na mwanafunzi mwenzako mkitumia sarufi hii.
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