Adjectives
Swahili does not have a great many adjective stems as such, but adjectival construction can be made in several ways:
- Adjective stems requiring the adjectival prefix.
- Adjective stems requiring the pronominal prefix.
- Invariable adjectives (not prefix) of non-Bantu origin.
- Adjectival phrases based on -A of relationship or -ENYE
- Relative construction of the verb
- A second noun as a qualifier (noun in apposition).
Adjectives with Adjectival Prefixes
Adjective stems of Bantu origin require the adjectival prefix, which is identical to the prefix of the noun modified by that adjective. Those beginning with a consonant, e.g., -zuri, beautiful:
| Class | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | mtu mzuri | watu wazuri |
| 3-4 | mkate mzuri | mikate mizuri |
| 5-6 | jina zuri | majina mazuri |
| 7-8 | kitabu kizuri | vitabu vizuri |
| 9-10 | habari nzuri | habari nzuri |
Those beginning with a vowel, e.g., -ema, good:
| Class | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | mtu mwema | watu wema |
| 3-4 | mti mwema | miti myema |
| 5-6 | jina jema | majina mema |
| 7-8 | kitabu chema | vitabu vyema |
| 9-10 | habari njema | habari njema |
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