Questions and Answers
What are the nine verb classes?
The classes change nouns from singular to plural (e.g., mwalimu --> walimu) and verbs from singular to plural (e.g., Mwalimu anaimba --> Walimu wanaimba).
What is the plural form of 'mtoto', 'mgeni', 'mke'?
watoto, wageni, wake
What are the changes to a verb for the m-->wa noun class?
a --> wa
What is the plural form of 'kitabu', 'kiti', 'kiazi', 'kitanda'?
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What else does this ki-->vi noun class include?
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What changes the verbs from singular to plural for this noun class of ki-->vi?
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Complete the transformation: 'Kiti kilivunjwa.'
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Complete the transformation: 'Kichwa kinauma.'
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What is the plural form of 'mti', 'mgomba', 'mmea', 'moyo', 'mto', 'msitu', 'mpira'?
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M --> __ noun class
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What else does this noun class include?
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What changes the verbs from singular to plural for this noun class of m-->mi?
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Complete the transformation: 'Mti ulianguka.'
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Complete the transformation: 'Mkono unauma.'
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Noun class ji --> __
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What are the plural forms of 'blanketi', 'gari', 'duka', 'jina', 'swali', 'jicho', 'embe', and 'dafu'?
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What changes the verbs from singular to plural for this noun class of ji --> ma?
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Complete the transformation: 'Gari limefika.'
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Complete the transformation: 'Chungwa limenunuliwa.'
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Complete the transformation: 'Maji yamemwangika.'
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Nou______ class ______ --> _
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What are the plural forms of 'barua', 'dawa', 'kalumu', 'sabuni', 'nyumba', 'baridi', 'mvua', 'nchi', 'nyama'?
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What changes the verbs from singular to plural for this noun class of n --> n?
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Complete the transformation: 'Kalamu imeanguka.'
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Complete the transformation: 'Njia imefungwa.'
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The noun class U--> __
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What are the plural forms of 'uso', 'ubawa', 'upepo', 'upanga', 'wimbo', 'ugali', 'uji', 'umri', and 'unga'?
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What changes the verbs from singular to plural for this noun class of u --> u?
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Complete the transformation: 'Ufunguo umepotea.'
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Complete the transformation: 'Ugali umepikwa.'
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Complete the transformation: 'Upendo wao umesifika.'
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What else is there?
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Study Notes
Noun Classes in Swahili
- Swahili has multiple noun classes that dictate singular and plural forms.
- Common transformation patterns exist, such as prefixes that change with number and type.
Verb Class Changes
- Subject pronouns and verb endings change based on noun classes:
- For singular 'mwalimu', plural is 'walimu'.
- Conjugation patterns for verbs: 'mwalimu anaimba' changes to 'walimu wanaimba'.
Class Specific Transformations
- Class m-->wa modifies the verb ending from 'a' to 'wa'.
- Some nouns do not change under rules, e.g., 'mama' remains 'mama'.
Ki-->Vi Class
- Objects in this class use the prefix 'ki' in singular and 'vi' in plural, e.g., 'kitabu' becomes 'vitabu'.
- Examples include 'choo' to 'vyoo' and 'chakula' to 'vyakula'.
Class M-->Mi and Ji-->Ma
- Class m transforms to mi, covering nature-related nouns and some body parts.
- Class ji changes to ma, applicable to objects, e.g., 'blanketi' to 'mablanketi'.
- Verb changes for ji-->ma: singular 'li' to plural 'ya'.
Class N-->N
- The broadest noun class where singular and plural forms are identical.
- Example nouns include 'barua', 'dawa', and 'nyumba'.
Class U-->U
- Nouns in this category can change from 'u' to forms like 'ny', 'mb', or remain 'u'.
- Examples include 'uso' to 'nyuso' and 'ubawa' to 'mbawa'.
Uncountable Nouns
- Certain nouns like 'maji' (water) and 'upendo' (love) have the same form in singular and plural, representing uncountable nouns.
- The same applies to 'ugali', which remains unchanged in plural contexts.
Infinitive Markings
- Specific class transformations are purely associative in nature:
- KU - KU, PA - PA, and MU - MU denote parallel structures within the class systems.
Key Transformational Patterns
- Singular-to-plural transformations include:
- m --> wa (people)
- ki --> vi (inanimate objects)
- m --> mi (nature items)
- ji --> ma (objects)
- n --> n (general category)
- u --> u (various nouns)
This structured approach to noun classes and their respective transformations is essential for mastering Swahili grammar.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Swahili noun classes with these flashcards. Explore the transformations from singular to plural forms and understand how verb conjugations relate to noun classes in Swahili. Perfect for students learning the complexities of the Swahili language.
