Adjectives

1. Kubwa

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class. The forms listed here are the class 9 (N-class) forms, which take no visible prefix.

2. Ndogo

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Nzito

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Nyepesi

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

5. Ghali

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Rahisi

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Moto

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Moto" is a hot object. Hot weather is "kuna joto" — literally "there is heat."

8. Baridi

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. Mpya

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Kuukuu

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Kuukuu" is for worn-out objects. Never apply it to a person.

11. Changa

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. Mzee

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Mzee" doubles as a respectful title for an elder and is polite as a form of address.

13. Safi

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water

14. Chafu

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Nzuri

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Mbaya

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Karibu

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Mbali

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Mapema

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Mapema" is early in time. Fast in speed is "haraka" — a different word.

20. Kuchelewa

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Kuchelewa" is being late. Slow in speed is "polepole."

21. Nyingi

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Chache

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Kuna joto

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Kuna baridi

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Mrembo

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, objects, and animals; originally describes a beautiful person

26. Kali

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for praising the look of a person or thing; colloquial

27. Tamu

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

28. Ajabu!

    Amazing

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or admiration

29. Inafurahisha

    Fun

    Usage

    For reacting to an experience itself

30. Zaidi

    More

    Usage

    Ask for more of something: "maji zaidi" is "more water"

    Grammar Note

    It does not agree with noun class, so it can follow any noun unchanged.

31. Kidogo tu

    Just a little

    Usage

    To ask for a small amount — less chili, less sugar, a smaller serving

    Grammar Note

    Built from "kidogo" (a little) limited by "tu" (only), which always comes last.

32. Nusu

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half an amount: "nusu kilo" is half a kilo

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun from Arabic; in telling time it appears as "saa mbili na nusu" (half past).

33. Yote

    All of it

    Usage

    For saying "all of it", whether ordering or answering

    Grammar Note

    "-ote" agrees with noun class: "yote" covers classes 9 and 6, while people take "wote", class 7 takes "chote", and class 8 "vyote".

34. Inatosha

    That is enough

    Usage

    Show this to have someone stop pouring or serving; it is a polite way to decline more

    Grammar Note

    "i-" (class 9 subject) + "na" (present) + "tosha" (to suffice); with plural class 10 things it becomes "zinatosha".

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