Adjectives

1. Ichi ntchikuru

   This is big

   Usage

   For the size of something, in a bargain or about luggage

   Grammar Note

   "ni" + "chikuru" (big, class 7) contracts to "ntchikuru"; adjectives change their first syllable with the noun class. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Ichi ntchichoko

   This is small

   Usage

   For saying that something is small

   Grammar Note

   "choko" means "small, little" and takes the form "chichoko" in class 7. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ichi ntchizito

   This is heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of a bag or parcel

   Grammar Note

   "zito" means "heavy" and takes the form "chizito" in class 7. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Ichi ntchakudula chomene

   This is very expensive

   Usage

   When a price seems high, as an opener to bargaining

   Grammar Note

   "kudula" means "being expensive". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Maji ghakotcha

   The water is hot

   Usage

   About a shower or a drink

   Grammar Note

   Class 6 nouns (ma-) take "gha-"

6. Maji ghakuzizima

   The water is cold

   Usage

   To say the water or shower is cold

   Grammar Note

   "zizima" means "be cold". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ichi ntchiphya

   This is new

   Usage

   To say something is new

   Grammar Note

   "-phya" means "new". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Ichi ntchakale

   This is old

   Usage

   To say something is old

   Grammar Note

   "-kale" means "former, old", as in "boma lakale" (the former government). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Ichi ntchiwemi

   This is good

   Usage

   To say a thing or an idea is good

   Grammar Note

   "-wemi" means "good" and agrees with the class, as in "Umoyo nguwemi" (life is good). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Ni pafupi

    It is near

    Usage

    To tell someone that a place is close

    Grammar Note

    "pafupi" is "near" and can also modify a noun, as in "chipatala chapafupi" (a nearby hospital). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Ni patali

    It is far

    Usage

    To say that a place is far away

    Grammar Note

    "patali" is "far"; "kutali" is also heard. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Vinandi

    Many

    Usage

    To say there are many things

    Grammar Note

    "-nandi" means "many"; things take "vinandi" and people take "ŵanandi"

13. Vichoko

    Few

    Usage

    To say there are few things

    Grammar Note

    "-choko" means "small, few"; things (class 8) take "vichoko"

14. Kwakotcha chomene

    It is very hot

    Usage

    A remark about hot weather

    Grammar Note

    "ku-" is the subject for weather or place; "kwaotcha chomene" is also written

15. Kuzizima

    It is cold

    Usage

    A remark about cold weather or a cold night

    Grammar Note

    "zizima" is "cold"; "kuzizima" also works like a noun for "the cold" or the cold season

16. Ichi ntchakutowa

    This is beautiful

    Usage

    To praise a view or an object

    Grammar Note

    "towa" means "be beautiful", the same pattern as "Galimoto iyi njakutowa" (this car is beautiful). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. Chakuziziswa!

    Amazing!

    Usage

    For a surprising sight or event

    Grammar Note

    "zizwa" is "be astonished", and "chaku-" turns it into "something that astonishes"

18. Pachoko waka

    Just a little

    Usage

    To ask for a smaller amount

    Grammar Note

    "waka" is an adverb meaning "only, just"

19. Vyose

    All of it

    Usage

    For "all of it", such as when asking the total price

    Grammar Note

    "-ose" means "all"; things take "vyose" and people take "wose"

20. Vyakukwana, yewo

    That is enough, thank you

    Usage

    To decline more food or drink politely

    Grammar Note

    "-kwana" means "be enough". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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