Adjectives

1. Monene

   Big

   Usage

   For size; it follows the noun, as in ndako monene (a big house).

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives follow the noun and change their prefix with the noun class (ndako monene, bandako minene).

2. Moke

   Small

   Usage

   For small size or small amount; it follows the noun.

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives follow the noun and change their prefix with the noun class (ndako monene, bandako minene).

3. Malamu

   Good

   Usage

   Good quality or well-being; also in Nazali malamu (I am well).

   Grammar Note

   Malamu means good and is usually used without changing form.

4. Mabe

   Bad

   Usage

   Used for something bad or of poor quality.

   Grammar Note

   Mabe means bad and is the opposite of malamu.

5. Kitoko

   Beautiful / nice

   Usage

   The standard word to compliment scenery, people or things.

   Grammar Note

   Kitoko means beautiful and can stand alone as an exclamation.

6. Makasi

   Strong / hard

   Usage

   Strong or hard; also an intensifier meaning very.

   Grammar Note

   Makasi means strong; it keeps this form as an adjective.

7. Mosika

   Far

   Usage

   Says that something is far, for instance Mosika? (is it far?).

   Grammar Note

   Mosika means far; the opposite is pene (near).

8. Pene

   Near

   Usage

   Says that something is near; pembeni means beside.

   Grammar Note

   Pene means near or close.

9. Mingi

   Many / a lot

   Usage

   For large amounts or numbers; it follows the noun or verb.

   Grammar Note

   Mingi means many, much or very.

10. Mwa moke

    A little

    Usage

    A small amount or short time; the Bible has Zela mwa moke (wait a little).

    Grammar Note

    Mwa means a little and moke means small.

11. Ya sika

    New

    Usage

    Says something is new, as in bilamba ya sika (new clothes).

    Grammar Note

    Ya (of) attaches a quality to a noun; sika means new.

12. Ya kala

    Old

    Usage

    Says something is old or from long ago.

    Grammar Note

    Kala means long ago; ya kala follows the noun.

13. Elenge

    Young

    Usage

    Means young, or a young person.

    Grammar Note

    Elenge means young or a youth; the plural is bilenge.

14. Mobange

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Describes an elderly person; in the Bible it means grown old.

    Grammar Note

    Mobange is an mo- class form used for people.

15. Peto

    Clean

    Usage

    Clean water, rooms and things, as in mayi ya peto (clean water).

    Grammar Note

    Peto means clean or pure.

16. Talo mingi

    Expensive

    Usage

    Said when something costs too much, a starting point for bargaining.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Talo is price or value and mingi is much; ya talo mingi means valuable in a news text.

17. Talo moke

    Cheap

    Usage

    Says something is cheap, or asks for a lower price.

    Grammar Note

    Composed from dictionary- and corpus-verified words by regular grammar. Talo is price and moke is small.

18. Elengi

    Delicious

    Usage

    Used for food that is pleasant to eat; the Bible calls a fruit elengi mpo na kolia.

    Grammar Note

    Elengi means pleasant or tasty; it appears with mpo na kolia (for eating).

19. Molunge makasi

    Very hot

    Usage

    About hot weather; the Bible has tango ya molunge makasi (the hot season).

    Grammar Note

    Molunge is heat and makasi is strong.

20. Malili makasi

    Very cold

    Usage

    About cold weather; the phrase occurs in the Bible.

    Grammar Note

    Malili is cold and makasi is strong.

21. Ekoki

    That is enough

    Usage

    Tells someone that is enough, for instance when being served.

    Grammar Note

    Ekoki means it suffices or it is possible; e- is the prefix for a thing as subject.

22. Nyonso

    All

    Usage

    Means all; it follows the noun, as in bato nyonso (everyone).

    Grammar Note

    Nyonso means all and follows the noun.

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