Adjectives

1. Ncibotu.

   It is good.

   Usage

   To say that a thing or an idea is good

   Grammar Note

   n-ci-botu: the "it is" prefix n- with the ci- class form of botu (good); it speaks of ci- class things such as cakulya (food)

2. Eeci ncipati.

   This is big.

   Usage

   To describe how big something is

   Grammar Note

   -pati (big) takes the ci- class form plus n- (it is); for nouns of other classes the ci- part changes (mupati, zipati ...). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Eeci ncisyoonto.

   This is small.

   Usage

   To describe how small something is

   Grammar Note

   -syoonto (small, few) takes the ci- class form plus n- (it is); for example tuswi tusyoonto (small fish). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Eeci ncipya.

   This is new.

   Usage

   To say whether an item is new

   Grammar Note

   -pya (new) takes the ci- class form plus n- (it is). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Ncitete.

   It is easy.

   Usage

   To say that a task or a procedure is easy

   Grammar Note

   n-ci-tete: tete (easy, soft) with the "it is" prefix n- and the ci- class form

6. Munzi uli kule.

   The village is far.

   Usage

   To say how far a destination is

   Grammar Note

   uli is the "is" for mu- class nouns such as munzi; other noun classes change the uli part. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Munzi uli kufwaafwi.

   The village is near.

   Usage

   To say that a destination is close

   Grammar Note

   kufwaafwi means nearby; the place follows after a, as in kufwaafwi a ... (near ...). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Maanzi aatontola

   Cold water

   Usage

   For asking for a cold drink; put amundipe (please give me) in front

   Grammar Note

   aatontola is tontola (cold) with a-, the relative form for ma- class nouns

9. Maanzi aapya

   Hot water

   Usage

   For asking for hot water; put amundipe (please give me) in front

   Grammar Note

   aapya is pya (hot, burning) with a-; pya can also mean burning. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Zinji

    Many

    Usage

    To say there are many things: zintu zinji (many things)

    Grammar Note

    The zi- class form of -nji (many); the beginning changes with the noun, for example banji for people and manji for ma- class

11. Asyoonto

    A little

    Usage

    To ask for or offer only a small amount

    Grammar Note

    A form of -syoonto (small, few) with a-, meaning a little

12. Zyoonse

    All of them (things)

    Usage

    When buying everything together or saying you want all of them

    Grammar Note

    The zi- class form of -oonse (all); it changes with the noun, for example boonse for people

13. Kapati

    Very, greatly

    Usage

    For emphasis; placed after an adjective or a verb

    Grammar Note

    An invariable adverb placed after an adjective or verb; for example bakakondwa kapati (they rejoiced greatly)

14. Cakufwambaana

    Quickly

    Usage

    When you need something done fast

    Grammar Note

    ca-ku-fwambaana: an adverb built on fwambaana (hurry)

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