Adjectives in Kiswahili: Vivumishi vya Idadi, Sifa, na Viulizi

Master the basics of Kiswahili adjectives in this Senior One beginner’s guide. Learn how to use adjectives of number (idadi), quality (sifa), and questions (viulizi) through examples, explanations, and practice activities.

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Introduction:

What Are “Vivumishi”?

In Kiswahili grammar, an adjective is called “kivumishi” (plural: vivumishi). These are words used to describe nouns, just like in English. For example:

• mtoto mzuri – a good child
• vitabu vitatu – three books
• gani? – which one?

In this blog, we’ll explain three types of adjectives:

1. Vivumishi vya idadi – adjectives of number
2. Vivumishi vya sifa – adjectives of quality
3. Vivumishi vya viulizi – interrogative adjectives

We’ll use mostly English to help you understand, and include examples, tables, and mini activities in Kiswahili with English support.

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1. Vivumishi vya Idadi – Adjectives of Number

These are words that tell us how many or in what order things are.

🧮 Examples:

Kiswahili	English Translation
moja	one
mbili	two
tatu	three
nne	four
tano	five
saba	seven
kumi	ten
wa kwanza	the first
wa pili	the second
wa tatu	the third

📝 Example Sentences:

• Nina vitabu vitano. → I have five books.
• Mwanafunzi wa pili alikosa darasa. → The second student missed class.
• Walikuja watu kumi. → Ten people came.

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2. Vivumishi vya Sifa – Adjectives of Quality

These describe the nature or quality of a noun. In English, these are words like big, beautiful, good, fast, etc.

🎨 Common Adjectives of Quality:

Kiswahili	English Meaning
mrefu	tall
mfupi	short
mzuri	good/beautiful
mbaya	bad/ugly
mkubwa	big/important
mdogo	small
mweupe	white
mweusi	black
mvivu	lazy
mchapakazi	hardworking

📝 Example Sentences:

• Mwalimu mrefu ameingia. → The tall teacher has entered.
• Nimeona gari kubwa. → I saw a big car.
• Ana sura nzuri. → She has a beautiful face.

📚 Note:

Vivumishi vya sifa must agree with the noun class (ngeli) of the word they describe.
For example:

• mtoto mzuri (nice child)
• watoto wazuri (nice children)
• kitabu kizuri (nice book)

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3. Vivumishi vya Viulizi – Interrogative Adjectives

These are adjectives used to ask questions. They help us ask which one, how many, how big, etc.

❓ Common Question Words Used as Adjectives:

Kiswahili	English Translation
gani?	which?
wangapi?	how many (people)?
ngapi?	how many (non-people)?
upi?	which one? (class-specific)

📝 Example Sentences:

• Unataka kitabu gani? → Which book do you want?
• Wanafunzi wangapi walifika? → How many students arrived?
• Una chakula kiasi gani? → How much food do you have?

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🎯 Quick Summary Table

Type of Adjective	Kiswahili Term	Function	Example (Kiswahili)	English Translation
Number adjective	Vivumishi vya idadi	Tells how many / what order	vitabu vitatu	three books
Quality adjective	Vivumishi vya sifa	Describes nature or quality	mtu mrefu	a tall person
Interrogative adjective	Vivumishi vya viulizi	Used to ask questions about nouns	kitabu gani?	which book?

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🧠 Practice Activities

A. Translate These Sentences into Kiswahili:

1. I have two friends.
2. She bought a small bag.
3. How many people came to the meeting?
4. Which teacher is on duty?
5. The first student arrived early.

Sample Answers:

1. Nina marafiki wawili.
2. Alinunua begi dogo.
3. Watu wangapi walikuja kwenye mkutano?
4. Mwalimu gani yuko zamu?
5. Mwanafunzi wa kwanza alifika mapema.

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B. Fill in the Blank

Choose the correct adjective:

1. Mama ________ anapika chakula. (mzuri / nyingi / tatu)
2. Wanafunzi ________ walifeli mtihani. (wawili / mrefu / gani)
3. Tuna vitabu ________. (tano / wa pili / wazuri)
4. Unataka ndizi ________? (gani / mzuri / tatu)

Correct Answers:

1. mzuri
2. wawili
3. tano
4. gani

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📘 Diagram: How Vivumishi Attach to Noun Classes

+———————+

| Noun Class (Ngeli)  |

+———————+

| M-WA (mtoto, watoto)|

| KI-VI (kitabu, vitabu) |

| N-N (siku, habari)     |

+———————+

→ Vivumishi must agree with the noun class.

Examples:

– mtoto mzuri → watoto wazuri 

– kitabu kizuri → vitabu vizuri 

– siku nzuri → habari nzuri

Conclusion: Why Learning “Vivumishi” Is Important

Mastering vivumishi helps learners describe, ask, and give details about people, objects, and situations in Kiswahili. Whether you’re writing a composition, answering oral questions, or describing your school, using the correct adjective form improves your fluency.

✨ Vivumishi vinaongeza urembo na maana katika lugha.
(Adjectives add beauty and meaning to language.)