Adjectives

1. Ichi ndi chachikulu.

   This is big.

   Usage

   Describes the size of a class 7 item

   Grammar Note

   Adjectives agree with the noun class; class 7 takes "cha-", and for plural things it becomes "zazikulu".

2. Ichi ndi chaching'ono.

   This is small.

   Usage

   Describes a small class 7 item

   Grammar Note

   The root -ng'ono means "small". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

3. Ichi ndi cholemera.

   This is heavy.

   Usage

   Describes how heavy something is

   Grammar Note

   "heavy" agreeing with class 7. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

4. Ichi ndi chopepuka.

   This is light.

   Usage

   Describes a light item

   Grammar Note

   "light" agreeing with class 7. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

5. Chikudula kwambiri.

   It is very expensive.

   Usage

   Says the price is high and opens bargaining

   Grammar Note

   chi-ku-dul-a: "it is getting expensive" (class 7); the root is -dula.

6. Ichi ndi chotchipa.

   This is cheap.

   Usage

   Says something is cheap

   Grammar Note

   The root -tchipa "be cheap" takes the class 7 prefix. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

7. Madzi ndi otentha.

   The water is hot.

   Usage

   Describes the temperature of water or a drink

   Grammar Note

   "madzi" is class 6, so the adjective is "otentha". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

8. Madzi ndi ozizira.

   The water is cold.

   Usage

   Describes a cold drink

   Grammar Note

   "madzi" is class 6, so the adjective is "ozizira". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

9. Ichi ndi chatsopano.

   This is new.

   Usage

   Says something is new

   Grammar Note

   The root -tsopano means "new". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

10. Ichi ndi chakale.

    This is old.

    Usage

    Says something is old

    Grammar Note

    This "old" is for things, not for people. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

11. Iye ndi wokalamba.

    He or she is old.

    Usage

    A polite way to say someone is elderly

    Grammar Note

    "iye" is a gender-neutral third person pronoun. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

12. Iye ndi wachichepere.

    He or she is young.

    Usage

    Says someone is young

    Grammar Note

    "wa-" is the adjective prefix for class 1 people. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

13. Ichi ndi choyera.

    This is clean.

    Usage

    Describes a clean room, cup or similar

    Grammar Note

    The root -yera means both "white" and "clean". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

14. Ichi ndi chonyansa.

    This is dirty.

    Usage

    Points out something dirty

    Grammar Note

    The word is strong, so a request to clean a room is better phrased differently. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

15. Ichi ndi chabwino.

    This is good.

    Usage

    Praises the quality of something

    Grammar Note

    "chabwino" alone also works as "OK, fine".

16. Ndi pafupi.

    It is near.

    Usage

    Says a place is near

    Grammar Note

    "pafupi" is a locative; "pafupi ndi ___" means "near ___".

17. Ndi kutali.

    It is far.

    Usage

    Says a place is far

    Grammar Note

    "kutali" is a ku- locative meaning "far away".

18. Ambiri

    Many

    Usage

    Used for many people or things; shown in its class 2 form

    Grammar Note

    It agrees with the noun; for things the form is "zambiri".

19. Ochepa

    Few

    Usage

    For a small number of people or things; shown in its class 2 form

    Grammar Note

    The root -chepa means "few".

20. Kukutentha kwambiri.

    It is very hot.

    Usage

    Describes hot weather

    Grammar Note

    The "ku-" subject marks an impersonal situation such as the weather. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

21. Kukuzizira.

    It is cold.

    Usage

    Describes cold weather

    Grammar Note

    The root is -zizira "be cold". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

22. Ichi ndi chokoma.

    This is delicious.

    Usage

    The basic way to praise food

    Grammar Note

    The root -koma means "sweet, tasty". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

23. Ichi ndi chokongola.

    This is beautiful.

    Usage

    Praises the beauty of a view or item

    Grammar Note

    The root -kongola means "be beautiful". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

24. Ichi ndi chodabwitsa.

    This is amazing.

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

    Grammar Note

    The root -dabwitsa means "astonish". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

25. Zosangalatsa!

    How fun!

    Usage

    An exclamation after an enjoyable experience

    Grammar Note

    The root -sangalatsa "give pleasure" with a class prefix. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

26. Pang'ono chabe.

    Just a little.

    Usage

    When asking for only a small amount

    Grammar Note

    "chabe" is the adverb "only".

27. Zonse

    All of it

    Usage

    When you want everything or ask the total

    Grammar Note

    "-onse" means "all" and takes the class prefix.

28. Basi, zikomo.

    That is enough, thank you.

    Usage

    Useful when someone is serving you food

    Grammar Note

    "basi" also means "bus" as a separate word; here it means "enough".

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