Noun Classes

Question 1

Noun Class 1

Answer 1

Living things (singular)

Nominal/adjectival prefix: MU (before u), MW (before other vowels), M (before consonants); Ex: mtu (person), mtoto mkubwa (a good child)

Pronominal prefix: A or YU; Ex: Muuguzi A-ME-NI-PIGA sindano (The nurse has given me a shot); Muuguzi yupi? (Which nurse)

Question 2

Locative Class

Answer 2

Only one noun on its own falls into this class: mahali = place. However, any noun can become part of this class if “ni” is added to form what in English would be a locative phrase (“at…”, “in…”).

There are three classes, which correspond to the -ko, -po, and -mo endings. In each class, the adjectival and pronominal prefixes are the same.

-ku (indefinite or general place)
Prefixes:
KU before consonant
KW before vowel

-pa (specific place)
Prefixes:
PA before consonant
P before vowel

-mu (inside something)
MU before consonant
M before vowel

nyumbani kwangu (around my home, in the general vicinity
nyumbani pangu (at my home)
nyumbani mwangu (in my home)
Nyumbani kwao kuna wadudu (Their home over there has bugs)
Ofisini mwangu muna kompyuta (In my office there is a computer)
Anapapenda mahali hapa? (Does he like this place?)
Nyumbani anamupenda? (Does he like it in the house?)