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Irregular comparative forms Exercises in Swahili language

Students furthering language understanding deeply.

Swahili, a Bantu language spoken widely in East Africa, features a unique set of comparative forms that can be particularly intriguing for language learners. Unlike regular comparatives that often follow predictable patterns, irregular comparatives in Swahili may require additional attention and practice to master. Understanding these forms is essential not only for achieving fluency but also for gaining deeper insights into the linguistic nuances and cultural context in which the language is used. In Swahili, comparatives are typically formed by using the word "kuliko" to mean "than." However, certain adjectives and adverbs do not conform to the usual rules and have irregular comparative forms. For example, the word "mbaya" (bad) becomes "mbaya zaidi" (worse) and "mzuri" (good) becomes "bora" (better), rather than following a straightforward pattern. These irregularities can be challenging, but with targeted practice and exercises, you can become proficient in recognizing and using these forms accurately. This section will provide you with a variety of exercises to help you get comfortable with these irregular comparative forms in Swahili, ensuring a smoother and more nuanced command of the language.

Exercise 1

1. Jana, mbwa wangu alikuwa *mkubwa* kuliko mbwa wa jirani yangu (adjective for size). 2. Leo, chakula hiki kinaonekana *chepesi* kuliko jana (adjective for weight). 3. Niliona kwamba maji haya ni *masafi* kuliko yale ya mtoni (adjective for cleanliness). 4. Kitabu hiki ni *kirefu* kuliko kile ulichonipa jana (adjective for length). 5. Alisema kwamba safari hii ilikuwa *fupi* kuliko tulivyotarajia (adjective for shortness). 6. Nilihisi kwamba nguo hizi ni *nzito* kuliko zile tulizovaa jana (adjective for heaviness). 7. Leo, mbegu hizi ni *ndogo* kuliko zile tulizopanda mwaka jana (adjective for small size). 8. Aligundua kwamba maua haya ni *mazuri* kuliko yale ya bustani ya jirani (adjective for beauty). 9. Mtoto wangu ni *mwerevu* kuliko nilivyokuwa nikiwa na umri wake (adjective for intelligence). 10. Gari hili ni *ghali* kuliko lile tuliloliona duka lingine (adjective for price).

Exercise 2

1. Mtoto huyu ni *mwenyewe* kuliko watoto wengine (irregular comparative form of "self"). 2. Nyanya yangu ni *kubwa* kuliko nyanya yoyote (irregular comparative form of "big"). 3. Kitabu hiki ni *kizuri* kuliko vitabu vyote (irregular comparative form of "good"). 4. Mto huu ni *mrefu* kuliko mito mingine (irregular comparative form of "long"). 5. Chakula hiki ni *kitamu* kuliko vyakula vingine (irregular comparative form of "delicious"). 6. Jibu lake ni *sahihi* kuliko majibu mengine (irregular comparative form of "correct"). 7. Mji huu ni *mkuu* kuliko miji mingine (irregular comparative form of "major"). 8. Safari hii ni *ndefu* kuliko safari nyingine (irregular comparative form of "long" for a journey). 9. Mbwa wangu ni *mwenye* kuliko mbwa wote (irregular comparative form of "self" for an animal). 10. Ndoto yake ni *kuu* kuliko ndoto zangu (irregular comparative form of "big" for a dream).

Exercise 3

1. Mtoto huyu ni *mbaya* kuliko yule (word for "bad"). 2. Juma ni *mkubwa* kuliko Zawadi (word for "big"). 3. Kazi hii ni *ngumu* kuliko ya jana (word for "difficult"). 4. Chakula hiki ni *bora* kuliko kile (word for "better"). 5. Safari hii ni *ndefu* kuliko ile (word for "long"). 6. Mvua ya leo ni *kali* kuliko ya jana (word for "intense"). 7. Hii nyumba ni *nzuri* kuliko ile (word for "beautiful"). 8. Hali ya hewa ni *mbaya* kuliko jana (word for "bad"). 9. Kitabu hiki ni *chepesi* kuliko kile (word for "light"). 10. Mzee ni *mwenye akili* kuliko kijana (word for "wise").