-zuri en 30 secondes
- -zuri is the primary Swahili word for 'good' and 'beautiful'.
- It is an adjective stem that requires a prefix matching the noun's class.
- It is used in greetings (Habari? Nzuri!) and general descriptions.
- It covers both moral goodness and physical attractiveness.
The Swahili word -zuri is perhaps the most versatile and essential adjective in the entire language. For an English speaker, it functions as a bridge between two distinct concepts: 'good' and 'beautiful.' In the Swahili worldview, aesthetic beauty and moral or functional goodness are often seen as two sides of the same coin. When you describe someone as mzuri, you might be complimenting their physical appearance, or you might be praising their kind heart and virtuous character. This duality is a cornerstone of Swahili communication, reflecting a culture that values harmony between the internal and the external.
- Aesthetic Beauty
- Used to describe objects, people, or places that are visually pleasing. For example, a sunset, a well-decorated room, or a handsome person.
- Functional Quality
- Used to describe items that work well or are of high quality, such as a sharp knife, a reliable car, or a well-written book.
- Moral Character
- Used to describe a person who is kind, helpful, or ethical. A 'good' person is inherently 'beautiful' in their actions.
Huyu ni mtoto mzuri sana kwa sababu anasaidia wazazi wake.
One cannot simply use the root -zuri on its own. It is an 'adjective stem,' meaning it requires a prefix that matches the noun class of the object it describes. This is the most challenging part for beginners but also the most rewarding once mastered. If you are talking about a person (Class 1), you use m- to get mzuri. If you are talking about a chair (Class 7), you use ki- to get kizuri. This grammatical dance ensures that every sentence has a rhythmic agreement that is characteristic of Bantu languages.
Niliona mji mzuri kando ya bahari.
In everyday Swahili, -zuri is used to express satisfaction. Whether you are tasting delicious food (chakula kizuri), listening to a pleasant song (wimbo mzuri), or enjoying a nice day (siku nzuri), this word is your primary tool for positive reinforcement. It is a word of affirmation, warmth, and appreciation. Understanding its usage goes beyond grammar; it is about learning how to express positivity in the Swahili-speaking world.
Matunda haya ni mazuri kwa afya yako.
Using -zuri correctly requires an understanding of the Swahili noun class system. Unlike English adjectives, which remain static (e.g., 'good' stays 'good' whether it's a 'good man' or 'good men'), Swahili adjectives change their prefixes to harmonize with the noun they modify. This is known as alliterative concord. Let's look at how -zuri adapts across various noun classes to describe different things.
- Class 1 & 2 (People)
- Singular: Mtu mzuri (A good person). Plural: Watu wazuri (Good people).
- Class 3 & 4 (Trees/Plants/Nature)
- Singular: Mtis mzuri (A beautiful tree). Plural: Miti mizuri (Beautiful trees).
- Class 7 & 8 (Objects/Artifacts)
- Singular: Kiti kizuri (A good chair). Plural: Viti vizuri (Good chairs).
Kitabu hiki ni kizuri sana; unapaswa kukisoma.
One of the most common uses of -zuri is in the N-Class (Classes 9 and 10), which includes many common items like houses, clothes, and abstract concepts like news. In this class, the prefix becomes n-, making the word nzuri. This is the form you hear in every greeting response: 'Habari?' 'Nzuri!' (How is the news? Good!). It is also used for 'Nyumba nzuri' (A beautiful house) and 'Nguo nzuri' (Beautiful clothes).
Tulipata habari nzuri kuhusu safari yetu.
For the MA-Class (Class 6), which often denotes plural collective items or abstract nouns, the prefix is ma-, resulting in mazuri. Examples include 'Mambo mazuri' (Good things/affairs) or 'Macho mazuri' (Beautiful eyes). For the PA-Class (Locatives), the prefix is pa-, giving us pazuri (A good/beautiful place). 'Hapa ni pazuri' (Here is a nice place).
Mahali hapa ni pazuri kwa kupumzika.
In East Africa, -zuri is ubiquitous. You will hear it from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep. It is the soundtrack of polite society. The most frequent occurrence is in greetings. Swahili culture places immense value on the ritual of greeting. When someone asks 'Habari za asubuhi?' (How is the morning?), the standard, polite, and expected response is 'Nzuri' or 'Njema' (Good). Even if things are not perfect, 'Nzuri' is often used to maintain social harmony and positivity.
- In the Market (Sokoni)
- Vendors will praise their goods: 'Chungwa hili ni zuri sana!' (This orange is very good!). Customers will inspect items and say 'Hii si nzuri' (This one isn't good) to negotiate.
- In Social Circles
- Friends compliment each other: 'Umependeza, una nguo nzuri' (You look smart, you have beautiful clothes). It is also used to describe a 'good' time spent together.
'Habari yako?' 'Nzuri, asante.'
You will also hear it in professional settings. A boss might tell an employee, 'Kazi nzuri!' (Good work!). In schools, teachers use it to encourage students. In media, news anchors might start a segment with 'Habari nzuri kutoka...' (Good news from...). It is a word of validation that crosses all socioeconomic boundaries. It is as common in the rural villages of Tanzania as it is in the high-rise offices of Nairobi.
Tunaishi katika nyumba nzuri sana.
In music and poetry, -zuri takes on a more romantic and profound tone. Bongo Flava songs are filled with lyrics about 'msichana mzuri' (a beautiful girl) or 'mapenzi mazuri' (good/beautiful love). Here, the word transcends simple description and becomes an expression of deep admiration and emotion. It is the primary word used to describe the beauty of the Swahili coast, the sunsets over the Indian Ocean, and the warmth of the people.
Muziki huu ni mzuri wa kusikiliza.
The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using -zuri is treating it like an English adjective—static and unchanging. Beginners often try to use the root 'zuri' by itself, which is grammatically incorrect in Swahili. You must always attach the correct noun class prefix. Saying 'Mtu zuri' instead of 'Mtu mzuri' is like saying 'A man good' with a missing syllable; it sounds incomplete to a native speaker's ear.
- Incorrect Prefixing
- Using 'mzuri' for everything. While 'mzuri' works for people (Class 1) and trees (Class 3), it is wrong for objects like 'kiti' (Class 7). You must say 'kiti kizuri'.
- Word Order
- Placing the adjective before the noun. English says 'Beautiful house,' but Swahili must say 'Nyumba nzuri' (House beautiful).
Mistake:
Hiki ni zuri kitabu.Correction: Kitabu hiki ni kizuri.
Another common error is confusing -zuri with -ema. Both can mean 'good,' but -ema is strictly for moral goodness and kindness, whereas -zuri is broader, covering physical beauty and general quality. If you call a person 'mzuri,' you might be talking about their face; if you call them 'mwema,' you are definitely talking about their soul. Using 'nzuri' for a person's character is common, but 'mwema' is more specific for virtue.
Mistake:
Watu ni mzuri.Correction: Watu ni wazuri.
Lastly, learners often struggle with the locative form pazuri. When talking about a place generally, you use pazuri. 'Kuzuri' and 'muzuri' (locative) are also used but are more specific to direction or being inside a place. For most beginners, sticking to pazuri for 'a nice place' is a safe bet, but forgetting the 'pa-' prefix and just saying 'mahali mzuri' is a frequent grammatical slip.
Mistake:
Mahali mzuri.Correction: Mahali pazuri.
While -zuri is the go-to word for 'good' and 'beautiful,' Swahili offers a rich palette of alternatives that allow for more precision. Depending on whether you are describing a person's soul, a delicious meal, or a stunning piece of jewelry, you might choose a different word to convey a more specific meaning. Understanding these nuances will make your Swahili sound more natural and sophisticated.
- -ema (Good/Kind)
- Focuses on moral excellence and kindness. A 'mtu mwema' is a person of high integrity. It is rarely used for physical beauty.
- -rembo (Beautiful/Ornate)
- Specifically refers to aesthetic beauty, often with a sense of being decorated or stylish. Used frequently for women ('mrembo') or beautiful patterns.
- -tamu (Sweet/Delicious)
- While it literally means 'sweet,' it is often used for anything 'good' in a sensory way, like 'chakula kitamu' (delicious food) or 'muziki mtamu' (sweet music).
Chakula hiki ni kitamu sana kuliko kile.
Other alternatives include -bora, which means 'excellent' or 'of high quality' (best). If you want to say something is the 'best,' you use -bora. For example, 'elimu bora' (quality education). There is also -shani, a more poetic and rare word for 'wonderful' or 'extraordinary.' In slang, especially among youth in Nairobi or Dar es Salaam, you might hear 'kali' (literally sharp/hot) used to mean 'cool' or 'very good.' For example, 'ngoma kali' (a hot/good song).
Yeye ni msichana mrembo na mwenye akili.
When comparing, -zuri is the most flexible. You can say 'nzuri zaidi' (better/more beautiful) or 'nzuri kabisa' (absolutely beautiful). However, if you want to emphasize the 'goodness' of a person's soul, 'mwema' will always carry more weight. If you are admiring the craftsmanship of a Swahili door, 'mrembo' or 'kazi nzuri' are both appropriate, but 'nzuri' is the safest and most common choice for any learner.
Tunatafuta maisha bora kwa watoto wetu.
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
The root -zuri is so fundamental that it exists in almost identical forms in hundreds of Bantu languages across Africa.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing 'm' as 'em' (it should be a hum).
- Stressing the first syllable.
- Dropping the 'm' entirely.
- Pronouncing 'r' as a hard English 'r' (it should be a slight tap).
- Pronouncing 'z' as 's'.
Niveau de difficulté
Very easy to recognize once the root is known.
Requires knowledge of noun class prefixes.
Prefixes can be tricky in fast speech.
Very frequently used and easy to hear.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Adjective Agreement
Mtu (Class 1) -> Mzuri; Viti (Class 8) -> Vizuri.
Adjective Placement
Always after the noun: Nyumba nzuri.
N-Class nasalization
N + zuri becomes 'nzuri'.
Locative prefixes
Mahali (Place) takes 'pa-', 'ku-', or 'mu-'. Usually 'pazuri'.
Adverbial formation
Using 'vi-' prefix to make an adverb: vizuri (well).
Exemples par niveau
Habari?
How is the news?
A common greeting.
Nzuri!
Good!
Standard response to 'Habari?' using the N-class prefix.
Mtu mzuri.
A good person.
Class 1 (M-WA) singular agreement.
Chakula kizuri.
Good food.
Class 7 (KI-VI) singular agreement.
Siku nzuri.
A good day.
Class 9 (N) singular agreement.
Kitabu kizuri.
A good book.
Class 7 agreement.
Mtoto mzuri.
A good child.
Class 1 agreement.
Mji mzuri.
A beautiful city.
Class 3 (M-MI) agreement.
Watu hawa ni wazuri.
These people are good.
Class 2 (M-WA) plural agreement.
Matunda haya ni mazuri.
These fruits are good.
Class 6 (MA) plural agreement.
Hapa ni pazuri.
Here is a nice place.
Class 16 (PA) locative agreement.
Viti hivi ni vizuri.
These chairs are good.
Class 8 (KI-VI) plural agreement.
Nina nguo nzuri.
I have beautiful clothes.
Class 10 (N) plural agreement.
Hali ya hewa ni nzuri leo.
The weather is good today.
Class 9 agreement.
Miti mizuri imepandwa hapa.
Beautiful trees are planted here.
Class 4 (M-MI) plural agreement.
Tunda hili si zuri.
This fruit is not good.
Negative 'si' with Class 5 agreement.
Alikuwa na wazo zuri sana.
He had a very good idea.
Class 5 (JI-MA) singular agreement.
Tulifanya mpango mzuri kwa safari yetu.
We made a good plan for our trip.
Class 3 agreement.
Maisha ni mazuri ukiwa na marafiki.
Life is good when you have friends.
Class 6 agreement for 'maisha'.
Kitabu hiki ni kizuri kuliko kile.
This book is better than that one.
Comparative structure using 'kuliko'.
Anasema maneno mazuri sikuzote.
He always says good words.
Class 6 agreement for 'maneno'.
Ni vizuri kusaidia wengine.
It is good to help others.
Adverbial use of 'vizuri'.
Uhusiano wao ni mzuri.
Their relationship is good.
Class 3 agreement for 'uhusiano'.
Picha hii ni nzuri sana.
This picture is very beautiful.
Class 9 agreement.
Tumepata matokeo mazuri katika mtihani.
We got good results in the exam.
Class 6 agreement for 'matokeo'.
Ni muhimu kuwa na tabia nzuri.
It is important to have good character.
Class 9 agreement for 'tabia'.
Mazingira haya ni mazuri kwa afya.
This environment is good for health.
Class 6 agreement for 'mazingira'.
Alitoa hotuba nzuri mbele ya watu.
He gave a good speech before the people.
Class 9 agreement for 'hotuba'.
Kazi yake ni nzuri na ya kuaminika.
His work is good and reliable.
Class 9 agreement for 'kazi'.
Tunaishi katika kipindi kizuri cha maendeleo.
We live in a good period of development.
Class 7 agreement for 'kipindi'.
Muziki huu una mahadhi mazuri.
This music has good rhythms.
Class 6 agreement for 'mahadhi'.
Serikali inahitaji uongozi mzuri.
The government needs good leadership.
Class 3 agreement for 'uongozi'.
Uzuri wa lugha hii upo katika fasihi yake.
The beauty of this language lies in its literature.
Noun 'uzuri' (Class 14).
Maadili mazuri ni msingi wa jamii imara.
Good morals are the foundation of a strong society.
Class 6 agreement for 'maadili'.
Mwandishi ametumia lugha nzuri na ya kuvutia.
The writer has used beautiful and attractive language.
Class 9 agreement for 'lugha'.
Uamuzi huo ulikuwa mzuri kwa mustakabali wa nchi.
That decision was good for the future of the country.
Class 3 agreement for 'uamuzi'.
Sanaa yake inaonyesha uzuri wa asili.
His art shows the beauty of nature.
Noun 'uzuri'.
Ni vyema kutafuta suluhu nzuri kwa matatizo haya.
It is good to seek a good solution for these problems.
Class 9 agreement for 'suluhu'.
Maelezo yake yalikuwa mazuri na yenye mantiki.
His explanations were good and logical.
Class 6 agreement for 'maelezo'.
Kuna tofauti kati ya uzuri wa sura na uzuri wa roho.
There is a difference between facial beauty and soul beauty.
Abstract noun 'uzuri'.
Uzuri wa mwanamke si urembo, bali ni tabia.
The beauty of a woman is not her looks, but her character.
Philosophical usage of 'uzuri'.
Kazi hii ya sanaa imekamilika kwa uzuri wa hali ya juu.
This work of art is completed with high-level beauty.
Formal adverbial phrase.
Katika ushairi huu, -zuri inawakilisha ukweli.
In this poetry, -zuri represents truth.
Literary analysis.
Mabadiliko haya ni mazuri kwa ustawi wa binadamu.
These changes are good for human well-being.
Formal academic context.
Alipambanua kati ya uzuri wa dhana na uzuri wa vitendo.
He distinguished between conceptual beauty and practical beauty.
Complex abstract nouns.
Ladha nzuri ya ushindi ilisahaulisha machungu ya safari.
The good taste of victory made the bitterness of the journey forgotten.
Metaphorical usage.
Mazingira mazuri ya kisheria yanachochea uwekezaji.
A good legal environment stimulates investment.
Professional/Economic context.
Uzuri uliopitiliza unaweza kuwa na madhara yake.
Excessive beauty can have its downsides.
Philosophical nuance.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Confused because both mean 'good', but -ema is moral/kindness.
Confused because both mean 'beautiful', but -rembo is aesthetic/ornate.
Confused when describing food/music; -tamu is specifically 'sweet/delicious'.
Expressions idiomatiques
— Good things should not be rushed (patience is key).
Subiri kidogo, mambo mazuri hayataki haraka.
Proverbial— Beautiful on the outside, but empty or bad on the inside.
Usimwamini kila mtu, kumbuka uzuri wa mkakasi...
Proverbial— The beauty of a wife is her character (not just looks).
Wazee husema uzuri wa mke ni tabia.
Proverbial— A good thing sells itself, a bad thing has to walk around looking for buyers.
Huna haja ya kujisifu, kizuri chajiuza.
Proverbial— A good day is seen in the morning (early signs predict success).
Amejitahidi tangu mwanzo, kweli siku nzuri huonekana asubuhi.
Proverbial— A good thing doesn't last (often said about life's fleeting joys).
Pole kwa msiba, kweli kizuri hakidumu.
Proverbial— A good thing should be shared with your brother/relative.
Nisaidie kidogo, kizuri kula na nduguyo.
Proverbial— Beauty is not the main issue/point (character matters more).
Acha kuringa, uzuri si hoja.
Informal— A good person is not thrown away (good people are valuable).
Msaidie rafiki yako, mtu mzuri hatupi.
Neutral— Good news doesn't have feet (it travels slowly compared to bad news).
Subiri, habari nzuri haina miguu lakini itafika.
PoeticFacile à confondre
It's the noun form.
Uzuri is 'beauty' (noun), -zuri is 'beautiful' (adjective).
Uzuri wake unavutia.
It's the adverb form.
Vizuri means 'well' or 'nicely'.
Anaimba vizuri.
Learners think it's the only form.
Nzuri is only for N-class nouns.
Habari nzuri.
Used for both Class 1 and Class 3.
Mtu mzuri (person) vs Mtis mzuri (tree).
Mtu mzuri.
Locative agreement.
Used only for places.
Mahali pazuri.
Structures de phrases
[Noun] ni [Prefix]-zuri.
Chakula ni kizuri.
Nina [Noun] [Prefix]-zuri.
Nina nyumba nzuri.
[Noun] huyu/hiki ni [Prefix]-zuri kuliko...
Kitabu hiki ni kizuri kuliko kile.
Ni [Prefix]-zuri [Verb]...
Ni vizuri kusoma sana.
Uzuri wa [Noun] ni [Noun]...
Uzuri wa mji ni watu wake.
[Noun] uliopambwa kwa [Prefix]-zuri...
Mlango uliopambwa kwa uzuri wa ajabu.
Habari za [Time]? Nzuri.
Habari za asubuhi? Nzuri.
[Noun] [Prefix]-zuri sana.
Muziki mzuri sana.
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Extremely high; one of the top 50 most used words in Swahili.
-
Mtu zuri
→
Mtu mzuri
Missing the noun class prefix 'm-'. Adjectives must have a prefix.
-
Nzuri mtu
→
Mtu mzuri
Incorrect word order. Adjectives follow the noun in Swahili.
-
Kiti mzuri
→
Kiti kizuri
Prefix mismatch. 'Kiti' is Class 7, so it needs the 'ki-' prefix.
-
Habari mzuri
→
Habari nzuri
Prefix mismatch. 'Habari' is Class 9, so it needs the 'n-' prefix.
-
Watu mzuri
→
Watu wazuri
Number mismatch. 'Watu' is plural, so the adjective must be plural 'wa-'.
Astuces
Prefix Matching
Always look at the first two letters of the noun to find the correct prefix for -zuri. If the noun starts with 'Ki-', use 'Ki-zuri'.
The Hum
The 'm' in 'mzuri' is its own syllable. Hum it like a short 'mmm' before saying 'zuri'.
Greeting Standard
If you don't know what to say in a greeting, 'Nzuri' is always a safe and polite answer.
Beyond Beauty
Don't forget that -zuri also means 'good' in a functional sense, like a 'good car' or 'good pen'.
Adjective Order
Always place -zuri after the noun. 'Nyumba nzuri', not 'nzuri nyumba'.
Rhyme Time
Listen for the rhyme. Swahili is a rhythmic language, and the prefix of the noun often rhymes with the prefix of the adjective.
Character over Looks
While -zuri describes looks, Swahili speakers value 'mzuri wa tabia' (good character) above all else.
Place Descriptions
Use 'pazuri' when describing a specific place or 'hapa' (here).
Emphasis
To say 'extremely good', you can repeat the word: 'mzuri mzuri'.
Root Recognition
Focus on the root '-zuri'. Once you know the root, you just need to swap the hats (prefixes)!
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Zoo' being 'Really' good. Zoo-Ri. If the Zoo is good, it's -zuri!
Association visuelle
Imagine a beautiful garden (pazuri) where everything is 'good' and 'beautiful'.
Word Web
Défi
Try to compliment three things today using -zuri with the correct prefix.
Origine du mot
Of Bantu origin, found in many East African languages with similar roots (e.g., -luri, -duri).
Sens originel : To be pleasing to the eye or the heart.
Niger-Congo, Bantu.Contexte culturel
When complimenting a person's beauty (especially the opposite sex), 'mzuri' is safe, but 'mrembo' (for women) can be more flirtatious. Use 'mzuri' to be generally polite.
English speakers often separate 'good' and 'beautiful', but in Swahili, they are the same word. Don't be surprised if a 'good car' and a 'beautiful car' are both called 'gari zuri'.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Greetings
- Habari? Nzuri.
- Umeshindaje? Vizuri.
- Habari za nyumbani? Nzuri.
- Habari za kazi? Nzuri.
Dining
- Chakula kizuri.
- Ladha nzuri.
- Matunda mazuri.
- Kinywaji kizuri.
Shopping
- Nguo nzuri.
- Bei nzuri.
- Kiatu kizuri.
- Bidhaa nzuri.
Travel
- Safari nzuri.
- Hoteli nzuri.
- Njia nzuri.
- Gari zuri.
Character
- Mtu mzuri.
- Tabia nzuri.
- Roho nzuri.
- Rafiki mzuri.
Amorces de conversation
"Habari yako ya leo? (How is your today?)"
"Je, umewahi kuona mji mzuri kama huu? (Have you ever seen a beautiful city like this?)"
"Unapenda chakula gani kizuri hapa? (What good food do you like here?)"
"Je, huyu ni rafiki yako mzuri? (Is this your good friend?)"
"Unafikiri ni wazo zuri kusafiri sasa? (Do you think it's a good idea to travel now?)"
Sujets d'écriture
Andika kuhusu siku nzuri uliyokuwa nayo wiki hii. (Write about a good day you had this week.)
Mtu mzuri kwako ni nani? Kwa nini? (Who is a good person to you? Why?)
Elezea mahali pazuri unapotaka kutembelea. (Describe a beautiful place you want to visit.)
Ni mambo gani mazuri yanayotokea katika maisha yako? (What good things are happening in your life?)
Elezea kitabu kizuri ulichosoma hivi karibuni. (Describe a good book you read recently.)
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, in Swahili, adjective roots like -zuri must have a prefix that matches the noun they describe. For example, 'mtu mzuri' or 'kitabu kizuri'.
Mzuri is used for nouns in Class 1 (people) and Class 3 (trees/plants). Nzuri is used for nouns in Class 9/10 (objects like houses, clothes, and news).
You add the word 'sana' after the adjective. For example, 'nzuri sana' or 'mzuri sana'.
Yes, it is the most common word to say someone is beautiful or handsome. 'Yeye ni mzuri' means 'He/She is beautiful/handsome'.
Use 'vizuri' as an adverb to mean 'well'. For example, 'Ninaelewa vizuri' (I understand well). It is also the plural adjective for Class 8 nouns like 'viti vizuri' (good chairs).
The direct opposite is -baya, which means 'bad' or 'ugly'. It also requires a prefix, like 'mtu mbaya' or 'kitabu kibaya'.
Yes, it is frequently translated as 'nice' in English, especially when describing weather, places, or personality.
Because 'Habari' (news) belongs to the N-class, and the adjective agreement for the N-class is 'nzuri'.
Use 'nzuri zaidi' (or whichever prefix matches the noun). 'Zaidi' means 'more'.
It is neutral and used in all levels of formality, though in very formal ethical contexts, '-ema' or '-bora' might be preferred.
Teste-toi 180 questions
Translate to Swahili: 'A good person.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate to Swahili: 'Good news.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Beautiful house.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Good food.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Beautiful trees.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Very good work.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'A nice place.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Good books.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Life is good.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'He is a good teacher.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Good morning.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'I have a good idea.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'They are good people.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'The weather is good.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Beautiful eyes.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'A good plan.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'It is good to help.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Beautiful clothes.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'A good city.'
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Translate to Swahili: 'Good results.'
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Say: 'Habari nzuri.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Mtu mzuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Chakula kizuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Nyumba nzuri.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Watu wazuri.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Pazuri sana.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Kazi nzuri!'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Maisha mazuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Miti mizuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Siku nzuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Kitabu kizuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Mpango mzuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Viti vizuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Habari za kazi? Nzuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Muziki mzuri sana.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Tunda zuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Macho mazuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Rafiki mzuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Safari nzuri.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Ni vizuri.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Listen and identify: 'Nzuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Mzuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Kizuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Wazuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Mazuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Pazuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Vizuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Mizuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Nzuri sana'.
Listen and identify: 'Habari nzuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Mtu mzuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Kazi nzuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Maisha mazuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Siku nzuri'.
Listen and identify: 'Uzuri'.
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word -zuri is the Swiss Army knife of Swahili adjectives, essential for expressing any form of positivity. Always remember to match the prefix to the noun (e.g., mtu mzuri, kiti kizuri).
- -zuri is the primary Swahili word for 'good' and 'beautiful'.
- It is an adjective stem that requires a prefix matching the noun's class.
- It is used in greetings (Habari? Nzuri!) and general descriptions.
- It covers both moral goodness and physical attractiveness.
Prefix Matching
Always look at the first two letters of the noun to find the correct prefix for -zuri. If the noun starts with 'Ki-', use 'Ki-zuri'.
The Hum
The 'm' in 'mzuri' is its own syllable. Hum it like a short 'mmm' before saying 'zuri'.
Greeting Standard
If you don't know what to say in a greeting, 'Nzuri' is always a safe and polite answer.
Beyond Beauty
Don't forget that -zuri also means 'good' in a functional sense, like a 'good car' or 'good pen'.
Contenu associé
Plus de mots sur general
au
A1Or
-baya
A1Bad
bila
A1Sans. Utilisé pour indiquer l'absence de quelque chose. 'Chai bila sukari' (Thé sans sucre).
-dogo
A1Petit ; peu. Utilisé comme suffixe adjectival pour décrire la taille, la quantité ou l'âge.
-ekundu
A1Red
elfu
A1Thousand
-eupe
A1White
-eusi
A1Black
-fupi
A1Short
-gumu
A1Ce mot signifie 'dur' ou 'difficile'. Par exemple: 'un travail difficile' (kazi ngumu).
