Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Swahili, people belong to the M-WA class, meaning singular nouns start with 'M-' and plural nouns start with 'WA-'.
- Singular people use the 'M-' prefix: Mkenya (a Kenyan).
- Plural people use the 'WA-' prefix: Wakenya (Kenyans).
- Verbs and adjectives must match this prefix: Mkenya ni mrefu (The Kenyan is tall).
M-WA Nationality Agreement
| Singular Prefix | Plural Prefix | Singular Verb | Plural Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
|
M-
|
WA-
|
a-
|
wa-
|
|
Mkenya
|
Wakenya
|
anakuja
|
wanakuja
|
|
Mmarekani
|
Wamarekani
|
anasoma
|
wanasoma
|
|
Mjerumani
|
Wajerumani
|
anakula
|
wanakula
|
|
Mchina
|
Wachina
|
anapika
|
wanapika
|
|
Mfaransa
|
Wafaransa
|
anacheza
|
wanacheza
|
Meanings
The M-WA class is the primary noun class for humans in Swahili, used to denote nationality and identity.
Nationality
Identifying a person's country of origin.
“Mmarekani anakuja.”
“Wajapani wanakula.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
M- + Root + a- + Verb
|
Mkenya anasoma
|
|
Plural
|
WA- + Root + wa- + Verb
|
Wakenya wanasoma
|
|
Negative
|
M- + Root + ha- + Verb
|
Mkenya hasomi
|
|
Question
|
Je, M- + Root + a- + Verb?
|
Je, Mkenya anasoma?
|
|
Plural Negative
|
WA- + Root + ha- + Verb
|
Wakenya hawasomi
|
|
Plural Question
|
Je, WA- + Root + wa- + Verb?
|
Je, Wakenya wanasoma?
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
Mkenya yupo hapa. (Arrival)
Mkenya yuko hapa. (Arrival)
Mkenya yupo. (Arrival)
Mkenya yupo! (Arrival)
The Human Class (M-WA)
Singular
- Mkenya Kenyan
- Mmarekani American
Plural
- Wakenya Kenyans
- Wamarekani Americans
レベル別の例文
Mkenya anasoma.
The Kenyan is reading.
Wakenya wanasoma.
The Kenyans are reading.
Mmarekani anakuja.
The American is coming.
Wamarekani wanakuja.
The Americans are coming.
Mjerumani anafanya kazi.
The German is working.
Wajerumani wanafanya kazi.
The Germans are working.
Mchina anapenda chai.
The Chinese person likes tea.
Wachina wanapenda chai.
The Chinese people like tea.
Mfaransa huyu anazungumza Kiswahili.
This Frenchman speaks Swahili.
Wafaransa hawa wanazungumza Kiswahili.
These French people speak Swahili.
Mhindi anapika chakula kitamu.
The Indian person is cooking delicious food.
Wahindi wanapika chakula kitamu.
The Indian people are cooking delicious food.
Mwingereza anayesoma hapa ni rafiki yangu.
The Englishman who is studying here is my friend.
Waingereza wanaosoma hapa ni marafiki zangu.
The English people who are studying here are my friends.
Mbrazili huyu anacheza vizuri.
This Brazilian is dancing well.
Wabrazili hawa wanacheza vizuri.
These Brazilians are dancing well.
Mswidi huyu amekuwa akifanya utafiti.
This Swede has been doing research.
Waswidi hawa wamekuwa wakifanya utafiti.
These Swedes have been doing research.
Mnorwe huyu anapenda milima.
This Norwegian loves the mountains.
Wanorwe hawa wanapenda milima.
These Norwegians love the mountains.
Mkanada huyu anayeishi hapa ni mtaalamu.
This Canadian who lives here is an expert.
Wakanada hawa wanaoishi hapa ni wataalamu.
These Canadians who live here are experts.
Mturuki huyu anasafiri sana.
This Turk travels a lot.
Waturuki hawa wanasafiri sana.
These Turks travel a lot.
間違えやすい
Both start with M-.
Learners forget to change the verb.
Learners forget adjectives also change.
よくある間違い
Mkenya wanasoma
Mkenya anasoma
Wakenya anasoma
Wakenya wanasoma
Mkenya ni mrefu
Mkenya ni mrefu
Mkenya ni wazuri
Mkenya ni mzuri
Mmarekani ni wazuri
Mmarekani ni mzuri
Wamarekani ni mzuri
Wamarekani ni wazuri
Mjerumani anasoma vitabu
Mjerumani anasoma vitabu
Mfaransa huyu wanazungumza
Mfaransa huyu anazungumza
Wafaransa hawa anazungumza
Wafaransa hawa wanazungumza
Mhindi anayesoma wanajua
Mhindi anayesoma anajua
Mswidi huyu amekuwa wakifanya
Mswidi huyu amekuwa akifanya
Waswidi hawa amekuwa akifanya
Waswidi hawa wamekuwa wakifanya
Mnorwe huyu anapenda milima
Mnorwe huyu anapenda milima
文型パターン
___ ni rafiki yangu.
___ ni marafiki zangu.
Je, ___ anazungumza Kiswahili?
___ wanapenda chakula chetu.
Real World Usage
Wakenya wako wapi?
Mkenya anakuja.
Mimi ni Mkenya.
Mmarekani anasafiri.
Mhindi anapika.
Wanafunzi ni Wakenya.
Listen for the prefix
Don't mix classes
Check the verb
Be respectful
Smart Tips
Check if it is singular or plural.
Check if it matches the noun prefix.
Ensure it starts with the same prefix.
Match it to the noun class.
発音
M- prefix
Pronounced as a syllabic 'm' if followed by a consonant.
WA- prefix
Pronounced 'wah'.
Statement
Mkenya anasoma ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Question
Mkenya anasoma? ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
暗記しよう
記憶術
M is for 'Me' (singular), WA is for 'We' (plural).
視覚的連想
Imagine a single person holding an 'M' sign, and a group of people holding a 'WA' sign.
Rhyme
M is for one, WA is for many, now you know the rule for any.
Story
Musa is a Mkenya. He stands alone with his M. Then his friends arrive, they are Wakenya, and they all shout WA together.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write down 5 nationalities you know and change them from singular to plural in 60 seconds.
文化メモ
Using the correct class is a sign of respect and education.
People often use English loanwords, but the M-WA class remains.
Swahili is a second language, so class usage can vary slightly.
The M-WA class is a Proto-Bantu noun class system.
会話のきっかけ
Wewe ni nani?
Je, Mkenya anasoma?
Una rafiki Mmarekani?
Wageni hawa wanatoka wapi?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
___ ni Mkenya.
Wakenya ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Mkenya wanasoma.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The American is reading.
Answer starts with: Mma...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mjerumani ___.
___ ni Wajerumani.
Score: /8
練習問題
8 exercises___ ni Mkenya.
Wakenya ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Mkenya wanasoma.
anasoma / Mkenya / Kiswahili
The American is reading.
Mkenya
Mjerumani ___.
___ ni Wajerumani.
Score: /8
よくある質問 (8)
It is the human noun class in Swahili.
If it refers to a person, it is likely M-WA.
Yes, they all use M-WA prefixes.
It will sound incorrect to native speakers.
No, M-MI is for plants.
Change M- to WA-.
It is standard Swahili, used everywhere.
No, animals have their own classes.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Gender/Number agreement
Swahili has many more classes than Spanish.
Gender/Number agreement
Swahili classes are more complex.
Gender/Case
Swahili is class-based.
Particles
Swahili is prefix-based.
Gender/Number
Swahili has more classes.
None
Swahili is highly inflected.
