When you're just starting out with Swahili, learning basic colors is super useful. The word for "red" in Swahili is -ekundu. You'll use this adjective to describe things that are red. Remember that in Swahili, adjectives often change their form depending on the noun they are describing, but for now, just focus on recognizing -ekundu as red.
You'll hear and use this word a lot in everyday conversations, like when talking about fruits, clothing, or traffic lights. It's a foundational word for building your descriptive vocabulary. Keep an ear out for it!
§ Understanding Adjective Agreement with -ekundu
In Swahili, adjectives like -ekundu (red) don't just sit in a sentence; they need to agree with the noun they're describing. This means the prefix of the adjective changes depending on the noun class of the word it modifies. Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds! Let's break it down.
§ Common Noun Classes and Their Prefixes for -ekundu
Here are the most common ways you'll see -ekundu used:
- M-Wa Class (People): For singular nouns referring to people, you'll use the prefix m-. For plural, you'll use w-.
- Ki-Vi Class (Things, languages): For singular nouns in this class, use ki-. For plural, use vi-.
- N- Class (Animals, many other nouns): This class is a bit tricky because the prefix for adjectives is often the same for singular and plural: ny-.
- Ji-Ma Class (Some nouns, augmentatives): For singular, use j-. For plural, use m-.
- U- Class (Abstract nouns, some singular objects): Use w-.
- Pa-, Ku-, Mu- Classes (Locative): These are for locations. Use p-, kw-, and mw- respectively.
§ Examples of -ekundu in Sentences
Let's see -ekundu in action with different noun classes. Pay close attention to the prefixes!
- M-Wa Class (People)
Mtu mwekundu means "a red person" (though this is less common, it shows the grammar). Watu wekundu means "red people."
Yule mtu ni mwekundu kwa hasira.
That person is red with anger.
- Ki-Vi Class (Things)
For singular nouns like kitabu (book), it's kitabu chekundu (a red book). For plural vitabu (books), it's vitabu vyekundu (red books).
Nina kalamu nyekundu na kitabu chekundu.
I have a red pen and a red book.
- N- Class (Many Nouns)
For nouns like gari (car), it's gari nyekundu (a red car). For plural magari (cars), it's still magari nyekundu (red cars). Notice the adjective doesn't change for N-class plurals.
Anapenda maua mekundu bustanini.
She likes red flowers in the garden.
- Ji-Ma Class
For jicho (eye), it's jicho jekundu (a red eye). For macho (eyes), it's macho mekundu (red eyes).
Ana jicho jekundu kutokana na moshi.
He has a red eye due to smoke.
- U- Class
For ua (flower), it's ua wekundu (a red flower). For plural maua (flowers), it goes back to the Ji-Ma plural form: maua mekundu.
Ua lile ni wekundu sana.
That flower is very red.
§ Placement of Adjectives
In Swahili, the adjective generally comes after the noun it describes. So, you say "car red," not "red car."
Naona gari nyekundu barabarani.
I see a red car on the road.
§ Describing red things at work
When you're at work, you might need to describe items by their color. Since '-ekundu' means red, it's very useful for pointing out specific objects or details. Remember, in Swahili, adjectives like '-ekundu' change their prefix to agree with the noun they describe. For example, if you're talking about a red car, it's gari jekundu. If it's a red pen, it's kalamu nyekundu. Pay attention to the noun class!
- DEFINITION
- Red (adjective)
Naomba kalamu nyekundu ile.
(Please, I need that red pen.)
Tafadhali chukua folda nyekundu mezani.
(Please pick up the red folder on the table.)
§ Talking about red things at school
At school, you might discuss things like traffic lights, school supplies, or even drawings. Knowing how to use '-ekundu' helps you describe these items clearly.
- For 'mwalimu' (teacher, noun class 1/2): You can say mwalimu mwekundu (a red teacher – not common, but grammatically correct if a teacher wore all red for example).
- For 'vitabu' (books, noun class 7/8): You can say vitabu vyekundu (red books).
- For 'dawati' (desk, noun class 5/6): You can say dawati jekundu (a red desk).
Taa ya trafiki ni nyekundu.
(The traffic light is red.)
Alichora ua jekundu.
(He/She drew a red flower.)
§ Red in the news
News reports often use colors to describe events, flags, or objects. You'll encounter '-ekundu' when reading or listening to Swahili news.
Bendera ina rangi nyekundu.
(The flag has the red color.)
Waliona gari jekundu likipita kwa kasi.
(They saw a red car passing quickly.)
The key to mastering '-ekundu' is to practice with different noun classes. Once you understand the agreement rules, you'll find it easy to describe anything red in Swahili, whether you're at work, school, or just keeping up with the news.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Huyu ni mwanamke mrefu mwekundu.
This is a tall red woman.
Adjectives agree with nouns. 'Mwanamke' is class 1, so 'refu' becomes 'mrefu' and 'ekundu' becomes 'mwekundu'.
Kitabu chekundu kiko juu ya meza.
The red book is on the table.
'Kitabu' is class 7, so 'ekundu' becomes 'chekundu'.
Machungwa mekundu yameiva.
The red oranges are ripe.
'Machungwa' is class 6, so 'ekundu' becomes 'mekundu'.
Magari mekundu yanapita barabarani.
Red cars are passing on the road.
'Magari' is class 6, so 'ekundu' becomes 'mekundu'.
Amevaa shati jekundu leo.
He/she is wearing a red shirt today.
'Shati' is class 5, so 'ekundu' becomes 'jekundu'.
Miti mirefu mekundu ina maua mazuri.
The tall red trees have beautiful flowers.
'Miti' is class 4, so 'ekundu' becomes 'mekundu'.
Nguo zangu zote ni nyekundu.
All my clothes are red.
'Nguo' is class 9/10, so 'ekundu' becomes 'nyekundu'.
Ninapenda rangi nyekundu sana.
I like the color red very much.
'Rangi' is class 9/10, so 'ekundu' becomes 'nyekundu'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Anapenda rangi nyekundu.
He/she likes the red color.
Taa nyekundu inawaka.
The red light is on.
Alivaa shati jekundu.
He/she wore a red shirt.
Nilionekana ua jekundu bustanini.
I saw a red flower in the garden.
Gari lake ni jekundu.
His/her car is red.
Usipite taa nyekundu.
Don't pass the red light.
Nyanya hizi ni nyekundu sana.
These tomatoes are very red.
Alikuwa na macho mekundu kwa kulia.
He/she had red eyes from crying.
Weka alama nyekundu hapa.
Put a red mark here.
Mtoto ana baluni nyekundu.
The child has a red balloon.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"kuwa mwekundu kama damu"
To be as red as blood
Uso wake ulikuwa mwekundu kama damu kwa hasira. (His face was as red as blood with anger.)
neutral"mwekundu tii"
Deep red, bright red
Mavazi yake yalikuwa mwekundu tii. (Her clothes were bright red.)
neutral"mwekundu wa moto"
Fiery red
Machweo yalikuwa mwekundu wa moto leo. (The sunset was fiery red today.)
neutral"kuona mwekundu"
To see red (to be very angry)
Alipoona kile kilichotokea, alianza kuona mwekundu. (When he saw what happened, he started to see red.)
neutral"mdomo mwekundu"
Red lips (often implies beauty or attractiveness)
Msichana yule ana mdomo mwekundu wa kuvutia. (That girl has attractive red lips.)
neutral"kope mwekundu"
Red eyes (often due to crying or lack of sleep)
Alikuwa na kope mwekundu baada ya kulia sana. (She had red eyes after crying a lot.)
neutral"mwekundu wa chuki"
Red with hatred
Macho yake yalikuwa mwekundu wa chuki. (His eyes were red with hatred.)
neutral"mwekundu wa aibu"
Red with shame
Aligeuka mwekundu wa aibu baada ya kosa lake. (He turned red with shame after his mistake.)
neutral"mwekundu wa jua"
Sun-red (tanned or sunburned)
Ngozi yake ilikuwa mwekundu wa jua baada ya ufukweni. (Her skin was sun-red after the beach.)
neutral"mwekundu kama paprika"
Red like paprika
Mchuzi huo ulikuwa mwekundu kama paprika. (That sauce was red like paprika.)
neutralTeste dich selbst 48 Fragen
Write a sentence describing a red car in Swahili. Make sure to use the adjective '-ekundu'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Gari langu ni nyekundu. (My car is red.)
How would you say 'a red flower' in Swahili?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ua jekundu.
Write a short sentence saying 'The book is red' in Swahili.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kitabu ni chekundu.
Rangi gani penseli anayoipenda zaidi?
Read this passage:
Nina penseli mbili. Penseli moja ni nyeusi na penseli nyingine ni nyekundu. Napenda penseli yangu nyekundu sana.
Rangi gani penseli anayoipenda zaidi?
The passage says 'Napenda penseli yangu nyekundu sana' which means 'I like my red pencil very much'.
The passage says 'Napenda penseli yangu nyekundu sana' which means 'I like my red pencil very much'.
Ni rangi gani shati analovaa leo?
Read this passage:
Leo nimevaa shati jekundu. Ni shati langu jipya. Linanipendeza sana.
Ni rangi gani shati analovaa leo?
The passage states 'Leo nimevaa shati jekundu', meaning 'Today I am wearing a red shirt'.
The passage states 'Leo nimevaa shati jekundu', meaning 'Today I am wearing a red shirt'.
Tunda hili lina rangi gani?
Read this passage:
Tunda hili ni tamu sana. Lina rangi nyekundu. Ni tufaa.
Tunda hili lina rangi gani?
The passage says 'Lina rangi nyekundu', meaning 'It has a red color'.
The passage says 'Lina rangi nyekundu', meaning 'It has a red color'.
Which of these objects is typically red?
Blood is typically red.
If someone says 'Ninapenda shati nyekundu,' what color shirt do they like?
Nyekundu means red.
The word for 'red' in Swahili, when referring to a singular noun beginning with 'ji-' (like 'jicho'), is:
The prefix 'je-' is used with 'ji-' noun class for adjectives.
The Swahili word for 'red' changes its prefix depending on the noun class it modifies.
Yes, Swahili adjectives like '-ekundu' use different prefixes to agree with the noun class of the word they describe.
You can always use 'nyekundu' for any red object in Swahili, regardless of the noun.
No, the prefix changes based on the noun class. For example, 'gari jekundu' (red car) and 'maua mekundu' (red flowers) show different prefixes.
If you see 'bendera nyekundu,' it means 'a green flag.'
No, 'bendera nyekundu' means 'a red flag.' 'Nyekundu' specifically refers to red.
Listen for the color of the shirt.
Listen for the item and its color.
Listen for the object being described and its color.
Read this aloud:
Hii ni gari nyekundu.
Focus: nye-kun-du
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Nataka kalamu nyekundu.
Focus: na-ta-ka ka-la-mu nye-kun-du
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Maua haya ni mekundu.
Focus: ma-u-a ha-ya ni me-kun-du
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
In Swahili, adjectives often follow the noun they describe. 'Jekundu' (red) agrees with 'gari' (car) using the 'je-' prefix for 'ji-/ma-' noun class.
'Nyekundu' (red) agrees with 'nguo' (clothes) using the 'nye-' prefix for 'n-' noun class. 'Sipendi' means 'I don't like'.
'Mekundu' (red) agrees with 'maua' (flowers) using the 'me-' prefix for 'ma-' noun class. 'Haya' means 'these'.
Napenda kuvaa shati _____ (red) ninapoenda kwenye sherehe.
The noun 'shati' (shirt) is in N-class, which uses the 'je-' prefix for adjectives.
Maua yale ya waridi yalikuwa _____ (red) sana, yalipendeza bustani.
The noun 'maua' (flowers) is in MA-class (plural for 'ua'), which uses the 'me-' prefix for adjectives.
Alipaka rangi ukuta wa chumba chake _____ (red) na sasa unaonekana mzuri.
The noun 'ukuta' (wall) is in M-MI class, which uses the 'mwe-' prefix for adjectives.
Gari langu jipya lina rangi _____ (red) na linaonekana la kisasa.
The noun 'rangi' (color) is in N-class, which uses the 'nye-' prefix for adjectives.
Watoto walicheza na mipira _____ (red) uwanjani hadi jua likazama.
The noun 'mipira' (balls) is in MI-class (plural for 'mpira'), which uses the 'mye-' prefix for adjectives.
Kiatu chake kimoja tu ndicho kilikuwa _____ (red), kingine kilikuwa cheusi.
The noun 'kiatu' (shoe) is in KI-VI class, which uses the 'che-' prefix for adjectives.
Describe a red object you see often in your daily life. What is it, and what do you like about its color?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Nina kikombe changu cha kahawa cha rangi nyekundu. Napenda jinsi kinavyong'aa asubuhi. Rangi yake nyekundu inanifanya nijisikie mwenye nguvu.
Imagine you are at a market. What are three red items you would expect to find there? Use the word '-ekundu' correctly with the nouns.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Katika soko, ningetarajia kupata nyanya nyekundu, vitunguu swaumu vyekundu, na pilipili hoho nyekundu.
Write a short paragraph about your favorite red fruit. Describe its taste and appearance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Tunda langu nipendalo zaidi ni embe jekundu. Likiwa limeiva, lina rangi nyekundu inayovutia na ladha tamu sana. Juisi yake pia ni tamu sana.
Ni rangi gani ya maua iliyovutia mwandishi zaidi?
Read this passage:
Jana nilitembelea bustani na kuona maua mengi mazuri. Kulikuwa na maua meupe, ya bluu, na mengine mekundu. Maua mekundu yalinivutia zaidi kwa sababu yalikuwa yanang'aa sana chini ya jua. Yalikuwa yametoa harufu nzuri pia. Niliamua kununua maua mekundu kwa ajili ya mama yangu.
Ni rangi gani ya maua iliyovutia mwandishi zaidi?
Mwandishi alisema 'Maua mekundu yalinivutia zaidi'.
Mwandishi alisema 'Maua mekundu yalinivutia zaidi'.
Kwa nini mwandishi alichagua gari la rangi nyekundu?
Read this passage:
Gari langu jipya lina rangi nyekundu. Niliichagua kwa sababu napenda rangi hiyo na pia inasimama vizuri barabarani. Rafiki zangu wanasema linaonekana kama gari la michezo, na mimi hucheka. Linatumia mafuta kidogo na lina spidi nzuri. Leo, ninaendesha gari langu nyekundu kwenda kazini.
Kwa nini mwandishi alichagua gari la rangi nyekundu?
Mwandishi alisema 'Niliichagua kwa sababu napenda rangi hiyo'.
Mwandishi alisema 'Niliichagua kwa sababu napenda rangi hiyo'.
Ni nchi gani zilizotajwa ambazo zina bendera nyekundu?
Read this passage:
Kuna bendera nyingi duniani zenye rangi nyekundu. Kwa mfano, bendera ya Tanzania ina rangi nyeusi, kijani, bluu na njano, lakini pia ina mstari mwembamba mweusi. Oh, samahani. Taarifa sahihi ni: Bendera ya Tanzania ina rangi nne, nyeusi, kijani, bluu na njano. Hata hivyo, nchi nyingine kama vile China na Uswisi zina bendera nyekundu zenye maana tofauti tofauti. Rangi nyekundu mara nyingi huwakilisha nguvu au ujasiri.
Ni nchi gani zilizotajwa ambazo zina bendera nyekundu?
Ingawa kuna marekebisho kuhusu bendera ya Tanzania, maandishi yanasema 'nchi nyingine kama vile China na Uswisi zina bendera nyekundu'.
Ingawa kuna marekebisho kuhusu bendera ya Tanzania, maandishi yanasema 'nchi nyingine kama vile China na Uswisi zina bendera nyekundu'.
Choose the correct sentence: The red car is mine.
The noun 'gari' (car) belongs to the 'ji-ma' class. Adjectives in Swahili must agree with the noun class. For 'ji-ma' class nouns, '-ekundu' becomes '-ekundu' (jekundu).
Which sentence correctly uses '-ekundu' to describe 'flowers' (maua)?
'Maua' is the plural of 'ua' (flower) and belongs to the 'ji-ma' noun class (plural). For 'ji-ma' class plurals, '-ekundu' becomes '-ekundu' (mekundu).
Select the sentence with the correct adjective agreement for 'kiti' (chair):
'Kiti' (chair) belongs to the 'ki-vi' noun class. For 'ki-vi' class nouns, '-ekundu' becomes '-ekundu' (chekundu).
The sentence 'Vitabu nyekundu viko mezani' is grammatically correct.
'Vitabu' (books) is the plural of 'kitabu' and belongs to the 'ki-vi' noun class. The correct form of '-ekundu' for 'ki-vi' plural is 'vyekundu', so it should be 'Vitabu vyekundu viko mezani'.
When describing a 'shati' (shirt), which is a 'N-N' class noun, the correct form of '-ekundu' is 'nyekundu'.
'Shati' (shirt) belongs to the 'N-N' noun class. For 'N-N' class nouns, '-ekundu' becomes 'nyekundu'. So, 'shati nyekundu' is correct.
For 'watu' (people), a 'm-wa' class plural noun, the correct adjective form for '-ekundu' is 'wekundu'.
'Watu' (people) is the plural of 'mtu' and belongs to the 'm-wa' noun class. For 'm-wa' class plural nouns, '-ekundu' becomes 'wekundu'. Therefore, 'watu wekundu' is correct.
In Swahili, adjectives follow the noun they describe. 'Jana' (yesterday) starts the sentence, followed by the subject and verb, then the object 'gari' and its adjectives.
The noun 'mwenyekiti' (chairman) is followed by its adjective 'mzee' (old). 'Wa Kamati' (of the Committee) describes the chairman. 'Ameketi' (has sat) is the verb, and 'mwekundu' (red one) refers back to the chair.
'Macho yake' (his/her eyes) is the subject. 'Yalikuwa' (they were) is the verb. 'Mekundu' (red) describes the eyes, and 'kwa hasira' (with anger) explains the reason.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
