Language/Rundi/Grammar/Describing-with-Adjectives
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In this lesson, you will learn how to use adjectives in Rundi to describe nouns. You will also learn important rules for agreement between adjectives and noun classes, as well as how to form comparative and superlative adjectives.
What are Adjectives in Rundi?
Adjectives are words that describe, modify or give more information about a noun or pronoun. In Rundi, adjectives are placed after the noun they modify.
For example:
- Ikibanza gikuru (big tree)
- Imfura yanjye nziza (my beautiful cow)
In these examples, "gikuru" and "nziza" are the adjectives describing "ikibanza" and "imfura yanjye" respectively.
In Rundi, adjectives do not change form based on the gender or number of the noun they describe. Instead, they must agree with the noun class.
- Noun class agreement with adjectives
As we have seen in previous lessons, Rundi has a system of noun classes. These classes have a certain prefix and dictate the form of all accompanying words, including adjectives. It's important to know which class a noun belongs to in order to use the correct adjective form.
Below are examples of adjectives agreeing with different noun classes:
| Noun class | Example noun (English) | Example adjective (English) | Example adjective (Rundi) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 (singular) | Inzara (hunger) | Nziza (good) | Nziza (nziza) inzara | Good hunger |
| Class 2 (singular) | Impara (school) | Ciza (new) | Ciza (ciza) impara | New school |
| Class 3 (singular) | Ubwoko (nation) | Bwiza (beautiful) | Bwiza (bwiza) bwoko | Beautiful nation |
In the above table:
- "Inzara" is a class 1 noun and "nziza" is the corresponding adjective. - "Impara" is a class 2 noun and "ciza" is the corresponding adjective. - "Ubwoko" is a class 3 noun and "bwiza" is the corresponding adjective.
This rule applies to all noun classes in Rundi. You must use the correct form of the adjective depending on the noun class of the noun being described.
- Comparison of Adjectives
- Comparative Adjectives
- Comparison of Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two nouns or to express a degree of difference between two qualities. In Rundi, comparative adjectives are formed by adding the suffix "-mpu" to the root adjective.
For example:
- Umugabo yampi wundi (this man is taller than that one)
- Inzoga yampu nziza (this chicken is more beautiful than that one)
In these examples, "-mpu" has been added to "yankuye" and "nziza" to create the comparative form.
- Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectives are used to express the highest or most extreme degree of a quality. In Rundi, two forms of superlative adjectives exist, one used for three items/people of the same noun class, and another used for everything else.
For example:
- Umugabonungwiye bwampu (the tallest man)
- Izi mafumbire mabi mwacu bizi mwambu (these are the worst beans we have)
In these examples, "-ampu" has been added to "umugabo" and "-ambu" to "mafumbire".
Note that the superlatives are formed by adding the prefix "bu-" to the noun class prefix and the suffix "-ampu" or "-ambu" to the adjective.
- Adjective Placement
Adjectives in Rundi are usually placed after the noun they describe. However, in some cases, the adjective can be placed before the noun for emphasis.
For example:
- Nziza umugabo (a handsome man)
- Ciza imiti (a new tree)
In these examples, "nziza" and "ciza" have been placed before "umugabo" and "imiti" respectively.
- Exceptions
In some cases, certain adjectives do not agree with noun classes as expected.
For example:
- Inzoga nkeko nini (what type of chicken)
- Umugabo mubi avugwa (the bad man is being talked about)
In the first example, "nini" is an adjective that does not agree with noun classes. It remains the same regardless of the noun class of the noun being described.
In the second example, "mubi" is a special adjective that does not agree with noun classes. It remains the same regardless of the noun class of the noun being described.
- Irregular Adjectives
Some adjectives in Rundi do not follow standard adjective formation rules. Instead, they have their own unique forms.
For example:
- Kubwa (big)
- Mushya (new)
- Ntibikorwa (useless)
These adjectives must be learned individually, as they do not follow any predictable pattern.
- Practice
Now that you understand how to use adjectives in Rundi, it's time to practice! In the table below, translate the English sentences into Rundi, using the correct adjective form and position.
| English | Rundi | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The beautiful girl | The old man | The cold weather | The bad news | The clever student |
- Answer Key
| English | Rundi | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The beautiful girl | Umukobwa nziza | The old man | Umugore muvuka | The cold weather | Inyoni nshya | The bad news | Amakuru mabi | The clever student | Umuhungu w'intego |
- Conclusion
In this lesson, you have learned how to use adjectives in Rundi to describe nouns. You have also learned how to form comparative and superlative adjectives, as well as important rules for agreement with noun classes. With practice, you will become more comfortable using Rundi adjectives in everyday conversation.
Other Lessons
- Present Tense
- Negating Sentences
- How to Use Be
- Noun Classes
- Past Tense
- Adjectives
- Using Conjunctions
- How to Use Have
- Pronouns
- Give your Opinion
Sources
- Rundi Grammar: Learn About the Past Tense for Verbs and Tenses
- Rundi Grammar → Verbs and Tenses → Present Tense
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