The 3rd lesson is about the plural in Swahili and how to create it from the singular form. In addition, I will include a list of vocabulary about languages, nationalities, and countries. Finally, you will find some common everyday sentences. I will try to give examples using both vocabulary and grammar. That way it will be easy for you to see the words when they are separate and when they are in a sentence. Going through the whole page should take about 30 min. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Swahili Classes.
Plural
Knowing how to create the plural from the singular word can double the vocabulary you already know. It can make it easy to have a conversation about different topics by simply knowing some grammatical rules. For example how to change the word "book" to "books" or "woman" to "women".
Below is a list of singular words and their plural equivalent. I included examples about nature as well as about humans. The table contains 3 columns (English, Swahili, and Audio). Make sure you repeat each word after hearing it by either clicking on the audio button or by reading the pronunciation. That should help with memorization as well as improving your pronunciation.
Singular vs. Plural in Swahili
English
Swahili
Audio
Country
nchi
Countries
Mataifa
Lake
ziwa
Lakes
maziwa
Language
Lugha
Languages
Lugha
Woman
Mwanamke
Women
Wanawake
Man
Mwanaume
Men
Wanaume
Boy
Mvulana
Boys
Wavulana
Girl
Msichana
Girls
Wasichana
Now we will try to implement some of the words above into full Swahili sentences. That way you will be able to see how both forms are used when embedded in a structure.
Singular vs. Plural in a Sentence
English
Swahili
Audio
We speak two languages
tunaongea lugha mbili
They speak four languages
wanaongea lugha nne
I visited one country
nilitembelea nchi moja
She visited three countries
alitembelea nchi tatu
She has one sister
Ana dada mmoja
He has two sisters
Ana dada wawili
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact me using the Swahili contact form on the header above.
Vocabulary List about Languages, Nationalities, and Countries
Below is a list of 50 words related to languages, nationalities, and countries. If you can memorize them by heart, you will be able to have a good conversation about how many languages you speak or where you came from.
Languages Nationalities and Countries List in Swahili
English
Swahili
Audio
Arabic
Kiarabu
Moroccan
Moroko
Morocco
Moroko
Brazilian (language)
Kibrazili
Brazilian (nationality)
Ubrazili
Brazil
Brazili
Chinese (language)
Kichina
Chinese (nationality)
Uchina
China
Uchina
English
Kiingereza
British
Uingereza
Britain
Uingereza
American
Amerika
America
Amerika
French (language)
Kifaransa
French (nationality)
Ufaransa
France
Ufaransa
German (language)
Kijerumani
German (nationality)
Ujerumani
Germany
Ujerumani
Greek (language)
Kigiriki
Greek (nationality)
Ugiriki
Greece
Ugiriki
Hindi
Kihindi
Indian
Ubara Hindi
India
Ubara Hindi
Irish (language)
Seltiki
Irish (nationality)
Useltiki
Ireland
Ayalandi
Italian (language)
Kiitaliano
Italian (nationality)
Uitaliano
Italy
Italia
Japanese (language)
Kijapani
Japanese (nationality)
Ujapani
Japan
Japani
Korean (language)
Kikorea
Korean (nationality)
Korea
Korea
Korea
Persian
Kiajemi
Iranian
Uajemi
Iran
Uajemi (pia Irani)
Portuguese (language)
Kireno
Portuguese (nationality)
Ureno
Portugal
Ureno
Russian (language)
Kirusi
Russian (nationality)
Urusi
Russia
Urusi
Spanish (language)
Kihispania
Spanish (nationality)
Uhispania
Spain
Uhispania
Daily Conversation in Swahili
Finally, a list of sentences about languages, nationalities, and countries plus some bonus phrases. For a complete list of commonly used sentences, please visit our Swahili Phrases page. Enjoy!
Common Expressions in Swahili
English
Swahili
Audio
Languages
I don't speak Korean
sizungumuzi kikorea
I love the Japanese language
ninapenda lugha ya kijapani
I speak Italian
Ninazungumuza kiitaliano
I want to learn Spanish
Ningependa kujifunza kihispania
My mother tongue is German
kijeremani ni lugha ya mama
Spanish is easy to learn
ni rahisi kujifunza kihispania
Origins
He has a Moroccan rug
Ana tambara ya Moroko
I have an American car
Nakuwa na gari ya Amerika
I love French cheese
Napenda chizi ya ufaransa
I'm Italian
Mimi ni mwitaliano
My father is Greek
Baba yangu ni Mgiriki
My wife is Korean
Mke wangu ni Mkorea
Countries
Have you ever been to India?
Umeshawahi kwenda India?
I came from Spain
Nilikuja kutoka Hispania
I live in America
Ninaishi Marekani
I want to go to Germany
Nataka kwenda Ujerumani
I was born in Italy
Nilizaliwa Italia
Japan is a beautiful country
Japan ni nchi nzuri
Phrases
Long time no see
Muda mrefu hatujaonana
I missed you
Nilikumiss
What's new?
Lipi jipya?
Nothing new
Hakuna jipya
Make yourself at home!
Jifanye kuwa nyumbani!
Have a good trip
Safari njema
Fun Facts
Language Quote that by simply knowing how to form the plural, you can double the number of nouns in your vocabulary, without having to memorize all the plural form.
Congratulations! You finished your third lesson in Swahili about singular, plural, languages, nationalities, and countries. Are you ready for the next lesson? We recommend Swahili Lesson 4. You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Swahili homepage.