Learn Hardcore Swahili: Blanketi la mtoto ni jepesi, lakini linampa joto vizuri. - The child’s blanket is light, but it gives her warmth well.

Note: Many loanwords like blanketi can also be used in Class 9/10 (N class). In that case, you would typically see: Blanketi ya mtoto ni nyepesi, lakini inampa joto vizuri. Both patterns occur; just be consistent within a sentence.

Why is it la mtoto and not ya mtoto?

Because the noun blanketi is being handled as Class 5 in this sentence. The possessive particle -a takes a class agreement prefix:

Class 5 (JI/MA singular): la
Class 9/10 (N class): ya

So with Class 5 agreement, blanketi la mtoto means “the child’s blanket.”

Why is the adjective jepesi and not nyepesi?

Adjectives agree with the noun class. For the adjective “light (in weight)” (-epesi):

Class 5 singular: jepesi
Class 6 plural: mepesi
Class 9/10 (N class): nyepesi
Class 1/2 (M-WA): mwepesi / wepesi
Class 7/8 (KI-VI): chepesi / vyepesi

Since blanketi is Class 5 here, jepesi is used. If you made it N class instead, it would be nyepesi.

What exactly is inside the verb linampa?

It’s built from several parts:

li- = Class 5 subject prefix (“it” for a Class 5 noun like blanketi)
-na- = present/habitual tense marker
-m- = object marker for Class 1 (him/her, i.e., the child)
-pa = verb root of kupa (to give)

So li-na-m-pa → linampa = “it gives him/her.”

Why is the object marker -m- (not -mw-) in linampa?

The object marker -m- becomes -mw- only before vowel-initial verb roots (e.g., -ambia → anamwambia “he tells him/her”). Here the root is -pa (consonant-initial), so it stays -m-: linampa.

What does vizuri do here? Why does it start with vi- if the subject is li-?

Vizuri is an adverb meaning “well/nicely,” modifying the whole action linampa joto. Although it looks like a Class 8 form of the adjective -zuri (good), in modern usage vizuri functions as an invariant adverb, so it doesn’t agree with the subject’s noun class. You could also use the more formal vyema.

Could I say linampatia joto instead of linampa joto?

Yes. -patia means “to provide/supply (someone) with.”

linampa joto = “it gives him/her warmth”
linampatia joto = “it provides him/her with warmth” (a bit more formal or explicit)

Both are natural.

Why is it joto and not moto?

joto = heat/warmth (the sensation or quality)
moto = fire or “hot” (as an adjective)

A blanket gives joto (warmth), not moto (fire). So linampa joto is the idiomatic choice.

Can I explicitly name the child instead of using the object marker?

Yes, common options:

Without object marker: Blanketi la mtoto linampa mtoto joto vizuri.
With object marker (very common for definite/animate recipients): Blanketi la mtoto linampa mtoto joto vizuri. Using both the object marker and the noun (“doubling”) is widely used in everyday Swahili when the object is specific or topical, though some grammars prefer avoiding unnecessary doubling. In speech, the doubled version is very common and natural.

Is the copula ni required in ni jepesi?

Yes. To state that something “is [adjective],” Swahili typically uses the copula ni: Blanketi ... ni jepesi (“The blanket is light”). You don’t say Blanketi ... jepesi on its own.

How would I negate the second clause: “but it doesn’t keep him/her warm”?

Use the negative present with the Class 5 subject prefix and replace final -a with -i:

halimpi joto = “it doesn’t give him/her warmth” So: Blanketi la mtoto ni jepesi, lakini halimpi joto.
You can keep vizuri if you want to negate just the effectiveness: lakini halimpi joto vizuri.

Could I use lakini somewhere else in the sentence?

Yes. You can place lakini at the start of the second clause as shown, or connect more tightly:

Blanketi la mtoto ni jepesi lakini linampa joto vizuri.
Or, more formal: Blanketi la mtoto ni jepesi; hata hivyo, linampa joto vizuri.

If I choose the N class for blanketi, what changes throughout the sentence?

You need to change all agreement targets:

Possessive: ya mtoto (not la mtoto)
Adjective: nyepesi (not jepesi)
Subject prefix on the verb: i- (not li-) Full N-class version: Blanketi ya mtoto ni nyepesi, lakini inampa joto vizuri.

Any other natural ways to say “it keeps him/her warm”?

Common alternatives:

linampatia joto la kutosha (it gives him/her enough warmth)
linamfanya awe na joto (it makes him/her have warmth)
linamfanya ajisikie joto (it makes him/her feel warm)
More colloquial/short: linampasha joto (it warms him/her up)