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Questions & Answers about Taulo hili ni jepesi na laini.
What does each word do in this sentence?
- Taulo = towel (a loanword; here it behaves as class 5)
- hili = this (demonstrative for class 5 singular)
- ni = is (the copula linking subject and description)
- jepesi = light (in weight); adjective agreeing with class 5
- na = and
- laini = soft/smooth; an adjective that is largely invariable across classes
Which noun class is taulo, and how can I tell?
In this sentence, taulo is treated as class 5 (ji-/Ø) with the plural in class 6 (ma-). You can tell because:
- The demonstrative is hili (class 5 “this”).
- The adjective is jepesi, which is the class 5 form.
- The expected plural is mataulo (class 6).
Why is it hili and not hii for “this”?
Swahili demonstratives agree with noun class. hili is “this” for class 5 singular nouns. hii is “this” for class 9/10 nouns. Since taulo here is class 5, you use hili. Some speakers informally treat certain loanwords as class 9/10; in that case you might hear taulo hii, but with the class-5 plural mataulo, the standard singular demonstrative is hili.
Why is the adjective “light” written as jepesi here?
Adjectives agree with the noun class. The stem is -epesi (“light”). In class 5 singular, this adjective takes the prefix j- → jepesi. With other classes, the form changes (e.g., class 1: mwepesi; class 9/10: nyepesi; class 6 plural: mepesi).
Does laini change form to agree with the noun class?
Usually no. laini (soft/smooth) is commonly invariable across classes: taulo laini, mataulo laini, ngozi laini, etc. Many adjectives of Arabic or modern origin behave this way.
How would I say the plural: “These towels are light and soft”?
- Noun: mataulo (class 6 plural)
- Demonstrative: haya (class 6 “these”)
- Adjectives: mepesi (class 6 form of -epesi) and laini (invariable) Full sentence: Mataulo haya ni mepesi na laini.
Could I say “this towel” as hii taulo or put the demonstrative before the noun?
Standard word order places the demonstrative after the noun: taulo hili. Fronting the demonstrative (hili taulo) is possible for emphasis but is less neutral. Also, because the noun is class 5 in this usage, use hili, not hii.
Is ni required, and what exactly does it do?
ni is the copula “is/are” used to link the subject and a noun/adjective in the present. In careful/standard Swahili, keep it: Taulo hili ni jepesi... In very informal speech you may hear it dropped, but that’s not recommended for learners.
How do I make the negative: “This towel is not light or soft”?
Use the negative copula si (or the colloquial sio/siyo):
- Taulo hili si jepesi wala si laini.
- Colloquial: Taulo hili sio jepesi wala laini. Using wala (“nor”) makes the “not A or B” structure clear.
Why is it na between the two adjectives, and can I list more?
na means “and” and can link adjectives, nouns, or verbs. You can list more adjectives the same way: jepesi na laini na zuri, etc. In writing, commas are also fine, but na before the final item is standard.
What’s the difference between jepesi, nyepesi, and mwepesi?
They are class-agreement forms of the same adjective:
- Class 1 (person/animal singular): mwepesi (e.g., mtu mwepesi)
- Class 2 (plural of class 1): wepesi (watu wepesi)
- Class 5 (singular): jepesi (taulo jepesi)
- Class 6 (plural of class 5): mepesi (mataulo mepesi)
- Class 9/10: nyepesi (nguo nyepesi) Other classes have their own forms, but these are the ones you’ll meet most around everyday objects.
Why not use rahisi for “light”?
rahisi means “easy” or “cheap,” not “light (in weight).” For “light (weight),” use -epesi forms (here: jepesi).
Can I use synonyms of laini?
Yes, depending on nuance:
- laini = soft/smooth to the touch (a towel, skin)
- nyororo = tender/soft (often for meat/texture)
- ororo (regional/poetic) = soft For towels, laini is the default.
If I switch the nouns’ class (say I treat taulo as class 9), what changes?
Everything that agrees with the noun:
- Demonstrative: hii (class 9 “this”)
- Adjective: nyepesi (class 9 form) You’d get: Taulo hii ni nyepesi na laini. This usage exists but is less common if the plural is mataulo; keeping it in class 5/6 is more consistent.
Where do adjectives go in relation to the noun in Swahili?
Attributive adjectives normally follow the noun: taulo jepesi, taulo laini. In your sentence, the adjectives follow ni because they are in the predicate. Multiple adjectives can follow in sequence or be joined with na.