57 Comparison of Adjectives
In English, in order to make a comparison we generally alter the end of the
adjective by the addition of a suffix, ‘-er’ or ‘-est’.
e.g. big, bigger, biggest
In Swahili, we cannot change the adjective. Instead, we have to make an
ordinary statement, followed by a word (which is often a verb) giving the
suggestion of surpassing something else.
e.g. This tree is big, to surpass that one.
Mti huu ni mkubwa kupita ule.
It will be seen that the demonstratives, as well as the personal possessives are
often used in making comparisons.
Comparatives
There are three words in common use for suggesting the comparison:
kupita(to pass)
kuliko(not a verb infinitive)
kushinda (to conquer/excel)
Either of these three words can be used in a comparison, but it is recommended
that the learner stick to only one of these. Possibly the most common of the
three is ‘kuliko’.
Thus we can show this in use in the following:
Mlima wa Kilimanjaro ni mrefu kuliko mlima wa Kenya.
Mount Kilimanjaro is higher than Mount Kenya.
Nyumba yangu ni kubwa kuliko yako.
My house is bigger than yours
Tuna watoto wengi kuliko nyinyi.
We have more children than you.
Mtihani ule ulikuwa mgumu kuliko huu.
That examination was harder than this one.
If, on the other hand, we want to say simply that something is bigger, or
smaller, or heavier, etc. without necessarily comparing it with anything else, the
word ‘zaidi’ is used:
Mlima wa Kilimanjaro ni mrefu zaidi.
Mount Kilimanjaro is higher.
Nyumba yangu ni kubwa zaidi.
My house is bigger.
Tuna watoto wengi zaidi.
We have more children.
Mtihani ule ulikuwa mgumu zaidi.
That examination was harder.
Superlatives
A similar procedure is followed for the superlatives. But this time, one has to
follow the initial statement by the verb, followed by ‘-ote’ (all) with the
appropriate plural agreement.
e.g. Mlima wa Kilimanjaro ni mrefu kushinda yote.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest. (Mount Kilimanjaro is tall to conquer all
(mountains).)
N.B. For superlatives, the verb ‘kushinda’ is probably the most appropriate,
though again either of the three could be used.
Nyumba yangu ni kubwa kushinda zote.
My house is the largest of all (houses).
Tuna watoto wengi kushinda wote.
We have the most children of all (people).
Mtihani huu ulikuwa mgumu kushinda yote.
This examination was the hardest of all (examinations).
N.B. There must always be a plural agreement on the word ‘-ote’, even though
the initial subject may in the singular.
Exercise 74
(a) Translate: 1 am taller than you; he is richer than we (he is a rich man to
surpass us); this box is the smallest; this tea is sweeter; you are stronger than I;
this house has the most rooms; that cloth is more expensive than this; their dog
is fiercer than ours; our homeland is smaller than yours (pi.); your box is longer
than his, but his is wider.
(b) Translate: They get higher salaries than we; Kenya is a bigger country
than Uganda, but Tanzania is the biggest; Nairobi has more inhabitants than
Mombasa; that road is shorter than this one; that plate is big, but this one is
bigger; let the children carry the light loads. We shall carry those which are
heavier; it is quicker to go by car than to walk; bring the largest vehicle which
you can get; Swahili is an easier language to learn that English; it takes longer
to go to New York than to go to London.
(c) Translate: Kitabu hiki ni kizuri kuliko kile; shamba hili lilitoa mimea
mingi kuliko lako; mbuyu huu ni mkubwa kushinda yote; dawa ile inafaa, lakini
hii ni nzuri zaidi; mimi ninakimbia upesi kuliko wewe; mpishi wake ana uwezo
mwingi kuliko wetu, lakini mpishi wa Bwana John anawashinda wote;
wamefanya kazi nyingi kuliko ninyi; nyumba ile itakuwa kubwa kuliko hii;
Hamisi anakaa mbali kuliko Juma, lakini Ali anakaa mbali kushinda wote;
amekuwa hodari kuliko wewe.
