Swahili

edit

Alternative forms

edit
  • ji- (before consonants)

Etymology

edit

From Proto-Bantu *(d)i ̹-.

Prefix

edit

j- (plural ma- or me-)

  1. ji class(V) noun prefix and adjective agreement prefix used before vowels
    jambo jemaa good thing

j- (plural maj-)

  1. augmentative prefix used before vowels, puts words in ji class(V)
    j- + ‎nyoka (snake) → ‎joka (serpent, big snake)

Usage notes

edit

Many class V nouns have no prefix.

Many adjectives starting with a vowel take no prefix in class V. Possessive adjectives are irregular and take l-.

See also

edit