In Swahili grammar, countable nouns refer to items or entities that can be quantified or enumerated. They contrast with uncountable nouns, like water or sand, which cannot be itemized and quantified. Countable nouns in Swahili are subject to grammar rules particularly when it comes to plural formation. Generally, countable nouns can be singled out to express quantity, order or to differentiate an item from other co-existing items. It is thus essential that language learners understand how to correctly use countable nouns to facilitate effective communication.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with appropriate countable nouns
1. Nina *kalamu* (pen) tano.
2. Kuna *watoto* (children) saba katika shule.
3. Mama ana *viti* (chairs) sita.
4. Juma ana *vitabu* (books) vingi.
5. Meza iko na *mapepeta* (papers) kumi.
6. Mwalimu ameleta *mabango* (posters) mawili.
7. Sisi tuna *maembe* (mangoes) matatu.
8. *Minofu* (steaks) miwili ni mingi.
9. *Mayai* (eggs) kumi ni machache.
10. *Sandukuleza* (lunchboxes) lako liko wapi?
11. Umeona *mikate* (loaves) yangu?
12. Ulikuwa na *magari* (cars) mangapi?
13. Tumeleta *nguo* (clothes) nyingi.
14. *Ndizi* (Bananas) zetu zimeoza.
15. Ameacha *mbuzi* (goats) gani?
2. Kuna *watoto* (children) saba katika shule.
3. Mama ana *viti* (chairs) sita.
4. Juma ana *vitabu* (books) vingi.
5. Meza iko na *mapepeta* (papers) kumi.
6. Mwalimu ameleta *mabango* (posters) mawili.
7. Sisi tuna *maembe* (mangoes) matatu.
8. *Minofu* (steaks) miwili ni mingi.
9. *Mayai* (eggs) kumi ni machache.
10. *Sandukuleza* (lunchboxes) lako liko wapi?
11. Umeona *mikate* (loaves) yangu?
12. Ulikuwa na *magari* (cars) mangapi?
13. Tumeleta *nguo* (clothes) nyingi.
14. *Ndizi* (Bananas) zetu zimeoza.
15. Ameacha *mbuzi* (goats) gani?
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with suitable countable nouns
1. Umekula *samaki* (fish) wangapi?
2. Unataka *machungwa* (oranges) mangapi?
3. Ana *mfuko* (bag) mmoja tu.
4. *Paka* (Cat) wako amezaa?
5. Alinunua *vitunguu* (onions) vingi sana.
6. Tuna *baiskeli* (bicycles) mbili.
7. Tafadhali nipatie *pesa* (money) zako.
8. Anataka *viatu* (shoes) vingapi?
9. Nina *dawati* (desk) moja tu.
10. Umechoma *mikate* (loaves) mingapi?
11. Yeye hana *jina* (name) la seri.
12. Alinunua *njugu* (peanuts) ngapi?
13. *Bibi* (Grandmother) yangu ni mzuri.
14. Baba ana *bekoni* (bacon) mingi mno.
15. Unataka *sukari* (sugar) kiasi gani?
2. Unataka *machungwa* (oranges) mangapi?
3. Ana *mfuko* (bag) mmoja tu.
4. *Paka* (Cat) wako amezaa?
5. Alinunua *vitunguu* (onions) vingi sana.
6. Tuna *baiskeli* (bicycles) mbili.
7. Tafadhali nipatie *pesa* (money) zako.
8. Anataka *viatu* (shoes) vingapi?
9. Nina *dawati* (desk) moja tu.
10. Umechoma *mikate* (loaves) mingapi?
11. Yeye hana *jina* (name) la seri.
12. Alinunua *njugu* (peanuts) ngapi?
13. *Bibi* (Grandmother) yangu ni mzuri.
14. Baba ana *bekoni* (bacon) mingi mno.
15. Unataka *sukari* (sugar) kiasi gani?