Uncountable nouns in Swahili grammar are quite a fascinating topic. Unlike English and other Germanic languages, Swahili has a complex system of noun classes that affects the way uncountable nouns are used. Uncountable nouns in Swahili grammar sometimes need a quantifier to express a particular quantity, just like in English we say ‘a piece of bread’, ‘a glass of water’, or ‘a grain of rice’. The use and understanding of uncountable nouns is vital for assimilating into the Swahili language and culture.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the appropriate uncountable noun
1. Nina *maji* mingi kwenye ndoo (water)
2. *Hewa* ni safi hapa (air)
3. Vitabu vyako vina *habari* nyingi (information)
4. *Mafuta* ya gari yameisha (oil)
5. *Wanyama* wanakunywa maji (animals)
6. *Askari* anapiga kelele (police)
7. *Mungu* anasaidia (God)
8. *Mavazi* yako yanaenda na nilivyovaa (clothing)
9. *Rafiki* zangu wanatoka (friends)
10. *Wazazi* wangu wanafanya kazi nzuri (parents)
11. *Watu* wanaishi katika nyumba hii (people)
12. Nimenunua *cheese* kubwa (cheese)
13. *Mchezo* huu ni mzuri (game)
14. *Jua* linatoka (sun)
15. *Muziki* unacheza (music)
2. *Hewa* ni safi hapa (air)
3. Vitabu vyako vina *habari* nyingi (information)
4. *Mafuta* ya gari yameisha (oil)
5. *Wanyama* wanakunywa maji (animals)
6. *Askari* anapiga kelele (police)
7. *Mungu* anasaidia (God)
8. *Mavazi* yako yanaenda na nilivyovaa (clothing)
9. *Rafiki* zangu wanatoka (friends)
10. *Wazazi* wangu wanafanya kazi nzuri (parents)
11. *Watu* wanaishi katika nyumba hii (people)
12. Nimenunua *cheese* kubwa (cheese)
13. *Mchezo* huu ni mzuri (game)
14. *Jua* linatoka (sun)
15. *Muziki* unacheza (music)
Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with the correct form of the uncountable noun
1. Nyama yako ina *chumvi* ngapi (salt)?
2. *Chakula* cha kutosha kimeandaliwa (food).
3. *Gari* lake lina mafuta (car).
4. *Pesa* zimekwisha (money).
5. *Duka* umeenda wapi (shop)?
6. *Mtu* huyu ni mrefu sana (person).
7. Umeandika *barua* ngapi (letters)?
8. *Wakati* umeenda wapi (time)?
9. *Jicho* lako linaona nini (eye)?
10. *Rafiki* zako wako wapi (friends)?
11. *Maji* yamechafuliwa na mafuta (water).
12. *Muziki* unacheza (music).
13. *Nguvu* zimeisha (strength).
14. *Ndege* zinapita juu ya nyumba (birds).
15. *Mboga* ziko tayari (vegetable).
2. *Chakula* cha kutosha kimeandaliwa (food).
3. *Gari* lake lina mafuta (car).
4. *Pesa* zimekwisha (money).
5. *Duka* umeenda wapi (shop)?
6. *Mtu* huyu ni mrefu sana (person).
7. Umeandika *barua* ngapi (letters)?
8. *Wakati* umeenda wapi (time)?
9. *Jicho* lako linaona nini (eye)?
10. *Rafiki* zako wako wapi (friends)?
11. *Maji* yamechafuliwa na mafuta (water).
12. *Muziki* unacheza (music).
13. *Nguvu* zimeisha (strength).
14. *Ndege* zinapita juu ya nyumba (birds).
15. *Mboga* ziko tayari (vegetable).
