In Swahili grammar, Adverbs of Degree (otherwise known as viambishi vya kiasi) help to describe the degree or intensity of an action, an adjective or another adverb. They answer the question “how much?” or “to what extent?” in Swahili sentences. Excellent to make the discourse more nuanced and expressive, there are quite a few to learn. However, they are straightforward to use, mostly appearing immediately before the word they qualify, just like in English.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank with the Correct Adverb of Degree
1. *Sana* (very) ni muhimu kukumbuka lugha ya Swahili.
2. Tunaweza kujifunza *polepole* (slowly) ili kuelewa vizuri.
3. Hilo ni jambo *zaidi* (more) kuliko unavyofikiria.
4. Ninampenda *sana* (very) baba yangu.
5. Kuna njia nyingi *sana* (very) za kufanya hivyo.
6. Nitakutumia pesa *kidogo* (a little) leo jioni.
7. Hakika tutafika *haraka* (fast).
8. Kazi yako ni *bora* (better) kuliko yangu.
9. Gari hilo linaenda *pole* (slowly).
10. Mchezo wa kandanda ulikuwa wa *kufana* (successful) sana.
11. Yeye ni *mdogo* (younger) kuliko mimi.
12. Nitakupa chai *zaidi* (more) kama unataka.
13. Usikasirike *sana* (much), ni shida tu.
14. Tunaenda *haraka* (quickly) kwenye mji.
15. Tutaonyesha *bora* (best) ambayo tuna uwezo nayo.
2. Tunaweza kujifunza *polepole* (slowly) ili kuelewa vizuri.
3. Hilo ni jambo *zaidi* (more) kuliko unavyofikiria.
4. Ninampenda *sana* (very) baba yangu.
5. Kuna njia nyingi *sana* (very) za kufanya hivyo.
6. Nitakutumia pesa *kidogo* (a little) leo jioni.
7. Hakika tutafika *haraka* (fast).
8. Kazi yako ni *bora* (better) kuliko yangu.
9. Gari hilo linaenda *pole* (slowly).
10. Mchezo wa kandanda ulikuwa wa *kufana* (successful) sana.
11. Yeye ni *mdogo* (younger) kuliko mimi.
12. Nitakupa chai *zaidi* (more) kama unataka.
13. Usikasirike *sana* (much), ni shida tu.
14. Tunaenda *haraka* (quickly) kwenye mji.
15. Tutaonyesha *bora* (best) ambayo tuna uwezo nayo.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank with the Correct Adverb of Degree
1. Mwalimu *anapenda* (likes) sana darasa lake.
2. Mtoto *aendesha* (rides) baiskeli pole pole.
3. Mama *anafuga* (raises) kuku wengi sana.
4. Tanzania ni *nzuri* (beautiful) sana.
5. Nitakununulia gari *jipya* (new) linapofika.
6. Nitafunga mlango *polepole* (slowly).
7. Dada yangu ni *mrefu* (tall) kuliko mimi.
8. Huwa tunacheza mchezo *huo* (that) mara kwa mara.
9. Mimi ni *mzuri* (good) kuliko wewe katika kuimba.
10. *Kidogo* (Little) tunakuwa na uwezo wa kufanya hivyo.
11. Uko *mbali* (far) kuliko ninavyofikiria.
12. Nitakupa *zaidi* (more) kama unataka.
13. Usifanye *haraka* (hurry), ni shida tu.
14. Tuko *karibu* (close) na shule.
15. Kesho *itakuwa* (will be) siku nzuri.
2. Mtoto *aendesha* (rides) baiskeli pole pole.
3. Mama *anafuga* (raises) kuku wengi sana.
4. Tanzania ni *nzuri* (beautiful) sana.
5. Nitakununulia gari *jipya* (new) linapofika.
6. Nitafunga mlango *polepole* (slowly).
7. Dada yangu ni *mrefu* (tall) kuliko mimi.
8. Huwa tunacheza mchezo *huo* (that) mara kwa mara.
9. Mimi ni *mzuri* (good) kuliko wewe katika kuimba.
10. *Kidogo* (Little) tunakuwa na uwezo wa kufanya hivyo.
11. Uko *mbali* (far) kuliko ninavyofikiria.
12. Nitakupa *zaidi* (more) kama unataka.
13. Usifanye *haraka* (hurry), ni shida tu.
14. Tuko *karibu* (close) na shule.
15. Kesho *itakuwa* (will be) siku nzuri.
