-dogo

Small with -dogo

Level 1

-dogo is a core Swahili adjective meaning "small." Because it is a variable adjective, it must take a prefix that matches the noun class of the word it describes.

How It Works

While -dogo usually means physically small, for siblings it means "younger" (e.g., kaka mdogo = younger brother, dada mdogo = younger sister). You can also use mdogo as a standalone noun with a possessive pronoun to mean "younger sibling" (e.g., mdogo wangu = my younger sibling, wadogo zangu = my younger siblings). Note that plural kinship terms, even those in the M-WA class, frequently take Class 10 possessives like zangu or zetu instead of wangu or wetu. With parents, it refers specifically to the father's younger brother (baba mdogo) or the mother's younger sister (mama mdogo). Note that this does not apply to a mother's brother (mjomba) or a father's sister (shangazi). To refer to "older" relatives, you use the opposite adjective, -kubwa (big), such as kaka mkubwa (older brother), baba mkubwa (father's older brother), or mama mkubwa (mother's older sister).

Here is how -dogo changes across common noun classes:

  • Class 1/2 (M-WA): mtoto mdogo (small child), watoto wadogo (small children)
  • Class 3/4 (M-MI): mti mdogo (small tree), miti midogo (small trees)
  • Class 5/6 (JI-MA): bwawa dogo (small pond), mabwawa madogo (small ponds) - Note that the adjective -dogo takes no prefix in the Class 5 singular!
  • Class 7/8 (KI-VI): kiti kidogo (small chair), viti vidogo (small chairs)
  • Class 9/10 (N-class): kalamu ndogo (small pen), kalamu ndogo (small pens) - Note the n- prefix and that it stays exactly the same in the plural!

Cultural Note: Be careful with the phrase nyumba ndogo (literally "small house"); it is a very common idiom for a mistress, side-chick, or second wife!

Important Note: The word kidogo is often used as an adverb meaning "a little bit" (e.g., Nimechoka kidogo = I am a little tired). Be careful not to use kidogo as an adjective for all nouns!

Examples (4)

  1. Nina dada mkubwa na kaka mdogo mmoja.

    I have an older sister and one younger brother.

    Word by Word: I have sister big and brother small one.

    When applied to family members, -dogo means "younger" rather than physically small.

  2. Anapendelea pete ndogo tu.

    She prefers only small rings.

    Word by Word: She prefers rings small only.

    With Class 9/10 (N-class) nouns like 'pete', the adjective takes the n- prefix, becoming 'ndogo'.

  3. Kwenye bwawa dogo, tuliona bata weupe.

    In the small pond, we saw white ducks.

    Word by Word: At pond small, we saw ducks white.

    With Class 5 singular nouns like 'bwawa', -dogo takes a zero prefix. It is simply 'dogo'.

  4. Mtoto mdogo analala.

    The small child is sleeping.

    Word by Word: Child small is sleeping.

    With Class 1 nouns, -dogo takes the m- prefix, becoming 'mdogo'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'kidogo' as a catch-all adjective for every noun.

    Nina kalamu kidogo.
    Nina kalamu ndogo.

    Because learners hear the adverb kidogo ("a little bit") so often, they mistakenly use it to describe all nouns. You must use the correct prefix for the noun's class (e.g., ndogo for Class 9).

  • Putting the adjective before the noun.

    Huyu ni mdogo mtoto.
    Huyu ni mtoto mdogo.

    In Swahili, adjectives follow nouns. The noun must always come first.

  • Adding a 'ji-' prefix to Class 5 nouns.

    Tunda jidogo ni tamu.
    Tunda dogo ni tamu.

    For Class 5 (JI-MA singular) nouns, the adjective -dogo takes a zero prefix. It is simply dogo, not jidogo.

How It Connects

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-dogoLevel 1Small with -dogo

Learn This First

To use the adjective -dogo (small), you must understand how Swahili nouns are categorized into classes and how those classes dictate the specific prefix that must be attached to the adjective root to ensure proper agreement.

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dogo