How It Works

To build a sentence with this pattern, you must use a specific morphological frame:

Kadiri + [Subject Prefix]-[Tense]-vyo-[Verb Root], ndivyo + [Subject Prefix]-[Tense]-vyo-[Verb Root]. Note that the subjects in the two clauses can differ (e.g., Kadiri unavyosoma, ndivyo ninavyofurahi (The more you read, the happier I am)).

The Role of -vyo-: You cannot use plain indicative verbs. The The Way That with -vyo- marker is absolutely required to express the 'extent/degree' that kadiri demands. This strictly uses Class 8 agreement, which functions as the adverbial class for manner, degree, and extent.
Tense Flexibility: This pattern is frequently seen with the Present -na- tense, but works across other tenses like the Past -li-. Note that for the future tense, the marker changes to the Future Relative -taka- (e.g., atakavyosoma (how he/she will read), not atavyosoma).
Using ambavyo: For tenses that cannot take the bound -vyo- affix, such as the Perfect -me- or the Past Negative -ku-, you must use the independent relative word ambavyo (using Relative Clauses with amba-) before the verb (e.g., kadiri ambavyo umesoma (the more you have read)).
Tenseless Relative: For general, timeless truths, you can use the tenseless relative form: [Subject Prefix]-[Verb Root]-vyo (e.g., asomavyo (how he/she reads)).
Negative Form: Because this pattern relies on relative clauses, the general negative is formed using the relative negative infix -si-, dropping the tense marker entirely (Formula: [Subject Prefix]-si-vyo-[Verb Root]). However, to express specific negative tenses (like the Future or Past Negative), you must use ambavyo followed by the standard negative verb (e.g., Kadiri ambavyo hutasoma (The more you will not read)).
Monosyllabic Verbs: Due to Ku- Retention in Short Verbs, verbs with one-syllable roots must keep their ku- prefix in tensed relatives (e.g., inavyokula (how it eats)). While the ku- is dropped when using the positive tenseless relative (e.g., alavyo (how he/she eats)), it must be retained in the negative relative to carry the stress (e.g., asivyokula (how he/she does not eat), not asivyola).
Using Kuzidi: The verb Exceed with -zidi (to increase/continue) is often paired with this pattern to emphasize the progressive nature of the change (e.g., ndivyo unavyozidi kuwa dhaifu (the more you continue to be weak)).
Adjectives and States: To express states of being, adjectives, or possession, you must use the verb To Be kuwa (to be/become) or Have with kuwa na (to have). Because Swahili requires a verb with the -vyo- affix for this pattern, English phrases like 'The bigger, the better' must be translated using verbs. For example, Kadiri unavyofanya mazoezi, ndivyo unavyokuwa imara. (The more you exercise, the stronger you become).
Using Jinsi: The word jinsi can be used interchangeably with kadiri in this correlative pattern, using the exact same morphological frame (e.g., Jinsi unavyosoma, ndivyo ninavyofurahi (The more you read, the happier I am)).
Clause Order: Starting with the kadiri clause is the most natural and standard order to maintain the correlative feel, though reversing them is not strictly ungrammatical.

Note: On its own, kadiri simply means 'amount' or 'measure'. While the proportional 'the more X, the more Y' translation requires the full frame with ndivyo, kadiri + a -vyo- verb alone can mean 'as much as' or 'the most' (e.g., Soma kadiri uwezavyo (Read as much as you can)). In casual speech, native speakers sometimes replace ndivyo with hivyo or drop it entirely if the context is obvious.

Examples (6)

Kadiri unavyosoma Kiswahili kila siku, ndivyo unavyojenga ujasiri wa kuzungumza.
The more you study Swahili every day, the more you build confidence to speak.
Word by Word: To the extent that you read Swahili every day, it is thus that you build confidence of speaking.
Notice how both verbs (unavyosoma, unavyojenga) take the -vyo- infix.
Kadiri familia inavyokula pamoja kila jioni, ndivyo uhusiano wao unavyokuwa imara zaidi.
The more the family eats together every evening, the stronger their relationship becomes.
Word by Word: To the extent that the family eats together every evening, it is thus that their relationship becomes firm more.
A classic example of a proportional relationship using the present -na- tense. Notice how the monosyllabic verb 'kula' retains its 'ku-' prefix here (inavyokula).
Kadiri tunavyofanya mazoezi ya kupumua polepole, ndivyo pumzi yetu inavyokuwa tulivu.
The more we do slow breathing exercises, the calmer our breath becomes.
Word by Word: To the extent that we do exercises of breathing slowly, it is thus that our breath becomes calm.
The pattern works beautifully to describe gradual physical or mental changes.
Kadiri alivyosoma kitabu, ndivyo alivyoelewa hadithi.
The more he read the book, the more he understood the story.
Word by Word: To the extent that he read the book, it is thus that he understood the story.
This demonstrates the pattern used in the past tense (-li-). The relative marker becomes -vyo- after the tense marker.
Kadiri usivyofanya mazoezi, ndivyo unavyozidi kuwa dhaifu.
The more you do not exercise, the weaker you become.
Word by Word: To the extent that you do not do exercises, it is thus that you exceed to be weak.
This shows the negative form using the relative -si- infix (usivyofanya). The tense marker is dropped entirely. It also uses the verb Exceed with -zidi to emphasize the progressive nature of the change.
Kadiri asomavyo, ndivyo aelewavyo.
The more he reads, the more he understands.
Word by Word: To the extent that he reads, it is thus that he understands.
This example uses the tenseless (general) relative form, which drops the tense marker and attaches the relative suffix to the end of the verb. This is often used for general, timeless truths.

Common Mistakes

Omitting the -vyo- infix on the verbs.
Kadiri unasoma Kiswahili, ndivyo unajenga ujasiri.
Kadiri unavyosoma Kiswahili, ndivyo unavyojenga ujasiri.
Grammar sources explicitly warn against using plain indicative verbs in this pattern. The verbs must take the relative -vyo- marker to connect with the concept of 'extent' or 'degree'.
Using the time/place marker -po- instead of the manner/degree marker -vyo-.
Kadiri tunapokula, ndivyo tunaposhiba.
Kadiri tunavyokula, ndivyo tunavyoshiba.
Learners often confuse -vyo- with -po-. However, -po- focuses on time or occasion ('when'), whereas -vyo- is required to express the 'extent/degree' that kadiri demands.
Reordering the clauses and breaking the correlative frame.
Ndivyo unavyojenga ujasiri kadiri unavyosoma.
Kadiri unavyosoma, ndivyo unavyojenga ujasiri.
While not strictly ungrammatical, moving the result clause to the front breaks the standard correlative frame, making the sentence awkward. Starting with the kadiri clause is the most natural and standard order.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

kadiri...ndivyoLevel 4The More...The More

Learn This First

To understand the 'kadiri...ndivyo' pattern, a learner must first be familiar with the word 'kadiri' (meaning 'as' or 'according to degree') and the emphatic identification marker 'ndivyo'. Since 'ndivyo' functions as a manner relative in this context, understanding the class 8 relative marker '-vyo-' is also necessary to grasp how the two clauses are linked proportionally.

Words in This Pattern

kadirindivyo-vyo-