sana

Very or Much with Sana

Level 2

Sana is Swahili's most common word for "very" or "a lot." It always comes after the word it describes and never changes its shape.

How It Works

The word sana is an extremely high-frequency adverb used constantly in daily Swahili communication.

1. Word Order
Sana is post-positive. This means it follows the word it modifies. You cannot put it before an adjective like in English.

2. Modifying Verbs and Objects
When sana modifies a verb that has a direct object, it typically comes after the object, not immediately after the verb (e.g., Unapenda chai sana - You like tea a lot). However, if the object is represented by an object marker attached directly inside the verb, sana simply follows the verb (e.g., Unamkumbuka sana - You remember him/her a lot).

3. Modifying Adverbs
Just as it modifies verbs and adjectives, sana frequently modifies other adverbs to increase their intensity (e.g., haraka sana - very fast).

4. No Prefixes
Because it is an adverb, sana is invariable. It never takes a noun class prefix, even when it follows an adjective that does (e.g., mtoto mzuri sana, never msana).

5. Meaning and Nuance
Sana indicates a high degree and acts as a pure intensifier. It can be used with both positive and negative words. Formally, it means "very" or "a lot." In colloquial, everyday speech, it is sometimes used to mean "too" (e.g., kubwa sana meaning "too big"). However, in standard grammar, the word mno is the correct and precise term for excessive meanings ("too much").

6. Modifying Nouns
Sana cannot directly modify a noun. To say "a lot of people," you must use the adjective for "many" (Many with Class Agreement), resulting in watu wengi. You can then add sana to say "very many people" (watu wengi sana).

7. Reduplication (Sana sana)
When repeated as sana sana, it can literally mean "very, very" for extra emphasis (e.g., Asante sana sana). In other contexts, the meaning shifts idiomatically to "especially," "mostly," or "particularly."

8. Common Greetings and Politeness
You will frequently hear sana in fixed, everyday expressions to add politeness or emphasis, such as Asante sana (Thank you very much) and Karibu sana (You are very welcome).

With Negation:
Sipendi sana kahawa can mean “I do not like coffee very much.” Sana makes the denied degree explicit; it need not deny every degree of liking. Context and emphasis distinguish this from a stronger rejection of coffee altogether.

Examples (4)

  1. Chakula hiki ni kitamu sana.

    This food is very delicious.

    Word by Word: Food this is delicious very.

    Modifying an adjective. Notice how sana comes after the adjective kitamu.

  2. Nakupenda sana.

    I love you very much.

    Word by Word: I-you-love very-much.

    Modifying a verb. Sana is frequently used to express doing an action 'a lot'.

  3. Mnakimbia haraka sana.

    You all are running very fast.

    Word by Word: You-all-are-running fast very.

    Modifying another adverb (haraka).

  4. Yeye ni mtu mzuri sana.

    He is a very good person.

    Word by Word: He is person good very.

    In a full noun phrase, the order is Noun + Adjective + Sana.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing sana before the adjective.

    Kiti hiki ni sana kizuri.
    Kiti hiki ni kizuri sana.

    Unlike English 'very', sana must follow the word it modifies. Note that when modifying a verb with a direct object, sana is placed after the object, not immediately after the verb.

  • Adding a noun class prefix to sana.

    Kiti hiki ni kizuri kisana.
    Kiti hiki ni kizuri sana.

    Sana is an invariable adverb. It never takes agreement prefixes, regardless of the noun class.

  • Using sana directly with a noun to mean 'many' or 'a lot of'.

    Kuna watu sana hapa.
    Kuna watu wengi sana hapa.

    Sana usually does not modify a noun directly. Use the adjective for 'many' (-ingi) first.

How It Connects

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sanaLevel 2Very or Much with Sana

Learn This First

To use 'sana' (very/much), you need to understand where adjectives and verbs are placed in a sentence, as 'sana' acts as a modifier that follows these elements.

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