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Luha Yini

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01Module 1
02Module 2
03Module 3
04Module 4
05Module 5
06Module 6
07Module 7

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03Module 3

Module 3 · Word building

Prefixes, roots and noun classes — the Bantu architecture of shikomori.

8 lessons≈ 100 min8 lessons with listening

3.1Word structure: prefix + rootEvery Bantu word is built on the prefix + root pattern. Learning to see them is learning to read the language.Listening12 min
3.2Noun classes: an overview16 classes, 7 main genders — the reading grid for all of Bantu morphology.Listening14 min
3.3Classes 1 and 2: humansThe most regular and accessible class — mu-/wa- (singular/plural) + a definite pre-prefix.ListeningDialects14 min
3.4Classes 3 and 4: objects, trees, body partsThe mu-/mi- gender: singular prefix identical to 1/2 but plural in mi- — mind the trap.Listening12 min
3.5Classes 5 and 6: the 'miscellaneous' classØ prefix in sg / ma- in pl. The most heterogeneous class — and the entry point for modern French loanwords.Listening12 min
3.6Classes 7 and 8: tools, languages, body partsshi-/zi-: the signature of Bantu language names and everyday objects.Listening10 min
3.7Classes 9 and 10: animals, modern loanwordsN- prefix (often invisible): singular = plural. Home of animals and many colonial loanwords.Listening12 min
3.8Class 15: nominalised verbsThe class of infinitives. No plural. hu- / u- prefix — one of the most useful dialect correspondences to memorise.ListeningDialects14 min

Module 2 Module 4