Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
a-bad-di
English: Being very far, very distant
Safari yao ilikuwa abaddi kutoka nyumbani.
Their journey was very far from home.
a-ba-dil
English: Forever, always
Mapenzi ya mama ni abadil.
A mother's love is forever.
a-ba-dil
English: Eternal, unchanging (see also abaadi)
Mungu ndiye mwenye abadil².
God is eternal and unchanging.
a-ba-ka-si
English: Abacus; device with beads used for counting
Walimu walitumia abakasi kufundisha hesabu.
Teachers used an abacus to teach mathematics.
a-ba-ki
English: To remain, to stay behind
Wengine waliondoka, lakini yeye akabaki nyumbani.
The others left, but he remained at home.
a-ba-ku-si
English: Abacus; traditional counting tool
Abakusi hutumika kufundishia watoto wadogo kuhesabu.
The abacus is used to teach small children how to count.
a-ban-ga
English: A type of tall coconut palm without branches, used in India to make a drink
Walikunywa kinywaji kilichotengenezwa kutoka abanga.
They drank a beverage made from the abanga palm.
a-ba-su-ka-ri
English: Sugar; see also kisukari
Aliweka abasukari kwenye chai.
He put sugar in his tea.
a-ba-wa
English: Older male sibling; brother
Abawa yangu alinisaidia wakati wa shida.
My elder brother helped me in times of trouble.
a-ba-wa-u-hu
English: Ancient parents, ancestors
Abawauhu waliwaheshimu mila za jamii.
The ancestors respected the community's traditions.
a-ba-wi
English: Related to the father's side; of origin
Ana ukoo abawi kutoka kwa baba yake.
He has paternal lineage from his father.
a-ba-ya
English: Older female sibling; elder sister
Abaya yangu anafanya kazi hospitalini.
My elder sister works in a hospital.
a-ba-ya
English: A type of veil or cloak
Mwanamke huyo alivaa abaya nyeusi.
The woman wore a black abaya.
ab-di
English: Slave, servant (archaic usage)
Wakati wa utumwa, abdi walinyanyaswa sana.
During slavery, servants were greatly mistreated.
a-be-da-ri
English: Steering wheel or block used on a boat or ship
Walitumia abedari kusogeza mashua.
They used the steering pulley to move the boat.
a-be-da-ri
English: Exclamation or warning, especially about something approaching; "watch out!"
Abedari! Kuna gari linakuja!
Watch out! A car is coming!
a-beel
English: A response word traditionally used only by women
Alijibu "abeel" baada ya kuitwa.
She responded "abeel" when called.
a-bi-di
English: Plural of abdi; slaves (archaic)
Abidi walifanyishwa kazi ngumu bila malipo.
The slaves were forced to work hard without pay.
a-bi-du
English: A person who worships; a worshipper
Abidu walikusanyika msikitini kuswali.
The worshippers gathered at the mosque to pray.
a-bi-ri
English: To cross a lake, river, or sea using a vessel
Wavuvi waliabiri baharini kwa mashua.
The fishermen crossed the sea with a boat.
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