Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
/katúa/
English: Uproot weeds; cultivate for the first time.
Wakulima walikatua shamba lao mapema.
The farmers weeded their field early.
/katúa/
English: Polish; make shine by rubbing.
Alikatua vyombo hadi vikang'aa.
She polished the utensils until they shone.
/katúni/
English: Cartoon; comic drawing.
Mtoto alicheka akitazama katuni.
The child laughed while watching a cartoon.
/katúshi/
English: Decorated frame.
Picha iliwekwa ndani ya katushi.
The picture was placed in a decorated frame.
/katúshi/
English: Paper cartridge casing.
Risasi ya zamani ilikuwa na katushi la karatasi.
The old bullet had a paper cartridge case.
/katúshi/
English: Small metal plate with inscription.
Mlango ulipambwa na katushi ya shaba.
The door was decorated with a copper plate.
/katwae kaweke/
English: Phrase meaning "just right"; balanced.
Mapishi haya ni katwae kaweke.
This dish is just right.
/katwé/
English: Round, flat fish.
Mvuvi alikamata katwe baharini.
The fisherman caught a flat, round fish at sea.
/kauíeni/
English: 1. Unreliable, double-tongued person. 2. Person not to be trusted.
Huyo ni kauieni, usimuamini.
That man is unreliable, don't trust him.
/káuka/
English: To dry up; become hard or stiff.
Nguo zilikuwa zimekauka juani.
The clothes had dried in the sun.
/káuka/
English: To dry up; liquid to disappear because of heat.
Maji mtoni yalikuwa yamekauka.
The river water had dried up.
/kaʊkaʊ/
English: Food made from sliced cassava or potatoes, salted, and crunchy when eaten.
Watoto walikula kaukau wakati wa mapumziko.
The children ate crisps during the break.
/kaʊkaʊ/
English: Dry, brittle; easily broken (esp. food).
Mkate huu ni kaukau, umekauka sana.
This bread is brittle, it has dried too much.
/kaukíana/
English: 1. Be completely dry or stiff. 2. Stand still without movement. 3. Become very thin or weak.
Mti huu umekaukiana kwa sababu ya ukame.
This tree has dried completely due to drought.
/kaukíwa/
English: (Kenya) Be without money; be helpless.
Alikaukiwa na pesa njiani.
He was left without money on the way.
/kaúli halísi/
English: Words exactly as spoken; direct speech.
Riwaya hiyo imetumia kauli halisi ya mhusika.
That novel used the character's direct speech.
/kaúli taarífa/
English: Reported speech; words as retold.
Habari zililetwa kwa kauli taarifa.
The news was reported in indirect speech.
/kaúli tauría/
English: Figurative or embellished speech.
Mashairi yalijaa kauli tauria.
The poems were full of figurative expressions.
/kaúli/
English: Word, statement; promise; idea; opinion; stance.
Alitoa kauli ya amani mbele ya watu.
He gave a statement of peace before the people.
/kaúli/
English: Power to make decisions or give instructions.
Mwalimu ana kauli ya mwisho darasani.
The teacher has the final authority in class.
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