Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
/kawísha/
English: Cause to delay; make something late.
Mvua ilikawisha kuanza kwa mchezo.
The rain delayed the start of the game.
/kawíza/
English: Delay; cause lateness.
Foleni ilikawiza safari yetu.
The traffic jam delayed our journey.
/káya/
English: Home, settlement, family compound.
Wazee wa kaya walikutana kujadili amani.
The elders of the homestead gathered to discuss peace.
/kayába/
English: A thorny green plant often used as a fence.
Waliotesha kayaba kuzunguka shamba lao.
They planted kayaba around their farm.
/kayakáya/
English: Very small white crabs found on the beach.
Watoto walikusanya kayakaya ufukweni.
The children collected tiny crabs on the shore.
/kayakáya/
English: Part of a sail that can be folded.
Baharia alipunguza kayakaya ya tanga.
The sailor folded part of the sail.
/kayáki/
English: A canoe used by Eskimos made of animal skin.
Wavindaji wa barafu walitumia kayaki kuvua.
The ice hunters used a kayak to fish.
/kayámba/
English: A musical instrument made of reeds filled with seeds, shaken to make sound.
Wachezaji walipiga kayamba kwenye harusi.
The performers played the kayamba at the wedding.
/kayánda/
English: An unmarried man though of age to marry.
Yeye bado kayanda licha ya umri wake mkubwa.
He is still unmarried despite his age.
/kayáya/
English: Celebration; noisy event; disturbance.
Kulikuwa na kayaya kubwa sokoni leo.
There was a big commotion at the market today.
/kayáya/
English: Excessively; beyond limit.
Alikunywa kayaya na kuharibika.
He drank excessively and got wasted.
/kayáya/
English: Exceeding; beyond limit; true.
Huo ulikuwa upendo wa kayaya.
That was love beyond measure.
/kayekáye/
English: Ropes that come out from the sail.
Baharia alifunga kayekaye kwenye ngalawa.
The sailor tied the ropes to the canoe.
/kayúsa/
English: Ill-fated person; unlucky.
Walisema yeye ni kayusa kwa kila kazi.
They said he brings bad luck to every task.
/káza/
English: Tighten; make firm; persevere.
Kaza kamba ili mfuko usifunguke.
Tighten the rope so the bag won't open.
/káza/
English: Engage in sexual intercourse (informal).
Waliamua kukaza baada ya sherehe.
They decided to have sex after the party.
/kazána/
English: Strive; work hard; put effort.
Wanafunzi walikazana kusoma.
The students worked hard to study.
/kazána/
English: Engage in sexual intercourse (spouses).
Waliamua wakazane baada ya ndoa.
They decided to consummate their marriage.
/kazánia/
English: Insist; push strongly for something to happen.
Alikazania kupatiwa haki zake.
He insisted on receiving his rights.
/kázi kwísha/
English: (Expression) The end of the matter; mastery of a task.
Yeye ndiye shujaa wa kazi kwisha.
He is the ultimate master of the task.
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