Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
/kibáraka/
English: Puppet leader or servant of others.
Walisema kiongozi wao ni kibaraka wa mabeberu.
They said their leader was a puppet of imperialists.
/kibaramwézi/
English: Pinwheel; toy spun by the wind.
Watoto walicheza na kibaramwezi.
The children played with a pinwheel.
/kibarángé/
English: See kibarango¹.
Alitajwa kama kibarange.
He was referred to as kibarange.
/kibarángo/
English: Short man.
Yule kibarango alikuwa akitembea sokoni.
That short man was walking in the market.
/kibarangós/
English: A short, thick piece of wood; a club / a piece of unripe or hard cassava in a meal.
Alibeba kibarangos kujilinda usiku.
He carried a club to protect himself at night.
/kibarawa/
English: Used in the phrase "salama ya kibarawa" (a so-so state of safety).
Walikuwa salama ya kibarawa baada ya ajali.
They were in a so-so state of safety after the accident.
/Kibarawa/
English: A Swahili dialect spoken in Barawa, Somalia; also called Chimiini.
Wazee wa Pwani hutumia Kiswahili cha Kibarawa.
The coastal elders speak the Kibarawa dialect.
/kibári/
English: A creeping plant with purple flowers and pods like groundnuts.
Mashambani walipanda kibari kwa dawa na chakula.
In the farms they planted kibari for food and medicine.
/kibaruá/
English: Daily laborer / the work done / wages.
Kibarua alipokea mshahara wake jioni.
The laborer received his wages in the evening.
/kibaruái/
English: Daily laborer / the work done / wages.
Kibarua alipokea mshahara wake jioni.
The laborer received his wages in the evening.
/kibatári/
English: A small tin lamp that produces smoke; a koroboi.
Walitumia kibatari kuwasha nyumba.
They used a small smoky lamp to light the house.
/kibávu/
English: Force; coercion.
Alilazimisha kwa kibavu chake.
He forced it through his strength.
/kibawánta/
English: A bird with a long blue-grey tail and crest.
Kibawanta alipaa juu ya mti mkubwa.
The bird with the crested head flew over the tall tree.
/kíbe/
English: A game of hide and seek.
Watoto walicheza kibe mchana.
The children played hide and seek in the afternoon.
/kíbe/
English: A loud sound; a high-pitched voice.
Tulisikia kibe kutoka mbali.
We heard a loud, high-pitched sound from afar.
/kibeberú/
English: Unpleasant body odor from sweat.
Alikosolewa kwa harufu ya kibeberu.
He was criticized for his body odor.
/kibédi/
English: Trick; deceit; cunning.
Aliingia kwa kibedi kwenye shindano.
He entered the competition through trickery.
/kibéga/
English: Push with the shoulder.
Alimtoa mlangoni kwa kibega.
He pushed him out of the door with his shoulder.
/kibégi/
English: See kipochi; a purse or handbag.
Alitunza pesa zake kwenye kibegi.
She kept her money in her purse.
/kibemása/
English: See kibe¹; hide and seek.
Watoto walipenda mchezo wa kibemasa.
The children loved the hide and seek game.
Quick Learning Tips
Practice Pronunciation
Pay attention to the pronunciation guides to improve your speaking skills.
Use Example Sentences
Study the example sentences to understand how words are used in context.