Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
ma-funda
English: State of filling, usually a liquid, in the cheeks; piga mafunda – to drink something by filling the mouth excessively
Alinywa maji kwa mafunda.
He drank the water in big gulps.
ma-funde
English: See mavunde (a type of plant?)
Shambani walipanda mafunde.
They planted mavunde on the farm.
mafun-disho
English: Words of warning or guidance; admonitions
Walimu walitoa mafundisho kwa wanafunzi.
Teachers gave guidance to the students.
ma-fundo
English: Type of wood or tree that holds sails on a ship or water vessel
Walisafisha mafundo ya mashua yao.
They cleaned the mast of their boat.
mafungi-ani
English: Place where livestock taken to graze are returned and enclosed
Kondoo walikusanywa mafungiani usiku.
The sheep were gathered into the enclosure at night.
mafungi-anyama
English: Bow-legged; legs bent inwards
Alitembea vibaya kwa sababu alikuwa mafungianyama.
He walked awkwardly because he was bow-legged.
mafungi-anyama
English: Time of returning animals or livestock to the enclosure after grazing
Walisubiri mafungianyama jioni.
They waited for the return of the cattle in the evening.
mafungu liang'ombe
English: Time of releasing cattle or animals from the enclosure in the morning to take them to graze
Alfajiri ilipofika kulikuwa na mafunguliang'ombe.
At dawn, the cattle were released to graze.
mafun-jo
English: Long leaves that grow in lakes or water, resembling reeds; a type of water plant
Ziwa lilijaa mafunjo pembezoni.
The lake was full of water plants along the edges.
mafun-ta
English: Type of secretion or oil produced by glands under the skin to ensure hair and skin do not dry out; sebum
Mafunta hulinda ngozi isiwe kavu.
Sebum protects the skin from drying out.
mafun-zo
English: Things taught to a person or student; lessons
Wanafunzi walipokea mafunzo muhimu darasani.
Students received important lessons in class.
mafu-oni
English: Place where corpses are laid; shore, beach
Mwili ulipatikana mafuoni.
The body was found on the shore.
mafur-iko
English: Abundant rainwater that usually covers a large area that is normally dry; flood
Mji ulipatwa na mafuriko makubwa.
The city was hit by massive floods.
mafuru-ahati
English: 1. Fundamental duties to perform. 2. Principles
Mafuruahati ya dini ni lazima kutekelezwa.
The fundamental duties of religion must be performed.
mafuru-ahu
English: Mandatory; obligatory; compulsory
Sala tano ni mafuruahu kwa Mwislamu.
The five daily prayers are obligatory for a Muslim.
mafur-ungu
English: 1. Type of ornament worn on the legs that produces sound, usually worn by women during traditional dances. 2. A special type of sock or leggings worn on legs to prevent cold
Wachezaji walivaa mafurungu wakati wa dansi.
The dancers wore leg ornaments during the performance.
mafu-rushi
English: Furnished or decorated. Example: chumba mafurushi – a furnished room to live in
Walikodisha chumba mafurushi mjini.
They rented a furnished room in the city.
mafuʃo
English: Anything, e.g., incense, that is burned to produce smoke used as medicine or therapy (for fumigation)
Waliwasha mafusho kwa ajili ya tiba ya kienyeji.
They lit fumigation smoke for traditional medicine.
mafuta
English: 1. Liquid or oily substance from plants like groundnuts, sesame, sunflower, coconut, etc., used for anointing the body. 2. Liquid or solidified substance used for cooking. 3. Fat or fatty part of an animal like pig, fish, cow, etc. 4. Liquid from residues or fossils of animals used to make diesel, petrol, or tar. 5. Liquid enabling a car, machine, or engine to generate power to work
Waliweka mafuta jikoni kwa kupikia.
They put oil in the kitchen for cooking.
mafuta
English: Fish liver
Walikula mafuta ya samaki kwa tiba.
They ate fish liver oil as medicine.
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.