Kamusi ya Kiswahili

Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences

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Bilwilli¹

bi-li-wil-li

English: A type of fish resembling a shark

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walimkamata samaki wa bilwilli.

Example (English):

The fishermen caught a bilwilli fish.

Bilwilli²

bi-li-wil-li

English: A small plant with yellow flowers and spiny seeds

Example (Swahili):

Shamba lilijaa mimea ya bilwilli.

Example (English):

The farm was full of bilwilli plants.

Bima

bi-ma

English: Insurance arrangement for compensation

Example (Swahili):

Alilipia bima ya afya.

Example (English):

He paid for health insurance.

Bimba

bim-ba

English: To toss a child playfully up and down

Example (Swahili):

Alimbimba mtoto mdogo sebuleni.

Example (English):

He playfully tossed the baby in the living room.

Bimbashi

bim-ba-shi

English: A junior military officer

Example (Swahili):

Bimbashi alipandishwa cheo jeshini.

Example (English):

The junior officer was promoted in the army.

Bimbirisha¹

bim-bi-ri-sha

English: To ignite quickly; to burn suddenly

Example (Swahili):

Alimbimbirisha moto kwa kuni kavu.

Example (English):

He quickly lit the fire with dry wood.

Bimbirisha²

bim-bi-ri-sha

English: To push forcefully

Example (Swahili):

Alimbimbirisha nje ya nyumba.

Example (English):

He pushed him out of the house.

Bimbirishana

bim-bi-ri-sha-na

English: To push each other

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walibimbirishana wakicheza.

Example (English):

The students pushed each other while playing.

Bimbiriza

bim-bi-ri-za

English: To intensify a burning fire

Example (Swahili):

Aliweka kuni zaidi kubimbiriza moto.

Example (English):

He added more wood to make the fire burn stronger.

Bimbwi

bim-bwi

English: A type of coconut cake made with grated coconut

Example (Swahili):

Walitengeneza bimbwi tamu kwa sherehe.

Example (English):

They made a delicious coconut cake for the celebration.

Bimkubwa

bim-ku-bwa

English: A respectful term for an older woman; first wife

Example (Swahili):

Bimkubwa ndiye mwenye mamlaka nyumbani.

Example (English):

The elder wife holds authority at home.

Bin

bin

English: Son of; used in names

Example (Swahili):

Jina lake ni Ali bin Said.

Example (English):

His name is Ali son of Said.

Binadamu

bi-na-da-mu

English: Human being

Example (Swahili):

Binadamu wote huzaliwa huru.

Example (English):

All human beings are born free.

Binafsi

bi-na-fsi

English: Personally; individually

Example (Swahili):

Mimi binafsi sipendi chai.

Example (English):

I personally don't like tea.

Binamu

bi-na-mu

English: Cousin (child of uncle/aunt)

Example (Swahili):

Binamu yangu anaishi Dar es Salaam.

Example (English):

My cousin lives in Dar es Salaam.

Binda¹

bin-da

English: See bamia (okra)

Example (Swahili):

Walipika binda kwa mchuzi wa samaki.

Example (English):

They cooked okra with fish stew.

Binda²

bin-da

English: A chicken with a very short downward tail

Example (Swahili):

Alifuga kuku wa binda nyumbani.

Example (English):

He raised short-tailed chickens at home.

Bindari

bin-da-ri

English: A storeroom on a ship

Example (Swahili):

Chakula kilihifadhiwa kwenye bindari.

Example (English):

Food was stored in the ship's storeroom.

Bindo¹

bin-do

English: A fold of cloth used for carrying things

Example (Swahili):

Alificha pesa kwenye bindo la kanga.

Example (English):

She hid money in the fold of her cloth.

Bindo²

bin-do

English: See binda

Example (Swahili):

Aliuza kuku wa bindo sokoni.

Example (English):

He sold the short-tailed chicken at the market.

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