Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

/tumbuki'a/

English: To slip and fall into a hole or water; (figuratively) to get into trouble.

Example (Swahili):

Alitumbukia mtoni akiwa anavuka daraja.

Example (English):

He fell into the river while crossing the bridge.

/tumbuki'za/

English: To immerse something into water or a hole.

Example (Swahili):

Alitumbukiza mikono yake majini kuosha.

Example (English):

He dipped his hands into the water to wash them.

/tumbuki'za/

English: To involve someone in trouble.

Example (Swahili):

Alimtumbukiza rafiki yake katika matatizo.

Example (English):

He dragged his friend into trouble.

/tumbuli'a/

English: (With eyes) to stare blankly in surprise or confusion.

Example (Swahili):

Alimtumbulia macho kwa mshangao.

Example (English):

He stared at him in astonishment.

/tum'buri/

English: A stringed musical instrument.

Example (Swahili):

Alipiga tumburi kwenye jukwaa la tamasha.

Example (English):

He played the stringed instrument on the concert stage.

/tumburu'jika/

English: See tumbujuka (to burst, to rot).

Example (Swahili):

Angalia neno tumbujuka kwa maana.

Example (English):

See the word tumbujuka for the meaning.

/tum'busi/

English: A vulture (a large, bald-headed bird that eats carcasses).

Example (Swahili):

Tumbusi walikuwa wakizunguka maiti jangwani.

Example (English):

Vultures were circling around the carcass in the desert.

/'tumbuu/

English: A lock (for a door).

Example (Swahili):

Funga mlango kwa tumbuu mpya.

Example (English):

Lock the door with the new lock.

/tumbu'za/

English: To make clear or open; to enter a place forcefully; to penetrate and emerge on the other side.

Example (Swahili):

Alitumbuza ukuta kwa kutumia nyundo.

Example (English):

He broke through the wall using a hammer.

/'tumbwi/

English: A special fee paid to a traditional healer for a successful treatment.

Example (Swahili):

Alipeleka tumbwi kwa mganga baada ya kupona.

Example (English):

He gave a token to the healer after recovering.

/'tumbwi/

English: A coconut fruit before it becomes a dafu (with water but no firm meat).

Example (Swahili):

Walinywa maji ya tumbwi shambani.

Example (English):

They drank the water from a young coconut in the field.

/'tume/

English: Caution, fear, anxiety; jealousy.

Example (Swahili):

Alizungumza kwa tume kubwa baada ya kuona askari.

Example (English):

He spoke cautiously after seeing the police.

/'tume/

English: A commission; a committee.

Example (Swahili):

Tume maalum iliundwa kuchunguza tukio hilo.

Example (English):

A special commission was formed to investigate the incident.

/'tume/

English: A duty; a mission; an assignment.

Example (Swahili):

Ana tume ya kupeleka barua hiyo ofisini.

Example (English):

He has the duty to deliver that letter to the office.

/tume'tume/

English: See tume¹ (anxiety, fear).

Example (Swahili):

Alijawa na tumetume moyoni mwake.

Example (English):

His heart was filled with anxiety.

/tumi'a/

English: To use; to spend money on something.

Example (Swahili):

Usitumie fedha zote kwa vitu visivyo muhimu.

Example (English):

Don't spend all your money on unnecessary things.

/tumi'a/

English: (Of a woman) to be menstruating.

Example (Swahili):

Mwanamke huyo hataki kuogelea kwa kuwa anatumiwa.

Example (English):

The woman doesn't want to swim because she is menstruating.

/tumi'ka/

English: To be usable; to serve; to work for someone.

Example (Swahili):

Kompyuta hii bado inatumika vizuri.

Example (English):

This computer is still working well.

/tumi'ka/

English: (In idioms) menstruation period.

Example (Swahili):

Ana siku zake za kutumika.

Example (English):

She is in her menstrual period.

/tumiki'a/

English: To work for someone; to serve someone.

Example (Swahili):

Alitumikia kampuni hiyo kwa miaka kumi.

Example (English):

He served that company for ten years.

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