Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Bumbuwaa

bum-bu-waa

English: To be amazed; to be surprised

Example (Swahili):

Watoto walibumbuwaa kuona ndege mkubwa.

Example (English):

The children were amazed to see a big airplane.

Bumbuza

bum-bu-za

English: A small pimple in the palm

Example (Swahili):

Alikuwa na bumbuza kiganjani.

Example (English):

He had a small pimple in his palm.

Bumbwaa

bum-bwaa

English: To hide underground; to sit idle

Example (Swahili):

Walibumbwaa msituni bila kazi.

Example (English):

They hid idly in the forest.

Bumbwi

bum-bwi

English: Rice flour mixed with coconut, rolled into balls

Example (Swahili):

Mama alipika bumbwi kwa wageni.

Example (English):

Mother prepared bumbwi for the guests.

Bumla

bum-la

English: The board of a water vessel

Example (Swahili):

Bumla la jahazi liliharibika.

Example (English):

The board of the dhow broke.

Bumu¹

bu-mu

English: An owl

Example (Swahili):

Bumu alisikika akilia usiku.

Example (English):

The owl was heard crying at night.

Bumu²

bu-mu

English: An old type of dhow

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walitumia bumu kuvua.

Example (English):

The fishermen used an old dhow to fish.

Bumu³

bu-mu

English: University loan money

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi wa chuo hupokea bumu kila muhula.

Example (English):

University students receive loan stipends each semester.

Bumunda

bu-mun-da

English: A type of bread made of wheat and bananas

Example (Swahili):

Tulila bumunda kwa chai asubuhi.

Example (English):

We ate bumunda with tea in the morning.

Bumuta

bu-mu-ta

English: To press or beat something watery to remove water

Example (Swahili):

Aliibumuta nguo baada ya kuifua.

Example (English):

She wrung the clothes after washing them.

Bunda¹

bun-da

English: A bundle of things tied together

Example (Swahili):

Alibeba bunda la kuni.

Example (English):

He carried a bundle of firewood.

Bunda²

bun-da

English: To beat hard

Example (Swahili):

Alimbunda mpinzani wake uwanjani.

Example (English):

He beat his opponent hard in the field.

Bunda³

bun-da

English: To fail in an exam

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi wengi walibunda mitihani.

Example (English):

Many students failed the exams.

Bundi

bun-di

English: An owl (another name for bumu)

Example (Swahili):

Bundi alikaa kwenye mti akilia.

Example (English):

The owl sat on the tree hooting.

Bundia¹

bun-di-a

English: Shorter than usual; stunted

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto yule ni bundia kwa urefu.

Example (English):

That child is shorter than usual in height.

Bundia²

bun-di-a

English: The act of fish starting to decay

Example (Swahili):

Samaki walikuwa kwenye bundia baada ya siku mbili.

Example (English):

The fish started decaying after two days.

Bundika

bun-di-ka

English: To braid short hair

Example (Swahili):

Aliwabandika watoto nywele zao.

Example (English):

She braided the children's short hair.

Bundo¹

bun-do

English: Stage in the growth of a moth; cocoon

Example (Swahili):

Nondo alijifungia katika bundo.

Example (English):

The moth locked itself in a cocoon.

Bundo²

bun-do

English: Dried flour of bananas or cassava

Example (Swahili):

Waliandaa uji kwa kutumia bundo la mihogo.

Example (English):

They prepared porridge using dried cassava flour.

Bunduki

bun-du-ki

English: A gun; firearm

Example (Swahili):

Askari alikuwa na bunduki mkononi.

Example (English):

The soldier held a gun in his hand.

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