Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Bwagu

bwa-gu

English: A person who collects useless things

Example (Swahili):

Yeye ni bwagu, hukusanya takataka mitaani.

Example (English):

He is a scavenger, collecting rubbish on the streets.

Bwaka

bwa-ka

English: An air gap or emptiness in a container

Example (Swahili):

Kuna bwaka ndani ya pipa hilo.

Example (English):

There is an air gap inside that barrel.

Bwakia

bwa-ki-a

English: To stuff food into the mouth; to eat greedily

Example (Swahili):

Alibwakia chakula bila hata kungoja wengine.

Example (English):

He stuffed food into his mouth without waiting for others.

Bwaku

bwa-ku

English: One who is never satisfied with food

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto huyu ni bwaku, anakula bila kushiba.

Example (English):

This child is never satisfied, he eats without getting full.

Bwakua¹

bwa-ku-a

English: To snatch or seize by force

Example (Swahili):

Majambazi walibwakua pochi yake.

Example (English):

The robbers snatched her purse.

Bwakua²

bwa-ku-a

English: To cry loudly; to shout suddenly

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto alibwakua kwa kilio kikubwa.

Example (English):

The child cried out loudly.

Bwakubwaku

bwa-ku-bwa-ku

English: A gluttonous person

Example (Swahili):

Walisema yeye ni bwakubwaku kwa sababu ya tamaa yake ya chakula.

Example (English):

They said he is a glutton because of his greed for food.

Bwakura

bwa-ku-ra

English: To grab or snatch forcefully

Example (Swahili):

Aliibwakura simu kutoka mkononi mwake.

Example (English):

He snatched the phone from his hand.

Bwalo

bwa-lo

English: Dining hall in a camp or institution

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walikula chakula kwenye bwalo.

Example (English):

Students ate their meals in the dining hall.

Bwambwa

bwam-bwa

English: An item that is broken but still usable

Example (Swahili):

Walitumia bwambwa kwa kazi za shamba.

Example (English):

They used the broken item for farm work.

Bwambwara

bwam-bwa-ra

English: Something completely damaged

Example (Swahili):

Gari limekuwa bwambwara.

Example (English):

The car is completely wrecked.

Bwamdogo

bwam-do-go

English: A respectful title for a younger man

Example (Swahili):

Waliita ndugu yao bwamdogo.

Example (English):

They called their brother the younger master.

Bwamkubwa

bwam-ku-bwa

English: A respected elder; an older authority figure

Example (Swahili):

Wote walimsikiliza bwamkubwa kijijini.

Example (English):

Everyone listened to the elder in the village.

Bwana

bwa-na

English: Title of respect for a man; master; husband

Example (Swahili):

Bwana na bibi walihudhuria sherehe.

Example (English):

The husband and wife attended the ceremony.

Bwana (religious)

Bwa-na

English: God, the Creator

Example (Swahili):

Tunamuomba Bwana atupe baraka.

Example (English):

We pray to the Lord to give us blessings.

Bwana²

bwa-na

English: An exclamation to call or startle someone

Example (Swahili):

Bwana! Mbona umekuja bila taarifa?

Example (English):

Hey! Why did you come without notice?

Bwanafya

bwa-na-fya

English: Health worker

Example (Swahili):

Bwanafya alikagua watoto shuleni.

Example (English):

The health worker examined the children at school.

Bwanafya²

bwa-na-fya

English: Hyena

Example (Swahili):

Bwanafya aliingia kijijini usiku.

Example (English):

The hyena entered the village at night.

Bwanaharusi

bwa-na-ha-ru-si

English: Groom; a man getting married

Example (Swahili):

Bwanaharusi aliingia ukumbini akiwa na furaha.

Example (English):

The groom entered the hall with joy.

Bwanamifugo

bwa-na-mi-fu-go

English: Livestock officer

Example (Swahili):

Bwanamifugo aliwapa chanjo ng'ombe.

Example (English):

The livestock officer vaccinated the cows.

Quick Learning Tips
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