Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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vifijo

vi-fi-jo

English: Noise or sounds resulting from joy; cheers, ululation

Example (Swahili):

Timu yao ilishinda kwa vifijo na nderemo

Example (English):

Their team won amid cheers and ululation

vigandishaji

vi-gan-di-sha-ji

English: Very small, round particles from red blood cells that release a chemical to clot blood

Example (Swahili):

Madaktari walieleza kazi ya vigandishaji mwilini

Example (English):

Doctors explained the role of clotting particles in the body

vigaviga

vi-ga-vi-ga

English: To startle someone; to make someone anxious

Example (Swahili):

Kelele za ghafla zilimvigaviga mtoto

Example (English):

The sudden noise startled the child

vigelegele

vi-ge-le-ge-le

English: Loud sound of cheering; to cheer loudly

Example (Swahili):

Wanawake walipiga vigelegele wakati wa sherehe

Example (English):

The women cheered loudly during the celebration

vigumu

vi-gu-mu

English: Difficult; not easy; impossible

Example (Swahili):

Somo hili ni vigumu kuelewa

Example (English):

This subject is difficult to understand

Vihendo

vi-hen-do

English: See vitimbi (mischief, tricks)

Example (Swahili):

Watoto walifanya vihendo vya kuwachezea walimu

Example (English):

The children played mischief on the teachers

vije

vi-je

English: How? (an old word for asking about one's state)

Example (Swahili):

Vije hali yako siku hizi?

Example (English):

How is your condition these days?

vijokojoko

vi-jo-ko-jo-ko

English: 1. Small, baseless reasons; flimsy excuses. 2. Itching

Example (Swahili):

Alitoa vijokojoko vingi kukwepa kazi

Example (English):

He gave many flimsy excuses to avoid work

vijuka¹

vi-ju-ka

English: To be drenched in sweat; to sweat profusely

Example (Swahili):

Alivijuka baada ya kukimbia mbio ndefu

Example (English):

He was drenched in sweat after running a long race

vijuka²

vi-ju-ka

English: To feel nauseous; to be upset in the stomach

Example (Swahili):

Baada ya kula chakula kibaya, alijisikia kuvijuka

Example (English):

After eating bad food, he felt nauseous

vika

vi-ka

English: 1. To cover the body or part of it with clothes. 2. To clothe someone else

Example (Swahili):

Alivika koti kwa sababu ya baridi

Example (English):

He wore a coat because of the cold

vikari

vi-ka-ri

English: (Catholic) An assistant priest; curate

Example (Swahili):

Vikari alihubiri misa ya asubuhi

Example (English):

The curate preached the morning mass

vikorokoro

vi-ko-ro-ko-ro

English: Various items, especially sweet or appealing foods

Example (Swahili):

Waliweka vikorokoro mezani kwa wageni

Example (English):

They placed assorted foods on the table for the guests

vile¹

vi-le

English: Demonstrative for distance in the Ki-/Vi- noun class (those)

Example (Swahili):

Angalia vile vitabu pale

Example (English):

Look at those books over there

vile²

vi-le

English: Demonstrative adjective for distance in the Ki-/Vi- noun class

Example (Swahili):

Vile vyombo vilivunjika

Example (English):

Those dishes broke

vile³

vi-le

English: (Especially in conversation) how, manner

Example (Swahili):

Aliongea vile alivyotaka

Example (English):

He spoke in the manner he wished

vilevile¹

vi-le-vi-le

English: And so on; also, furthermore

Example (Swahili):

Yeye ni mkarimu na vilevile mnyenyekevu

Example (English):

He is generous and also humble

vilevile²

vi-le-vi-le

English: Also, furthermore, moreover

Example (Swahili):

Walifika mapema, vilevile walisaidia kuandaa sherehe

Example (English):

They arrived early, and moreover they helped prepare the celebration

vilia¹

vi-lia

English: To have a certain effect on a part of the body (e.g., bruising) without external bleeding

Example (Swahili):

Mapigo yalivilia mwilini mwake bila damu kutoka

Example (English):

The blows bruised his body without blood coming out

vilia²

vi-lia

English: A set of items needed when eating (e.g., spoons, forks)

Example (Swahili):

Mama alinunua vilia vipya kwa ajili ya wageni

Example (English):

Mother bought new utensils for the guests

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