Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Bwekenya

bwe-ken-ya

English: To remain uncovered; to leave a door open

Example (Swahili):

Mlango ulikaa bwekenya usiku kucha.

Example (English):

The door stayed open all night.

Bweko

bwe-ko

English: The sound of a dog barking

Example (Swahili):

Bweko la mbwa liliwashtua.

Example (English):

The barking sound of the dog startled them.

Bwelasuti

bwe-la-su-ti

English: An overall suit with shirt and trousers

Example (Swahili):

Wafanyakazi walivaa bwelasuti viwandani.

Example (English):

Workers wore overalls in the factories.

Bwende

bwen-de

English: A traditional garment for heavy work

Example (Swahili):

Alivaa bwende wakati wa kulima.

Example (English):

He wore a work garment while farming.

Bwengodume

bwen-go-du-me

English: A demon believed to have intercourse with women in their sleep

Example (Swahili):

Waliamini alishambuliwa na bwengodume.

Example (English):

They believed she was attacked by a demon.

Bweni

bwe-ni

English: Dormitory; hostel for students

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walilala bweni la shule.

Example (English):

Students slept in the school dormitory.

Bwenzi

bwen-zi

English: A tuft of hair; hair bun

Example (Swahili):

Alifunga nywele zake kwa bwenzi.

Example (English):

She tied her hair in a bun.

Bwerera

bwe-re-ra

English: To wander aimlessly; to roam about

Example (Swahili):

Alibwerera mitaani bila kazi.

Example (English):

He wandered the streets without work.

Bwerere¹

bwe-re-re

English: In abundance; in large amounts

Example (Swahili):

Watu walifika bwerere kushuhudia tamasha.

Example (English):

People arrived in large numbers to witness the festival.

Bwerere²

bwe-re-re

English: Free of charge

Example (Swahili):

Chakula kilitolewa bwerere.

Example (English):

Food was given for free.

Bwerere³

bwe-re-re

English: Worthless; valueless

Example (Swahili):

Aliona zawadi hiyo ni bwerere.

Example (English):

He saw that gift as worthless.

Bweshu

bwe-shu

English: A dull or quiet person; complainer

Example (Swahili):

Huyu kijana ni bweshu, hanaga uchangamfu.

Example (English):

This young man is dull, he has no cheerfulness.

Bweta¹

bwe-ta

English: A small chest or box for storing items

Example (Swahili):

Aliweka fedha zake ndani ya bweta.

Example (English):

He kept his money in a small box.

Bweta²

bwe-ta

English: To breathe out heavily

Example (Swahili):

Baada ya kazi, alibweta kwa pumzi nzito.

Example (English):

After work, he sighed heavily.

Bwetabweta

bwe-ta-bwe-ta

English: To talk nonsense continuously

Example (Swahili):

Alianza kubwetabweta mbele ya wageni.

Example (English):

He began to talk nonsense in front of the guests.

Bwete

bwe-te

English: Weak; feeble

Example (Swahili):

Mzee yule ni bwete sasa.

Example (English):

That old man is now weak.

Bweteka

bwe-te-ka

English: To remain idle; to do nothing

Example (Swahili):

Vijana walibweteka siku nzima.

Example (English):

The youths idled the whole day.

Bwia¹

bwi-a

English: To grab; to hold tightly

Example (Swahili):

Alimbwia kwa mkono.

Example (English):

He grabbed him by the hand.

Bwia²

bwi-a

English: To stuff food into the mouth greedily

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto alibwia chakula haraka.

Example (English):

The child stuffed food quickly into his mouth.

Bwia³

bwi-a

English: To sniff powdered drugs

Example (Swahili):

Walimshika akibwia dawa za kulevya.

Example (English):

They caught him sniffing drugs.

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