Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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vuwata

vu-wa-ta

English: To rummage through soaked food, as animals like goats do

Example (Swahili):

Mbuzi walivuwata majani yaliyolowana

Example (English):

The goats rummaged through the wet grass

vuwaza

vu-wa-za

English: To circumcise

Example (Swahili):

Watoto walivuwazwa kulingana na mila

Example (English):

The boys were circumcised according to tradition

vuwi

vu-wi

English: A type of snake that usually doesn't bite but spits venom; a spitting cobra

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima waliona nyoka wa aina ya vuwi

Example (English):

The farmers saw a spitting cobra

vuzi

vu-zi

English: Pubic hair

Example (Swahili):

Alinyolewa vuzi kwa usafi

Example (English):

His pubic hair was shaved for cleanliness

vuzizi

vu-zi-zi

English: A type of sharp, narrow draft of wind that can cause pain

Example (Swahili):

Vuzizi vilimfanya ahisi baridi kali

Example (English):

The sharp wind draft made him feel very cold

VVU

VVU

English: HIV virus; the abbreviation for the virus causing AIDS

Example (Swahili):

Wagonjwa wengi waliopimwa walikutwa na VVU

Example (English):

Many tested patients were found with HIV

vyaa

vyaa

English: See zaa (to give birth)

Example (Swahili):

Mbwa al vyaa watoto watano

Example (English):

The dog gave birth to five puppies

vyake, vyako, vyangu, vyao, vyenu, vyetu

vya-ke, vya-ko, vya-ngu, vya-o, vye-nu, vye-tu

English: Possessive adjectives and pronouns for the Ki-/Vi- noun class (his/her/its, your, my, their, your(pl), our)

Example (Swahili):

Kitabu vyangu kimepotea

Example (English):

My book is lost

vyeleza

vye-le-za

English: To raise a child well; to bring up a child properly

Example (Swahili):

Wazazi walivyoleza watoto wao kwa maadili mema

Example (English):

The parents raised their children with good morals

vyema

vye-ma

English: In a good way; as expected; properly, well

Example (Swahili):

Alimaliza kazi vyema

Example (English):

He completed the job well

vyereje

vye-re-je

English: 1. How come? 2. An expression showing contempt or disdain

Example (Swahili):

Vyereje ulifanya jambo hilo?

Example (English):

How come you did that?

vyero

vye-ro

English: A fish trap

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walitumia vyero kuvua samaki

Example (English):

The fishermen used a fish trap to catch fish

vyetu

vye-tu

English: Possessive pronoun (our)

Example (Swahili):

Hizi ndizo nyumba vyetu

Example (English):

These are our houses

vyoga

vyo-ga

English: To step on; to trample with a foot or object

Example (Swahili):

Alivyoga nyasi bustanini

Example (English):

He trampled the grass in the garden

vyogo

vyo-go

English: Many; a large quantity

Example (Swahili):

Walileta vyogo vya mazao sokoni

Example (English):

They brought many crops to the market

vyogovyogo

vyo-go-vyo-go

English: A fever without a specific location; a feeling of fever throughout the whole body

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto alikuwa na vyogovyogo usiku

Example (English):

The child had a fever throughout the night

vyovyote

vyo-vyo-te

English: In whatever way; however it may be; not necessarily specific (especially for things)

Example (Swahili):

Chukua chakula vyovyote upendavyo

Example (English):

Take whatever food you like

wa.a¹

wa-a

English: To shine, to illuminate

Example (Swahili):

Jua liliwaa na kuangaza shamba lote

Example (English):

The sun shone and illuminated the whole farm

wa.a⁵

wa-a

English: To be sick, to suffer

Example (Swahili):

Alianza kuwaa kwa siku nyingi

Example (English):

He began to suffer for many days

wa.a⁶

wa-a

English: A grinding stone

Example (Swahili):

Walitumia waa kusaga nafaka

Example (English):

They used a grinding stone to grind grains

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