Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Bwibwinya

bwi-bwin-ya

English: To twist lips (as if tasting something hot or sharp)

Example (Swahili):

Alibwibwinya baada ya kuonja pilipili.

Example (English):

He twisted his lips after tasting chili.

Bwikia

bwi-ki-a

English: To desire strongly; to long for

Example (Swahili):

Alibwikia kula nyama ya mbuzi.

Example (English):

He longed to eat goat meat.

Bwikiwa

bwi-ki-wa

English: To be overtaken by sweetness of something

Example (Swahili):

Alibwikiwa na wimbo huo.

Example (English):

He was overtaken by the sweetness of that song.

Bwiko¹

bwi-ko

English: A disease that makes fingers stiff

Example (Swahili):

Alipatwa na ugonjwa wa bwiko.

Example (English):

He was struck with the disease that stiffens fingers.

Bwiko²

bwi-ko

English: Remaining part of a body after amputation

Example (Swahili):

Alibaki na bwiko baada ya kukatwa mkono.

Example (English):

He was left with a stump after his arm was cut.

Bwimbwi

bwim-bwi

English: Maize flour mixed with honey

Example (Swahili):

Walipika bwimbwi kwa watoto.

Example (English):

They cooked maize flour with honey for the children.

Cha

cha

English: Fear; be afraid

Example (Swahili):

Ku~ Mungu si kilemba cheupe.

Example (English):

Fearing God is not just about appearances.

Cha²

cha

English: Dawn; daybreak

Example (Swahili):

Walifika nyumbani wakati wa cha.

Example (English):

They arrived home at dawn.

Cha³

cha

English: A possessive particle for the ki-/vi- noun class (singular)

Example (Swahili):

Hii ni kitabu cha mwalimu.

Example (English):

This is the teacher's book.

Cha⁴

cha

English: Expression showing what someone said is a complete lie

Example (Swahili):

Alisema kuwa amemaliza kazi, lakini cha!

Example (English):

He said he finished the work, but that was a lie!

Chaa¹

chaa

English: Cattle enclosure; pen

Example (Swahili):

Ng'ombe walifungwa ndani ya chaa.

Example (English):

The cows were kept inside the pen.

Chaa²

chaa

English: Garden of young plants; nursery

Example (Swahili):

Aliotesha miche ya miti kwenye chaa.

Example (English):

He planted tree seedlings in the nursery.

Chaa³

chaa

English: Group of farmers working together; cooperative

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima waliunda chaa ili kusaidiana.

Example (English):

Farmers formed a cooperative to help each other.

Chaa⁴

chaa

English: A type of broad, white-colored sea fish

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walipata samaki aina ya chaa.

Example (English):

The fishermen caught a broad white fish.

Chaa⁵

chaa

English: Shiny; white; having whiteness

Example (Swahili):

Nguo yake mpya ilikuwa chaa.

Example (English):

His new clothes were shining white.

Chaa⁶

chaa

English: A small pouch; leather bag

Example (Swahili):

Alibeba pesa kwenye chaa ndogo.

Example (English):

He carried money in a small pouch.

Chaafu

chaafu

English: Meat from the hind leg

Example (Swahili):

Waliandaa chaafu kwa chakula cha jioni.

Example (English):

They prepared hind leg meat for dinner.

Chaaza

chaaza

English: Spread something on the ground to dry

Example (Swahili):

Alianza ku~ nguo zake juani.

Example (English):

He spread his clothes in the sun to dry.

Chaba

chaba

English: See chepechepe

Example (Swahili):

Nguo yake ilikuwa chaba baada ya mvua.

Example (English):

His clothes were muddy after the rain.

Chabanga¹

cha-banga

English: Defeat, overcome, beat; grind, crush

Example (Swahili):

Timu yetu iliwachabanga wapinzani wao.

Example (English):

Our team defeated their opponents.

Quick Learning Tips
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