Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
wi-wi
English: Theft
Alihukumiwa kwa kosa la wiwi
He was sentenced for theft
wi-za-ni
English: Natural frequency of sound waves
Wanasayansi walipima wizani¹ wa chombo hicho
Scientists measured the natural frequency of that instrument
wi-za-ni
English: Rhythm in music or poetry
Shairi hilo lina wizani² bora
That poem has a good rhythm
wi-za-ra
English: Ministry
Wizara ya afya ilitangaza kampeni mpya
The Ministry of Health announced a new campaign
wi-zi
English: Theft, stealing
Polisi walimkamata kwa wizi wa gari
The police arrested him for car theft
wo-di
English: Hospital ward
Wagonjwa walipelekwa wodi mpya
Patients were taken to the new ward
wo-ga
English: Fear, cowardice
Woga ulimzuia kuongea hadharani
Fear stopped him from speaking in public
wo-ko-vu
English: Salvation
Waliamini wokovu unatoka kwa Mungu
They believed salvation comes from God
won-go-fu
English: Uprightness, integrity
Wongofu wake ulimfanya aheshimiwe na jamii
His integrity made him respected by the community
wo-ro-ro
English: Softness, smoothness
Kitambaa hiki kina wororo mzuri
This cloth has a nice softness
wo-sia
English: Will, testament
Aliacha wosia kwa familia yake kabla ya kufa
He left a will for his family before dying
wo-to
English: See uoto (sprouting)
Mashamba yanaonyesha woto wa mimea mipya
The farms show sprouting of new plants
wo-ya
English: A handful
Alitoa woya wa mahindi na kumpa jirani
He gave a handful of maize to his neighbor
wu-ju-di
English: See ujudi² (existence)
Wujudi wa kiumbe hai ni fumbo kubwa
The existence of living beings is a great mystery
/ya/
English: A connective word (especially in the li-/ya- class); also an expression of surprise (often with "Mungu" or "Rabi")
Ya Mungu ni mengi.
God's ways are many.
/yaa/
English: To lie down, rest, or stretch out
Mtoto alikaa chini na kuyaa.
The child sat down and rested.
/yaˈani/
English: That is to say; meaning; in other words
Yaani, unamaanisha hatutoki leo?
Meaning, you're saying we're not going out today?
/yaˈbisi/
English: Dry; hardened; stiff
Udongo umekuwa yabisi baada ya jua kali.
The soil became dry after the strong sun.
/yabiˈsika/
English: To become dry; harden
Mfinyanzi anangoja udongo yabisike.
The potter waits for the clay to harden.
/ˈyadi/
English: A unit of length equal to 3 feet or 36 inches
Alipima kitambaa cha yadi mbili.
He measured two yards of cloth.
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