Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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yaelekea¹

/yaeˈlekɛa/

English: Perhaps; maybe; possibly

Example (Swahili):

Yaelekea mvua itanyesha leo.

Example (English):

It looks like it might rain today.

yagujul¹

/yaguˈjul/

English: Impossible! Expression of disbelief or disdain

Example (Swahili):

Yagujul! Huwezi kuwa umemaliza kazi yote.

Example (English):

Impossible! You can't have finished all the work.

yahe¹

/ˈyahe/

English: My brother or friend; also used for ordinary people

Example (Swahili):

Yahe, umekuwa wapi siku hizi?

Example (English):

My friend, where have you been lately?

yahomi¹

/yaˈhomi/

English: A call signaling a ship's approach; also means "ahead" or "forward"

Example (Swahili):

Nahodha alipiga kelele, "Yahomi!"

Example (English):

The captain shouted, "Ahead!"

Yahudi¹

/yaˈhudi/

English: A Jewish person

Example (Swahili):

Yesu alizaliwa katika ukoo wa Wayahudi.

Example (English):

Jesus was born among the Jews.

yai¹

/yai/

English: Egg (of birds, fish, etc.); also means zero (in score)

Example (Swahili):

Kuku ametaga yai leo asubuhi.

Example (English):

The chicken laid an egg this morning.

yake¹

/ˈyake/

English: His, hers, or its (possessive adjective or pronoun)

Example (Swahili):

Kitabu chake kiko mezani.

Example (English):

His book is on the table.

yakhe¹

/ˈyakhe/

English: See "yahe" (brother or friend)

Example (Swahili):

Yakhe wangu aliniita jana.

Example (English):

My brother called me yesterday.

yakini¹

/yaˈkini/

English: Certain, true, or clear; surely, certainly

Example (Swahili):

Nina yakini kwamba atafanikiwa.

Example (English):

I am certain he will succeed.

yatima¹

/yaˈtima/

English: Orphan

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto yatima alipewa makao mapya.

Example (English):

The orphaned child was given a new home.

yavuyavu¹

/yaʋuˈyaʋu/

English: Sponge; also a type of fish resembling a net

Example (Swahili):

Alitumia yavuyavu kuosha sahani.

Example (English):

He used a sponge to wash the plates.

yawezekana¹

/jawezeˈkana/

English: It is possible; perhaps

Example (Swahili):

Yawezekana tutakutana kesho.

Example (English):

It's possible we'll meet tomorrow.

yaya¹

/ˈjaja/

English: A child's nanny, usually female

Example (Swahili):

Yaya alimlisha mtoto chakula.

Example (English):

The nanny fed the child.

yayataka¹

/jajataˈka/

English: To become frightened; to suffer pain

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto aliyayataka baada ya kusikia kelele.

Example (English):

The child became frightened after hearing the noise.

yayataka²

/jajataˈka/

English: To cry excessively; wail

Example (Swahili):

Alikaa akiyayataka siku nzima.

Example (English):

She kept crying all day.

yegeya¹

/jeˈgeja/

English: See "vungunya" (a type of plant)

Example (Swahili):

Mimea ya yegeya huota karibu na mito.

Example (English):

The yegeya plant grows near rivers.

yeli¹

/ˈjeli/

English: A singer or reciter of epic poetry

Example (Swahili):

Yeli alitumbuiza hadithi za mashujaa.

Example (English):

The poet recited stories of heroes.

yenu¹

/ˈjenu/

English: Your (plural); yours (plural pronoun)

Example (Swahili):

Nyinyi na vitabu vyenu mpo tayari?

Example (English):

Are you and your books ready?

yepi¹

/ˈjepi/

English: Which? (interrogative adjective/pronoun)

Example (Swahili):

Maswali yepi ulikosa?

Example (English):

Which questions did you miss?

Yesu¹

/ˈjesu/

English: Jesus

Example (Swahili):

Watu wengi wanaamini kwa Yesu.

Example (English):

Many people believe in Jesus.

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