Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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yetu¹

/ˈjetu/

English: Our; ours

Example (Swahili):

Shamba letu ni kubwa sana.

Example (English):

Our farm is very big.

yeye¹

/ˈjeje/

English: He/she (third-person singular pronoun)

Example (Swahili):

Yeye anapenda kusoma vitabu.

Example (English):

He likes reading books.

yeyote¹

/jejeˈote/

English: Anyone; any

Example (Swahili):

Mtu yeyote anaweza kushiriki.

Example (English):

Anyone can participate.

yeyuka¹

/jeˈjuka/

English: To melt (from solid to liquid)

Example (Swahili):

Barafu imeyeyuka kwa sababu ya jua.

Example (English):

The ice has melted because of the sun.

yeyusha¹

/jeˈjusha/

English: To melt something; cause to melt

Example (Swahili):

Alitumia moto yeyusha nta.

Example (English):

He used fire to melt the wax.

yoga¹

/ˈjoga/

English: Yoga

Example (Swahili):

Anafanya mazoezi ya yoga kila asubuhi.

Example (English):

She practices yoga every morning.

yombiyombi¹

/jomˈbijombi/

English: A bird with a red chest, black head, and wide beak

Example (Swahili):

Ndege yombiyombi aliruka juu ya mti.

Example (English):

The yombiyombi bird flew over the tree.

yombo¹

/ˈjombo/

English: In "lalia yombo" – to be trapped or defeated

Example (Swahili):

Timu yao imelalia yombo.

Example (English):

Their team has been defeated.

yonda¹

/ˈjonda/

English: See "nyani" (baboon)

Example (Swahili):

Yonda walionekana msituni.

Example (English):

Baboons were seen in the forest.

yonga¹

/ˈjonga/

English: To bend or sway due to height or weakness

Example (Swahili):

Mti mrefu ulianza yonga kwa upepo.

Example (English):

The tall tree began to sway in the wind.

yongayonga¹

/jongaˈjonga/

English: To be uncertain or anxious

Example (Swahili):

Alikuwa akiyongayonga kabla ya mtihani.

Example (English):

He was anxious before the exam.

yongoa¹

/joˈŋgoa/

English: To carry on the back or shoulders (e.g., during ceremonies)

Example (Swahili):

Waliamua kumyongoa bibi harusi.

Example (English):

They decided to carry the bride on their shoulders.

yongoo¹

/ˈjoŋgu/

English: A white worm found in rotten fruit

Example (Swahili):

Matunda yaliyo oza yalijaa yongoo.

Example (English):

The rotten fruits were full of worms.

yongoya¹

/joŋˈgoja/

English: To walk slowly due to weakness or weight

Example (Swahili):

Mzee alitembea akiyongoya taratibu.

Example (English):

The old man walked slowly and unsteadily.

yosayosa¹

/josaˈjosa/

English: Quickly; hastily; also a type of fast-paced dance

Example (Swahili):

Walicheza yosayosa kwa furaha.

Example (English):

They danced the yosayosa dance joyfully.

yoti¹

/ˈjoti/

English: See "shabara" (a type of tree)

Example (Swahili):

Miti ya yoti hukua kwenye mabonde.

Example (English):

The yoti trees grow in valleys.

yowe¹

/ˈjowe/

English: A loud cry for help; scream

Example (Swahili):

Alipiga yowe baada ya kuogopa.

Example (English):

She screamed after being frightened.

yoyoma¹

/joˈjoma/

English: To slip away; escape; or to be ruined

Example (Swahili):

Kazi yao imeanza yoyoma.

Example (English):

Their work has begun to fail.

yugayuga¹

/jugaˈjuga/

English: To sway; move back and forth

Example (Swahili):

Mashua ilianza kuyugayuga baharini.

Example (English):

The boat began to sway in the sea.

yugwa¹

/ˈjugwa/

English: A type of white yam

Example (Swahili):

Walipika yugwa kwa chakula cha mchana.

Example (English):

They cooked white yam for lunch.

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