Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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yule¹

/ˈjule/

English: That; that one

Example (Swahili):

Yule mtoto anacheza nje.

Example (English):

That child is playing outside.

yumba¹

/ˈjumba/

English: To move back and forth; to be restless

Example (Swahili):

Alikuwa akiyumba kutokana na kizunguzungu.

Example (English):

He was swaying because of dizziness.

yumbayumba¹

/jumbaˈjumba/

English: To sway; be unsteady

Example (Swahili):

Meli ilianza kuyumbayumba baharini.

Example (English):

The ship began to sway on the sea.

yumkini¹

/jumˈkini/

English: It is possible; maybe

Example (Swahili):

Yumkini atawasili kesho.

Example (English):

It's possible he will arrive tomorrow.

yumkinika¹

/jumkiniˈka/

English: To be possible

Example (Swahili):

Hili jambo halimkiniki kwa sasa.

Example (English):

This matter is not possible right now.

yungi¹

/ˈjuŋgi/

English: A white bird that eats lice; also a devil in proverbs

Example (Swahili):

Yungi walionekana karibu na shamba.

Example (English):

White birds were seen near the field.

yungiyungi¹

/juŋgiˈjuŋgi/

English: A white water lily with broad leaves

Example (Swahili):

Yungiyungi hukua kwenye maji tulivu.

Example (English):

The white water lilies grow in calm waters.

yungu¹

/ˈjuŋgu/

English: A plant similar to a cucumber

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima walipanda yungu mashambani.

Example (English):

The farmers planted yungu in their fields.

yunifomu¹

/juniˈfomu/

English: Uniform

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walivaa yunifomu safi.

Example (English):

The students wore clean uniforms.

yupi¹

/ˈjupi/

English: Who? Which? (interrogative)

Example (Swahili):

Yupi kati yenu ana kalamu nyekundu?

Example (English):

Which one of you has a red pen?

za¹

/za/

English: A connective for nouns in the i-/zi- and u-/zi- classes

Example (Swahili):

Vitabu vya wanafunzi viko mezani.

Example (English):

The students' books are on the table.

zaa¹

/zaa/

English: To give birth; to bear fruit

Example (Swahili):

Mti huu huzaa matunda mara mbili kwa mwaka.

Example (English):

This tree bears fruit twice a year.

zaafarani¹

/zaafaˈrani/

English: Saffron color; saffron spice

Example (Swahili):

Chakula kilipata rangi nzuri ya zaafarani.

Example (English):

The food got a nice saffron color.

zaam¹

/zaˈam/

English: To increase in number (of people or creatures)

Example (Swahili):

Samaki wameanza kuzaam baharini.

Example (English):

The fish have begun to increase in the sea.

zaatari¹

/zaˈatari/

English: Thyme (herb)

Example (Swahili):

Aliongeza zaatari kwenye chai.

Example (English):

She added thyme to the tea.

zaazaa¹

/zaaˈzaa/

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

Example (Swahili):

Mimea ya zaazaa huota maeneo yenye kivuli.

Example (English):

The zaazaa plant grows in shaded areas.

zaba¹

/ˈzaba/

English: To slap; strike with the palm

Example (Swahili):

Alimpiga zaba kwa uso.

Example (English):

He slapped him across the face.

zabadi¹

/zaˈbadi/

English: Musk fragrance; civet perfume

Example (Swahili):

Alitumia zabadi kujipaka mwilini.

Example (English):

She used musk perfume on her body.

zabarijadi¹

/zabariˈjadi/

English: A gemstone resembling a ruby

Example (Swahili):

Pete yake ilikuwa na jiwe la zabarijadi.

Example (English):

His ring had a ruby-like gemstone.

zabibu¹

/zaˈbibu/

English: Grape

Example (Swahili):

Tulikula zabibu tamu bustanini.

Example (English):

We ate sweet grapes in the garden.

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