Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

Browse by Letter
All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
zelabia¹

/zelaˈbia/

English: A sweet made from flour, ghee, and sugar

Example (Swahili):

Walitengeneza zelabia kwa sherehe.

Example (English):

They made zelabia for the celebration.

zeleka¹

/zeˈleka/

English: To be weak or ill

Example (Swahili):

Alianza kuzeleka baada ya safari ndefu.

Example (English):

He became weak after a long journey.

zembea¹

/zemˈbea/

English: To be lazy; idle

Example (Swahili):

Alianza kuzembea kazini.

Example (English):

He started being lazy at work.

zeme¹

/ˈzeme/

English: A strong, cold wind

Example (Swahili):

Zeme kali ilivuma usiku kucha.

Example (English):

A strong cold wind blew all night.

zenengo¹

/zeˈneŋgo/

English: See nyukibambi (praying mantis)

Example (Swahili):

Zenengo alikaa juu ya jani.

Example (English):

The praying mantis sat on a leaf.

zengea¹

/zeˈŋgea/

English: To approach stealthily; to search; seek

Example (Swahili):

Paka alizengea panya kimya kimya.

Example (English):

The cat sneaked up on the mouse quietly.

zenu¹

/ˈzenu/

English: Your (plural); yours (plural)

Example (Swahili):

Nyinyi na zawadi zenu mko tayari?

Example (English):

Are you and your gifts ready?

zeri¹

/ˈzeri/

English: A liquid used by blacksmiths to cool heated metal

Example (Swahili):

Fundi alitumia zeri kupooza chuma.

Example (English):

The blacksmith used zeri to cool the metal.

zeriba¹

/zeˈriba/

English: Cattle pen; kraal

Example (Swahili):

Waliweka ng'ombe ndani ya zeriba.

Example (English):

They placed the cows inside the pen.

zeru¹

/ˈzeru/

English: See zeruzeru (albino)

Example (Swahili):

Zeru alionekana sokoni akiuza matunda.

Example (English):

The albino man was seen selling fruits in the market.

zeruzeru¹

/zeruˈzeru/

English: Albino

Example (Swahili):

Zeruzeru huyo ana ngozi nyepesi sana.

Example (English):

That albino person has very light skin.

zesha¹

/ˈzesha/

English: To make old or worn out

Example (Swahili):

Jua limezeshesha mbao hizo.

Example (English):

The sun has worn out those planks.

zeti¹

/ˈzeti/

English: Oil from sesame seeds

Example (Swahili):

Waliandaa chakula kwa mafuta ya zeti.

Example (English):

They prepared the food using sesame oil.

zetu¹

/ˈzetu/

English: Our; ours

Example (Swahili):

Nyumba zetu ziko karibu na shule.

Example (English):

Our houses are near the school.

zeze¹

/ˈzeze/

English: A stringed musical instrument

Example (Swahili):

Alipiga zeze kwa ustadi mkubwa.

Example (English):

He played the zeze skillfully.

zezeta¹

/zezeˈta/

English: Mentally impaired person; restless

Example (Swahili):

Zezeta huyo anahitaji msaada wa matibabu.

Example (English):

That mentally challenged person needs medical help.

zia¹

/ˈzia/

English: To hate; detest; abstain from certain foods; or to drive away (e.g., with fire)

Example (Swahili):

Alizia chakula hicho kwa sababu ya harufu.

Example (English):

She detested that food because of the smell.

zichapa¹

/ziˈchapa/

English: To fight with fists

Example (Swahili):

Wavulana wawili walizichapa shuleni.

Example (English):

The two boys fought at school.

zidi¹

/ˈzidi/

English: To exceed; increase; continue; persist

Example (Swahili):

Gharama zimeanza kuzidi mwaka huu.

Example (English):

Prices have started to rise this year.

zidisha¹

/ziˈdisha/

English: To increase effort; multiply

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi wanapaswa kuzidisha juhudi.

Example (English):

The students should increase their effort.

Quick Learning Tips
Practice Pronunciation

Pay attention to the pronunciation guides to improve your speaking skills.

Use Example Sentences

Study the example sentences to understand how words are used in context.