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
Chalia

cha-lia

English: A place where a woman who has given birth stays

Example (Swahili):

Mama alikaa chalia kwa siku arobaini.

Example (English):

The mother stayed in seclusion after giving birth for forty days.

Challo

chal-lo

English: A piece of wood or anything placed under a pot to prevent burning

Example (Swahili):

Aliweka challo chini ya sufuria jikoni.

Example (English):

He placed a block of wood under the pot in the kitchen.

Chalo

cha-lo

English: A sugarcane plantation

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima walikuwa wakifanya kazi kwenye chalo lao.

Example (English):

The farmers were working in their sugarcane plantation.

Chama¹

cha-ma

English: A group of people involved in an activity; a political group

Example (Swahili):

Chama cha walimu kilifanya mkutano.

Example (English):

The teachers' association held a meeting.

Chama²

cha-ma

English: Move; leave a place; migrate elsewhere

Example (Swahili):

Walilazimika kuchama kijiji baada ya ukame.

Example (English):

They had to migrate from the village after the drought.

Chambele

cham-bele

English: An amount paid as a deposit; advance payment

Example (Swahili):

Alilipa chambele kabla ya bidhaa kuletwa.

Example (English):

He paid a deposit before the goods were delivered.

Chambi¹

cham-bi

English: A dance move where partners touch bellies

Example (Swahili):

Walicheza chambe kwa furaha kwenye sherehe.

Example (English):

They danced belly-to-belly joyfully at the celebration.

Chambi²

cham-bi

English: Face to face; chest to chest

Example (Swahili):

Walikutana chambe chambe na kuzungumza.

Example (English):

They met chest to chest and talked.

Chambilecho

chambi-lecho

English: As they say; a word introducing quoted speech

Example (Swahili):

Chambilecho wahenga, subira huvuta heri.

Example (English):

As the elders say, patience brings blessings.

Chambio

cham-bio

English: A small bath for washing private parts

Example (Swahili):

Alitumia chambio kabla ya kulala.

Example (English):

She used a small bath before sleeping.

Chambisha

chambi-sha

English: Punish, torment; give someone trouble

Example (Swahili):

Walimchambisha kwa adhabu kali.

Example (English):

They tormented him with severe punishment.

Chambiza

chambi-za

English: Wash or clean a corpse before burial; rinse quickly

Example (Swahili):

Walimchambiza marehemu kabla ya mazishi.

Example (English):

They washed the corpse before burial.

Chambo

cham-bo

English: Bait used in traps or fishing hooks

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walitumia dagaa kama chambo.

Example (English):

The fishermen used sardines as bait.

Chambochambo

chambo-chambo

English: Edge or border

Example (Swahili):

Alikaa chambochambo ya barabara.

Example (English):

He sat on the edge of the road.

Chambua¹

cham-bua

English: Separate good from bad; sort things

Example (Swahili):

Alikuwa akichambua mpunga.

Example (English):

She was sorting the rice.

Chambua²

cham-bua

English: Analyze; explain details of a text

Example (Swahili):

Mwalimu alichambua shairi darasani.

Example (English):

The teacher analyzed the poem in class.

Chambua³

cham-bua

English: Publicly point out faults; insult

Example (Swahili):

Alimchambua hadharani mbele ya watu.

Example (English):

He publicly insulted him in front of people.

Chambuana

chambu-ana

English: Criticize each other; exchange faults

Example (Swahili):

Wanasiasa walichambuana jukwaani.

Example (English):

The politicians criticized each other on stage.

Chambuki

cham-buki

English: See sumaku (magnet)

Example (Swahili):

Chambuki huvutia vyuma.

Example (English):

A magnet attracts metals.

Chamburo

cham-buro

English: Tool like tweezers or dentist's tool

Example (Swahili):

Daktari alitumia chamburo kutoa jino.

Example (English):

The doctor used tweezers to extract a tooth.

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.