Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Chambuza

cham-buza

English: Pull a line suddenly when a fish bites

Example (Swahili):

Mvuvi alimchambuza samaki kutoka majini.

Example (English):

The fisherman jerked the fish from the water.

Chambwa

cham-bwa

English: A container for storing cleaning water

Example (Swahili):

Walijaza chambwa maji ya kuoshea.

Example (English):

They filled the container with washing water.

Chambwaga

cham-buga

English: Stir with feet/hands; walk carelessly in mud

Example (Swahili):

Watoto walikuwa wakichambwaga matope.

Example (English):

The children were playing in the mud.

Chamcha

cham-cha

English: See chamchana (lunch)

Example (Swahili):

Tulikutana kwa chamcha ofisini.

Example (English):

We met for lunch at the office.

Chamchana

cham-chana

English: Lunch; midday meal

Example (Swahili):

Alileta wali na kuku kwa chamchana.

Example (English):

She brought rice and chicken for lunch.

Chamchanga

cham-changa

English: A small bird with brown back and yellow legs

Example (Swahili):

Chamchanga hupatikana karibu na mashamba.

Example (English):

The small bird is found near farms.

Chamchela¹

cham-chela

English: Whirling wind; cyclonic winds

Example (Swahili):

Chamchela ilibomoa miti mingi.

Example (English):

The whirlwind uprooted many trees.

Chamchela²

cham-chela

English: A song sung to a patient for spirit possession

Example (Swahili):

Walipiga chamchela wakati wa tiba ya kienyeji.

Example (English):

They sang chamchela during the traditional healing.

Chamchela³

cham-chela

English: A haunted place believed to host evil spirits

Example (Swahili):

Waliepuka kuingia chamchela usiku.

Example (English):

They avoided entering the haunted place at night.

Chamcho

cham-cho

English: A person who depends entirely on others

Example (Swahili):

Yeye ni chamcho, hawezi kuishi bila msaada.

Example (English):

He is a dependent person, cannot live without help.

Chamka¹

cham-ka

English: Reappear after being lost; erupt; spread; burst open

Example (Swahili):

Shida za kale zilichamka tena.

Example (English):

Old problems reappeared again.

Chamka²

cham-ka

English: Break out as disease with blisters; erupt with rashes

Example (Swahili):

Ugonjwa ulianza chamka kwa ngozi yake.

Example (English):

The disease began to break out on his skin.

Chamkano¹

cham-kano

English: State of separation; spreading, distribution

Example (Swahili):

Kulikuwa na chamkano wa watu baada ya mgawanyiko.

Example (English):

There was a separation of people after the division.

Chamkano²

cham-kano

English: A group of people scattered from a place

Example (Swahili):

Chamkano la wakulima lilikimbilia mji jirani.

Example (English):

A group of farmers scattered to the nearby town.

Chamko

cham-ko

English: Spread of a disease; eruption of lava or fire

Example (Swahili):

Chamko la homa lilitokea kijijini.

Example (English):

An outbreak of fever occurred in the village.

Champali

cham-pali

English: See kandambili (slippers)

Example (Swahili):

Alivaa champali wakati wa mvua.

Example (English):

He wore slippers during the rain.

Championi

champi-oni

English: Champion or winner of a competition

Example (Swahili):

Yeye ndiye championi wa mbio za mwaka huu.

Example (English):

He is the champion of this year's race.

Chamshabongo

chamsha-bongo

English: See chemshabongo

Example (Swahili):

Walicheza mchezo wa chamshabongo darasani.

Example (English):

They played a brain-teasing game in class.

Chamshakinywa

chamsha-kinywa

English: Breakfast; morning meal

Example (Swahili):

Walikula chamshakinywa saa mbili asubuhi.

Example (English):

They ate breakfast at 8 a.m.

Chana¹

cha-na

English: Tear apart, cut into pieces; destroy completely

Example (Swahili):

Alikana chana nguo mpya.

Example (English):

He tore the new clothes apart.

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