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
Chana²

cha-na

English: Straighten or style hair

Example (Swahili):

Alimchana nywele mtoto wake.

Example (English):

She combed her child's hair.

Chanda

chan-da

English: A piece of food set aside

Example (Swahili):

Alitunza chanda cha mkate kwa jirani.

Example (English):

He kept aside a piece of bread for the neighbor.

Chandalia

chanda-lia

English: A frame or chandelier holding bulbs

Example (Swahili):

Chandalia jipya liliwekwa sebule.

Example (English):

A new chandelier was installed in the living room.

Chandama

chanda-ma

English: Groom's attendant

Example (Swahili):

Chandama alisaidia bwana harusi kuvaa.

Example (English):

The attendant helped the groom dress.

Chandarua

chanda-rua

English: Mosquito net

Example (Swahili):

Aliweka chandarua ili kujikinga na mbu.

Example (English):

He set up a mosquito net to protect against mosquitoes.

Chande

chan-de

English: A type of slender, long-legged bird

Example (Swahili):

Tuliona ndege aina ya chande karibu na ziwa.

Example (English):

We saw a long-legged bird near the lake.

Chandeli

chan-deli

English: See chandalia

Example (Swahili):

Chandeli ilining'inia katikati ya chumba.

Example (English):

The chandelier hung in the middle of the room.

Chando¹

chan-do

English: A dance where men and women meet and separate again

Example (Swahili):

Vijana walicheza chando usiku kucha.

Example (English):

The youth danced chando all night.

Chando²

chan-do

English: A young man being circumcised for the first time

Example (Swahili):

Chando alipokea zawadi baada ya sherehe.

Example (English):

The initiate received gifts after the ceremony.

Chandua

chan-dua

English: Remove a covering; disperse a group

Example (Swahili):

Walichandua blanketi mezani.

Example (English):

They removed the blanket from the table.

Chane¹

cha-ne

English: A bunch of bananas together

Example (Swahili):

Waliuza chane moja sokoni.

Example (English):

They sold one bunch of bananas at the market.

Chane²

cha-ne

English: Thin fibers from palm leaves for weaving

Example (Swahili):

Alitumia chane kufuma kikapu.

Example (English):

He used palm fibers to weave a basket.

Chaneli

cha-neli

English: Communication channel; TV station; path of information

Example (Swahili):

Walihamisha matangazo kwenda chaneli nyingine.

Example (English):

They switched the broadcast to another channel.

Chang'aa

chang-aa

English: A strong alcoholic drink made from vapor; illicit liquor

Example (Swahili):

Wengine walikunywa chang'aa usiku.

Example (English):

Some people drank illicit brew at night.

Changa la macho

chan-ga la ma-cho

English: State of falsehood; deceit

Example (Swahili):

Alitoa changa la macho kuwapotosha.

Example (English):

He gave a deceitful excuse to mislead them.

Changa¹

chan-ga

English: Young; not mature; at low development

Example (Swahili):

Mti huu bado ni changa.

Example (English):

This tree is still young.

Changa²

chan-ga

English: Contribute money or mix things together

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walichanga pesa za msaada.

Example (English):

The students contributed money for aid.

Changa³

chan-ga

English: Split a log into firewood

Example (Swahili):

Baba alichanga kuni jikoni.

Example (English):

Father split firewood in the kitchen.

Changa⁴

chan-ga

English: Sprout shoots (e.g., rice)

Example (Swahili):

Mpunga umeanza kuchanga.

Example (English):

The rice has started sprouting.

Changa⁵

chan-ga

English: Ache deeply; have internal pain

Example (Swahili):

Alihisi uchungu ukimchanga tumboni.

Example (English):

He felt deep pain in his stomach.

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.