Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

/heˈsabu/

English: Budgeting; tight calculation; frugality

Example (Swahili):

Mwaka huu tunafanya hesabu⁶ kali za matumizi.

Example (English):

This year we're keeping a very tight budget.

/heˈʃima/

English: Respect; honor; decorum

Example (Swahili):

Onyesha heshima kwa wakubwa na wadogo.

Example (English):

Show respect to both elders and youngsters.

/heˈʃimu/

English: To respect; honor; esteem

Example (Swahili):

Heshimu maamuzi ya wengine.

Example (English):

Respect other people's decisions.

/ˈhesi/

English: Screw thread/groove; screw-type nail

Example (Swahili):

Banio halikutosha kwenye hesi ya bolti.

Example (English):

The clamp didn't fit the bolt's thread.

/heteɾoɡloˈsia/

English: Presence of multiple sociolects within one language

Example (Swahili):

Riwaya inaonyesha heteroglosia ya jamii mbalimbali.

Example (English):

The novel displays the heteroglossia of different communities.

/ˈhewa/

English: Air; atmosphere; wind

Example (Swahili):

Fungua dirisha ili hewa iingie.

Example (English):

Open the window so air can come in.

/ˈhewa/

English: Fake; illegitimate; not genuine

Example (Swahili):

Cheti chake kiligunduliwa kuwa hewa.

Example (English):

His certificate was found to be fake.

/heˈwaa/

English: Exclamation of acceptance/assent ("alright!" "okay!")

Example (Swahili):

"Tutakutana saa kumi?" "Hewaa!"

Example (English):

"Shall we meet at four?" "Okay!"

/hewa.uˈkaa/

English: Polluted air from burning carbon materials

Example (Swahili):

Mji unatatizika na hewaukaa wakati wa kiangazi.

Example (English):

The city struggles with polluted air during the dry season.

/ˈheza/

English: To assign an overly difficult task to spite someone

Example (Swahili):

Usimheze mfanyakazi kazi asiyoweza kuimudu.

Example (English):

Don't saddle a worker with a task they can't possibly do.

/ˈhezi/

English: Hertz (unit of frequency)

Example (Swahili):

Redio inatangaza kwenye megaherz 98.

Example (English):

The radio broadcasts at 98 megahertz.

/hiˈana/

English: Stinginess; meanness; oppression/injustice

Example (Swahili):

Hiana katika kugawa rasilimali huleta migogoro.

Example (English):

Meanness in sharing resources breeds conflicts.

/hiˈari/

English: Free will; voluntary choice

Example (Swahili):

Ndoa yao ilikuwa ya hiari.

Example (English):

Their marriage was by free will.

/hiˈari/

English: To choose/decide freely

Example (Swahili):

Unaweza kuhiari kubaki au kuondoka.

Example (English):

You may freely choose to stay or leave.

/ˈhiba/

English: Gift/grant given out of love; endowment

Example (Swahili):

Alitoa hiba kwa shule ya kijiji.

Example (English):

She gave a gift to the village school.

/ˈhibu/

English: To love; to cherish deeply

Example (Swahili):

Wazazi wanahibu watoto wao bila masharti.

Example (English):

Parents love their children unconditionally.

/ˈhit͡ʃo/

English: Demonstrative pronoun (far, singular; ki-/vi- class): "that (thing)"

Example (Swahili):

Leta hicho kitabu kilicho mezani.

Example (English):

Bring that book on the table.

/ˈhit͡ʃo/

English: Demonstrative adjective (far, singular; ki-/vi-): "that (…thing)"

Example (Swahili):

Natafuta hicho kifaa cha kupimia.

Example (English):

I'm looking for that measuring tool.

/hiˈdaja/

English: Gift; present given out of affection; token

Example (Swahili):

Alipokea hidaya kutoka kwa marafiki.

Example (English):

She received a gift from friends.

/hiˈdaja/

English: Righteous guidance; upright conduct

Example (Swahili):

Mwalimu aliwahimiza wanafunzi kufuata hidaya.

Example (English):

The teacher urged the students to follow righteous guidance.

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