Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

ja

English: Arrive, come, attend

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walija shuleni mapema

Example (English):

The students arrived at school early

ja

English: Example, like, as

Example (Swahili):

Anaongea ja mwalimu wake

Example (English):

He speaks like his teacher

jaa

English: Spread, scatter, be full

Example (Swahili):

Bustani imejaa maua mazuri

Example (English):

The garden is full of beautiful flowers

jaa

English: Place for dumping trash; rubbish pit

Example (Swahili):

Takataka zote zilitupwa jaa

Example (English):

All the rubbish was thrown into the dump

jaa

English: Become big-bodied; fatten

Example (Swahili):

Baada ya kula vizuri, mtoto alijaa mwili

Example (English):

After eating well, the child became big-bodied

jaa-bu

English: Wild pig

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima walimwona jaabu shambani

Example (English):

The farmers saw a wild pig in the field

jaa-la

English: Fate, what comes from God's will

Example (Swahili):

Kila kitu kina jaala yake

Example (English):

Everything has its destiny

jaa-lia

English: See jalia¹ (divine enabling)

Example (Swahili):

Mungu akijaalia, nitafanikiwa

Example (English):

If God enables it, I will succeed

jaa-za

English: Belief in forces that govern events freely

Example (Swahili):

Wazee waliongea kuhusu jaaza za maisha

Example (English):

The elders spoke about the unseen forces of life

ja-ba-li

English: Rock, large stone

Example (Swahili):

Baharini kuna jabali kubwa

Example (English):

There is a large rock in the sea

ja-ba-li

English: Stitch on a kanzu; decorative embroidery

Example (Swahili):

Kanzu yake ina jabali nzuri

Example (English):

His kanzu has beautiful embroidery

ja-ba-li

English: Powerful person; strong one

Example (Swahili):

Yeye ni jabali la siasa

Example (English):

He is a giant in politics

ja-ba-ra

English: Anatomy; science of joining bones

Example (Swahili):

Daktari alisoma jabara katika chuo kikuu

Example (English):

The doctor studied anatomy at university

ja-ba-ri

English: Fearless person; brave, arrogant

Example (Swahili):

Askari yule ni jabari shujana

Example (English):

That soldier is a brave hero

ja-ba-ri

English: God Almighty; supreme leader

Example (Swahili):

Waislamu huamini Jabari ndiye mwenye uwezo wote

Example (English):

Muslims believe God Almighty has all the power

ja-ba-ru-ti

English: See Jabari² (God Almighty)

Example (Swahili):

Wazee walimtaja Jabaruti katika sala zao

Example (English):

The elders mentioned the Almighty in their prayers

ja-ba-vu

English: God

Example (Swahili):

Watu walimshukuru Jabavu kwa neema zao

Example (English):

People thanked God for their blessings

ja-bia

English: Pit for collecting rainwater

Example (Swahili):

Vijana walichota maji kwenye jabia

Example (English):

The youths fetched water from the rain pit

ja-bi-ri

English: Kikoi type (used in the phrase "kikoi cha jabiri")

Example (Swahili):

Alivaa kikoi cha jabiri kwenye harusi

Example (English):

He wore a jabiri kikoi at the wedding

ja-bu-si

English: See jasi² (soft stone for cement)

Example (Swahili):

Mafundi walitumia jabusi kutengeneza saruji

Example (English):

The builders used jabusi to make cement

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.