Kamusi ya Kiswahili
Learn Swahili with our comprehensive dictionary featuring pronunciation guides and example sentences
/kaukíwa/
English: (Kenya) Be without money; be helpless.
Alikaukiwa na pesa njiani.
He was left without money on the way.
/kaúli halísi/
English: Words exactly as spoken; direct speech.
Riwaya hiyo imetumia kauli halisi ya mhusika.
That novel used the character's direct speech.
/kaúli taarífa/
English: Reported speech; words as retold.
Habari zililetwa kwa kauli taarifa.
The news was reported in indirect speech.
/kaúli tauría/
English: Figurative or embellished speech.
Mashairi yalijaa kauli tauria.
The poems were full of figurative expressions.
/kaúli/
English: Word, statement; promise; idea; opinion; stance.
Alitoa kauli ya amani mbele ya watu.
He gave a statement of peace before the people.
/kaúli/
English: Power to make decisions or give instructions.
Mwalimu ana kauli ya mwisho darasani.
The teacher has the final authority in class.
/kaulimbíu/
English: Slogan; motivating phrase.
Kaulimbiu ya shule ni "Elimu ni Nguvu."
The school's slogan is "Education is Power."
/kaúmu/
English: Large group of people; religious or ideological community.
Kaumu kubwa ilikusanyika msikitini.
A large congregation gathered at the mosque.
/kaúmu/
English: People of the same origin, tribe, or nation.
Kaumu ya Waswahili huishi pwani.
The Swahili nation lives along the coast.
/kaúmwa/
English: Fruit or root (esp. of mkaumwa/mkoko tree) used for medicine.
Mganga alitumia kaumwa kutengeneza dawa.
The healer used kaumwa to prepare medicine.
/kaúnda/
English: Style of clothing with matching shirt and trousers.
Alivaa suti ya kaunda kwenye sherehe.
He wore a Kaunda suit at the ceremony.
/kaúnta/
English: Counter; raised service desk.
Alihudumiwa kwenye kaunta ya benki.
He was served at the bank counter.
/kaúnti/
English: County; administrative division.
Kaunti ya Nairobi ina watu wengi.
Nairobi County has many people.
/kaúri/
English: Type of soft clay used for pottery; also pottery made from it.
Walitengeneza vyungu kwa kauri.
They made pots from clay.
/kaúri/
English: Small sea creature shaped like a snail.
Alipata kauri pwani alipokuwa akitembea.
He found a small shellfish on the shore.
/kaúri/
English: Shell of that sea creature; cowrie shell.
Walipamba shanga kwa kauri.
They decorated necklaces with cowrie shells.
/kaúsa/
English: See kausha³.
Ana tabia ya kausa.
He has a bad luck-causing character.
/kaúsha/
English: To dry something; remove moisture.
Alikausha nguo juani.
She dried the clothes in the sun.
/kaúsha/
English: Cook fish/meat until dry.
Walikausha samaki jikoni.
They dried the fish in the kitchen.
/kaúsha/
English: Ill-tempered person causing bad luck.
Walisema yeye ni mtu wa kausha.
They said he is a bad-luck person.
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