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
Kimakunduchi

ki-ma-kun-du-chi

English: See Kihadimu (Swahili dialect of southeastern Zanzibar)

Example (Swahili):

Kimakunduchi huzungumzwa katika eneo la Kusini Unguja.

Example (English):

The Kimakunduchi dialect is spoken in southern Unguja.

Kimamba

ki-mam-ba

English: A type of insect resembling a fly with long black legs

Example (Swahili):

Kimamba alikaa ukutani.

Example (English):

The insect rested on the wall.

Kimambe

ki-mam-be

English: A disease causing breathing difficulty due to blocked airways; asthma

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto huyo aliumwa na kimambe.

Example (English):

The child was suffering from asthma.

Kimanda¹

ki-man-da

English: Fried egg mixed with tomatoes and onions; an omelette

Example (Swahili):

Alipika kimanda cha mayai na vitunguu.

Example (English):

She cooked an omelette with eggs and onions.

Kimanda²

ki-man-da

English: A stain or dirty spot on clothes

Example (Swahili):

Shati lake lilikuwa na kimanda cha mafuta.

Example (English):

His shirt had an oil stain.

Kimanda³

ki-man-da

English: A type of oath where people are given bread to eat, and it is believed that the guilty will fail to eat it

Example (Swahili):

Aliapishwa kwa kimanda³ mbele ya wazee.

Example (English):

He was sworn by the kimanda oath before the elders.

Kimanda⁴

ki-man-da

English: A type of large fish with white spots and a brownish body

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walivua samaki aina ya kimanda⁴.

Example (English):

The fishermen caught a large spotted fish.

Kimando

ki-man-do

English: See mando²

Example (Swahili):

Alivaa vazi la kimando kulingana na mila zao.

Example (English):

He wore a mando garment according to their tradition.

Kimanga

ki-man-ga

English: A type of millet with large ears shaped like a tail

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima walipanda kimanga shambani.

Example (English):

The farmers planted millet (kimanga) in the field.

Kimangare

ki-man-ga-re

English: A piece of wood with a swollen end used as a weapon; a club

Example (Swahili):

Alijitetea kwa kutumia kimangare.

Example (English):

He defended himself using a club.

Kimangari

ki-man-ga-ri

English: A plant species with flowers resembling roses

Example (Swahili):

Bustani ilikuwa imepambwa kwa maua ya kimangari.

Example (English):

The garden was decorated with rose-like flowers.

Kimanjari

ki-man-ja-ri

English: See kimangari

Example (Swahili):

Alinunua maua ya kimanjari sokoni.

Example (English):

She bought kimanjari flowers at the market.

Kimanzi

ki-man-zi

English: A beautiful woman; a beauty

Example (Swahili):

Yule msichana anajulikana kama kimanzi wa kijiji.

Example (English):

That girl is known as the village beauty.

Kimapunju

ki-ma-pun-ju

English: A type of large red monkey; punju

Example (Swahili):

Tuliona kimapunju msituni.

Example (English):

We saw a large red monkey in the forest.

Kimasomaso¹

ki-ma-so-ma-so

English: A jealous person; someone with envy

Example (Swahili):

Yeye ni kimasomaso anayechukia mafanikio ya wengine.

Example (English):

He is a jealous person who resents others' success.

Kimasomaso²

ki-ma-so-ma-so

English: Jealousy; envy

Example (Swahili):

Kimasomaso kilimfanya atengwe na marafiki.

Example (English):

His envy made him isolated from friends.

Kimasomaso³

ki-ma-so-ma-so

English: Embarrassment or shame one tries to avoid

Example (Swahili):

Alijifanya hajui ili kuepuka kimasomaso.

Example (English):

He pretended not to know to avoid embarrassment.

Kimatang'ata

Ki-ma-tang-a-ta

English: A Swahili dialect spoken near Tanga

Example (Swahili):

Kimatang'ata huzungumzwa na watu wa Tanga.

Example (English):

Kimatang'ata is spoken by people in Tanga.

Kimatra

ki-ma-tra

English: A disease of ostriches that causes their feathers to turn black

Example (Swahili):

Wafugaji walipoteza mbuni kwa ugonjwa wa kimatra.

Example (English):

Farmers lost ostriches due to the kimatra disease.

Kimatu¹

ki-ma-tu

English: A locust without wings; also called tunutu

Example (Swahili):

Mashamba yalishambuliwa na kimatu¹.

Example (English):

The fields were attacked by wingless locusts.

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.