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
Kiwanda³

ki-wan-da

English: Two small sticks used for setting up a loom in weaving

Example (Swahili):

Fundi alitumia viwanda kuanzisha mfumaji.

Example (English):

The craftsman used the sticks to set up the loom.

Kiwango¹

ki-wan-go

English: Amount, quantity; rate; average

Example (Swahili):

Kiungo cha sukari kilipita kiwango kinachokubalika.

Example (English):

The sugar level exceeded the acceptable amount.

Kiwango²

ki-wan-go

English: Rank, level, status

Example (Swahili):

Alipandishwa hadi kiwango cha juu.

Example (English):

He was promoted to a higher rank.

Kiwango³

ki-wan-go

English: (Islam) The minimum wealth above which zakat must be paid

Example (Swahili):

Alitoa zakat baada ya kufikia kiwango.

Example (English):

He gave zakat after reaching the required threshold.

Kiwanja¹

ki-wan-ja

English: A plot of land for building

Example (Swahili):

Alinunua kiwanja mjini.

Example (English):

He bought a plot of land in town.

Kiwanja²

ki-wan-ja

English: An open area for activities; sports field

Example (Swahili):

Walicheza kandanda uwanjani.

Example (English):

They played football on the field.

Kiwara

ki-wa-ra

English: A large barren area of land

Example (Swahili):

Walipita jangwani lililojaa kiwara.

Example (English):

They passed through a barren plain.

Kiwashio

ki-wa-shio

English: A lighter; a switch

Example (Swahili):

Aliwasha taa kwa kutumia kiwashio.

Example (English):

He turned on the light using a switch.

Kiwasho

ki-wa-sho

English: A person unable to control sexual urges

Example (Swahili):

Alijulikana kama kiwasho kijijini.

Example (English):

He was known as a lustful man in the village.

Kiwavi¹

ki-wa-vi

English: A caterpillar or larva with stinging hairs

Example (Swahili):

Kiwavi aliharibu mimea shambani.

Example (English):

The caterpillar damaged the crops on the farm.

Kiwavi²

ki-wa-vi

English: A nettle plant with stinging leaves

Example (Swahili):

Aligusa kiwavi na kuungua ngozi.

Example (English):

He touched a nettle and his skin burned.

Kiwavi³

ki-wa-vi

English: A type of crab with a purple shell

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walikamata kiwavi baharini.

Example (English):

The fishermen caught a crab in the sea.

Kiwavijeshii

ki-wa-vi-je-shii

English: Armyworm; a caterpillar that destroys crops in large numbers

Example (Swahili):

Mashamba yaliharibiwa na kiwavijeshii.

Example (English):

The farms were destroyed by armyworms.

Kiwe¹

ki-we

English: A pimple on the face

Example (Swahili):

Alikuwa na kiwe usoni.

Example (English):

He had a pimple on his face.

Kiwe²

ki-we

English: A grinding stone

Example (Swahili):

Waliweka nafaka juu ya kiwe kusaga.

Example (English):

They placed the grains on the grinding stone to mill.

Kiwe³

ki-we

English: Night blindness

Example (Swahili):

Alipata kiwe na kushindwa kuona usiku.

Example (English):

He suffered from night blindness and couldn't see at night.

Kiweko

ki-we-ko

English: A storage place

Example (Swahili):

Chakula kiliwekwa kwenye kiweko.

Example (English):

The food was stored in a storage place.

Kiwele

ki-we-le

English: An animal's udder

Example (Swahili):

Ng'ombe huyu ana kiwele kikubwa.

Example (English):

This cow has a big udder.

Kiweo

ki-we-o

English: The thigh; the part between loin and knee

Example (Swahili):

Alijeruhiwa kiweo wakati wa mchezo.

Example (English):

He injured his thigh during sports.

Kiwera

ki-we-ra

English: In large numbers or quantities

Example (Swahili):

Ndege walifika kiwera shambani.

Example (English):

Birds arrived in large numbers on the farm.

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.