Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Babaisha¹

ba-bai-sha

English: To make someone anxious

Example (Swahili):

Habari za ghafla zilimbabaisha.

Example (English):

The sudden news made him anxious.

Babaisha²

ba-bai-sha

English: To do something carelessly

Example (Swahili):

Aliandika ripoti kwa babaisha.

Example (English):

He wrote the report carelessly.

Babaisha³

ba-bai-sha

English: The act of twisting or changing words

Example (Swahili):

Maneno yake yalikuwa ya babaisha.

Example (English):

His words were evasive.

Babaishana

ba-bai-sha-na

English: To deceive each other; to confuse one another

Example (Swahili):

Wafanyabiashara walibabaishana kuhusu bei.

Example (English):

The traders deceived each other about the price.

Babaishwa

ba-bai-shwa

English: To be made anxious; to fail to do something well

Example (Swahili):

Alibabaishwa na mtihani mgumu.

Example (English):

He was confused by the difficult exam.

Babaje

ba-ba-je

English: A type of mollusk (koa)

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walipata babaje baharini.

Example (English):

The fishermen found babaje in the sea.

Babaka

ba-ba-ka

English: To oppose, resist, defy

Example (Swahili):

Aliamua kubabaka amri ya bosi wake.

Example (English):

He decided to resist his boss's order.

Babakabwela

ba-ba-kab-we-la

English: A group of workers (in Karl Marx's view)

Example (Swahili):

Karl Marx alielezea babakabwela kama nguvu ya kazi ya jamii.

Example (English):

Karl Marx described the proletariat as the working class force of society.

Babakoto

ba-ba-ko-to

English: A type of black lemur

Example (Swahili):

Watafiti waliona babakoto msituni.

Example (English):

Researchers saw a black lemur in the forest.

Babakrismasi

ba-ba-kris-ma-si

English: A person dressed in red and white robes during Christmas (Santa Claus)

Example (Swahili):

Watoto walifurahi kumuona Babakrismasi sokoni.

Example (English):

The children were happy to see Santa Claus in the market.

Babalk.a¹

ba-bal-ka

English: To be worried; to be overcome with fear

Example (Swahili):

Mama alibabalk.a baada ya mtoto wake kuugua.

Example (English):

The mother was worried after her child fell ill.

Babalk.a²

ba-bal-ka

English: To speak unclearly

Example (Swahili):

Alibabalk.a kwa sababu ya hofu.

Example (English):

He spoke unclearly because of fear.

Babalko

ba-bal-ko

English: State of being fearful or worried

Example (Swahili):

Kulikuwa na babalko wakati wa tetemeko la ardhi.

Example (English):

There was fear during the earthquake.

Babamdogo

ba-ba-mdo-go

English: See baba mdogo (younger paternal uncle)

Example (Swahili):

Babamdogo alileta zawadi kutoka kijijini.

Example (English):

Uncle brought gifts from the village.

Babamkubwa

ba-ba-mku-bwa

English: Elder brother of one's father

Example (Swahili):

Babamkubwa ndiye kiongozi wa ukoo.

Example (English):

The elder uncle is the leader of the clan.

Babamkwe

ba-ba-mkwe

English: Father-in-law; male parent of spouse

Example (Swahili):

Aliheshimu babamkwe wake sana.

Example (English):

He greatly respected his father-in-law.

Babanduka

ba-ban-du-ka

English: To come apart from things stuck together

Example (Swahili):

Karatasi zilibabanduka kutokana na unyevu.

Example (English):

The papers came apart because of the moisture.

Babasa

ba-ba-sa

English: To be confused; to be mixed up

Example (Swahili):

Alibabasa alipoulizwa swali gumu.

Example (English):

He got confused when asked a tough question.

Babata¹

ba-ba-ta

English: To knock lightly; to tap repeatedly

Example (Swahili):

Alimbabata bega kumwamsha.

Example (English):

He tapped his shoulder to wake him up.

Babata²

ba-ba-ta

English: To grope or feel in the dark

Example (Swahili):

Alibabata ukuta akitafuta swichi.

Example (English):

He groped the wall searching for the switch.

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