Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Babataa¹

ba-ba-taa

English: The act of a living thing not growing properly

Example (Swahili):

Mimea ilionyesha dalili za babataa kutokana na ukame.

Example (English):

The plants showed signs of stunted growth due to drought.

Babataa²

ba-ba-taa

English: The act of something losing its original shape

Example (Swahili):

Ndoo ya plastiki imepata babataa kwa sababu ya joto.

Example (English):

The plastic bucket has deformed because of the heat.

Babatana

ba-ba-ta-na

English: To stick together after being pressed

Example (Swahili):

Karatasi zilipobabatana hazikuweza kutenganishwa kirahisi.

Example (English):

The papers stuck together and couldn't be easily separated.

Babatiza¹

ba-ba-ti-za

English: To speak with difficulty; to stammer

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto alibabatiza mbele ya hadhira.

Example (English):

The child stammered before the audience.

Babatiza²

ba-ba-ti-za

English: To hit someone or something twice suddenly

Example (Swahili):

Aliibabatiza meza kwa hasira.

Example (English):

He banged the table twice in anger.

Babatu.a

ba-ba-tu-a

English: To separate things that are stuck together

Example (Swahili):

Walibabatu.a nguo zilizoshikana.

Example (English):

They separated the clothes that had stuck together.

Babe

ba-be

English: A huge strong person; a man of big stature

Example (Swahili):

Babe alisaidia kusogeza gari lililoharibika.

Example (English):

The big man helped move the broken-down car.

Babeli

ba-be-li

English: Tower built by men to reach God (Tower of Babel)

Example (Swahili):

Watu walijenga mnara wa Babeli wakitaka kumfikia Mungu.

Example (English):

People built the Tower of Babel seeking to reach God.

Babewana

ba-be-wa-na

English: A bird with large ears; an owl

Example (Swahili):

Babewana alisikika akilia usiku.

Example (English):

The owl was heard hooting at night.

Babewatoto

ba-be-wa-to-to

English: See babewana (owl)

Example (Swahili):

Babewatoto alionekana akiruka juu ya paa.

Example (English):

The owl was seen flying over the roof.

Babilia

ba-bi-li-a

English: To do something clumsily; to fumble

Example (Swahili):

Alibabilia na simu hadi ikaanguka.

Example (English):

He fumbled with the phone until it fell.

Babindo

ba-bin-do

English: A lazy and envious person

Example (Swahili):

Babindo hutamani mafanikio ya wengine bila kufanya kazi.

Example (English):

A lazy envious person envies others' success without working.

Babio

ba-bio

English: Short form for "your father"

Example (Swahili):

Usiogope, babio atakusaidia.

Example (English):

Don't worry, your father will help you.

Babkubwa

bab-ku-bwa

English: See babukubwa (excellent, superior)

Example (Swahili):

Hii kazi ni ya babkubwa.

Example (English):

This work is excellent.

Babu mduma

ba-bu mdu-ma

English: A frightening old man; one who scares children

Example (Swahili):

Wazazi walitumia hadithi za babu mduma kuwatisha watoto.

Example (English):

Parents used the tale of the frightening old man to scare children.

Babu-jinga

ba-bu-jin-ga

English: A person pretending to be foolish

Example (Swahili):

Yule ni babu-jinga, anaelewa lakini anajifanya.

Example (English):

That man pretends to be foolish, though he understands.

Babu¹

ba-bu

English: Male parent of one's father or mother; grandfather

Example (Swahili):

Babu yangu anapenda kusimulia hadithi.

Example (English):

My grandfather loves to tell stories.

Babu²

ba-bu

English: A term women use to address each other

Example (Swahili):

Wanawake waliitana babu wakati wa sherehe.

Example (English):

The women called each other "babu" during the celebration.

Babu³

ba-bu

English: A chapter; a section of a book

Example (Swahili):

Nilimaliza kusoma babu ya pili ya kitabu hiki.

Example (English):

I finished reading the second chapter of this book.

Babu⁴

ba-bu

English: A wide cloth; a measure of cloth

Example (Swahili):

Alinunua babu mbili sokoni.

Example (English):

She bought two measures of cloth at the market.

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