Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Bahau

ba-hau

English: A fool; a person without sense

Example (Swahili):

Alionekana kama bahau mbele ya umati.

Example (English):

He looked like a fool in front of the crowd.

Bahiji

ba-hi-ji

English: Cheerful; joyful

Example (Swahili):

Siku ya harusi ilikuwa bahiji sana.

Example (English):

The wedding day was very joyful.

Bahili¹

ba-hi-li

English: A stingy person

Example (Swahili):

Jirani yetu ni bahili mkubwa.

Example (English):

Our neighbor is very stingy.

Bahili²

ba-hi-li

English: Stingy; not willing to spend

Example (Swahili):

Tabia yake bahili humfanya apoteze marafiki.

Example (English):

His stingy behavior makes him lose friends.

Bahimi

ba-hi-mi

English: Brutal; having animal-like behavior

Example (Swahili):

Alionekana kuwa bahimi alipowapiga watu hovyo.

Example (English):

He appeared brutal when he beat people recklessly.

Bahimu¹

ba-hi-mu

English: Black

Example (Swahili):

Alivaa shati la bahimu.

Example (English):

He wore a black shirt.

Bahimu²

ba-hi-mu

English: See bahaimu¹ (a foolish person)

Example (Swahili):

Wenzake walimwita bahimu kwa sababu ya uvivu wake.

Example (English):

His friends called him foolish because of his laziness.

Bahimu³

ba-hi-mu

English: To wean; to stop breastfeeding

Example (Swahili):

Mama alimwbahimu mtoto baada ya miaka miwili.

Example (English):

The mother weaned the child after two years.

Bahiri

ba-hi-ri

English: Clear; transparent; open

Example (Swahili):

Bahari ilikuwa bahiri siku hiyo.

Example (English):

The sea was clear that day.

Bahiri

ba-hi-ri

English: To emit smoke (for fumigation)

Example (Swahili):

Walibahiri nyumba kwa uvumba.

Example (English):

They fumigated the house with incense smoke.

Bahiya¹

ba-hi-ya

English: See baha² (beauty, attractiveness)

Example (Swahili):

Ua hili lina bahiya wa kipekee.

Example (English):

This flower has unique beauty.

Bahiya²

ba-hi-ya

English: An act of praying alone

Example (Swahili):

Alifanya bahiya usiku wa manane.

Example (English):

He made a personal prayer at midnight.

Bai.a¹

ba-i-a

English: To swear loyalty to someone

Example (Swahili):

Aliamua kumbai.a kiongozi mpya.

Example (English):

He decided to swear loyalty to the new leader.

Bai.a²

ba-i-a

English: To make a contract with someone; to claim a debt

Example (Swahili):

Walimbai.a mkulima kulipa deni.

Example (English):

They contracted the farmer to pay the debt.

Bai¹

bai

English: The act of recognizing someone as a leader

Example (Swahili):

Walitoa bai kwa kiongozi wao.

Example (English):

They pledged allegiance to their leader.

Bai²

bai

English: See buibui¹ (spider)

Example (Swahili):

Bai alijenga wavuti yake ukutani.

Example (English):

The spider built its web on the wall.

Baia

ba-i-a

English: An oath of loyalty given to a leader

Example (Swahili):

Walimpa baia kiongozi mpya wa jamii.

Example (English):

They gave an oath of loyalty to the new community leader.

Baibui

bai-bui

English: A long black dress worn by Muslim women

Example (Swahili):

Mwanamke alivaa baibui alipokwenda sokoni.

Example (English):

The woman wore a long black dress when she went to the market.

Baidha¹

bai-dha

English: White

Example (Swahili):

Nyumba yao ina kuta baidha.

Example (English):

Their house has white walls.

Baidha²

bai-dha

English: The white part of the eye

Example (Swahili):

Daktari alikagua baidha ya jicho lake.

Example (English):

The doctor examined the white of his eye.

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