Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Baja

ba-ja

English: A small bird resembling a duck

Example (Swahili):

Wavulana walikamata baja karibu na mto.

Example (English):

The boys caught a small duck-like bird near the river.

Bajabu

ba-ja-bu

English: Father-in-law; baamkwe

Example (Swahili):

Bajabu alimkaribisha mkwe wake nyumbani.

Example (English):

The father-in-law welcomed his son-in-law home.

Bajaji

ba-ja-ji

English: A three-wheeled vehicle similar to a motorcycle

Example (Swahili):

Aliingia mjini kwa kutumia bajaji.

Example (English):

He went into town using a tuk-tuk.

Bajeti

ba-je-ti

English: An estimate of income and expenses; budget

Example (Swahili):

Serikali ilitangaza bajeti mpya ya mwaka.

Example (English):

The government announced the new annual budget.

Bajia

ba-ji-a

English: A type of snack made from flour and potatoes

Example (Swahili):

Alinunua bajia sokoni kwa ajili ya kifungua kinywa.

Example (English):

She bought fritters at the market for breakfast.

Bajili

ba-ji-li

English: Respectful; honorable

Example (Swahili):

Alijulikana kama mtu bajili kijijini.

Example (English):

He was known as an honorable man in the village.

Bajili

ba-ji-li

English: To respect; to praise

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walimbajili mwalimu wao.

Example (English):

The students respected their teacher.

Bajuni

ba-ju-ni

English: A Swahili community living along the northern coast of Kenya

Example (Swahili):

Bajuni wana historia ndefu ya uvuvi na biashara.

Example (English):

The Bajuni have a long history of fishing and trade.

Baka¹

ba-ka

English: To seize or assault physically

Example (Swahili):

Majambazi walimbaka msafiri usiku.

Example (English):

Bandits assaulted the traveler at night.

Baka²

ba-ka

English: To grab or catch forcibly; to snatch in the air

Example (Swahili):

Alibaka mpira kwa mikono yake.

Example (English):

He caught the ball with his hands.

Baka³

ba-ka

English: A mark on the body or cloth; a spot

Example (Swahili):

Shati lake lina baka jeupe.

Example (English):

His shirt has a white spot.

Baka⁴

ba-ka

English: A plant disease causing discoloration

Example (Swahili):

Mimea ya shambani ilishambuliwa na baka.

Example (English):

The crops in the field were attacked by disease.

Bakaa

ba-kaa

English: Remaining money; balance

Example (Swahili):

Alirudishiwa bakaa baada ya kulipa.

Example (English):

He was given change after paying.

Bakabaka

ba-ka-ba-ka

English: See bakaka (downpour of rain)

Example (Swahili):

Bakabaka kubwa iliharibu mashamba.

Example (English):

A strong downpour destroyed the farms.

Bakae

ba-kae

English: Remains of sesame; residue

Example (Swahili):

Waliweka bakae kama chakula cha mifugo.

Example (English):

They used sesame residue as animal feed.

Bakaka

ba-ka-ka

English: A heavy downpour of rain

Example (Swahili):

Tulikwama njiani kwa sababu ya bakaka.

Example (English):

We got stuck on the road due to the heavy rain.

Bakalhadi

ba-kal-ha-di

English: A type of gum used for treating illnesses

Example (Swahili):

Walitumia bakalhadi kutibu jeraha.

Example (English):

They used gum to treat the wound.

Bakali¹

ba-ka-li

English: A seller of vegetables; a grocer

Example (Swahili):

Alienda kwa bakali kununua mboga.

Example (English):

She went to the greengrocer to buy vegetables.

Bakali²

ba-ka-li

English: Plants used as vegetables

Example (Swahili):

Mashamba yao yamejaa bakali.

Example (English):

Their farms are full of vegetables.

Bakara¹

ba-ka-ra

English: A cow, especially a female one

Example (Swahili):

Walinunua bakara kwa ajili ya maziwa.

Example (English):

They bought a cow for milk.

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