Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Bakora⁴

ba-ko-ra

English: A type of star-shaped fried bread

Example (Swahili):

Walikula bakora pamoja na chai.

Example (English):

They ate star-shaped fritters with tea.

Bakshishi

bak-shi-shi

English: See bahashishi (a tip; a token of appreciation)

Example (Swahili):

Alimpa mhudumu bakshishi.

Example (English):

He gave the waiter a tip.

Bakteria

bak-te-ri-a

English: Microbes that cause disease; bacteria

Example (Swahili):

Homa hii imesababishwa na bakteria.

Example (English):

This fever was caused by bacteria.

Baku

ba-ku

English: See baka³ (a mark or spot)

Example (Swahili):

Suruali yake ina baku kubwa.

Example (English):

His trousers have a big stain.

Bakua

ba-ku-a

English: To snatch suddenly

Example (Swahili):

Mwizi alimbakua pochi sokoni.

Example (English):

The thief snatched her purse at the market.

Bakuli

ba-ku-li

English: A bowl; a vessel for liquids

Example (Swahili):

Walimpa supu kwenye bakuli.

Example (English):

They gave him soup in a bowl.

Bakulu

ba-ku-lu

English: An elder uncle (older than one's parent)

Example (Swahili):

Bakulu ndiye mshauri wa ukoo.

Example (English):

The elder uncle is the advisor of the clan.

Bakunja¹

ba-kun-ja

English: A foolish or stupid person

Example (Swahili):

Walimwita bakunja kwa ujeuri wake.

Example (English):

They called him foolish for his arrogance.

Bakunja²

ba-kun-ja

English: A thief who steals everything

Example (Swahili):

Bakunja aliiba mali yote nyumbani.

Example (English):

The thief stole everything from the house.

Balaa

ba-laa

English: A calamity; great disaster

Example (Swahili):

Mafuriko yalisababisha balaa kubwa kijijini.

Example (English):

The floods caused a great disaster in the village.

Balabanda

ba-la-ban-da

English: A type of large antelope (tandala)

Example (Swahili):

Wawindaji walimwona balabanda msituni.

Example (English):

The hunters saw a large antelope in the forest.

Baladi¹

ba-la-di

English: A town; singular of biladi

Example (Swahili):

Baladi hili lina wakazi wengi.

Example (English):

This town has many inhabitants.

Baladi²

ba-la-di

English: A person eloquent in speech

Example (Swahili):

Alijulikana kama baladi mwenye ufasaha.

Example (English):

He was known as an eloquent speaker.

Baladi³

ba-la-di

English: A popular song

Example (Swahili):

Vijana walicheza kwa sauti ya baladi.

Example (English):

The youth danced to a popular song.

Balagha¹

ba-la-gha

English: Eloquence; mastery of language

Example (Swahili):

Hotuba yake ilikuwa na balagha ya kipekee.

Example (English):

His speech had unique eloquence.

Balagha²

ba-la-gha

English: An eloquent person

Example (Swahili):

Yule msomi ni balagha mkubwa.

Example (English):

That scholar is a great orator.

Balagha³

ba-la-gha

English: The act of delivering a message

Example (Swahili):

Balagha yake iliwagusa sana wasikilizaji.

Example (English):

His delivery of the message deeply touched the audience.

Balaghamu

ba-la-gha-mu

English: Thick mucus; phlegm

Example (Swahili):

Mgonjwa alikuwa akitoa balaghamu.

Example (English):

The patient was coughing up phlegm.

Balahau

ba-la-hau

English: See hau² (a type of grain)

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima walipanda balahau shambani.

Example (English):

Farmers planted balahau in the field.

Balaji¹

ba-la-ji

English: The state of brightness; dawn

Example (Swahili):

Asubuhi ya balaji ilianza na ndege kuimba.

Example (English):

The dawn began with birds singing.

Quick Learning Tips
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