Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

Browse by Letter
All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Bambanua

bam-ba-nu-a

English: To interpret; to explain

Example (Swahili):

Mwalimu alibambanua ndoto ya mwanafunzi.

Example (English):

The teacher interpreted the student's dream.

Bambanya¹

bam-ba-nya

English: To bungle; to do something poorly

Example (Swahili):

Alibambanya kazi kwa uzembe.

Example (English):

He bungled the work out of laziness.

Bambanya²

bam-ba-nya

English: To take little by little

Example (Swahili):

Alibambanya chakula mezani.

Example (English):

He picked food little by little from the table.

Bambatua

bam-ba-tu-a

English: To separate things; to take apart

Example (Swahili):

Walibambatua mashine ili kuikarabati.

Example (English):

They dismantled the machine to repair it.

Bambika¹

bam-bi-ka

English: To soak something in water to soften it

Example (Swahili):

Alibambika maganda ndani ya maji.

Example (English):

He soaked the husks in water.

Bambika²

bam-bi-ka

English: To overload someone; to feed excessively

Example (Swahili):

Walimbambika mtoto mizigo mingi.

Example (English):

They overloaded the child with many burdens.

Bambikiza

bam-bi-ki-za

English: To falsely accuse or implicate someone

Example (Swahili):

Aliyebambikizwa kesi aliomba msaada wa wakili.

Example (English):

The person falsely accused asked for a lawyer's help.

Bambiko

bam-bi-ko

English: Thick porridge; gruel

Example (Swahili):

Walikula bambiko cha moto asubuhi.

Example (English):

They ate hot porridge in the morning.

Bambo¹

bam-bo

English: A type of reed used to make mats

Example (Swahili):

Walitengeneza mikeka kwa kutumia bambo.

Example (English):

They made mats using reeds.

Bambo²

bam-bo

English: A walking stick; a tool for scooping grain

Example (Swahili):

Alitembea na bambo mikononi mwake.

Example (English):

He walked with a stick in his hands.

Bambu¹

bam-bu

English: See bambo² (walking stick, scooper)

Example (Swahili):

Mzee alitumia bambu kutembea.

Example (English):

The elder used a stick to walk.

Bambu²

bam-bu

English: The upper step of something; the top level

Example (Swahili):

Alipanda hadi bambu ya nyumba.

Example (English):

He climbed to the top step of the house.

Bambua¹

bam-bu-a

English: To peel; to remove an outer layer

Example (Swahili):

Alibambua ndizi kabla ya kula.

Example (English):

He peeled the banana before eating.

Bambua²

bam-bu-a

English: A type of fish with a mouth shaped like a flute

Example (Swahili):

Wavuvi walivua bambua baharini.

Example (English):

The fishermen caught a flute-mouthed fish in the sea.

Bambuti

bam-bu-ti

English: A fish with spines like a porcupine

Example (Swahili):

Samaki bambuti alimjeruhi kwa miiba yake.

Example (English):

The bambuti fish injured him with its spines.

Bamia

ba-mi-a

English: Okra; a long edible pod eaten as a vegetable

Example (Swahili):

Mama alipika bamia kwa wali.

Example (English):

Mother cooked okra with rice.

Bamiza

ba-mi-za

English: To strike something against a place; to hit forcefully

Example (Swahili):

Alibamiza mlango kwa hasira.

Example (English):

He banged the door in anger.

Bamkwe

bam-kwe

English: See babamkwe (father-in-law)

Example (Swahili):

Alikwenda kumtembelea bamkwe wake kijijini.

Example (English):

He went to visit his father-in-law in the village.

Bampa

bam-pa

English: A plastic part below the front of a car; a bumper

Example (Swahili):

Gari liliharibiwa bampa wakati wa ajali.

Example (English):

The car's bumper was damaged during the accident.

Bampari

bam-pa-ri

English: See bampa (bumper)

Example (Swahili):

Fundi alibadilisha bampari iliyovunjika.

Example (English):

The mechanic replaced the broken bumper.

Quick Learning Tips
Practice Pronunciation

Pay attention to the pronunciation guides to improve your speaking skills.

Use Example Sentences

Study the example sentences to understand how words are used in context.