Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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Barabara³

ba-ra-ba-ra

English: An exclamation of acceptance; "alright!"

Example (Swahili):

"Tutakutana kesho." "Barabara!"

Example (English):

"We'll meet tomorrow." "Alright!"

Barabara⁴

ba-ra-ba-ra

English: A type of bird of the hawk family

Example (Swahili):

Mwindaji aliona barabara angani.

Example (English):

The hunter saw a hawk in the sky.

Barabara⁵

ba-ra-ba-ra

English: See choroa (a type of bird)

Example (Swahili):

Barabara huyu anafanana na choroa.

Example (English):

This hawk resembles the choroa bird.

Baradhuli¹

ba-ra-dhu-li

English: A person lacking intelligence; a fool

Example (Swahili):

Alionekana kama baradhuli kwa matendo yake.

Example (English):

He appeared foolish by his actions.

Baradhuli²

ba-ra-dhu-li

English: A man who is penetrated by another man

Example (Swahili):

Walimkejeli kama baradhuli.

Example (English):

They mocked him as one who is dominated by others.

Baradi

ba-ra-di

English: Hail; small stones of ice that fall during rain

Example (Swahili):

Baradi ilinyesha jana usiku.

Example (English):

Hail fell last night.

Barafu

ba-ra-fu

English: Frozen water; ice

Example (Swahili):

Walihifadhi nyama kwenye barafu.

Example (English):

They preserved the meat in ice.

Barafuto

ba-ra-fu-to

English: A glacier; a large moving mass of ice

Example (Swahili):

Mlima Kilimanjaro una barafuto juu.

Example (English):

Mount Kilimanjaro has a glacier on top.

Baraghashia

ba-rag-ha-shi-a

English: A traditional Swahili embroidered hat

Example (Swahili):

Alivaa baraghashia kichwani.

Example (English):

He wore a Swahili embroidered hat.

Baragumu

ba-ra-gu-mu

English: A horn blown to make sound; a trumpet

Example (Swahili):

Waliita watu kwa kupiga baragumu.

Example (English):

They called people by blowing the horn.

Baraguza

ba-ra-gu-za

English: To ignore; to pretend not to hear

Example (Swahili):

Ali baraguza maneno ya jirani.

Example (English):

He ignored the neighbor's words.

Baraji

ba-ra-ji

English: A rope used to hoist a sail on a ship

Example (Swahili):

Walitumia baraji kuvuta tanga.

Example (English):

They used the rope to hoist the sail.

Baraka

ba-ra-ka

English: Blessing, grace, prosperity

Example (Swahili):

Alipokea baraka kutoka kwa wazazi wake.

Example (English):

He received blessings from his parents.

Barakala

ba-ra-ka-la

English: A person who flatters or recommends themselves to others; a sycophant

Example (Swahili):

Yule ni barakala anayejipendekeza kwa wakubwa.

Example (English):

That man is a sycophant who flatters the powerful.

Barakinya

ba-ra-ki-nya

English: A sailing vessel with two masts, often made of plastic

Example (Swahili):

Waliona barakinya ikielea baharini.

Example (English):

They saw a two-masted sailing vessel floating in the sea.

Barakoa¹

ba-ra-ko-a

English: 1. A cloth worn with a buibui to cover the face. 2. A light face covering for health protection

Example (Swahili):

Wanafunzi walivaa barakoa shuleni.

Example (English):

The students wore masks at school.

Barakoa²

ba-ra-ko-a

English: A wasp with a thin yellow thread-like waist

Example (Swahili):

Barakoa alijenga kiota juu ya mti.

Example (English):

The wasp built its nest on the tree.

Barakoa³

ba-ra-ko-a

English: A sound pattern that prevents certain sounds in a syllable

Example (Swahili):

Lugha hii hutumia barakoa ya pekee.

Example (English):

This language uses a unique phonetic pattern.

Baramaki

ba-ra-ma-ki

English: 1. A pretender who claims to know. 2. A cunning trickster

Example (Swahili):

Walimchukulia kama baramaki.

Example (English):

They regarded him as a trickster.

Barangeni

ba-ran-ge-ni

English: A type of dhow with two colors or stripes

Example (Swahili):

Walitengeneza barangeni kwa safari ya biashara.

Example (English):

They built a two-striped dhow for trade voyages.

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