Kamusi ya Kiswahili

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

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pelele

/peˈlele/

English: A small rabbit-like animal

Example (Swahili):

Tulimwona pelele akirukaruka porini.

Example (English):

We saw a small rabbit-like creature hopping in the bush.

pelelea

/peleˈlea/

English: To clean coconut trees

Example (Swahili):

Wakulima walikepelelea mitende yao.

Example (English):

The farmers cleaned their coconut trees.

peleleza

/peleˈleza/

English: To investigate, spy, or inquire secretly

Example (Swahili):

Polisi wanapeleleza tukio la wizi.

Example (English):

The police are investigating the robbery incident.

pelezi

/peˈlezi/

English: A notch or indentation in a blade

Example (Swahili):

Kisu chake kina pelezi upande mmoja.

Example (English):

His knife has a notch on one side.

pema

/ˈpema/

English: To visit or frequent a place; proverbially: "familiarity breeds contempt"

Example (Swahili):

Mtu hupema apendapo.

Example (English):

A person often visits where they love.

Pemba¹

/ˈpemba/

English: An island in Zanzibar

Example (Swahili):

Pemba ni mojawapo ya visiwa vya Zanzibar.

Example (English):

Pemba is one of the islands of Zanzibar.

pemba²

/ˈpemba/

English: To persuade, ask wisely, or act indirectly

Example (Swahili):

Alimpemba rafiki yake kwa maneno laini.

Example (English):

He persuaded his friend with gentle words.

pemba³

/ˈpemba/

English: To aim or target

Example (Swahili):

Mshale ulipemba kwenye shabaha.

Example (English):

The arrow aimed straight at the target.

pemba⁴

/ˈpemba/

English: To look at something from far away

Example (Swahili):

Alipemba mlima uliokuwa mbali.

Example (English):

He gazed at the distant mountain.

pembe¹

/ˈpembe/

English: Corner or angle

Example (Swahili):

Alisimama kwenye pembe ya nyumba.

Example (English):

He stood at the corner of the house.

pembe²

/ˈpembe/

English: "Pembe za chaki" – euphemism for private parts

Example (Swahili):

Walizungumza kwa heshima bila kutaja pembe za chaki.

Example (English):

They spoke respectfully without referring to private parts.

pembe³

/ˈpembe/

English: Horn or trumpet

Example (Swahili):

Ng'ombe alionyesha pembe zake ndefu.

Example (English):

The cow displayed its long horns.

pembe⁴

/ˈpembe/

English: See upembe¹ (horn shape)

Example (Swahili):

Nyumba hiyo ina paa la upembe.

Example (English):

That house has a horn-shaped roof.

pembe⁵

/ˈpembe/

English: Plastic bangles or ornaments worn on the arm

Example (Swahili):

Alivaa pembe nyingi mkononi.

Example (English):

She wore many plastic bangles on her arms.

pembea¹

/pembeˈa/

English: To swing or move back and forth

Example (Swahili):

Mtoto alipembea kwenye bembea bustanini.

Example (English):

The child swung on the swing in the garden.

pembea²

/ˈpembea/

English: A swing or playground seat

Example (Swahili):

Waliweka pembea mpya kwa watoto.

Example (English):

They installed a new swing for the children.

pembeana

/pembeˈana/

English: To move or play around with each other, often play-fighting

Example (Swahili):

Mbwa wawili walipembeana wakicheza.

Example (English):

The two dogs played by pushing each other.

pembebutu

/pembeˈbutu/

English: An obtuse angle (between 90° and 180°)

Example (Swahili):

Pembebutu ina kipimo kikubwa kuliko pembe sawia.

Example (English):

An obtuse angle measures more than a right angle.

pembeja

/pembeˈdʒa/

English: To persuade someone deceitfully; to coax

Example (Swahili):

Alimpembeja rafiki yake ili apate msaada.

Example (English):

He sweet-talked his friend to get help.

pembejea

/pembeˈdʒea/

English: See pembeja (to persuade deceitfully)

Example (Swahili):

Alimpembejea mama yake apate ruhusa.

Example (English):

He coaxed his mother to get permission.

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