kita

From Proto-Bantu *bìtáà (“war, army”), derived from Proto-Bantu *bʊ̀táà (“bow”).


kopa

(card games) heart (card of a "hearts" suit)


pure

githeri (traditional Kenyan meal of maize and beans mixed and boiled together)


lewa

-lewa (canonical)
kulewa (infinitive)
kulewa (infinitive)
kutolewa (infinitive negative)
lewa (imperative singular)
leweni (imperative plural)
hulewa (habitual)
positive subject concord + -lilewa (past)
negative subject concord + -kulewa (negative past)
ninalewa (first-person present singular)
nalewa (first-person present singular)
tunalewa (first-person plural present)
unalewa (present second-person singular)
mnalewa (plural present second-person)
analewa (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanalewa (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -nalewa (present third-person)
silewi (first-person negative present singular)
hatulewi (first-person negative plural present)
hulewi (negative present second-person singular)
hamlewi (negative plural present second-person)
halewi (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawalewi (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -lewi (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -talewa (future)
negative subject concord + -talewa (future negative)
nilewe (first-person singular subjunctive)
tulewe (first-person plural subjunctive)
ulewe (second-person singular subjunctive)
mlewe (plural second-person subjunctive)
alewe (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
walewe (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -lewe (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -silewe (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngelewa (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singelewa (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalilewa (irrealis past)
positive subject concord + -singalilewa (irrealis negative past)
nalewa (first-person gnomic singular)
twalewa (first-person gnomic plural)
walewa (gnomic second-person singular)
mwalewa (gnomic plural second-person)
alewa (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
walewa (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
walewa (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yalewa (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lalewa (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yalewa (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chalewa (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyalewa (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yalewa (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zalewa (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
walewa (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwalewa (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
palewa (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwalewa (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -melewa (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshalewa (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jalewa (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kilewa (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipolewa (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kalewe (consecutive subjunctive)
-nilewa (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tulewa (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kulewa (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-walewa (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kuleweni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-waleweni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mlewa (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-walewa (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ulewa (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ilewa (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-lilewa (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yalewa (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kilewa (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vilewa (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ilewa (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zilewa (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ulewa (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kulewa (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-palewa (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mulewa (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jilewa (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-lewaye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-lewao (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-lewao (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-lewayo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lewalo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-lewayo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-lewacho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-lewavyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-lewayo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-lewazo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-lewao (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-lewako (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-lewapo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-lewamo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yelewa (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-olewa (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-olewa (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yolewa (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lolewa (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yolewa (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-cholewa (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyolewa (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yolewa (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zolewa (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-olewa (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kolewa (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-polewa (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-molewa (class-18 object-concord relative singular)

wamelewa


Ezra

(biblical) Ezra (a book of the Old Testament of the Bible)

Mwanzo

books of the Protestant Old Testament: vitabu vya Agano la Kale


kitara

Borrowed from Omani Arabic كِتّارة (kittāra, “sabre”), from Hindi कटार (kaṭār).


saga

-saga (canonical)
kusaga (infinitive)
kusaga (infinitive)
kutosaga (infinitive negative)
saga (imperative singular)
sageni (imperative plural)
husaga (habitual)
positive subject concord + -lisaga (past)
negative subject concord + -kusaga (negative past)
ninasaga (first-person present singular)
nasaga (first-person present singular)
tunasaga (first-person plural present)
unasaga (present second-person singular)
mnasaga (plural present second-person)
anasaga (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanasaga (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -nasaga (present third-person)
sisagi (first-person negative present singular)
hatusagi (first-person negative plural present)
husagi (negative present second-person singular)
hamsagi (negative plural present second-person)
hasagi (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawasagi (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -sagi (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -tasaga (future)
negative subject concord + -tasaga (future negative)
nisage (first-person singular subjunctive)
tusage (first-person plural subjunctive)
usage (second-person singular subjunctive)
msage (plural second-person subjunctive)
asage (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wasage (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sage (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sisage (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngesaga (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singesaga (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalisaga (irrealis past)
positive subject concord + -singalisaga (irrealis negative past)
nasaga (first-person gnomic singular)
twasaga (first-person gnomic plural)
wasaga (gnomic second-person singular)
mwasaga (gnomic plural second-person)
asaga (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wasaga (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wasaga (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yasaga (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lasaga (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yasaga (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chasaga (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyasaga (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yasaga (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zasaga (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wasaga (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwasaga (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pasaga (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwasaga (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mesaga (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshasaga (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jasaga (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kisaga (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -siposaga (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kasage (consecutive subjunctive)
-nisaga (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tusaga (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kusaga (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wasaga (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kusageni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wasageni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-msaga (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wasaga (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-usaga (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-isaga (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-lisaga (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yasaga (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kisaga (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-visaga (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-isaga (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zisaga (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-usaga (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kusaga (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pasaga (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-musaga (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jisaga (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-sagaye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-sagao (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-sagao (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-sagayo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-sagalo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-sagayo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-sagacho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-sagavyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-sagayo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-sagazo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-sagao (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-sagako (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-sagapo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-sagamo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yesaga (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-osaga (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-osaga (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yosaga (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-losaga (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yosaga (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chosaga (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyosaga (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yosaga (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zosaga (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-osaga (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kosaga (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-posaga (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mosaga (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


chai

Borrowed from Classical Persian چای (čāy)

(slang, Kenya) tea money, small bribe, petty bribe (likened to the cost, and function, of a cup of tea)


rumba

rumba ya Congo

Moja ya aina ya muziki na dansi yenye ushawishi mkubwa zaidi ya Kiafrika, rumba ya Congo, sasa ina hadhi ya kulindwa na Unesco.

2021 December 15, “Rumba ya Congo yashinda hadhi ya kulindwa na UNESCO”, in BBC News Swahili:

One of the most influential African music and dance forms, the Congolese rumba, now has UNESCO protected status.


Biblia

From Latin biblia, from Ancient Greek βιβλία (biblía), plural of βιβλίον (biblíon, “books”).


malaya

Ultimately from Persian بلایه (balâya, “harlot”).


raga

rugby (a sport where players can hold or kick an ovoid ball)


uzi

thread, string, cord (long, thin structure)


jira

Borrowed from Hindi जीरा (jīrā), from Sanskrit जीरक (jīraka).


soda

Borrowed from Arabic سَوْدَاء (sawdāʔ, “black bile”).


Luka

(biblical) Luke (book of the New Testament)

Mathayo

books of the New Testament: vitabu vya Agano Jipya


sura

Borrowed from Arabic سُورَة (sūra, “chapter of the Qur'an”).


koma

-koma (canonical)
kukoma (infinitive)
kukoma (infinitive)
kutokoma (infinitive negative)
koma (imperative singular)
komeni (imperative plural)
hukoma (habitual)
positive subject concord + -likoma (past)
negative subject concord + -kukoma (negative past)
ninakoma (first-person present singular)
nakoma (first-person present singular)
tunakoma (first-person plural present)
unakoma (present second-person singular)
mnakoma (plural present second-person)
anakoma (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanakoma (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -nakoma (present third-person)
sikomi (first-person negative present singular)
hatukomi (first-person negative plural present)
hukomi (negative present second-person singular)
hamkomi (negative plural present second-person)
hakomi (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawakomi (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -komi (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -takoma (future)
negative subject concord + -takoma (future negative)
nikome (first-person singular subjunctive)
tukome (first-person plural subjunctive)
ukome (second-person singular subjunctive)
mkome (plural second-person subjunctive)
akome (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wakome (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -kome (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sikome (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngekoma (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singekoma (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalikoma (irrealis past)
positive subject concord + -singalikoma (irrealis negative past)
nakoma (first-person gnomic singular)
twakoma (first-person gnomic plural)
wakoma (gnomic second-person singular)
mwakoma (gnomic plural second-person)
akoma (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wakoma (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wakoma (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yakoma (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lakoma (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yakoma (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chakoma (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyakoma (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yakoma (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zakoma (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wakoma (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwakoma (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pakoma (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwakoma (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mekoma (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshakoma (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jakoma (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kikoma (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipokoma (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kakome (consecutive subjunctive)
-nikoma (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tukoma (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kukoma (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wakoma (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kukomeni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wakomeni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mkoma (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wakoma (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ukoma (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ikoma (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-likoma (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yakoma (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kikoma (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vikoma (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ikoma (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zikoma (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ukoma (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kukoma (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pakoma (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mukoma (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jikoma (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-komaye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-komao (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-komao (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-komayo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-komalo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-komayo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-komacho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-komavyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-komayo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-komazo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-komao (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-komako (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-komapo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-komamo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yekoma (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-okoma (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-okoma (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yokoma (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lokoma (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yokoma (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chokoma (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyokoma (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yokoma (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zokoma (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-okoma (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kokoma (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-pokoma (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mokoma (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


pasi

(sports) pass (the act of moving the ball or puck from one player to another)


uta

Baada ya kukabidhi uta, mshale na shoka lake kwa mwindaji mwenzake wa Hadzabe, Zigwadzee alishika fimbo fupi iliyochongoka na akaingia shimoni.

2017 August 18, “Chakula cha Wahadzabe cha matunda na nungunungu Tanzania”, in BBC News Swahili:

After handing over his bow, arrow and ax to his fellow Hadzabe hunter, Zigwadzee grabbed a short pointed stick and entered the pit.


uru

(card games, uncountable) diamonds (suit of cards)

(card games) diamond (card of the "diamonds" suit)


chapa

-chapa (canonical)
kuchapa (infinitive)
kuchapa (infinitive)
kutochapa (infinitive negative)
chapa (imperative singular)
chapeni (imperative plural)
huchapa (habitual)
positive subject concord + -lichapa (past)
negative subject concord + -kuchapa (negative past)
ninachapa (first-person present singular)
nachapa (first-person present singular)
tunachapa (first-person plural present)
unachapa (present second-person singular)
mnachapa (plural present second-person)
anachapa (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanachapa (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -nachapa (present third-person)
sichapi (first-person negative present singular)
hatuchapi (first-person negative plural present)
huchapi (negative present second-person singular)
hamchapi (negative plural present second-person)
hachapi (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawachapi (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -chapi (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -tachapa (future)
negative subject concord + -tachapa (future negative)
nichape (first-person singular subjunctive)
tuchape (first-person plural subjunctive)
uchape (second-person singular subjunctive)
mchape (plural second-person subjunctive)
achape (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wachape (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -chape (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sichape (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngechapa (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singechapa (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalichapa (irrealis past)
nachapa (first-person gnomic singular)
twachapa (first-person gnomic plural)
wachapa (gnomic second-person singular)
mwachapa (gnomic plural second-person)
achapa (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wachapa (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wachapa (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yachapa (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lachapa (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yachapa (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chachapa (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyachapa (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yachapa (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zachapa (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wachapa (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwachapa (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pachapa (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwachapa (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mechapa (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshachapa (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jachapa (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kichapa (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipochapa (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kachape (consecutive subjunctive)
-nichapa (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tuchapa (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kuchapa (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wachapa (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kuchapeni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wachapeni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mchapa (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wachapa (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-uchapa (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ichapa (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-lichapa (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yachapa (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kichapa (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vichapa (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ichapa (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zichapa (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-uchapa (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kuchapa (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pachapa (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-muchapa (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jichapa (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-chapaye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-chapao (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-chapao (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-chapayo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-chapalo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-chapayo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chapacho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-chapavyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-chapayo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-chapazo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-chapao (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-chapako (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-chapapo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-chapamo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yechapa (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-ochapa (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-ochapa (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yochapa (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lochapa (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yochapa (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chochapa (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyochapa (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yochapa (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zochapa (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-ochapa (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kochapa (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-pochapa (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mochapa (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


Hosea

(biblical) Hosea (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Musa

a male given name, Musa, from Arabic, equivalent to English Moses


ngoma

ngoma (canonical)
ngoma (plural)
mangoma (plural)


tui

tui la nazi


kitabu

→ Acholi: kitabu

→ Kikuyu: gĩtabu

→ Luo: kitabu

→ Luganda: ekitabo

→ Rwanda-Rundi: igitabo, igitabu

→ Tooro: ekitabu

Borrowed from Arabic كِتَاب (kitāb). The first syllable of the Arabic word has been reinterpreted as the Swahili noun prefix ki-.


kasino

casino (a public building or room for entertainment, especially gambling)


karata

Borrowed from Portuguese carta. Doublet of karatasi.


bao

a traditional Swahili mancala board game played in most of East Africa


Tito

(biblical) Titus (book of the New Testament)


resi

races (competition of horses, cars, bicycles, etc)


funga

-funga (canonical)
kufunga (infinitive)
kufunga (infinitive)
kutofunga (infinitive negative)
funga (imperative singular)
fungeni (imperative plural)
hufunga (habitual)
positive subject concord + -lifunga (past)
negative subject concord + -kufunga (negative past)
ninafunga (first-person present singular)
nafunga (first-person present singular)
tunafunga (first-person plural present)
unafunga (present second-person singular)
mnafunga (plural present second-person)
anafunga (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanafunga (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -nafunga (present third-person)
sifungi (first-person negative present singular)
hatufungi (first-person negative plural present)
hufungi (negative present second-person singular)
hamfungi (negative plural present second-person)
hafungi (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawafungi (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -fungi (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -tafunga (future)
negative subject concord + -tafunga (future negative)
nifunge (first-person singular subjunctive)
tufunge (first-person plural subjunctive)
ufunge (second-person singular subjunctive)
mfunge (plural second-person subjunctive)
afunge (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wafunge (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -funge (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sifunge (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngefunga (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singefunga (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalifunga (irrealis past)
nafunga (first-person gnomic singular)
twafunga (first-person gnomic plural)
wafunga (gnomic second-person singular)
mwafunga (gnomic plural second-person)
afunga (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wafunga (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wafunga (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yafunga (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lafunga (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yafunga (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chafunga (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyafunga (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yafunga (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zafunga (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wafunga (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwafunga (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pafunga (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwafunga (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mefunga (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshafunga (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jafunga (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kifunga (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipofunga (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kafunge (consecutive subjunctive)
-nifunga (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tufunga (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kufunga (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wafunga (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kufungeni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wafungeni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mfunga (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wafunga (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ufunga (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ifunga (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-lifunga (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yafunga (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kifunga (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vifunga (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ifunga (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zifunga (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ufunga (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kufunga (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pafunga (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mufunga (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jifunga (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-fungaye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-fungao (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-fungao (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-fungayo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-fungalo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-fungayo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-fungacho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-fungavyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-fungayo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-fungazo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-fungao (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-fungako (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-fungapo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-fungamo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yefunga (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-ofunga (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-ofunga (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yofunga (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lofunga (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yofunga (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chofunga (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyofunga (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yofunga (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zofunga (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-ofunga (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kofunga (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-pofunga (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mofunga (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


Mika

(biblical) Micah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Marko

(biblical) Mark (book of the New Testament)


ukurasa

Borrowed from Arabic كُرَّاسَة (kurrāsa).


mfalme

king (a male of a royal family who is the supreme ruler of his nation)


mwalimu

From Arabic مُعَلِّم (muʕallim, “teacher”).

mwalimu mwandamizi


samaki

Kikuyu: thamaki


farasi

→ Kikuyu: mbarathi

→ Lingala: farása

→ Luganda: mbalaàsi

→ Tooro: embaraasi


mkate

Kikuyu: mũgate


panga

'Silaha yao (teleza) kubwa ni kisu na panga.'

2019 June 10, “Wanawake wa Kigoma watoroka wakihofia wabakaji Tanzania maarufu 'Teleza' [Kigoma women flee in fear of Tanzanian rapists 'Teleza']”, in BBC News Swahili:

'Their (Teleza's) chief weapons are the knife and the machete.'


maziwa

A borrowing in Proto-Sabaki from a South Cushitic language; compare Burunge iliba, Iraqw ilwa, and within Bantu compare Kikuyu iria, Kamba ĩia.


abiri

-abiri (canonical)
kuabiri (infinitive)
kuabiri (infinitive)
kutoabiri (infinitive negative)
abiri (imperative singular)
abirini (imperative plural)
huabiri (habitual)
positive subject concord + -liabiri (past)
negative subject concord + -kuabiri (negative past)
ninaabiri (first-person present singular)
naabiri (first-person present singular)
tunaabiri (first-person plural present)
unaabiri (present second-person singular)
mnaabiri (plural present second-person)
anaabiri (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanaabiri (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -naabiri (present third-person)
siabiri (first-person negative present singular)
hatuabiri (first-person negative plural present)
huabiri (negative present second-person singular)
hamwabiri (negative plural present second-person)
haabiri (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawaabiri (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -abiri (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -taabiri (future)
negative subject concord + -taabiri (future negative)
niabiri (first-person singular subjunctive)
tuabiri (first-person plural subjunctive)
uabiri (second-person singular subjunctive)
mwabiri (plural second-person subjunctive)
aabiri (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
waabiri (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -abiri (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -siabiri (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngeabiri (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singeabiri (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngaliabiri (irrealis past)
naabiri (first-person gnomic singular)
twaabiri (first-person gnomic plural)
waabiri (gnomic second-person singular)
mwaabiri (gnomic plural second-person)
aabiri (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
waabiri (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
waabiri (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yaabiri (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
laabiri (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yaabiri (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chaabiri (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyaabiri (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yaabiri (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zaabiri (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
waabiri (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwaabiri (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
paabiri (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwaabiri (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -meabiri (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshaabiri (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jaabiri (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kiabiri (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipoabiri (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kaabiri (consecutive subjunctive)
-niabiri (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tuabiri (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kuabiri (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-waabiri (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kuabirini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-waabirini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mwabiri (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-waabiri (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-uabiri (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-iabiri (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-liabiri (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yaabiri (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kiabiri (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-viabiri (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-iabiri (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ziabiri (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-uabiri (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kuabiri (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-paabiri (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-muabiri (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jiabiri (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-abiriye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-abirio (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-abirio (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-abiriyo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-abirilo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-abiriyo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-abiricho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-abirivyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-abiriyo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-abirizo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-abirio (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-abiriko (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-abiripo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-abirimo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yeabiri (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-oabiri (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-oabiri (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yoabiri (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-loabiri (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yoabiri (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-choabiri (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyoabiri (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yoabiri (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zoabiri (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-oabiri (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-koabiri (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-poabiri (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-moabiri (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


bibi

Borrowed from Omani Arabic بيبي (bībi), from Persian بیبی (bi-bi).


buti

a traditional dance in which the dancers are in a circle with one in the middle


rais

Gazeti la Mail on Sunday linaripoti kuwa Sir Kim alimwandikia Bw Johnson akimuelezea kuwa rais Trump kutoka chama cha Republican anavunja mkataba huo kwa sababu za "utashi binafsi" - kwa sababu makubaliano hayo yalifikiwa na mtangulizi wake kutoka chama cha Democrat, Barack Obama.

2019 July 14, “Barua mpya iliyovuja yadai Trump amevunja mkataba wa nyukilia 'ili kumkera Obama'”, in BBC News Swahili:

Mail on Sunday reports that Sir Kim wrote to Mr Johnson explaining that President Trump from the Republican Party was breaking the agreement for "personality reasons" - because the agreement was reached by his predecessor from the Democratic Party, Barack Obama.

president (the head of state of a republic)


ramia

(firearms) cartridge, round of ammunition


divai

From Malagasy divay, from French du vin (“some wine”). The borrowing may have been mediated through Ngazidja Comorian divai, although the Comorian form could also be a secondary borrowing from Swahili.

wine (alcoholic beverage made from grapes)


Petro

(biblical) Peter (either of the two books in the New Testament)


kamusi

dictionary (publication that explains the meanings of an ordered list of words)


chemsha bongo

sw-noun

chemsha bongo (n class, plural chemsha bongo)

From -chemsha (“to boil”) + bongo (“brain”).

Shabaha ya chemsha bongo ni kukuza msamiati wa mwanafunzi na kumpa fursa ya kufurahia Kiswahili.

The objective of the quiz is to enlarge the student's vocabulary and give them the opportunity to enjoy Swahili.

(idiomatic) a difficult question or puzzle, a brain-teaser, a quiz


digali

From Arabic دَقَل (daqal, literally “mast”), bearing also the meaning of a pipe-tube in South Arabia.


pombe

Translingual: Schizosaccharomyces pombe


mwanajeshi

mwanajeshi (m-wa class, plural wanajeshi)


alama ya mkato

alama ya mkato (n class, plural alama za mkato)


malkia

queen (female monarch or wife of a king)


asali

honey (sweet substance produced by bees)


bunduki

→ Iraqw: punduki

→ Kituba: munduki

→ Lingala: bondóki

→ Luganda: emmundu

→ Luo: bunde

→ Nzadi: onduk

→ Rwanda-Rundi: imbunda

Borrowed from Omani Arabic بُنْدُق (bunduq, “rifle”), from Arabic بُنْدُق (bunduq, “hazelnut; projectile”).


mchele

Kikuyu: mũceere

Rwanda-Rundi: umuceri

Possibly from Indo-Aryan. Compare Bengali চাউল (caul), Hindi चावल (cāval).


mboga

From Proto-Bantu *mbògà. Cognate to Luganda emboga (“cabbage”) and Rwanda-Rundi imboga.

vegetable (a plant raised for some edible part of it)


waziri

From Arabic وَزِير (wazīr, “vizier, minister”).

waziri wa afya

waziri wa fedha

waziri wa kilimo

waziri wa nchi

waziri wa nishati na madini

waziri wa uchenzi

minister (person who is commissioned by the government for public service)


peremende

a sweet; a piece of candy (especially a peppermint)


mbio

kukimbia mbio


panchi

punch (device for creating holes in thin material)


hakimu mkuu

sw-noun

hakimu mkuu (ma class, plural mahakimu wakuu)


chumvi

Kikuyu: cumbĩ


tamthilia

Borrowed from Arabic تَمْثِيلِيَّة (tamṯīliyya).

bor+

تَمْثِيلِيَّة


sukari

→ Kikuyu: cukari

→ Lingala: sukáli

→ Rwanda-Rundi: isukari

sugar (sucrose from sugar cane or sugar beet and used to sweeten food and drink)


kwata

a drill for training the body (an exercise)


kiberenge

sw-noun

kiberenge (ki-vi class, plural viberenge)

a prostitute (a person having sex for profit)


kahaba

prostitute (a person having sex for profit)


changudoa

changudoa (ma class, plural machangudoa)

Kundi la wasichana kutoka India ambao walizaliwa na kulelewa katika eneo maarufu kwa machangudoa mjini Mumbai wamekusanyika kushiriki tamasha la Sanaa Edinburgh.

2017 August 29, “Nilibakwa nikiwa na miaka 10, lakini nimejifunza kuwasamehe watu”, in BBC Swahili:

a prostitute (a person who has sex for profit)


mchezo

game (pursuit or activity for entertainment)


rubani

pilot (controller of a ship or aircraft)


diwani

From Arabic دِيوَان (dīwān), from Persian دیوان (dêvân).

anthology (collection of literary works)


chaki

chalk (a soft, white, powdery limestone)


utwana

slavery (institution or practice of owning human beings)


afisa wa usalama

afisa wa usalama (ma class, plural maafisa wa usalama)

police officer (an officer in a law enforcement agency)


karamu

From Arabic كَرَم (karam, “bounty, generosity”).


alama ya mshangao

sw-noun

alama ya mshangao (n class, plural alama za mshangao)

exclamation mark (punctuation for excitement or surprise)


maji ya machungwa

maji ya machungwa (ma class, plural only)


wakili

lawyer, attorney (professional person authorized to practice law)


mchukuzi

carrier, porter, transporter (person or object that carries someone or something else)


maktaba

library (institution which holds books etc.)


kifutio

an eraser (thing used to erase something written or drawn)


mwelekezi

mwelekezi (m-wa class, plural waelekezi)


askari

askari (canonical)
askari (plural)
maaskari (plural)

→ Chichewa: msilikali, msirikali

→ English: askari

→ French: askari

→ German: Askari

→ Iraqw: askaari

→ Italian: ascaro

→ Polish: askarys

Borrowed from Arabic عَسْكَرِيّ (ʕaskariyy).


meneja

manager (person whose job is to manage something)


balozi

Borrowed from Omani Arabic بالوز (bālōz), from Arabic باليوز (balyōz), from Ottoman Turkish بالیوز (balyoz), بالیوس (balyos, “title of the Venetian ambassador to the Sublime Porte; title of any European envoy”), from Venetan bailo (“title of a Venetian ambassador”).


firauni

From Arabic فِرْعَوْن (firʕawn). The sense "bad person" may originate from the Qur'an.

pharaoh (supreme ruler of ancient Egypt)


hoteli

hoteli (canonical)
hoteli (plural)
mahoteli (plural)

hotel (establishment providing accommodation)


nahodha

Etymology tree
Middle Persian nʾw
Classical Persian نَاو (nāw)
Middle Persian hwtʾy
Classical Persian خُدَای (xudāy)
Classical Persian خُدَا (xudā)
Classical Persian نَاوْخُدَا (nāwxudā)
Classical Persian نَاخُدَا (nāxudā)bor.
Arabic نَاخُوذَاة (nāḵūḏāh)bor.
Swahili nahodhaBorrowed from Arabic نَاخُوذَاة (nāḵūḏāh), borrowed from Classical Persian نَاخُدَا (nāxudā), from نَاوْخُدَا (nāwxudā), from نَاو (nāw) + خُدَا (xudā).


mkufunzi

tutor (one who teaches another in a small-group interaction)


mkimbizi

From m- + -kimbia (“to run, to flee”) + -zi.

refugee (person seeking political asylum)


zulia

Borrowed from Arabic زُلِيَّة (zuliyya).

carpet (a fabric used as a floor covering)


mwanagenzi

sw-noun

mwanagenzi (m-wa class, plural wanagenzi)


mlevi

drunkard (person who is habitually drunk)


mcheshi

From m- + -chesha (“make someone laugh”) + -i.


mwanasiasa

sw-noun

mwanasiasa (m-wa class, plural wanasiasa)


mbuga

park (ground for preservation of game, etc.)


andazi

a kind of fried bread, similar to a doughnut


msanii

From m- + Arabic صَانِع (ṣāniʕ, “artisan”).


mhariri

From Arabic مُحَرِّر (muḥarrir, “editor”).


mfinyanzi

mfinyanzi (m-wa class, plural wafinyanzi)

potter (a person who shapes pottery and bakes it in a kiln)


mwanariadha

mwanariadha (m-wa class, plural wanariadha)

athlete (a person who actively participates in physical sports, possibly highly skilled in sports)


timu

team (group of people, especially in a sport)


kibare

aliwahiwa kibare na mwanamume


soroveya

surveyor (person occupied with surveying or inspecting)


mkurugenzi

mkurugenzi (m-wa class, plural wakurugenzi)


ilani

a manifesto (public declaration of principles)


inspekta

inspector (a police officer ranking below superintendent)


insha

essay or composition (work of music, literature, or art)


mshindani

mshindani (m-wa class, plural washindani)

From m- + -shindana (“to compete”) + -i.


riadha

athletics, sport (competitive activities)


afisa

officer (one who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization)


refari

referee (sport: umpire, judge, the supervisor of a game)


kitoweo

Kikuyu: gĩtoero

a side dish, especially fish or meat aside a main dish like ugali


majeruhi

Borrowed from Arabic مَجْرُوح (majrūḥ). By surface analysis, ma- + -jeruhi (“to wound, to injure”).

surf

a wounded person (person suffering from a wound, especially one acquired in battle)


mwajiri

employer (person or entity which employs others)


kombe

(sports) cup (a trophy awarded at such a contest)


jangili

Borrowed from Kikuyu jangiri, from Hindi जंगली (jaṅglī, “wild”).

a poacher (a person who trespasses in order to take game illegally)


kiongozi wa mashtaka

sw-noun

kiongozi wa mashtaka (ki-vi class, plural viongozi wa mashtaka)

prosecutor (a lawyer who decides whether to charge a person with a crime)


mchunguzi

mchunguzi (m-wa class, plural wachunguzi)


jenerali

general (rank higher than a colonel or brigadier)


uki

honey (sweet substance produced by bees)


jezi

jersey (shirt worn by a member of an athletic team)


Malaki

(biblical) Malachi (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


mzinga

hive (a box or basket for the reception and habitation of a swarm of honeybees)


Nehemia

(biblical) Nehemiah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


fungu

(writing) a collection of writing: a sentence, paragraph, or article


vimbizi

chest pains or the inability to breathe from overeating


Esta

(biblical) Esther (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


metali

metal (certain elements and materials composed of them)


mwandishi

mwandishi (m-wa class, plural waandishi)

mwandishi (canonical)
waandishi (plural)
wandishi (plural)


talii

-talii (canonical)
kutalii (infinitive)
kutalii (infinitive)
kutotalii (infinitive negative)
talii (imperative singular)
taliini (imperative plural)
hutalii (habitual)
positive subject concord + -litalii (past)
negative subject concord + -kutalii (negative past)
ninatalii (first-person present singular)
natalii (first-person present singular)
tunatalii (first-person plural present)
unatalii (present second-person singular)
mnatalii (plural present second-person)
anatalii (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanatalii (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -natalii (present third-person)
sitalii (first-person negative present singular)
hatutalii (first-person negative plural present)
hutalii (negative present second-person singular)
hamtalii (negative plural present second-person)
hatalii (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawatalii (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -talii (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -tatalii (future)
negative subject concord + -tatalii (future negative)
nitalii (first-person singular subjunctive)
tutalii (first-person plural subjunctive)
utalii (second-person singular subjunctive)
mtalii (plural second-person subjunctive)
atalii (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
watalii (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -talii (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sitalii (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngetalii (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singetalii (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalitalii (irrealis past)
natalii (first-person gnomic singular)
twatalii (first-person gnomic plural)
watalii (gnomic second-person singular)
mwatalii (gnomic plural second-person)
atalii (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
watalii (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
watalii (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yatalii (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
latalii (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yatalii (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chatalii (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyatalii (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yatalii (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zatalii (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
watalii (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwatalii (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
patalii (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwatalii (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -metalii (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshatalii (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jatalii (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kitalii (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipotalii (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -katalii (consecutive subjunctive)
-nitalii (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tutalii (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kutalii (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-watalii (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kutaliini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wataliini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mtalii (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-watalii (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-utalii (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-italii (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-litalii (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yatalii (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kitalii (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vitalii (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-italii (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zitalii (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-utalii (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kutalii (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-patalii (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mutalii (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jitalii (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-taliiye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-taliio (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-taliio (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-taliiyo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-taliilo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-taliiyo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-taliicho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-taliivyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-taliiyo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-taliizo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-taliio (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-taliiko (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-taliipo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-taliimo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yetalii (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-otalii (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-otalii (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yotalii (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lotalii (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yotalii (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chotalii (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyotalii (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yotalii (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zotalii (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-otalii (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kotalii (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-potalii (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-motalii (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


modeli

model (a person employed to display clothes or other merchandise)


baharia

→ Malagasy: baharia

Borrowed from Arabic بَحَّار (baḥḥār, “sailor”), its plural بَحَّارِيَّة (baḥḥāriyya); compare bahari (“sea”).


dobi

laundryman or washerman, or laundrywoman or washerwoman


mswada

Borrowed from Arabic مُسَوَّدَة (musawwada).

mswada wa fedha


Adamu

a male given name, equivalent to English Adam


Yohane

(biblical) John (book of the New Testament)

(biblical) John (any of the three epistles of John in the New Testament)


muhindi

From Arabic هِنْدِيّ (hindiyy, “Indian”).


mtama

Alianza kilimo cha malenge, mtama, tomato na sukuma wiki - na sasa anauza bidhaa zake katika soko la nyumbani.

2021 December 16, “Wakenya wapata faraja mashambani baada ya corona kuwatimua mjini”, in BBC News Swahili:

He started cultivating pumpkin, millet, tomato and sukuma wiki - and now he sells his products in the domestic market.


msimamizi

sw-noun

msimamizi (m-wa class, plural wasimamizi)

Agent form of -simamia (“oversee, manage”), applicative form of -simama (“stand”).


mganga

From Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀gàngà. Compare Kongo nganga (“doctor”).

native doctor; a person who uses African medicinal traditions


mvinyo

mvinyo (canonical)
mvinyo (plural)
mivinyo (plural)

Borrowed from Portuguese vinho. The m- is in fact originally an n-, which was prefixed to the stem as a result of the term's placement in the n class.


karani

→ Kikuyu: karani

→ Malagasy:

Borrowed from Arabic كَرَّانِيّ (karrāniyy).


bimbashi

From Ottoman Turkish بیڭباشی (biñbaşı, “lieutenant colonel”), from بیڭ (biñ, “thousand”) + باش (baş, “head”) – ”one who is the head of a group of thousand”.


piza

Borrowed from English pizza, from Italian pizza.


Danieli

(biblical) Daniel (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Timotheo

(biblical) Timothy (either of the two books in the New Testament)


kachumbari

Borrowed from Gujarati કચુંબર (kacumbar, “kachumber”).


mwenyekiti

sw-noun

mwenyekiti (m-wa class, plural wenyekiti)


afisa wa polisi

afisa wa polisi (ma class, plural maafisa wa polisi)


mpira wa kikapu

Literally, “ball of basket”, a calque of English basketball.


Yusufu

a male given name, equivalent to English Joseph


mchungaji

mchungaji (m-wa class, plural wachungaji)

From m- + -chunga (“to herd, to take care of”) + -aji. The second sense is an extension of the first, as a calque of Latin pastor.


mlezi

From m- + -lea (“to raise a child, to care for someone”) + -zi.


waziri mkuu

sw-noun

waziri mkuu (ma class, plural mawaziri wakuu)

naibu waziri mkuu


jumbe

An augmentative formed from -umba; compare kiumbe (“creature”).


mwendeshaji

mwendeshaji (m-wa class, plural wendeshaji)


mhudumu

From m- + -hudumu (“to serve, wait on”).


tangawizi

Borrowed from Omani Arabic تَنْجْوِيل (tangwīl), from Arabic زَنْجَبِيل (zanjabīl).


sukuma wiki

→ English: sukuma wiki

Literally, “to push the week” (or "to stretch the week"). The vegetable is generally affordable and available all-year round in East Africa. It forms part of the staple dish in this region together with ugali.


mwanahisabati

sw-noun

mwanahisabati (m-wa class, plural wanahisabati)


mwanasayansi

mwanasayansi (m-wa class, plural wanasayansi)


mwanakemia

mwanakemia (m-wa class, plural wanakemia)


mwanafizikia

mwanafizikia (m-wa class, plural wanafizikia)


risasi

→ Digo: risasi

→ Jita: ri-saási

→ Kikuyu: rĩthathi

→ Luganda: `ssasì

→ Nyakyusa: ilísasí

→ Nyankole: iːsási, amasási, kisási


mwanamuziki

mwanamuziki (m-wa class, plural wanamuziki)


mwanachuoni

mwanachuoni (m-wa class, plural wanachuoni)


mbunge

Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament


mwanahistoria

mwanahistoria (m-wa class, plural wanahistoria)


mwanaakiolojia

mwanaakiolojia (m-wa class, plural wanaakiolojia)


jaji mkuu

jaji mkuu (ma class, plural majaji wakuu)


zamu

Borrowed from Omani Arabic زام (zām, “one's turn; one's duty”).

bor+

Ikifika zamu yangu, Nyerere anipokee

1999 October 15, Abdallah Chekanae, "Nyerere" (poem published in Uhuru):

When my turn comes, may Nyerere receive me

Tena Mwenyekiti alimgeukia Salama na kumwambia: "Sasa ni zamu yako. Utaweza kutuelezea mashtaka yako?"

2004, Z. Burhani, Kipimo cha mizani, page 183:

Again the Chairman turned to Salama and said to him: "Now it is your turn. Will you be able to tell us your accusation?"

turn (one's chance to use or do something, as in a game)


sataranji

Borrowed from Arabic شَطْرَنْج (šaṭranj).


mzimamoto

sw-noun

mzimamoto (m-wa class, plural wazimamoto)

From m- + zima (“to extinguish”) + moto (“fire”).


mwanahabari

sw-noun

mwanahabari (m-wa class, plural wanahabari)


pilipili manga

pilipili manga (n class, plural pilipili manga)


achali

Achali ya Mbirimbi: Mbirimbi ni tunda lenye uchafu, hivyo kuwafanya watu wengi wasilipendelee kulila tunda hili kutokana na uchachu wake huo.

2000, Polycarp S. Wekesa, Uandishi wa insha, →ISBN, page 135:

Cucumber Pickle Chutney: The cucumber pickle is a dirty fruit, so many people don't like to eat this fruit due to its sourness.


mfanyabiashara

mfanyabiashara (m-wa class, plural wafanyabiashara)


luteni

lieutenant (lowest ranked military officer)


meja jenerali

meja jenerali (ma class, plural mameja jenerali)


mwanasarufi

mwanasarufi (m-wa class, plural wanasarufi)


mwanafalsafa

mwanafalsafa (m-wa class, plural wanafalsafa)


mwanaisimu

mwanaisimu (m-wa class, plural wanaisimu)


mwanaleksikografia

mwanaleksikografia (m-wa class, plural wanaleksikografia)


ensaiklopidia

ensaiklopidia (n class, plural ensaiklopidia)


ubuyu

The edible inner fruit of the baobab pod.


msenge

(often derogatory) a homosexual man, especially a bottom, or a transgender individual


zafarani

Borrowed from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān).


mavi ya mbuzi

Literally, “goat dung”, after its shape.


mzungu wa pili

sw-noun

mzungu wa pili (m-wa class, plural wazungu wa pili)

Literally, “white person of two”, because of its value in certain card games.


mzungu wa tatu

mzungu wa tatu (m-wa class, plural wazungu wa tatu)

Literally, “white person of three”, because of its value in certain card games.


mzungu wa nne

mzungu wa nne (m-wa class, plural wazungu wa nne)

Literally, “white person of four”, because of its value in certain card games.


ukoko

crust (food residue at the bottom of a pan)


mwanasanaa

mwanasanaa (m-wa class, plural wanasanaa)


daftari

daftari (canonical)
madaftari (plural)
daftari (plural)


karafuu

Borrowed from Arabic قَرَنْفُل (qaranful).


kadhi

der

Arabic قَاضِي (qāḍī)


sambusa

From Classical Persian سنبوسه (sambūsa).

A kind of samosa: a savoury pastry, often stuffed with meat.


bizari

Borrowed from Omani Arabic بزار (bzār, “spices”), from Arabic أَبْزَار (ʔabzār).


baruti

Borrowed from Omani Arabic باروت (bārūt), ultimately from Arabic بَارُود (bārūd).


mchoraji

engraver (one who makes things by carving into them)


nukta mbili

Literally, “two dots”, after its appearance.


mfungaji

scorer (one who scores, a skilled footballer)


mfanyakazi

sw-noun

mfanyakazi (m-wa class, plural wafanyakazi)


fungwa

-fungwa (canonical)
kufungwa (infinitive)
kufungwa (infinitive)
kutofungwa (infinitive negative)
fungwa (imperative singular)
fungweni (imperative plural)
hufungwa (habitual)
positive subject concord + -lifungwa (past)
negative subject concord + -kufungwa (negative past)
ninafungwa (first-person present singular)
nafungwa (first-person present singular)
tunafungwa (first-person plural present)
unafungwa (present second-person singular)
mnafungwa (plural present second-person)
anafungwa (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanafungwa (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -nafungwa (present third-person)
sifungwi (first-person negative present singular)
hatufungwi (first-person negative plural present)
hufungwi (negative present second-person singular)
hamfungwi (negative plural present second-person)
hafungwi (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawafungwi (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -fungwi (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -tafungwa (future)
negative subject concord + -tafungwa (future negative)
nifungwe (first-person singular subjunctive)
tufungwe (first-person plural subjunctive)
ufungwe (second-person singular subjunctive)
mfungwe (plural second-person subjunctive)
afungwe (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wafungwe (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -fungwe (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sifungwe (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngefungwa (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singefungwa (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalifungwa (irrealis past)
nafungwa (first-person gnomic singular)
twafungwa (first-person gnomic plural)
wafungwa (gnomic second-person singular)
mwafungwa (gnomic plural second-person)
afungwa (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wafungwa (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wafungwa (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yafungwa (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lafungwa (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yafungwa (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chafungwa (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyafungwa (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yafungwa (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zafungwa (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wafungwa (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwafungwa (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pafungwa (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwafungwa (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mefungwa (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshafungwa (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jafungwa (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kifungwa (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipofungwa (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kafungwe (consecutive subjunctive)
-nifungwa (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tufungwa (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kufungwa (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wafungwa (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kufungweni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wafungweni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mfungwa (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wafungwa (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ufungwa (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ifungwa (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-lifungwa (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yafungwa (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kifungwa (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vifungwa (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ifungwa (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zifungwa (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ufungwa (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kufungwa (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pafungwa (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mufungwa (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jifungwa (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-fungwaye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwao (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-fungwao (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwayo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-fungwalo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwayo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-fungwacho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwavyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-fungwayo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwazo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-fungwao (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwako (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwapo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-fungwamo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yefungwa (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-ofungwa (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-ofungwa (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yofungwa (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lofungwa (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yofungwa (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chofungwa (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyofungwa (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yofungwa (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zofungwa (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-ofungwa (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kofungwa (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-pofungwa (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mofungwa (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


kimbia

-kimbia (canonical)
kukimbia (infinitive)
kukimbia (infinitive)
kutokimbia (infinitive negative)
kimbia (imperative singular)
kimbieni (imperative plural)
hukimbia (habitual)
positive subject concord + -likimbia (past)
negative subject concord + -kukimbia (negative past)
ninakimbia (first-person present singular)
nakimbia (first-person present singular)
tunakimbia (first-person plural present)
unakimbia (present second-person singular)
mnakimbia (plural present second-person)
anakimbia (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanakimbia (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -nakimbia (present third-person)
sikimbii (first-person negative present singular)
hatukimbii (first-person negative plural present)
hukimbii (negative present second-person singular)
hamkimbii (negative plural present second-person)
hakimbii (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawakimbii (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -kimbii (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -takimbia (future)
negative subject concord + -takimbia (future negative)
nikimbie (first-person singular subjunctive)
tukimbie (first-person plural subjunctive)
ukimbie (second-person singular subjunctive)
mkimbie (plural second-person subjunctive)
akimbie (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wakimbie (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -kimbie (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sikimbie (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngekimbia (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singekimbia (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalikimbia (irrealis past)
nakimbia (first-person gnomic singular)
twakimbia (first-person gnomic plural)
wakimbia (gnomic second-person singular)
mwakimbia (gnomic plural second-person)
akimbia (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wakimbia (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wakimbia (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yakimbia (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lakimbia (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yakimbia (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chakimbia (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyakimbia (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yakimbia (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zakimbia (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wakimbia (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwakimbia (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pakimbia (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwakimbia (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mekimbia (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshakimbia (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jakimbia (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kikimbia (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipokimbia (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kakimbie (consecutive subjunctive)
-nikimbia (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tukimbia (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kukimbia (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wakimbia (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kukimbieni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wakimbieni (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mkimbia (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wakimbia (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ukimbia (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ikimbia (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-likimbia (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yakimbia (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kikimbia (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vikimbia (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ikimbia (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zikimbia (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ukimbia (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kukimbia (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pakimbia (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mukimbia (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jikimbia (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-kimbiaye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiao (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-kimbiao (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiayo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-kimbialo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiayo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-kimbiacho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiavyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-kimbiayo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiazo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-kimbiao (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiako (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiapo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-kimbiamo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yekimbia (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-okimbia (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-okimbia (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yokimbia (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lokimbia (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yokimbia (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chokimbia (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyokimbia (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yokimbia (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zokimbia (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-okimbia (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kokimbia (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-pokimbia (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mokimbia (class-18 object-concord relative singular)

-kimbilia

to run to (something, someone, or somewhere)

kukimbia mbio


mdundiko

A traditional dance of the Zaramo people.


kisutu

A type of cloth, often red, traditionally worn on formal occasions.


mchanyato

mchanyato (m-mi class, plural michanyato)


kijio

From -jia, the applicative form of -ja (“come”).


mhandisi

Borrowed from Arabic مُهَنْدِس (muhandis).


Zekaria

(biblical) Zechariah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Hagai

(biblical) Haggai (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


kiwanja cha michezo

sw-noun

kiwanja cha michezo (ki-vi class, plural viwanja vya michezo)


mwamuzi

From mw- + -amua (“to decide, to judge”).


kangara

A kind of sweet beer made from chaff of maize or millet.


mwanasaikolojia

mwanasaikolojia (m-wa class, plural wanasaikolojia)


dalasini

Borrowed from Arabic دَارَصِينِيّ (dāraṣīniyy), from Persian دارچینی (dârčini).

bor+

دَارَصِينِيّ


iliki

Ultimately from Proto-Dravidian *ēlakāy, likely via Sanskrit एलीका (elīkā), एल्ल्का (ellkā).


hamri

a kind of andazi fritter made with coconut and cardamom


kombe la dunia

sw-noun

kombe la dunia (ma class, plural makombe ya dunia)

Kombe la Dunia la FIFA

Kombe la Dunia la Wanawake


krosi

(sports) cross (football) (a pass from a wide area of the field towards the centre of the field near the opponent's goal)


jadili

-jadili (canonical)
kujadili (infinitive)
kujadili (infinitive)
kutojadili (infinitive negative)
jadili (imperative singular)
jadilini (imperative plural)
hujadili (habitual)
positive subject concord + -lijadili (past)
negative subject concord + -kujadili (negative past)
ninajadili (first-person present singular)
najadili (first-person present singular)
tunajadili (first-person plural present)
unajadili (present second-person singular)
mnajadili (plural present second-person)
anajadili (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanajadili (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -najadili (present third-person)
sijadili (first-person negative present singular)
hatujadili (first-person negative plural present)
hujadili (negative present second-person singular)
hamjadili (negative plural present second-person)
hajadili (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawajadili (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -jadili (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -tajadili (future)
negative subject concord + -tajadili (future negative)
nijadili (first-person singular subjunctive)
tujadili (first-person plural subjunctive)
ujadili (second-person singular subjunctive)
mjadili (plural second-person subjunctive)
ajadili (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wajadili (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -jadili (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sijadili (negative subjunctive)
positive subject concord + -ngejadili (irrealis present)
positive subject concord + -singejadili (irrealis negative present)
positive subject concord + -ngalijadili (irrealis past)
najadili (first-person gnomic singular)
twajadili (first-person gnomic plural)
wajadili (gnomic second-person singular)
mwajadili (gnomic plural second-person)
ajadili (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wajadili (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wajadili (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yajadili (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lajadili (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yajadili (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chajadili (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyajadili (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yajadili (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zajadili (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wajadili (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwajadili (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pajadili (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwajadili (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mejadili (perfect)
positive subject concord + -meshajadili (already-form)
negative subject concord + -jajadili (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kijadili (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -sipojadili (if-not-form)
positive subject concord + -kajadili (consecutive subjunctive)
-nijadili (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tujadili (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kujadili (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wajadili (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kujadilini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wajadilini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mjadili (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wajadili (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ujadili (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ijadili (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-lijadili (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yajadili (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kijadili (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vijadili (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ijadili (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zijadili (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ujadili (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kujadili (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pajadili (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mujadili (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jijadili (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-jadiliye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-jadilio (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-jadilio (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-jadiliyo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-jadililo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-jadiliyo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-jadilicho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-jadilivyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-jadiliyo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-jadilizo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-jadilio (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-jadiliko (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-jadilipo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-jadilimo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yejadili (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-ojadili (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-ojadili (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yojadili (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lojadili (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yojadili (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chojadili (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyojadili (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yojadili (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zojadili (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-ojadili (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kojadili (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-pojadili (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mojadili (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


mwadhini

Borrowed from Arabic مُؤَذِّن (muʔaḏḏin).


maharage

Tanzania inatajwa kuwa ndio kinara wa uzalishaji na uuzaji wa maharage barani Afrika.

2017 May 12, “Tanzania yaongoza kwa uzalishaji na uuzaji wa Maharage Afrika”, in BBC Swahili:

Tanzania is said to be the best producer and seller of beans in Africa.


parachichi

sw-noun

parachichi (ma class, plural maparachichi)

Katika mgahawa wa At Le Grenier iliyopo mtaa wa kifahari wa Riverside jijini Nairobi, baadhi ya wakenya na na raia wa kigeniwanafurahia "toast à l'avocat" yaani tosti ya makate kwa parachichi.

2018 November 5, “Wakenya wajizolea faida kutokana na uuzaji wa tunda la parachichi”, in BBC Swahili:

At Le Grenier's local prestigious Riverside street in Nairobi, some Kenyans and foreigners enjoy "toast à l'avocat" or avocado toast.


kitunguu saumu

kitunguu saumu (ki-vi class, plural vitunguu saumu)

Katika kibanda hiki, karoti, pilipili, vitunguu saumu, tangawizi na bidhaa nyingine, zote zimefungwa kwa mifuko ya plastiki […]

2018 February 28, “Changamoto katika kutekeleza marufuku ya mifuko ya plastiki Kenya”, in BBC Swahili:

In this hut, carrots, peppers, garlic, ginger and other products are all packed with plastic bags […]

Kuna mmoja aliniambia tuwe tunatumia kitunguu saumu akidai kuwa kinasaidia.

2019 January 1, Elizabeth Edward, “Asimulia jinsi alivyomaliza waganga kutibu saratani”, in Mwananchi:

Someone told me to rub garlic on [the wound] to help it heal.


mbio za nyika

Literally, “runs of the grassland”, possibly as the surface that Kenyan and Tanzanian marathon runners train on.


kamusi elezo

kamusi elezo (n class, plural kamusi elezo)

encyclopedia (comprehensive reference with articles on a range of topics)


kete ya sataranji

kete ya sataranji (n class, plural kete za sataranji)


karata ya kucheza

karata ya kucheza (n class, plural karata za kucheza)


Waroma

(biblical) Romans (book of the New Testament)


Matendo

(biblical) Acts (book of the New Testament)


Waefeso

(biblical) Ephesians (book of the New Testament)


Mathayo

(biblical) Matthew (book of the New Testament)


Wagalatia

(biblical) Galatians (book of the New Testament)


Wafilipi

(biblical) Philippians (book of the New Testament)


Yakobo

(biblical) James (book of the New Testament)


Wakorintho

(biblical) Corinthians (either of the two books in the New Testament)


Waebrania

(biblical) Hebrews (book of the New Testament)


Filemoni

(biblical) Philemon (book of the New Testament)


Wakorintho 1

(biblical) 1 Corinthians (book of the New Testament)


Yuda

(biblical) Jude (book of the New Testament)


Wakorintho 2

(biblical) 2 Corinthians (book of the New Testament)


Yohane 1

(biblical) 1 John (book of the New Testament)


Wathesalonike 2

(biblical) 2 Thessalonians (book of the New Testament)


Wathesalonike 1

(biblical) 1 Thessalonians (book of the New Testament)


Timotheo 1

(biblical) 1 Timothy (book of the New Testament)


Wakolosai

(biblical) Colossians (book of the New Testament)


Petro 1

(biblical) 1 Peter (book of the New Testament)


Petro 2

(biblical) 2 Peter (book of the New Testament)


Timotheo 2

(biblical) 2 Timothy (book of the New Testament)


Yohane 2

(biblical) 2 John (book of the New Testament)


Ufunuo

(biblical) Revelation (book of the New Testament)


Yohane 3

(biblical) 3 John (book of the New Testament)


Walawi

(biblical) Leviticus (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Mwanzo

(biblical) Genesis (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Kutoka

(biblical) Exodus (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Mambo ya Nyakati 2

(biblical) 2 Chronicles (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Hesabu

(biblical) Numbers (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Yoshua

(biblical) Joshua (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Kumbukumbu

(biblical) Deuteronomy (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Isaya

(biblical) Isaiah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Zaburi

(biblical) Psalms (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Nahumu

(biblical) Nahum (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Yoeli

(biblical) Joel (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Ezekieli

(biblical) Ezekiel (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Mambo ya Nyakati 1

(biblical) 1 Chronicles (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Ruthu

(biblical) Ruth (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Wimbo Bora

(biblical) Song of Solomon (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Waamuzi

(biblical) Judges (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Samueli 1

(biblical) 1 Samuel (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Maombolezo

(biblical) Lamentations (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Wafalme 1

(biblical) 1 Kings (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Amosi

(biblical) Amos (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Samueli 2

(biblical) 2 Samuel (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Mhubiri

(biblical) Ecclesiastes (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Wafalme

(biblical) Kings (any of the books in the Old Testament of the Bible)


Sefania

(biblical) Zephaniah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Habakuki

(biblical) Habakkuk (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Mambo ya Nyakati

(biblical) Chronicles (any of the books in the Old Testament of the Bible)


Samueli

(biblical) Samuel (any of the books in the Old Testament of the Bible)


Wathesalonike

(biblical) Thessalonians (either of the two books in the New Testament)


Methali

(biblical) Proverbs (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Yeremia

(biblical) Jeremiah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Wafalme 2

(biblical) 2 Kings (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Obadia

(biblical) Obadiah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Yobu

(biblical) Job (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


Yona

(biblical) Jonah (book of the Old Testament of the Bible)


jivinjari

-jivinjari (canonical)
kujivinjari (infinitive)
kujivinjari (infinitive)
kutojivinjari (infinitive negative)
jivinjari (imperative singular)
jivinjarini (imperative plural)
hujivinjari (habitual)
positive subject concord + -lijivinjari (past)
negative subject concord + -kujivinjari (negative past)
ninajivinjari (first-person present singular)
najivinjari (first-person present singular)
tunajivinjari (first-person plural present)
unajivinjari (present second-person singular)
mnajivinjari (plural present second-person)
anajivinjari (class-1 class-2 present singular third-person)
wanajivinjari (class-1 class-2 plural present third-person)
positive subject concord + -najivinjari (present third-person)
sijivinjari (first-person negative present singular)
hatujivinjari (first-person negative plural present)
hujivinjari (negative present second-person singular)
hamjivinjari (negative plural present second-person)
hajivinjari (class-1 class-2 negative present singular third-person)
hawajivinjari (class-1 class-2 negative plural present third-person)
negative subject concord + -jivinjari (negative present third-person)
positive subject concord + -tajivinjari (future)
negative subject concord + -tajivinjari (future negative)
nijivinjari (first-person singular subjunctive)
tujivinjari (first-person plural subjunctive)
ujivinjari (second-person singular subjunctive)
mjivinjari (plural second-person subjunctive)
ajivinjari (class-1 class-2 singular subjunctive third-person)
wajivinjari (class-1 class-2 plural subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -jivinjari (subjunctive third-person)
positive subject concord + -sijivinjari (negative subjunctive)
najivinjari (first-person gnomic singular)
twajivinjari (first-person gnomic plural)
wajivinjari (gnomic second-person singular)
mwajivinjari (gnomic plural second-person)
ajivinjari (class-1 class-2 gnomic singular third-person)
wajivinjari (class-1 class-2 gnomic plural third-person)
wajivinjari (class-3 class-4 gnomic singular third-person)
yajivinjari (class-3 class-4 gnomic plural third-person)
lajivinjari (class-5 class-6 gnomic singular third-person)
yajivinjari (class-5 class-6 gnomic plural third-person)
chajivinjari (class-7 class-8 gnomic singular third-person)
vyajivinjari (class-7 class-8 gnomic plural third-person)
yajivinjari (class-10 class-9 gnomic singular third-person)
zajivinjari (class-10 class-9 gnomic plural third-person)
wajivinjari (class-11 gnomic singular third-person)
kwajivinjari (class-15 class-17 gnomic singular third-person)
pajivinjari (class-16 gnomic singular third-person)
mwajivinjari (class-18 gnomic singular third-person)
positive subject concord + -mejivinjari (perfect)
negative subject concord + -jajivinjari (not-yet-form)
positive subject concord + -kijivinjari (if-when-form)
positive subject concord + -kajivinjari (consecutive subjunctive)
-nijivinjari (first-person indicative object-concord singular)
-tujivinjari (first-person indicative object-concord plural)
-kujivinjari (indicative object-concord second-person singular)
-wajivinjari (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-kujivinjarini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-wajivinjarini (indicative object-concord plural second-person)
-mjivinjari (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-wajivinjari (class-1 class-2 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ujivinjari (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-ijivinjari (class-3 class-4 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-lijivinjari (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-yajivinjari (class-5 class-6 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-kijivinjari (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-vijivinjari (class-7 class-8 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ijivinjari (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-zijivinjari (class-10 class-9 indicative object-concord plural third-person)
-ujivinjari (class-11 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-kujivinjari (class-15 class-17 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-pajivinjari (class-16 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-mujivinjari (class-18 indicative object-concord singular third-person)
-jijivinjari (indicative object-concord reflexive)
-jivinjariye (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjario (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-jivinjario (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjariyo (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-jivinjarilo (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjariyo (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-jivinjaricho (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjarivyo (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-jivinjariyo (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjarizo (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-jivinjario (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjariko (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjaripo (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-jivinjarimo (class-18 object-concord relative singular)
-yejivinjari (class-1 class-2 object-concord relative singular)
-ojivinjari (class-1 class-2 object-concord plural relative)
-ojivinjari (class-3 class-4 object-concord relative singular)
-yojivinjari (class-3 class-4 object-concord plural relative)
-lojivinjari (class-5 class-6 object-concord relative singular)
-yojivinjari (class-5 class-6 object-concord plural relative)
-chojivinjari (class-7 class-8 object-concord relative singular)
-vyojivinjari (class-7 class-8 object-concord plural relative)
-yojivinjari (class-10 class-9 object-concord relative singular)
-zojivinjari (class-10 class-9 object-concord plural relative)
-ojivinjari (class-11 object-concord relative singular)
-kojivinjari (class-15 class-17 object-concord relative singular)
-pojivinjari (class-16 object-concord relative singular)
-mojivinjari (class-18 object-concord relative singular)


mwereka

mwereka (canonical)
miereka (plural)
myereka (plural)


uhamiaji

From u- + -hamia (“to move to a place”) + -aji.


mtembeza

mtembeza watalii


muda bora

sw-noun

muda bora (m-mi class, plural miuda bora)

a record (the most extreme known value of some variable, particularly that of an achievement in competitive events)


mkimbiaji

mkimbiaji (m-wa class, plural wakimbiaji)

mkimbiaji wa mbio ndefu


mbizi

a dive (a jump into or swim under water)


kombora

Borrowed from Arabic قُنْبُرة (qumbura), from Ottoman Turkish خمبره (humbara, kumbara), from Persian خمباره (xombâra).


mjadala

Borrowed from Arabic مُجَادَلَة (mujādala).


shambulizi

sw-noun

shambulizi (ma class, plural mashambulizi)


mwanasheria

mwanasheria (m-wa class, plural wanasheria)


maji ya ukwaju

tamarind juice (sweetened drink flavored with tamarind)


sharubati

sherbet: a kind of thick, sweet drink with dairy and usually fruit


faluda

Ultimately from Persian فالوده (falude), likely via Gujarati ફાલુદા (phāludā).


upinde

Neanderthals hawakutumia pinde, lakini muda wa muonekano kwa upinde unamaanisha kuwa Homo sapiens waliutumia dhidi yao.

2022 January 15, “Uvumbuzi wa binadamu wa kale ulivyochangia kukua kwa teknolojia”, in BBC Swahili:

Neanderthals did not use bows, but the time of appearance of the bow means that Homo sapiens used it against them.


sandarusi

Borrowed from Arabic سَنْدَرُوس (sandarūs).

bor+

the resin from East African copal (Hymenaea verrucosa)


marumaru

Borrowed from Arabic مَرْمَر (marmar) from Ancient Greek μάρμαρος (mármaros).


mhasibu

Borrowed from Arabic مُحَاسِب (muḥāsib).


kiamsha kinywa

sw-noun

kiamsha kinywa (ki-vi class, plural viamsha kinywa)


kashata

From Arabic كَشْطَة (kašṭa), Modern Standard Arabic mostly قِشْدَة (qišda).

A kind of candy from East Africa, made with coconut and sometimes nuts.


bwawa la kuogelea

bwawa la kuogelea (ma class, plural mabwawa ya kuogelea)


mwigizaji

mwigizaji (m-wa class, plural waigizaji)

From mw- + -igiza (“to imitate, to act”) + -aji.


chipsi mayai

sw-noun

chipsi mayai (n class, plural chipsi mayai)

A kind of potato-egg omelette popular in Tanzania.


sombe

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo

cassava leaf soup, eaten as a staple in the Democratic Republic of the Congo


mburudishaji

mburudishaji (m-wa class, plural waburudishaji)


Michezo ya Olimpiki

Michezo ya Olimpiki (m-mi class, plural only)


kiberiti ngoma

kiberiti ngoma (ki-vi class, plural viberiti ngoma)

prostitute (a person having sex for profit)


mwanasesere

mwanasesere (m-wa class, plural wanasesere)


mshambulizi

mshambulizi (m-wa class, plural washambulizi)

From m- + -shambulia (“to attack”) + -zi.


mchinjaji

mchinjaji (m-wa class, plural wachinjaji)


mwanabenki

mwanabenki (m-wa class, plural wanabenki)


mhadhiri

Borrowed from Arabic مُحَاضِر (muḥāḍir).


bomu la ardhini

bomu la ardhini (ma class, plural mabomu ya ardhini)


bunduki kubwa

bunduki kubwa (n class, plural bunduki kubwa)


mkalimani

mkalimani (m-wa class, plural wakalimani)

Borrowed from Arabic كَلَمَانِيّ (kalamāniyy).


mtangazaji

sw-noun

mtangazaji (m-wa class, plural watangazaji)

From m- + -tangaza (“to announce”) + -aji.


msimulizi

msimulizi (m-wa class, plural wasimulizi)


alama ya reli

alama ya reli (n class, plural alama za reli)

hash symbol, hash sign, number sign (the character #)


mwanamitindo

mwanamitindo (m-wa class, plural wanamitindo)

model (a person employed to display clothes or other merchandise)


muogeleaji

muogeleaji (m-wa class, plural waogeleaji)


mchekeshaji

mchekeshaji (m-wa class, plural wachekeshaji)


mwanaspoti

mwanaspoti (m-wa class, plural wanaspoti)


mchimbaji

mchimbaji (m-wa class, plural wachimbaji)


mahubiri

From ma- + -hubiri (“to inform, to preach”).


kontrakta

kontrakta (ma class, plural makontrakta)


mhamiaji

From m- + -hamia (“to move to a place”) + -aji.


mwendesha mashtaka

sw-noun

mwendesha mashtaka (m-wa class, plural waendesha mashtaka)


kababu

Ultimately from Arabic كَبَاب (kabāb) but through which language?


mwanamfalme

mwanamfalme (m-wa class, plural wanamfalme)


abtali

Borrowed from Arabic أَبْطَال (ʔabṭāl), plural of بَطَل (baṭal).