Mnyakyusa

Mnyakyusa class I (plural Wanyakyusa class II)

Mnyakyusa class I (canonical)
Wanyakyusa class II (plural)


baiolojia

sw-noun

baiolojia class IX (plural baiolojia class X)

baiolojia class IX (canonical)
baiolojia class X (plural)

Alternative form of biolojia (“biology”)


Mbelgiji

Mbelgiji class I (plural Wabelgiji class II)

Mbelgiji class I (canonical)
Wabelgiji class II (plural)
Mbeligiji (alternative)


mtakatifu

mtakatifu class I (plural watakatifu class II)

mtakatifu class I (canonical)
watakatifu class II (plural)


ibada

ibada class IX (canonical)
ibada class X (plural)


mwanachuoni

mwanachuoni class I (plural wanachuoni class II)

mwanachuoni class I (canonical)
wanachuoni class II (plural)


dhehebu

dhehebu class V (plural madhehebu class VI)

dhehebu class V (canonical)
madhehebu class VI (plural)

Backformation from the plural form madhehebu, from Arabic مَذْهَب (maḏhab) or its plural مَذاهِب (maḏāhib).


mtungi

mtungi class III (plural mitungi class IV)

mtungi class III (canonical)
mitungi class IV (plural)

An old borrowing from Persian تنگ (tong).


seneti

seneti class IX (canonical)
seneti class X (plural)


kijino

kijino class VII (plural vijino class VIII)

kijino class VII (canonical)
vijino class VIII (plural)


mwanachama

mwanachama class I (plural wanachama class II)

mwanachama class I (canonical)
wanachama class II (plural)

Wengine hawanyamazi / Wajiita wanachama


komamanga

komamanga class V (plural makomamanga class VI)

komamanga class V (canonical)
makomamanga class VI (plural)


mkomamanga

mkomamanga class III (plural mikomamanga class IV)

mkomamanga class III (canonical)
mikomamanga class IV (plural)


mbata

mbata class IX (canonical)
mbata class X (plural)

An old coconut from which the copra is extracted.


chembe

chembe class VII (plural vyembe class VIII)

chembe class VII (canonical)
vyembe class VIII (plural)


mhunzi

mhunzi class I (plural wahunzi class II)

mhunzi class I (canonical)
wahunzi class II (plural)


Mkongo

Mkongo class I (plural Wakongo class II)

Mkongo class I (canonical)
Wakongo class II (plural)

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo

A Congolese person, from the Congo region, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Republic of the Congo.


botania

botania class IX (plural botania class X)

botania class IX (canonical)
botania class X (plural)


jozi

jozi class IX (canonical)
jozi class X (plural)

jozi ya viatu


protini

protini class IX (plural protini class X)

protini class IX (canonical)
protini class X (plural)
proteini (alternative)


agano

agano class V (canonical)
maagano class VI (plural)

Inherited from Proto-Bantu [Term?]. By surface analysis, -agana + -o.


teolojia

teolojia class IX (plural teolojia class X)

teolojia class IX (canonical)
teolojia class X (plural)
thiolojia (alternative)


Myunani

Myunani class I (plural Wayunani class II)

Myunani class I (canonical)
Wayunani class II (plural)

From m- + Arabic اَلْيُونَان (al-yūnān), which is from Persian یونان (yunân).

af

ar:اَلْيُونَان

An Ancient Greek; a Greek from classical times.


jeneza

sw-noun

jeneza class V (plural majeneza class VI)

jeneza class V (canonical)
majeneza class VI (plural)


mbunge

mbunge class I (plural wabunge class II)

mbunge class I (canonical)
wabunge class II (plural)

Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament


dayosisi

dayosisi class IX (plural dayosisi class X)

dayosisi class IX (canonical)
dayosisi class X (plural)


akiolojia

akiolojia class IX (plural akiolojia class X)

akiolojia class IX (canonical)
akiolojia class X (plural)


mwanaakiolojia

mwanaakiolojia class I (plural wanaakiolojia class II)

mwanaakiolojia class I (canonical)
wanaakiolojia class II (plural)


mwanahistoria

mwanahistoria class I (plural wanahistoria class II)

mwanahistoria class I (canonical)
wanahistoria class II (plural)


mwombaji

mwombaji class I (plural waombaji class II)

mwombaji class I (canonical)
waombaji class II (plural)


biharusi

biharusi class V (plural mabiharusi class VI)

biharusi class V (canonical)
mabiharusi class VI (plural)
biarusi (alternative)


biarusi

biarusi class V (plural mabiarusi class VI)

biarusi class V (canonical)
mabiarusi class VI (plural)


bwana harusi

bwana harusi class V (plural mabwana harusi class VI)

bwana harusi class V (canonical)
mabwana harusi class VI (plural)
bwana arusi (alternative)


bwana arusi

bwana arusi class V (plural mabwana arusi class VI)

bwana arusi class V (canonical)
mabwana arusi class VI (plural)


mashindano

mashindano class VI (canonical)
mashindayo (alternative)

From ma- + -shindana (“to compete”) + -o.


tarehe

tarehe class IX (canonical)
tarehe class X (plural)

tarehe kumi na tano, mwezi wa saba, mwaka elfu mbili kumi na tisa

date (point of time at which an event takes place)


heshima

heshima class IX (plural heshima class X)

heshima class IX (canonical)
heshima class X (plural)


mheshimiwa

mheshimiwa class I (plural waheshimiwa class II)

mheshimiwa class I (canonical)
waheshimiwa class II (plural)
Mhe. (alternative)

honourable, Excellency (title for certain governmental positions)


mwitu

mwitu class III (canonical)
miitu class IV (plural)


mbwa mwitu

mbwa mwitu class IX (plural mbwa mwitu class X)

mbwa mwitu class IX (canonical)
mbwa mwitu class X (plural)

canids: mbwa na jamaa: mbwa · mbwa mwitu · mbweha~bweha [edit]


kidato

kidato class VII (plural vidato class VIII)

kidato class VII (canonical)
vidato class VIII (plural)

form, grade (level of precollegiate education)


mbuga ya wanyama

mbuga ya wanyama class IX (plural mbuga za wanyama class X)

mbuga ya wanyama class IX (canonical)
mbuga za wanyama class X (plural)


mbuga za wanyama

mbuga ya wanyama
mbuga ya wanyama#Swahili


bustani

bustani class IX (plural bustani class X)

bustani class IX (canonical)
bustani class X (plural)

From Arabic بُسْتَان (bustān), from Persian بوستان (bôstân).


mshikaki

mshikaki class III (plural mishikaki class IV)

mshikaki class III (canonical)
mishikaki class IV (plural)


njugumawe

njugumawe class IX (plural njugumawe class X)

njugumawe class IX (canonical)
njugumawe class X (plural)


njugunyasa

njugunyasa class IX (plural njugunyasa class X)

njugunyasa class IX (canonical)
njugunyasa class X (plural)


karanga

karanga class IX (plural karanga class X)

karanga class IX (canonical)
karanga class X (plural)


sisimisi

sisimisi class IX (plural sisimisi class X)

sisimisi class IX (canonical)
sisimisi class X (plural)


maarifa

Hawa watu wanaangamia kwa sababu ya kukosa maarifa.

These people are perishing because they lack knowledge.


zawadi

zawadi class IX (canonical)
zawadi class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic زَوَاد (zawād, “provisions”).


hukumu

hukumu class IX (canonical)
hukumu class X (plural)


jaji mkuu

sw-noun

jaji mkuu class V (plural majaji wakuu class VI)

jaji mkuu class V (canonical)
majaji wakuu class VI (plural)


msoma

msoma class I (canonical)
wasoma class II (plural)


jirani

jirani class I/IX (plural jirani class II/X or majirani class II/X)

jirani class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
jirani class II (plural)
X (plural)
majirani class II (plural)

From Arabic جِيرَان (jīrān), plural of جَار (jār).


makumbusho

From ma- + -kumbusha (“to remind”) + -o.


mshindwa

mshindwa class I (plural washindwa class II)

mshindwa class I (canonical)
washindwa class II (plural)


zamu

zamu class IX (canonical)
zamu class X (plural)

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)


chesi

chesi class IX (canonical)
chesi class X (plural)


sataranji

sw-noun

sataranji class IX (plural sataranji class X)

sataranji class IX (canonical)
sataranji class X (plural)
saratanji (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic شَطْرَنْج (šaṭranj).


mwindaji

sw-noun

mwindaji class I (plural wawindaji class II)

mwindaji class I (canonical)
wawindaji class II (plural)


kilomita

kilomita class IX (plural kilomita class X)

kilomita class IX (canonical)
kilomita class X (plural)


mtajiri

mtajiri class I (plural watajiri class II)

mtajiri class I (canonical)
watajiri class II (plural)


unyonyaji

From u- + -nyonya (“to suck, to exploit”) + -aji.


athari

athari class IX (canonical)
athari class X (plural)

athari ya sauti


hijabu

hijabu class IX (canonical)
hijabu class X (plural)


msikitini

head

msikitini (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


Mswahili

sw-noun

Mswahili class I (plural Waswahili class II)

Mswahili class I (canonical)
Waswahili class II (plural)

From m- + the Arabic سَوَاحِل (sawāḥil, “coastal dwellers”), plural of سَاحِل (sāḥil, “boundary, coast”).


Mmisri

sw-noun

Mmisri class I (plural Wamisri class II)

Mmisri class I (canonical)
Wamisri class II (plural)


Msiria

Msiria class I (plural Wasiria class II)

Msiria class I (canonical)
Wasiria class II (plural)


Mshamu

Mshamu class I (plural Washamu class II)

Mshamu class I (canonical)
Washamu class II (plural)

(chiefly historical) An inhabitant of Greater Syria or the Levant in ancient times.


Mrumi

Mrumi class I (canonical)
Warumi class II (plural)


asilimia

asilimia class IX (plural asilimia class X)

asilimia class IX (canonical)
asilimia class X (plural)

From asili (“origin”) + mia (“hundred”).


mfumo

mfumo class III (plural mifumo class IV)

mfumo class III (canonical)
mifumo class IV (plural)

system (collection of organized things; whole composed of relationships among its members)


milimita

milimita class IX (plural milimita class X)

milimita class IX (canonical)
milimita class X (plural)
milimeta (alternative)


repoti

repoti class IX (canonical)
repoti class X (plural)


yadi

yadi class IX (canonical)
yadi class X (plural)


hekta

hekta class IX (canonical)
hekta class X (plural)


ekari

ekari class IX (canonical)
ekari class X (plural)
eka (alternative)


mraba

mraba class III (plural miraba class IV)

mraba class III (canonical)
miraba class IV (plural)


Msamburu

Msamburu class I (plural Wasamburu class II)

Msamburu class I (canonical)
Wasamburu class II (plural)

From an old Maasai word, saamburr, for the leather bag the Samburu use.


Mhaya

Mhaya class I (canonical)
Wahaya class II (plural)


mililita

mililita class IX (plural mililita class X)

mililita class IX (canonical)
mililita class X (plural)


painti

painti class IX (canonical)
painti class X (plural)


galoni

galoni class IX (canonical)
galoni class X (plural)


halijoto

halijoto class IX (plural halijoto class X)

halijoto class IX (canonical)
halijoto class X (plural)

From hali (“state, situation”) + joto (“warmth”).


teknolojia

sw-noun

teknolojia class IX (plural teknolojia class X)

teknolojia class IX (canonical)
teknolojia class X (plural)
tekinolojia (alternative)
technolojia (alternative)


tekinolojia

tekinolojia class IX (plural tekinolojia class X)

tekinolojia class IX (canonical)
tekinolojia class X (plural)

Alternative form of teknolojia (“technology”)


Mbudha

Mbudha class I (plural Wabudha class II)

Mbudha class I (canonical)
Wabudha class II (plural)
Mbuddha (alternative)


Mbuddha

Mbuddha class I (plural Wabuddha class II)

Mbuddha class I (canonical)
Wabuddha class II (plural)


bweha

bweha class IX (canonical)
bweha class X (plural)


pauni

pauni class IX (canonical)
pauni class X (plural)
paundi (alternative)


mzimamoto

mzimamoto class I (plural wazimamoto class II)

mzimamoto class I (canonical)
wazimamoto class II (plural)


mumiani

mumiani class IX (plural mumiani class X)

mumiani class IX (canonical)
mumiani class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مُومِيَاء (mūmiyāʔ).

bor+

A gum believed to be made from the murdered victims of witchcraft, or a dried corpse meant to constitute this gum.


kiberiti

sw-noun

kiberiti class VII (plural viberiti class VIII)

kiberiti class VII (canonical)
viberiti class VIII (plural)
kibiriti (alternative)

→ Kikuyu: kĩbiriti


uhitaji

uhitaji class XI (plural mahitaji class X)

uhitaji class XI (canonical)
mahitaji class X (plural)


tangazo

tangazo class V (plural matangazo class VI)

tangazo class V (canonical)
matangazo class VI (plural)

matangazo ya biashara


mwuguzi

mwuguzi class I (plural wauguzi class II)

mwuguzi class I (canonical)
wauguzi class II (plural)


mwanahabari

mwanahabari class I (plural wanahabari class II)

mwanahabari class I (canonical)
wanahabari class II (plural)


pilipili manga

pilipili manga class IX (plural pilipili manga class X)

pilipili manga class IX (canonical)
pilipili manga class X (plural)


mpilipili

mpilipili class III (plural mipilipili class IV)

mpilipili class III (canonical)
mipilipili class IV (plural)


pilipili hoho

pilipili hoho class IX (plural pilipili hoho class X)

pilipili hoho class IX (canonical)
pilipili hoho class X (plural)


mwuzaji

mwuzaji class I (plural wauzaji class II)

mwuzaji class I (canonical)
wauzaji class II (plural)
muuzaji (alternative)


mkononi

head

mkononi (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


weusi

From u- (abstract prefix) + eusi (“black”).


upande

upande class XI (canonical)
pande class X (plural)


stempu

stempu class IX (canonical)
stempu class X (plural)
stampu (alternative)


matamshi

pronunciation (way a word is said out loud)


silabi

silabi class IX (canonical)
silabi class X (plural)


soksi

soksi class IX (canonical)
soksi class X (plural)
sokisi (alternative)

Jaribu pia kuweka kitu cha kukausha jasho kwenye soli ya kiatu chako kabla ya kukivalia bila soksi.

2017 October 10, “Hatari ya kuvalia viatu bila soksi”, in BBC News Swahili:

Also try putting a sweat wicking agent on the sole of your shoe before wearing it without socks.


baadhi

baadhi class IX (canonical)
baadhi class X (plural)

baadhi ya watu

baadhi yetu

[…] vyakula vinavyoletwa kutoka nje baadhi huwa na madhara kwa afya[…]

2020, “Wataalam Wasisitiza Utumiaji Wa Vyakula Vya Asili”, in Kenya News:

[…] of the foods that are brought from outside, some may harm people's healths […]


mshonaji

sw-noun

mshonaji class I (plural washonaji class II)

mshonaji class I (canonical)
washonaji class II (plural)


mnyanya

mnyanya class III (plural minyanya class IV)

mnyanya class III (canonical)
minyanya class IV (plural)


achali

achali class IX (canonical)
achali class X (plural)
achari (alternative)

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.


ratiba

ratiba class IX (canonical)
ratiba class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic رَتِيبة pl (ratība, “monotonous, choreful”).


postkadi

sw-noun

postkadi class IX (plural postkadi class X)

postkadi class IX (canonical)
postkadi class X (plural)


mfanyabiashara

mfanyabiashara class I (plural wafanyabiashara class II)

mfanyabiashara class I (canonical)
wafanyabiashara class II (plural)
mfanyibiashara (alternative)


chokoleti

chokoleti class IX (plural chokoleti class X)

chokoleti class IX (canonical)
chokoleti class X (plural)


mshikaji

mshikaji class I (plural washikaji class II)

mshikaji class I (canonical)
washikaji class II (plural)


Mtaturu

Mtaturu class I (plural Wataturu class II)

Mtaturu class I (canonical)
Wataturu class II (plural)


Mmang'ati

Mmang'ati class I (plural Wamang'ati class II)

Mmang'ati class I (canonical)
Wamang'ati class II (plural)

Borrowed from Maasai ilmang'ati (“enemies”).


Mwiraqw

sw-noun

Mwiraqw class I (plural Wairaqw class II)

Mwiraqw class I (canonical)
Wairaqw class II (plural)

Borrowed from Iraqw iraqw (“Iraqw people”).


mmishionari

sw-noun

mmishionari class I (plural wamishionari class II)

mmishionari class I (canonical)
wamishionari class II (plural)

Alternative form of mmisionari (“missionary”)


vijijini

head

vijijini (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


kijijini

kijijini (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


mikoani

mikoani (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


wilayani

wilayani (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


mjini

mjini (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


mijini

mijini (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


mjusi

sw-noun

mjusi class III (plural mijusi class IV)

mjusi class III (canonical)
mijusi class IV (plural)

A small lizard, like those in the family Gerrhosauridae of plated lizards.


kenge

kenge class IX (canonical)
kenge class X (plural)

A large lizard, chiefly referring to a monitor lizard.


choroa

choroa class IX (canonical)
choroa class X (plural)


mfenesi

mfenesi class III (plural mifenesi class IV)

mfenesi class III (canonical)
mifenesi class IV (plural)


mpopoo

mpopoo class III (plural mipopoo class IV)

mpopoo class III (canonical)
mipopoo class IV (plural)


popoo

popoo class IX (canonical)
popoo class X (plural)


shokishoki

shokishoki class V (plural mashokishoki class VI)

shokishoki class V (canonical)
mashokishoki class VI (plural)


gulabi

gulabi class V (plural magulabi class VI)

gulabi class V (canonical)
magulabi class VI (plural)


mgulabi

mgulabi class III (plural migulabi class IV)

mgulabi class III (canonical)
migulabi class IV (plural)


mshokishoki

mshokishoki class III (plural mishokishoki class IV)

mshokishoki class III (canonical)
mishokishoki class IV (plural)


korosho

korosho class V (plural makorosho class VI)

korosho class V (canonical)
makorosho class VI (plural)

From Portuguese caroço (“stone, hard seed”).


mkorosho

mkorosho class III (plural mikorosho class IV)

mkorosho class III (canonical)
mikorosho class IV (plural)


mpera

mpera class III (plural mipera class IV)

mpera class III (canonical)
mipera class IV (plural)


stafeli

stafeli class V (plural mastafeli class VI)

stafeli class V (canonical)
mastafeli class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic ستعفل (staʕfal), from an Indian language: Hindi सीताफल (sītāphal), Gujarati સીતાફળ (sītāphaḷ), or similar.


mstafeli

sw-noun

mstafeli class III (plural mistafeli class IV)

mstafeli class III (canonical)
mistafeli class IV (plural)

Annona muricata
Annona muricata#Translingual


zabibu

zabibu class IX (canonical)
zabibu class X (plural)


mzabibu

mzabibu class III (plural mizabibu class IV)

mzabibu class III (canonical)
mizabibu class IV (plural)

→ Luganda: omuzabbibu


tikiti

tikiti class V (plural matikiti class VI)

tikiti class V (canonical)
matikiti class VI (plural)


tikiti

tikiti class IX (canonical)
tikiti class X (plural)


mtikiti

mtikiti class III (plural mitikiti class IV)

mtikiti class III (canonical)
mitikiti class IV (plural)


ukwaju

ukwaju class XI (canonical)
kwaju class X (plural)


duriani

duriani class V (plural maduriani class VI)

duriani class V (canonical)
maduriani class VI (plural)


mduriani

mduriani class III (plural miduriani class IV)

mduriani class III (canonical)
miduriani class IV (plural)


punda-milia

punda-milia class IX (plural punda-milia class X)

punda-milia class IX (canonical)
punda-milia class X (plural)


swala twiga

swala twiga class IX (plural swala twiga class X)

swala twiga class IX (canonical)
swala twiga class X (plural)


mbuzi mawe

mbuzi mawe class IX (plural mbuzi mawe class X)

mbuzi mawe class IX (canonical)
mbuzi mawe class X (plural)


meja jenerali

meja jenerali class V (plural mameja jenerali class VI)

meja jenerali class V (canonical)
mameja jenerali class VI (plural)


kapteni

kapteni class V (plural makapteni class VI)

kapteni class V (canonical)
makapteni class VI (plural)


luteni

luteni class V (plural maluteni class VI)

luteni class V (canonical)
maluteni class VI (plural)

lieutenant (lowest ranked military officer)


kampeni

kampeni class IX (plural kampeni class X)

kampeni class IX (canonical)
kampeni class X (plural)

campaign (a series of operations, especially in an election)


diseli

diseli class IX (canonical)
diseli class X (plural)


injini

injini class IX (canonical)
injini class X (plural)


Mrwanda

Mrwanda class I (plural Warwanda class II)

Mrwanda class I (canonical)
Warwanda class II (plural)


Mnyarwanda

Mnyarwanda class I (plural Wanyarwanda class II)

Mnyarwanda class I (canonical)
Wanyarwanda class II (plural)


Mrundi

Mrundi class I (plural Warundi class II)

Mrundi class I (canonical)
Warundi class II (plural)


moyoni

head

moyoni (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


tufaha

sw-noun

tufaha class V (plural matufaha class VI)

tufaha class V (canonical)
matufaha class VI (plural)
tufaa (alternative)
tofaa (alternative)


tofaa

tofaa class V (canonical)
matofaa class VI (plural)


mtufaha

mtufaha class III (plural mitufaha class IV)

mtufaha class III (canonical)
mitufaha class IV (plural)
mtufaa (alternative)
mtofaa (alternative)


mtufaa

mtufaa class III (plural mitufaa class IV)

mtufaa class III (canonical)
mitufaa class IV (plural)


mtofaa

mtofaa class III (plural mitofaa class IV)

mtofaa class III (canonical)
mitofaa class IV (plural)


gereza

gereza class V (plural magereza class VI)

gereza class V (canonical)
magereza class VI (plural)

Etymology tree
Ancient Greek ἐκ (ek)
Ancient Greek καλέω (kaléō)
Ancient Greek -ία (-ía)
Ancient Greek ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía)bor.
Latin ecclēsiaslbor.
Old Galician-Portuguese igreja
Portuguese igrejabor.
Swahili gereza
Borrowed from Portuguese igreja (“church”), from Latin ecclēsia.


jabari

sw-noun

jabari class V (plural majabari class VI)

jabari class V (canonical)
majabari class VI (plural)


mpumbavu

mpumbavu class I (plural wapumbavu class II)

mpumbavu class I (canonical)
wapumbavu class II (plural)


zaituni

zaituni class IX (plural zaituni class X)

zaituni class IX (canonical)
zaituni class X (plural)


zeituni

zeituni class IX (plural zeituni class X)

zeituni class IX (canonical)
zeituni class X (plural)
zaituni (alternative)


mzeituni

mzeituni class III (plural mizeituni class IV)

mzeituni class III (canonical)
mizeituni class IV (plural)
mzaituni (alternative)


mzaituni

mzaituni class III (plural mizaituni class IV)

mzaituni class III (canonical)
mizaituni class IV (plural)


kwapa

kwapa class V (canonical)
makwapa class VI (plural)


kiwiko

kiwiko class VII (plural viwiko class VIII)

kiwiko class VII (canonical)
viwiko class VIII (plural)


unyonga

unyonga class XI (plural nyonga class X)

unyonga class XI (canonical)
nyonga class X (plural)
nyonga (alternative)


kiuno

kiuno class VII (plural viuno class VIII)

kiuno class VII (canonical)
viuno class VIII (plural)


fasihi

fasihi class IX (canonical)
fasihi class X (plural)


istilahi

istilahi class IX (plural istilahi class X)

istilahi class IX (canonical)
istilahi class X (plural)

der

Arabic اِصْطِلَاح (iṣṭilāḥ)


sarufi

sarufi class IX (canonical)
sarufi class X (plural)


itikadi

sw-noun

itikadi class IX (plural itikadi class X)

itikadi class IX (canonical)
itikadi class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic اِعْتِقَاد (iʕtiqād).


kitenzi

sw-noun

kitenzi class VII (plural vitenzi class VIII)

kitenzi class VII (canonical)
vitenzi class VIII (plural)


kihisishi

kihisishi class VII (plural vihisishi class VIII)

kihisishi class VII (canonical)
vihisishi class VIII (plural)


kiingizi

kiingizi class VII (plural viingizi class VIII)

kiingizi class VII (canonical)
viingizi class VIII (plural)

From ki- + -ingiza (“to admin, let into”).


kiunganishi

kiunganishi class VII (plural viunganishi class VIII)

kiunganishi class VII (canonical)
viunganishi class VIII (plural)

From ki- + -unganisha (“to connect, merge”) + -i.


mofolojia

sw-noun

mofolojia class IX (plural mofolojia class X)

mofolojia class IX (canonical)
mofolojia class X (plural)

morphology (scientific or linguistic study of the form and structure of something)


fonetiki

fonetiki class IX (plural fonetiki class X)

fonetiki class IX (canonical)
fonetiki class X (plural)


sintaksia

sintaksia class IX (plural sintaksia class X)

sintaksia class IX (canonical)
sintaksia class X (plural)


semantiki

semantiki class IX (plural semantiki class X)

semantiki class IX (canonical)
semantiki class X (plural)


miwani

miwani class IX (canonical)
miwani class X (plural)

From Arabic; apparently مِعْوَان (miʕwān, “aid”) had the meaning “reading aid” in East Africa, compare known عُوَيْنَات (ʕuwaynāt, “glasses”).


mwanafalsafa

mwanafalsafa class I (plural wanafalsafa class II)

mwanafalsafa class I (canonical)
wanafalsafa class II (plural)


mantiki

mantiki class IX (plural mantiki class X)

mantiki class IX (canonical)
mantiki class X (plural)


injili

injili class IX (canonical)
injili class X (plural)


metafizikia

metafizikia class IX (plural metafizikia class X)

metafizikia class IX (canonical)
metafizikia class X (plural)


saikolojia

saikolojia class IX (plural saikolojia class X)

saikolojia class IX (canonical)
saikolojia class X (plural)


mwanaisimu

mwanaisimu class I (plural wanaisimu class II)

mwanaisimu class I (canonical)
wanaisimu class II (plural)


mwanasarufi

mwanasarufi class I (plural wanasarufi class II)

mwanasarufi class I (canonical)
wanasarufi class II (plural)


ngeli

ngeli class IX (canonical)
ngeli class X (plural)

Katika sehemu hii basi, utapitia ngeli nyingine ambayo ni I- ZI-^([sic]).

1997, Ahmed Ndalu, Mwangaza wa Kiswahili, page 11:

2003 (Nov. 5), Mr. Wario, Kenya National Assembly Official Record, p. 3619

(please add an English translation of this quotation)

Kwa mfano, katika lugha ya Kiswahili, kuna ngeli ya Ki-Vi.

Ngeli hii hujumlisha viambishi vinavyotumiwa kuwakilisha majina wa viumbe wote wenye uhai kama vile watu, wanyama, viumbe wa majini, wadudu na ndege.

2013, Suleiman Mirikau, Msururu wa PTE Kiswahili, page 99:


mwanaleksikografia

mwanaleksikografia class I (plural wanaleksikografia class II)

mwanaleksikografia class I (canonical)
wanaleksikografia class II (plural)


intaneti

intaneti class IX (plural intaneti class X)

intaneti class IX (canonical)
intaneti class X (plural)
inteneti (alternative)


shughuli

shughuli class IX (plural shughuli class X)

shughuli class IX (canonical)
shughuli class X (plural)


mwanzi

mwanzi class III (plural mianzi class IV)

mwanzi class III (canonical)
mianzi class IV (plural)

pipe (something resembling a bamboo stalk in shape)


ikisiri

ikisiri class IX (plural ikisiri class X)

ikisiri class IX (canonical)
ikisiri class X (plural)


ensaiklopidia

ensaiklopidia class IX (plural ensaiklopidia class X)

ensaiklopidia class IX (canonical)
ensaiklopidia class X (plural)
ensaiklopedia (alternative)


seli nyekundu ya damu

seli nyekundu ya damu class IX (plural seli nyekundu za damu class X)

seli nyekundu ya damu class IX (canonical)
seli nyekundu za damu class X (plural)


seli nyekundu za damu

seli nyekundu ya damu
seli nyekundu ya damu#Swahili


oksaidi

oksaidi class IX (plural oksaidi class X)

oksaidi class IX (canonical)
oksaidi class X (plural)


sodiamu

sodiamu class IX (plural sodiamu class X)

sodiamu class IX (canonical)
sodiamu class X (plural)


kalisiamu

kalisiamu class IX (plural kalisiamu class X)

kalisiamu class IX (canonical)
kalisiamu class X (plural)
kalisi (alternative)


potasiamu

potasiamu class IX (plural potasiamu class X)

potasiamu class IX (canonical)
potasiamu class X (plural)


seli nyeupe ya damu

seli nyeupe ya damu class IX (plural seli nyeupe za damu class X)

seli nyeupe ya damu class IX (canonical)
seli nyeupe za damu class X (plural)


seli nyeupe za damu

seli nyeupe ya damu
seli nyeupe ya damu#Swahili


haidrojeni

haidrojeni class IX (plural haidrojeni class X)

haidrojeni class IX (canonical)
haidrojeni class X (plural)


akaunti ya benki

akaunti ya benki class IX (plural akaunti za benki class X)

akaunti ya benki class IX (canonical)
akaunti za benki class X (plural)


akaunti za benki

akaunti ya benki
akaunti ya benki#Swahili


nitrojeni

nitrojeni class IX (plural nitrojeni class X)

nitrojeni class IX (canonical)
nitrojeni class X (plural)
naitrojeni (alternative)


naitrojeni

naitrojeni class IX (plural naitrojeni class X)

naitrojeni class IX (canonical)
naitrojeni class X (plural)


fosforasi

fosforasi class IX (plural fosforasi class X)

fosforasi class IX (canonical)
fosforasi class X (plural)
fosiforasi (alternative)


uwanja wa ndege

uwanja wa ndege class XI (plural nyanja za ndege class X)

uwanja wa ndege class XI (canonical)
nyanja za ndege class X (plural)


mruba

mruba class III (plural miruba class IV)

mruba class III (canonical)
miruba class IV (plural)


msemi

msemi class I (canonical)
wasemi class II (plural)


dasturi

dasturi class IX (plural dasturi class X)

dasturi class IX (canonical)
dasturi class X (plural)


mbuyu

mbuyu class III (plural mibuyu class IV)

mbuyu class III (canonical)
mibuyu class IV (plural)


mkuyati

mkuyati class III (plural mikuyati class IV)

mkuyati class III (canonical)
mikuyati class IV (plural)


mchumbururu

mchumbururu class III (plural michumbururu class IV)

mchumbururu class III (canonical)
michumbururu class IV (plural)


mpini

mpini class III (plural mipini class IV)

mpini class III (canonical)
mipini class IV (plural)


Mhausa

Mhausa class I (plural Wahausa class II)

Mhausa class I (canonical)
Wahausa class II (plural)


Myoruba

Myoruba class I (plural Wayoruba class II)

Myoruba class I (canonical)
Wayoruba class II (plural)


kianga

kianga class VII (plural vianga class VIII)

kianga class VII (canonical)
vianga class VIII (plural)


mwana-CCM

mwana-CCM class I (plural wana-CCM class II)

mwana-CCM class I (canonical)
wana-CCM class II (plural)

(politics, Tanzania) A member of Chama Cha Mapinduzi, a political party in Tanzania.


ajabu

ajabu class V or IX (plural maajabu class VI or ajabu class X)

ajabu class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
maajabu class VI (plural)
ajabu class X (plural)


binadamu

binadamu class I/IX (plural binadamu class II/X)

binadamu class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
binadamu class II (plural)
X (plural)
binaadamu (alternative)

From Arabic اِبْن آدَم (ibn ʔādam, “son of Adam”).


unyago

unyago (set of rituals that use music and dance to celebrate the coming of age of girls, teaching them about sex and conjugal life)


harambee

sw-noun

harambee class IX (plural harambee class X)

harambee class IX (canonical)
harambee class X (plural)

→ English: harambee


mudiria

mudiria class IX (plural mudiria class X)

mudiria class IX (canonical)
mudiria class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مُدِيرِيَّة (mudīriyya).


unywele

sw-noun

unywele class XI (plural nywele class X)

unywele class XI (canonical)
nywele class X (plural)

a piece of hair (a pigmented filament of keratin which grows from a follicle on the human head)


kaida

kaida class IX (canonical)
kaida class X (plural)


jalala

jalala class ? (plural [please provide])


mkuyu

mkuyu class III (plural mikuyu class IV)

mkuyu class III (canonical)
mikuyu class IV (plural)

Ficus sycomorus
Ficus sycomorus#Translingual


sandwichi

sandwichi class IX (plural sandwichi class X)

sandwichi class IX (canonical)
sandwichi class X (plural)


mche

mche class III (canonical)
miche class IV (plural)


tepu

tepu class IX (canonical)
tepu class X (plural)

tape (flexible material in a roll with a sticky surface on one or both sides)


chaka

chaka class V (canonical)
machaka class VI (plural)

shrubland (land that is covered mostly with shrubs)


almari

almari class IX (canonical)
almari class X (plural)

Borrowed from Indo-Portuguese almar, from Portuguese armário.


uga

uga class XI (canonical)
nyuga class X (plural)


ngawa

ngawa class IX (canonical)
ngawa class X (plural)


kifaurongo

kifaurongo class VII (plural vifaurongo class VIII)

kifaurongo class VII (canonical)
vifaurongo class VIII (plural)

From kifa (“death”) + urongo (“deception”).

something that feigns death when touched, like an insect or leaf that curls up


kikundi

kikundi class VII (plural vikundi class VIII)

kikundi class VII (canonical)
vikundi class VIII (plural)


paipu

paipu class IX (canonical)
paipu class X (plural)

Walimbana na kumuingiza paipu yenye upepo mkali hadi akafa.

2015 November 8, “6 wahukumiwa kifo kwa kuua wato 2 Bangladesh”, in BBC News Swahili:

Mtu huyo alilazimika kulishwa kwa kutumia paipu kwa siku saba mfululilizo ili kutoa fursa kwa tishu hizo kupona.

2018 January 17, “Apasuka koo kwa kujaribu kuzuia kupiga chafya”, in BBC News Swahili:

The man had to be fed through a tube for seven days in a row to give the tissue a chance to heal.


kaputi

kaputi class IX (canonical)
kabuti (alternative)


kaputi

kaputi class V (plural makaputi class VI)

kaputi class V (canonical)
makaputi class VI (plural)
kabuti (alternative)


kinasa

kinasa class VII (plural vinasa class VIII)

kinasa class VII (canonical)
vinasa class VIII (plural)

kinasa wadudu

a trap (something that traps something else)


uovu

evil, wickedness, corruption, badness, immorality


spishi

spishi class IX (canonical)
spishi class X (plural)


ngagi

ngagi class IX (canonical)
ngagi class X (plural)


jenasi

jenasi class IX (canonical)
jenasi class X (plural)


sokwemtu

sokwemtu class IX (plural sokwemtu class X)

sokwemtu class IX (canonical)
sokwemtu class X (plural)


kibuyu

kibuyu class VII (plural vibuyu class VIII)

kibuyu class VII (canonical)
vibuyu class VIII (plural)

A container made from a baobab pod, used as a calabash (usually for drawing water).


ubuyu

The edible inner fruit of the baobab pod.


mhenga

mhenga class I (plural wahenga class II)

mhenga class I (canonical)
wahenga class II (plural)


zeze

→ English: zeze

→ Malagasy: jejy


katekisimu

katekisimu class IX (plural katekisimu class X)

katekisimu class IX (canonical)
katekisimu class X (plural)


kadogo

From a dialectal form of kidogo, using ka-.


suali

suali class V (canonical)
masuali class VI (plural)


chamani

head

chamani (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


mkungu

sw-noun

mkungu class III (plural mikungu class IV)

mkungu class III (canonical)
mikungu class IV (plural)

stem of bananas (a complete stem with many fruit, larger than a hand or bunch)

Terminalia catappa
Terminalia catappa#Translingual

The Indian almond tree, Terminalia catappa.


printa

printa class IX (canonical)
printa class X (plural)

printa ya rangi


bayani

bayani class IX (canonical)
bayani class X (plural)


simsim

simsim class IX (canonical)
simsim class X (plural)


chepeo

chepeo class VII (plural vyepeo class VIII)

chepeo class VII (canonical)
vyepeo class VIII (plural)


hanithi

hanithi class V (plural mahanithi class VI)

hanithi class V (canonical)
mahanithi class VI (plural)

From Arabic خَنِيث (ḵanīṯ, “effeminate”).


msenge

msenge class I (plural wasenge class II)

msenge class I (canonical)
wasenge class II (plural)

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


rutuba

rutuba class IX (canonical)
rutuba class X (plural)


siasa

siasa class IX (canonical)
siasa class X (plural)


chang'aa

chang'aa class IX (plural chang'aa class X)

chang'aa class IX (canonical)
chang'aa class X (plural)


mahaba

Borrowed from Arabic مَحَبَّة (maḥabba).


kiazi ulaya

kiazi ulaya class VII (plural viazi ulaya class VIII)

kiazi ulaya class VII (canonical)
viazi ulaya class VIII (plural)


kiazi kitamu

kiazi kitamu class VII (plural viazi vitamu class VIII)

kiazi kitamu class VII (canonical)
viazi vitamu class VIII (plural)

Ipomoea batatas
Ipomoea batatas#Translingual


saruji

saruji class IX (canonical)
saruji class X (plural)


mjengo

mjengo class III (plural mijengo class IV)

mjengo class III (canonical)
mijengo class IV (plural)


dirhamu

dirhamu class IX (plural dirhamu class X)

dirhamu class IX (canonical)
dirhamu class X (plural)


dimu

dimu class V (canonical)
madimu class VI (plural)
ndimu (alternative)

From Persian لیمو (limu, “lemon, lime”).


zafarani

zafarani class IX (plural zafarani class X)

zafarani class IX (canonical)
zafarani class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān).


kiwete

sw-noun

kiwete class VII (plural viwete class VIII)

kiwete class VII (canonical)
viwete class VIII (plural)

a lame person (a person with a disability that makes them unable to walk easily, if at all)


chimbo

chimbo class V (plural machimbo class VI)

chimbo class V (canonical)
machimbo class VI (plural)

mine (place from which ore is extracted)


nungu

nungu class IX (canonical)
nungu class X (plural)


zakati

zakati class IX (canonical)
zakati class X (plural)
zaka (alternative)


mkazi

mkazi class I (canonical)
wakazi class II (plural)

From m + -kaa (“to live, reside”) + -zi.

resident (person living at a location or an area)


hekalu

hekalu class V (plural mahekalu class VI)

hekalu class V (canonical)
mahekalu class VI (plural)


mwenye

mwenye class I (canonical)
wenye class II (plural)


sadaka

sadaka class IX (canonical)
sadaka class X (plural)


bamia

bamia class V (canonical)
mabamia class VI (plural)

Abelmoschus esculentus
Abelmoschus esculentus#Translingual


mbungu

mbungu class IX (canonical)
mbungu class X (plural)


ngalawa

ngalawa class IX (plural ngalawa class X)

ngalawa class IX (canonical)
ngalawa class X (plural)


galawa

galawa class IX (canonical)
galawa class X (plural)

→ Chichewa: ngalawa

Of disputed origin, but widely considered a borrowing. The original meaning may be "outrigger" (as recorded in the dialect of Pemba), but Meinhof considered it to be from Portuguese galeão. Various other suggestions of Indian or Austronesian origin have been made.


shumburere

shumburere class V (plural mashumburere class VI)

shumburere class V (canonical)
mashumburere class VI (plural)
shumbulele (alternative)


shumbulele

shumbulele class V (plural mashumbulele class VI)

shumbulele class V (canonical)
mashumbulele class VI (plural)


barakinya

barakinya class IX (plural barakinya class X)

barakinya class IX (canonical)
barakinya class X (plural)

Borrowed from Portuguese barquinha, diminutive of barca, and probably modified after baraka (“blessing”).


ngwena

ngwena class IX (canonical)
ngwena class X (plural)


mavi ya mbuzi

Literally, “goat dung”, after its shape.

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see mavi, mbuzi.


shupaza

shupaza class IX (plural shupaza class X)

shupaza class IX (canonical)
shupaza class X (plural)


turufu

turufu class IX (canonical)
turufu class X (plural)


mzambarau

mzambarau class III (plural mizambarau class IV)

mzambarau class III (canonical)
mizambarau class IV (plural)


foronya

foronya class IX (plural foronya class X)

foronya class IX (canonical)
foronya class X (plural)


tarumbeta

tarumbeta class V (plural matarumbeta class VI)

tarumbeta class V (canonical)
matarumbeta class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Portuguese trombeta. Some sources claim it's from English trumpet.


mzungu wa pili

mzungu wa pili class I (plural wazungu wa pili class II)

mzungu wa pili class I (canonical)
wazungu wa pili class II (plural)

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


mzungu wa tatu

mzungu wa tatu class I (plural wazungu wa tatu class II)

mzungu wa tatu class I (canonical)
wazungu wa tatu class II (plural)

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


mzungu wa nne

mzungu wa nne class I (plural wazungu wa nne class II)

mzungu wa nne class I (canonical)
wazungu wa nne class II (plural)

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


ghulamu

ghulamu class V (plural maghulamu class VI)

ghulamu class V (canonical)
maghulamu class VI (plural)


hamali

hamali class V (plural mahamali class VI)

hamali class V (canonical)
mahamali class VI (plural)


mkulia

mkulia class I (plural wakulia class II)

mkulia class I (canonical)
wakulia class II (plural)

a person brought up as a slave, having been born into slavery or enslaved as a young child


mtoro

mtoro class I (canonical)
watoro class II (plural)


Mwamu

Mwamu class I (canonical)
Waamu class II (plural)


Mpate

Mpate class I (canonical)
Wapate class II (plural)


mahari

mahari class IX (canonical)
mahari class X (plural)


shela

shela class IX (canonical)
shela class X (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic شيلة (šēla), ultimately from Hindi शाल (śāl) or Persian شال (šâl).


mwamba

mwamba class III (plural miamba class IV)

mwamba class III (canonical)
miamba class IV (plural)

rock, cliff, crag (mass of projecting rock)


uzio

uzio class XI (canonical)
nyuzio class X (plural)

2013 September 17, “Wahamiaji wavunja uzio kuingia Uhispania”, in BBC News Swahili:


wosia

wosia class IX (canonical)
wosia class X (plural)
wasia (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic وَصِيَّة (waṣiyya).


Mdachi

Mdachi class I (plural Wadachi class II)

Mdachi class I (canonical)
Wadachi class II (plural)


Mkorea

Mkorea class I (plural Wakorea class II)

Mkorea class I (canonical)
Wakorea class II (plural)


Mbrazili

Mbrazili class I (plural Wabrazili class II)

Mbrazili class I (canonical)
Wabrazili class II (plural)


Kaburu

Kaburu class V (plural Makaburu class VI)

Kaburu class V (canonical)
Makaburu class VI (plural)

(derogatory) a white person, a barbarian


skuta

skuta class IX (canonical)
skuta class X (plural)


pwa

pwa class V (canonical)
mapwa class VI (plural)


ukoko

crust (food residue at the bottom of a pan)


kidole gumba

kidole gumba class VII (plural vidole gumba class VIII)

kidole gumba class VII (canonical)
vidole gumba class VIII (plural)


tundu la pua

tundu la pua class V (plural matundu ya pua class VI)

tundu la pua class V (canonical)
matundu ya pua class VI (plural)


mwanasanaa

mwanasanaa class I (plural wanasanaa class II)

mwanasanaa class I (canonical)
wanasanaa class II (plural)


kiguu

kiguu class VII (plural viguu class VIII)

kiguu class VII (canonical)
viguu class VIII (plural)

diminutive of mguu: small or incomplete leg


mwari

mwari class I (canonical)
wari class II (plural)


mwani

mwani class III (canonical)
miani class IV (plural)


nyuni

nyuni class IX (canonical)
nyuni class X (plural)


kuzimu

kuzimu class ? (plural [please provide])

underworld (the place where people go after death)


daftari

daftari class V or IX (plural madaftari class VI or daftari class X)

daftari class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
madaftari class VI (plural)
daftari class X (plural)


muungwana

muungwana class I (plural wauungwana class II)

muungwana class I (canonical)
wauungwana class II (plural)
mwungwana (alternative)


mwungwana

mwungwana class I (plural waungwana class II)

mwungwana class I (canonical)
waungwana class II (plural)


uungwana

the status of being freeborn or patrician

being civilized or cultured, being well-bred


sharifu

sharifu class V (plural masharifu class VI)

sharifu class V (canonical)
masharifu class VI (plural)

a noble, especially a person descended from Muhammad


mtumba

mtumba class III (plural mitumba class IV)

mtumba class III (canonical)
mitumba class IV (plural)


kitumbua

kitumbua class VII (plural vitumbua class VIII)

kitumbua class VII (canonical)
vitumbua class VIII (plural)


ajizi

ajizi class IX (canonical)
ajizi class X (plural)


kadhi

kadhi class V (canonical)
makadhi class VI (plural)

der

Arabic قَاضِي (qāḍī)


karafuu

sw-noun

karafuu class IX (plural karafuu class X)

karafuu class IX (canonical)
karafuu class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic قَرَنْفُل (qaranful).


mkarafuu

sw-noun

mkarafuu class III (plural mikarafuu class IV)

mkarafuu class III (canonical)
mikarafuu class IV (plural)


salfa

salfa class IX (canonical)
salfa class X (plural)


jemadari

jemadari class V (plural majemadari class VI)

jemadari class V (canonical)
majemadari class VI (plural)


jamala

jamala class IX (canonical)
jamala class X (plural)


jamali

jamali class IX (canonical)
jamali class X (plural)


urembo

urembo class XI (plural marembo class VI)

urembo class XI (canonical)
marembo class VI (plural)

From u- + -remba (“to beautify, decorate”).

an ornamentation or decoration, especially on the body


hofu

hofu class IX (canonical)
hofu class X (plural)
hawafu (alternative)
khofu (alternative)


mkarimu

mkarimu class I (plural wakarimu class II)

mkarimu class I (canonical)
wakarimu class II (plural)


ishara

ishara class IX (canonical)
ishara class X (plural)

der

Arabic إِشَارَة (ʔišāra)


jabali

sw-noun

jabali class V (plural majabali class VI)

jabali class V (canonical)
majabali class VI (plural)


saladi

saladi class IX (canonical)
saladi class X (plural)


sambusa

sambusa class IX (plural sambusa class X)

sambusa class IX (canonical)
sambusa class X (plural)

From Classical Persian سَنْبوسَه (sanbōsa), from Middle Persian *sambōsag.

A savoury pastry, often stuffed with meat, similar to the South Asian samosa


samli

samli class IX (canonical)
samli class X (plural)


shemasi

shemasi class V (plural mashemasi class VI)

shemasi class V (canonical)
mashemasi class VI (plural)


shayiri

shayiri class IX (plural shayiri class X)

shayiri class IX (canonical)
shayiri class X (plural)


roshani

roshani class IX (plural roshani class X)

roshani class IX (canonical)
roshani class X (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic روشن (rōšen, “veranda”), from Persian روشن (rowšan).


rakaa

rakaa class IX (canonical)
rakaa class X (plural)

(Islam) A cycle of Islamic prayer involving a single iteration of bowing and double prostration.


mnajimu

sw-noun

mnajimu class I (plural wanajimu class II)

mnajimu class I (canonical)
wanajimu class II (plural)

From Arabic مُنَجِّم (munajjim, “astrologer”), with reinterpretation of m(u)- as the prefix m- (perhaps m- + Arabic نَجْم (najm, “star”)).


rehema

rehema class IX (canonical)
rehema class X (plural)


mimbari

sw-noun

mimbari class IX (plural mimbari class X)

mimbari class IX (canonical)
mimbari class X (plural)


mithali

mithali class IX (plural mithali class X)

mithali class IX (canonical)
mithali class X (plural)


mhanga

mhanga class I (plural wahanga class II)

mhanga class I (canonical)
wahanga class II (plural)
muhanga (alternative)


mhanga

mhanga class III (plural mihanga class IV)

mhanga class III (canonical)
mihanga class IV (plural)
muhanga (alternative)


mkasi

mkasi class III (plural mikasi class IV)

mkasi class III (canonical)
mikasi class IV (plural)

→ Kikuyu: magathĩ

→ Lingala: makási

→ Luganda: màkânsi


mja

mja class I (canonical)
waja class II (plural)

(dated) servant, slave (especially a male one)


mjakazi

mjakazi class I (plural wajakazi class II)

mjakazi class I (canonical)
wajakazi class II (plural)


tyubu

tyubu class IX (canonical)
tyubu class X (plural)

tube (especially in technical or mechanical contexts)


fanusi

fanusi class IX (canonical)
fanusi class X (plural)


farisi

farisi class V (plural mafarisi class VI)

farisi class V (canonical)
mafarisi class VI (plural)


fatiha

fatiha class IX (canonical)
fatiha class X (plural)

(Islam) prelude (to the Qur'an or as an opening prayer)


terafini

terafini class IX (plural terafini class X)

terafini class IX (canonical)
terafini class X (plural)

An early borrowing from a European language, probably Portuguese terebintina.


tairi

tairi class V (canonical)
matairi class VI (plural)


msiri

msiri class I (canonical)
wasiri class II (plural)

confidant, accomplice (one with whom one shares secrets)


juisi

juisi class IX (canonical)
juisi class X (plural)
jusi (alternative)


kaniki

kaniki class IX (canonical)
kaniki class X (plural)


bizari

bizari class IX (canonical)
bizari class X (plural)
binzari (alternative)

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


rehani

rehani class IX (canonical)
rehani class X (plural)


popobawa

sw-noun

popobawa class V (plural mapopobawa class VI)

popobawa class V (canonical)
mapopobawa class VI (plural)

A shetani, or evil spirit, believed by many to appear periodically in Tanzania.


mbamia

mbamia class III (plural mibamia class IV)

mbamia class III (canonical)
mibamia class IV (plural)


busu

busu class V (canonical)
mabusu class VI (plural)

Ultimately from Classical Persian بوسه (bōsa), through an Arabic intermediate; compare Omani Arabic بوس (būs) and Arabic بَاسَ (bāsa, verb), the imperative of which would regularly yield the Swahili verb.


habusu

habusu class V (plural mahabusu class VI)

habusu class V (canonical)
mahabusu class VI (plural)

(rare) singular of mahabusu (“prisoner”)


halaiki

halaiki class IX (plural halaiki class X)

halaiki class IX (canonical)
halaiki class X (plural)

From Arabic خَلائِق (ḵalāʔiq), plural of خَلِيقة (ḵalīqa, “creature, creation”).


hamira

hamira class IX (canonical)
hamira class X (plural)

From Arabic خَمِير (ḵamīr) or خَمِيرَة (ḵamīra).


harara

harara class IX (canonical)
harara class X (plural)

Etymology tree
Arabic حَرَارَة (ḥarāra)bor.
Swahili harara
Borrowed from Arabic حَرَارَة (ḥarāra).

etymon

ar>حَرَارَة>heat


karabai

sw-noun

karabai class IX (plural karabai class X)

karabai class IX (canonical)
karabai class X (plural)


sanamu

sanamu class IX (canonical)
sanamu class X (plural)


kafuri

kafuri class IX (canonical)
kafuri class X (plural)


tumbaku

tumbaku class IX (plural tumbaku class X)

tumbaku class IX (canonical)
tumbaku class X (plural)
tumbako (alternative)
tombaku (alternative)
tombako (alternative)


mtumbaku

mtumbaku class III (plural mitumbaku class IV)

mtumbaku class III (canonical)
mitumbaku class IV (plural)
mtumbako (alternative)


mtumbako

mtumbako class III (plural mitumbako class IV)

mtumbako class III (canonical)
mitumbako class IV (plural)


Mbengali

Mbengali class I (plural Wabengali class II)

Mbengali class I (canonical)
Wabengali class II (plural)


hayawani

hayawani class IX (plural hayawani class X)

hayawani class IX (canonical)
hayawani class X (plural)

Etymology tree
Arabic حَيَوَان (ḥayawān)bor.
Swahili hayawani
Borrowed from Arabic حَيَوَان (ḥayawān).

etymon

idiot, brute (a person who behaves animalistically)


talasimu

sw-noun

talasimu class ? (plural [please provide])

From Arabic طَلَاسِم (ṭalāsim), plural of طِلَسْم (ṭilasm).


imla

imla class IX (canonical)
imla class X (plural)

dictation (an activity done in schools to practise spelling skills)


jora

jora class V (canonical)
majora class VI (plural)

Possibly from Arabic جُرْزَة (jurza, “bundle of hay”).

A measure of length of cloth, approximately equal to thirty yards.


tofauti

tofauti class IX (plural tofauti class X)

tofauti class IX (canonical)
tofauti class X (plural)
tafauti (alternative)


tafauti

tafauti class IX (plural tafauti class X)

tafauti class IX (canonical)
tafauti class X (plural)


zinaa

zinaa class IX (canonical)
zinaa class X (plural)


korija

korija class IX (canonical)
korija class X (plural)

Borrowed from Hindi कोड़ी (koṛī), probably from Austroasiatic.

a group of twenty, used when counting certain wares


mnara

mnara class III (plural minara class IV)

mnara class III (canonical)
minara class IV (plural)


kiwida

kiwida class VII (plural viwida class VIII)

kiwida class VII (canonical)
viwida class VIII (plural)

(nautical) hole in the beam of a boat where the mast is attached


kiyunga

kiyunga class VII (plural viyunga class VIII)

kiyunga class VII (canonical)
viyunga class VIII (plural)


beteri

beteri class IX (canonical)
beteri class X (plural)


baruti

baruti class IX (canonical)
baruti class X (plural)

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


kombeo

sw-noun

kombeo class V (plural makombeo class VI)

kombeo class V (canonical)
makombeo class VI (plural)


silaha

silaha class IX (canonical)
silaha class X (plural)


Mmakonde

Mmakonde class I (plural Wamakonde class II)

Mmakonde class I (canonical)
Wamakonde class II (plural)


Mdigo

Mdigo class I (canonical)
Wadigo class II (plural)


kuhani

kuhani class V (plural makuhani class VI)

kuhani class V (canonical)
makuhani class VI (plural)

From Arabic كُهّان (kuhhān), plural of كاهِن (kāhin, “priest”, especially a non-Christian one). The Biblical use is ultimately based on Biblical Hebrew כֹּהֵן (kôhēn).


jasusi

jasusi class V (plural majasusi class VI)

jasusi class V (canonical)
majasusi class VI (plural)


kigoma

kigoma class VII (plural vigoma class VIII)

kigoma class VII (canonical)
vigoma class VIII (plural)


mpaji

mpaji class I (canonical)
wapaji class II (plural)


mgema

mgema class I (canonical)
wagema class II (plural)


mwovu

mwovu class I (canonical)
waovu class II (plural)


ghamu

ghamu class IX (canonical)
ghamu class X (plural)


tarbushi

tarbushi class IX (plural tarbushi class X)

tarbushi class IX (canonical)
tarbushi class X (plural)

tarboosh, fez (a kind of red cap with a tassel)


hafla

hafla class IX (canonical)
hafla class X (plural)
hafula (alternative)

banquet, feast, celebratory party, reception


tashbiha

tashbiha class IX (plural tashbiha class X)

tashbiha class IX (canonical)
tashbiha class X (plural)


blangeti

blangeti class IX (plural blangeti class X)

blangeti class IX (canonical)
blangeti class X (plural)


isimu jamii

isimu jamii class IX (canonical)
isimujamii (alternative)


tahajia

tahajia class IX (plural tahajia class X)

tahajia class IX (canonical)
tahajia class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic تَهْجِئَة (tahjiʔa).


otografia

sw-noun

otografia class IX (plural otografia class X)

otografia class IX (canonical)
otografia class X (plural)


uhusiano

uhusiano class XI (canonical)
husiano (alternative)

From -husiana (“relate”), reciprocal form of -husu (“affect, concern”).


upenzi

upenzi class XI (plural mapenzi class X)

upenzi class XI (canonical)
mapenzi class X (plural)


mjenzi

mjenzi class I (plural wajenzi class II)

mjenzi class I (canonical)
wajenzi class II (plural)


mjengaji

mjengaji class I (plural wajengaji class II)

mjengaji class I (canonical)
wajengaji class II (plural)


klachi

klachi class IX (canonical)
klachi class X (plural)


mlindaji

mlindaji class I (plural walindaji class II)

mlindaji class I (canonical)
walindaji class II (plural)


mpikaji

mpikaji class I (plural wapikaji class II)

mpikaji class I (canonical)
wapikaji class II (plural)


mchoraji

mchoraji class I (plural wachoraji class II)

mchoraji class I (canonical)
wachoraji class II (plural)

engraver (one who makes things by carving into them)


mlimaji

mlimaji class I (plural walimaji class II)

mlimaji class I (canonical)
walimaji class II (plural)


mwenda

mwenda class I (canonical)
waenda class II (plural)


adhana

adhana class IX (canonical)
adhana class X (plural)


bawabu

bawabu class V (plural mabawabu class VI)

bawabu class V (canonical)
mabawabu class VI (plural)


mkato

mkato class III (plural mikato class IV)

mkato class III (canonical)
mikato class IV (plural)


nukta mbili

nukta mbili class X (canonical)
nuktambili (alternative)

Literally, “two dots”, after its appearance.


nukta

nukta class IX (canonical)
nukta class X (plural)


sumaku

sumaku class IX (canonical)
sumaku class X (plural)


jenereta

jenereta class V or IX (plural majenereta class VI or jenereta class X)

jenereta class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
majenereta class VI (plural)
jenereta class X (plural)


kathodi

kathodi class IX (plural kathodi class X)

kathodi class IX (canonical)
kathodi class X (plural)


marijani

marijani class IX (plural marijani class X)

marijani class IX (canonical)
marijani class X (plural)


risiti

risiti class IX (canonical)
risiti class X (plural)


mtima

mtima class III (plural mitima class IV)

mtima class III (canonical)
mitima class IV (plural)


mgodi

mgodi class III (plural migodi class IV)

mgodi class III (canonical)
migodi class IV (plural)

Not present in the early dictionaries (Krapf and Madan). Ultimately a 20th-century borrowing from a Southern Bantu language; compare Zulu umgodi (“hole, mine”).

mine (place from which ore is extracted)


paroko

paroko class V (plural maparoko class VI)

paroko class V (canonical)
maparoko class VI (plural)


dekani

dekani class I (plural madekani class II)

dekani class I (canonical)
madekani class II (plural)


boda boda

boda boda class IX (plural boda boda class X)

boda boda class IX (canonical)
boda boda class X (plural)


nishani

nishani class IX (plural nishani class X)

nishani class IX (canonical)
nishani class X (plural)


kidonge

kidonge class VII (plural vidonge class VIII)

kidonge class VII (canonical)
vidonge class VIII (plural)


mfungwa

mfungwa class I (plural wafungwa class II)

mfungwa class I (canonical)
wafungwa class II (plural)

From m- + -fungwa, passive of -funga (“to jail”).


fungamano

fungamano class V (plural mafungamano class VI)

fungamano class V (canonical)
mafungamano class VI (plural)


mfunga

mfunga class I (plural wafunga class II)

mfunga class I (canonical)
wafunga class II (plural)


mfungaji

mfungaji class I (plural wafungaji class II)

mfungaji class I (canonical)
wafungaji class II (plural)

scorer (one who scores, a skilled footballer)


ogofyo

ogofyo class V (plural maogofyo class VI)

ogofyo class V (canonical)
maogofyo class VI (plural)


mlisha

mlisha class I (plural walisha class II)

mlisha class I (canonical)
walisha class II (plural)


gilasi

gilasi class IX (canonical)
gilasi class X (plural)


mwandiko

mwandiko class III (plural miandiko class IV)

mwandiko class III (canonical)
miandiko class IV (plural)


andalio

andalio class V (plural maandalio class VI)

andalio class V (canonical)
maandalio class VI (plural)

From -andalia, applicative form of -andaa.


mfiwa

mfiwa class I (canonical)
wafiwa class II (plural)


mwuaji

mwuaji class I (canonical)
wauaji class II (plural)


shahawa

shahawa class IX (plural shahawa class X)

shahawa class IX (canonical)
shahawa class X (plural)


mfanyakazi

mfanyakazi class I (plural wafanyakazi class II)

mfanyakazi class I (canonical)
wafanyakazi class II (plural)
mfanyikazi (alternative)
mfanya kazi (alternative)


mfanyaji

mfanyaji class I (plural wafanyaji class II)

mfanyaji class I (canonical)
wafanyaji class II (plural)


mfanya

mfanya class I (plural wafanya class II)

mfanya class I (canonical)
wafanya class II (plural)

doer, executor, organizer (one who does something or carries out a task)


mfanyi

mfanyi class I (plural wafanyi class II)

mfanyi class I (canonical)
wafanyi class II (plural)


sitiari

sitiari class IX (plural sitiari class X)

sitiari class IX (canonical)
sitiari class X (plural)
istiari (alternative)
istiara (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic اِسْتِعَارَة (istiʕāra).

bor+

اِسْتِعَارَة


kontena

sw-noun

kontena class V (plural makontena class VI)

kontena class V (canonical)
makontena class VI (plural)


volkeno

volkeno class IX (plural volkeno class X)

volkeno class IX (canonical)
volkeno class X (plural)


ikolojia

ikolojia class IX (plural ikolojia class X)

ikolojia class IX (canonical)
ikolojia class X (plural)
ekolojia (alternative)


tabianchi

tabianchi class IX (plural tabianchi class X)

tabianchi class IX (canonical)
tabianchi class X (plural)

Alternative spelling of tabia nchi (“climate”)


kipimajoto

kipimajoto class VII (plural vipimajoto class VIII)

kipimajoto class VII (canonical)
vipimajoto class VIII (plural)

From ki- + -pima (“measure”) + joto (“warmth”).


bisi

bisi class IX (canonical)
bisi class X (plural)


thawabu

sw-noun

thawabu class IX (plural thawabu class X)

thawabu class IX (canonical)
thawabu class X (plural)

(religion) spiritual rewards, credit for good deeds; (Islam) hasanat


msumari

msumari class III (plural misumari class IV)

msumari class III (canonical)
misumari class IV (plural)


msiba

msiba class III (plural misiba class IV)

msiba class III (canonical)
misiba class IV (plural)


gamu

gamu class IX (canonical)
gamu class X (plural)


bafu

bafu class V or IX (plural mabafu class VI or bafu class X)

bafu class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
mabafu class VI (plural)
bafu class X (plural)


aunsi

aunsi class IX (canonical)
aunsi class X (plural)


paundi

paundi class IX (canonical)
paundi class X (plural)

Alternative form of pauni: pound (unit of currency)

Synonym of ratili: pound (unit of weight)


florini

florini class IX (plural florini class X)

florini class IX (canonical)
florini class X (plural)


heliamu

heliamu class IX (plural heliamu class X)

heliamu class IX (canonical)
heliamu class X (plural)
heli (alternative)


suruali

suruali class IX (plural suruali class X)

suruali class IX (canonical)
suruali class X (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic صروال (ṣurwāl), from Arabic سِرْوَال (sirwāl).


safina

safina class IX (canonical)
safina class X (plural)

ark (ship of the biblical character Noah)


fahamu

fahamu class IX (canonical)
fahamu class X (plural)


ukuti

ukuti class XI (canonical)
kuti class X (plural)

a single pinna or leaflet of a frond of the coconut palm


mtepe

sw-noun

mtepe class III (plural mitepe class IV)

mtepe class III (canonical)
mitepe class IV (plural)

A traditional kind of sewn boat with a projecting prow.


taarabu

taarabu class IX (plural taarabu class X)

taarabu class IX (canonical)
taarabu class X (plural)


mdundiko

mdundiko class III (plural midundiko class IV)

mdundiko class III (canonical)
midundiko class IV (plural)

A traditional dance of the Zaramo people.


bedeni

bedeni class V (plural mabedeni class VI)

bedeni class V (canonical)
mabedeni class VI (plural)

The beden, a type of dhow in which the prow and stern are identical.


sukani

sukani class IX (canonical)
sukani class X (plural)


tufani

tufani class IX (canonical)
tufani class X (plural)


nyika

nyika class V (canonical)
manyika class VI (plural)


gofu

gofu class V (canonical)
magofu class VI (plural)


gofu

gofu class IX (canonical)
gofu class X (plural)


kisutu

kisutu class VII (plural visutu class VIII)

kisutu class VII (canonical)
visutu class VIII (plural)

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


zabadi

zabadi class IX (canonical)
zabadi class X (plural)


ambari

ambari class IX (canonical)
ambari class X (plural)


kaharabu

kaharabu class IX (plural kaharabu class X)

kaharabu class IX (canonical)
kaharabu class X (plural)

From Omani Arabic كهراب (kahrāb), ultimately from Persian کهربا (kahrobâ).


togwa

togwa class IX (canonical)
togwa class X (plural)

a sweet, unfermented beverage, traditionally made from sorghum


kaango

kaango class V (plural makaango class VI)

kaango class V (canonical)
makaango class VI (plural)


msahau

msahau class I (plural wasahau class II)

msahau class I (canonical)
wasahau class II (plural)


Msudani

Msudani class I (plural Wasudani class II)

Msudani class I (canonical)
Wasudani class II (plural)
Msudan (alternative)


Msudan

Msudan class I (plural Wasudan class II)

Msudan class I (canonical)
Wasudan class II (plural)


afande

afande class V (plural maafande class VI)

afande class V (canonical)
maafande class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish افندی (efendi) (modern Turkish efendi), which was used as a rank of non-European officer in several military forces in colonial Africa.

bor+

sir (polite term of address, principally used with military men)


ukao

ukao class XI (canonical)
makao class X (plural)


hawara

sw-noun

hawara class V (plural mahawara class VI)

hawara class V (canonical)
mahawara class VI (plural)

a lover with whom one lives; a serious partner


ahera

ahera class IX (canonical)
ahera class X (plural)
akhera (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic الآخِرَة (al-ʔāḵira).


tarabu

tarabu class IX (canonical)
tarabu class X (plural)


mwigaji

sw-noun

mwigaji class I (plural waigaji class II)

mwigaji class I (canonical)
waigaji class II (plural)


mziko

mziko class III (plural miziko class IV)

mziko class III (canonical)
miziko class IV (plural)


mwigo

mwigo class III (canonical)
miigo class IV (plural)


sufii

sufii class V (canonical)
masufii class VI (plural)


asumini

Etymology tree
Middle Persian yʾsmn'
Classical Persian یَاسَمِین (yāsamīn)bor.
Arabic يَاسَمِين (yāsamīn)bor.
Swahili asumini
Borrowed from Arabic يَاسَمِين (yāsamīn).


msala

sw-noun

msala class III (plural misala class IV)

msala class III (canonical)
misala class IV (plural)
mswala (alternative)

From Arabic مُصَلَّى (muṣallā, “place of prayer”).


msala

Mostly treated as identical with etymology 1. The sense can be derived without difficulty from situations where someone retreats to a private chamber for prayer, and particularly from the ablutions necessary beforehand.
Sergio Baldi instead connects it tentatively with Arabic زَلاقة (zalāqa, “slipperiness”), but this seems less likely.


mchenza

sw-noun

mchenza class III (plural michenza class IV)

mchenza class III (canonical)
michenza class IV (plural)


undugu

brotherhood; state of being family or like a family


baniani

baniani class V (plural mabaniani class VI)

baniani class V (canonical)
mabaniani class VI (plural)
banyani (alternative)

From Arabic بَنْيَان (banyān), from Gujarati વાણિયો (vāṇiyo, “merchant”).


banyani

banyani class V (plural mabanyani class VI)

banyani class V (canonical)
mabanyani class VI (plural)


Mhindu

Mhindu class I (plural Wahindu class II)

Mhindu class I (canonical)
Wahindu class II (plural)


krioli

krioli class IX (canonical)
krioli class X (plural)


pijini

pijini class IX (canonical)
pijini class X (plural)


hirizi

hirizi class IX (canonical)
hirizi class X (plural)

amulet (especially ones with text from the Qur'an worn by Muslims)


mchanyato

mchanyato class III (plural michanyato class IV)

mchanyato class III (canonical)
michanyato class IV (plural)


akida

akida class V (canonical)
maakida class VI (plural)

A chief or local administrator of a town, especially under colonial rule.


boneti

boneti class IX (canonical)
boneti class X (plural)

(automotive) bonnet (Commonwealth), hood (US) (cover over the engine of a motor car)


kabureta

kabureta class IX (plural kabureta class X)

kabureta class IX (canonical)
kabureta class X (plural)


madigadi

madigadi class IX (plural madigadi class X)

madigadi class IX (canonical)
madigadi class X (plural)


kinjia

kinjia class VII (plural vinjia class VIII)

kinjia class VII (canonical)
vinjia class VIII (plural)

diminutive of njia: small path, narrow street


kijio

kijio class VII (plural vijio class VIII)

kijio class VII (canonical)
vijio class VIII (plural)
chajio (alternative)

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


mjio

mjio class III (canonical)
mijio class IV (plural)


ujio

ujio class XI (canonical)
majio class VI (plural)


maradhi ya zinaa

sexually transmitted disease
sexually transmitted disease


Mfilisti

Mfilisti class I (plural Wafilisti class II)

Mfilisti class I (canonical)
Wafilisti class II (plural)


kisukari

kisukari class VII (plural visukari class VIII)

kisukari class VII (canonical)
visukari class VIII (plural)

Nakumbuka muujiza wa uponyaji wa mwanamke mwenye kisukari aliyeishi kwa kutegemea sindano za kisukari kila siku.

2018, Dag Heward-Mills, Eneza Huduma Yako Kwa Miujiza na Udhihirishaji wa Roho Mtakatifu, →ISBN:

I remember the miracle of healing the woman with diabetes who lived by relying on injections for diabetes every day.

Nilinunua visukari sokoni.

2000, Kamusi yangu ya kwanza, East African Publishers, →ISBN, page 82:

I bought sweet baby bananas at the market.


mafua

cold, or any disease that can be felt in the chest


mlalaji

mlalaji class I (plural walalaji class II)

mlalaji class I (canonical)
walalaji class II (plural)


tetekuwanga

tetekuwanga class IX (canonical)
tetewanga (alternative)


pepopunda

pepopunda class IX (canonical)
pepo punda (alternative)

From pepo (“spirit, demon”) + punda (“donkey”). Allegedly from the donkey-like sound made by a patient seriously ill with the disease.


najisi

najisi class IX (canonical)
najisi class X (plural)


mbakaji

sw-noun

mbakaji class I (plural wabakaji class II)

mbakaji class I (canonical)
wabakaji class II (plural)


kiharusi

kiharusi class VII (canonical)
kiarusi (alternative)


tezi

(medicine) swelling (including goiters and tumours)

(anatomy) gland (organ that synthesizes and secretes substance)


tezi

tezi class V (canonical)
matezi class VI (plural)

(nautical) stern, poop (the rear part or after end of a ship or vessel)


bundi

bundi class IX (canonical)
bundi class X (plural)


mwanakondoo

mwanakondoo class I (plural wanakondoo class II)

mwanakondoo class I (canonical)
wanakondoo class II (plural)

From mwana (“child”) + kondoo (“sheep”).


mwanambuzi

mwanambuzi class I (plural wanambuzi class II)

mwanambuzi class I (canonical)
wanambuzi class II (plural)


baghala

baghala class IX (plural baghala class X)

baghala class IX (canonical)
baghala class X (plural)


kinyonga

kinyonga class VII (plural vinyonga class VIII)

kinyonga class VII (canonical)
vinyonga class VIII (plural)


lumbwi

lumbwi class IX (canonical)
lumbwi class X (plural)


kigeugeu

kigeugeu class VII (plural vigeugeu class VIII)

kigeugeu class VII (canonical)
vigeugeu class VIII (plural)


mwewe

mwewe class IX (canonical)
mwewe class X (plural)


nguchiro

nguchiro class IX (plural nguchiro class X)

nguchiro class IX (canonical)
nguchiro class X (plural)


nungunungu

nungunungu class IX (plural nungunungu class X)

nungunungu class IX (canonical)
nungunungu class X (plural)
nungu (alternative)


tandala

tandala class IX (plural tandala class X)

tandala class IX (canonical)
tandala class X (plural)


wibari

wibari class IX (canonical)
wibari class X (plural)


pimbi

pimbi class IX (canonical)
pimbi class X (plural)


bwege

bwege class V (canonical)
mabwege class VI (plural)


pomboo

pomboo class IX (canonical)
pomboo class X (plural)


komba

komba class IX (canonical)
komba class X (plural)


kakakuona

kakakuona class IX (plural kakakuona class X)

kakakuona class IX (canonical)
kakakuona class X (plural)

The first element is from Proto-Bantu *nkákà.


anguko

anguko class V (plural maanguko class VI)

anguko class V (canonical)
maanguko class VI (plural)


mwimbi

Likely cognate with Kikuyu mũgĩmbĩ (“finger millet”), and possibly further afield with Dhivehi ބިންބި (bin̊bi, “finger millet”).

cog

Eleusine coracana
Eleusine coracana#Translingual


mbege

(Tanzania) an alcoholic drink made from fermented bananas


tambi

tambi class IX (canonical)
tambi class X (plural)


vokali

vokali class IX (canonical)
vokali class X (plural)


supu

supu class IX (canonical)
supu class X (plural)


kaptura

sw-noun

kaptura class IX (plural kaptura class X)

kaptura class IX (canonical)
kaptura class X (plural)


oneo

oneo class V (canonical)
maoneo class VI (plural)

From -onea, the applicative form of -ona (“see”).


maonyesho

plural of onyesho: fair (community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements)


onyo

onyo class V (canonical)
maonyo class VI (plural)


mhandisi

mhandisi class I (plural wahandisi class II)

mhandisi class I (canonical)
wahandisi class II (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مُهَنْدِس (muhandis).


zahanati

sw-noun

zahanati class IX (plural zahanati class X)

zahanati class IX (canonical)
zahanati class X (plural)

From dialectal Arabic أَجْزَاخَانَة (ʔajzāḵāna).

bor

أَجْزَاخَانَة

Arabic أَجْزَاخَانَة (ʔajzāḵāna)


lishe

lishe class IX (canonical)
lishe class X (plural)


dawa ya wadudu

sw-noun

dawa ya wadudu class IX (plural dawa za wadudu class X or madawa ya wadudu class VI)

dawa ya wadudu class IX (canonical)
dawa za wadudu class X (plural)
madawa ya wadudu class VI (plural)


kafara

kafara class IX (canonical)
kafara class X (plural)


mzimu

mzimu class I (canonical)
mizimu class II (plural)


mzimu

mzimu class III (plural mizimu class IV)

mzimu class III (canonical)
mizimu class IV (plural)


motoni

head

motoni (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


teknokrasia

sw-noun

teknokrasia class IX (plural teknokrasia class X)

teknokrasia class IX (canonical)
teknokrasia class X (plural)


kadiri

kadiri class IX (canonical)
kadri (alternative)


kichumba

kichumba class VII (plural vichumba class VIII)

kichumba class VII (canonical)
vichumba class VIII (plural)


kikuti

kikuti class VII (plural vikuti class VIII)

kikuti class VII (canonical)
vikuti class VIII (plural)


mwarobaini

mwarobaini class III (plural miarobaini class IV)

mwarobaini class III (canonical)
miarobaini class IV (plural)

From mw- + arobaini (“forty”), in reference to the belief that it can cure forty ailments.


ngisi

ngisi class IX (canonical)
ngisi class X (plural)


tozo

tozo class V (canonical)
matozo class VI (plural)

[…] kupunguziwa tozo kutoka shilingi 2000 hadi shilingi 250 kwa lita ya maziwa[…]

2022, Muungano wa Tanganyika na Zanzibar: Chimbuko, Misingi na Maendeleo, Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, →ISBN:

[…] a reduction of the fee from 2000 shillings to 250 shillings per litre of milk […]


kasumba

kasumba class IX (plural kasumba class X)

kasumba class IX (canonical)
kasumba class X (plural)

Borrowed from Gujarati કસુંબો (kasumbo, “a beverage containing opium”), Kachchi [Term?]; compare Sindhi کُهُنبو (kuhunbo).

bor+

kasumba ya ukoloni

hangover (unpleasant relic left from prior events)


shimoni

head

shimoni (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


chuoni

chuoni (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


shuleni

shuleni (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)


gwanda

sw-noun

gwanda class V (plural magwanda class VI)

gwanda class V (canonical)
magwanda class VI (plural)


kambaa

kambaa class IX (canonical)
kambaa class X (plural)


dhalimu

dhalimu class V (plural madhalimu class VI)

dhalimu class V (canonical)
madhalimu class VI (plural)


Mfinlendi

Mfinlendi class I (plural Wafinlendi class II)

Mfinlendi class I (canonical)
Wafinlendi class II (plural)


mtekelezaji

mtekelezaji class I (plural watekelezaji class II)

mtekelezaji class I (canonical)
watekelezaji class II (plural)


bonge

bonge class V (canonical)
mabonge class VI (plural)


kiwanja cha michezo

kiwanja cha michezo class VII (plural viwanja vya michezo class VIII)

kiwanja cha michezo class VII (canonical)
viwanja vya michezo class VIII (plural)


kiwanja cha ndege

kiwanja cha ndege class VII (plural viwanja vya ndege class VIII)

kiwanja cha ndege class VII (canonical)
viwanja vya ndege class VIII (plural)


kusudi

kusudi class V (plural makusudi class VI)

kusudi class V (canonical)
makusudi class VI (plural)


ugunduzi

ugunduzi class XI (plural ngunduzi class X)

ugunduzi class XI (canonical)
ngunduzi class X (plural)

From u- + -gundua (“to discover”) + -zi.


uwanja

uwanja class XI (canonical)
nyanja class X (plural)

field (domain of study, knowledge or practice)


kituo cha basi

kituo cha basi class VII (plural vituo vya basi class VIII)

kituo cha basi class VII (canonical)
vituo vya basi class VIII (plural)


mlongo

mlongo class I (canonical)
waongo class II (plural)

Alternative form of mwongo (“liar, deceiver”)


mlongo

mlongo class III (plural milongo class IV)

mlongo class III (canonical)
milongo class IV (plural)


kipeo

kipeo class VII (plural vipeo class VIII)

kipeo class VII (canonical)
vipeo class VIII (plural)

apex, climax, vertex, top, summit, maximum; ideal


mshtuko wa moyo

mshtuko wa moyo class III (plural mishtuko ya moyo class IV)

mshtuko wa moyo class III (canonical)
mishtuko ya moyo class IV (plural)
mshituko wa moyo (alternative)


mshangao

mshangao class III (plural mishangao class IV)

mshangao class III (canonical)
mishangao class IV (plural)

surprise, astonishment, wonder, bewilderment


Mdahalo

Mdahalo class I (plural Wadahalo class II)

Mdahalo class I (canonical)
Wadahalo class II (plural)


mtoto wa mbwa

mtoto wa mbwa class I (plural watoto wa mbwa class II)

mtoto wa mbwa class I (canonical)
watoto wa mbwa class II (plural)

(derogatory) son of a bitch (term of abuse)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see mtoto, mbwa.


muungano

muungano class III (plural miungano class IV)

muungano class III (canonical)
miungano class IV (plural)

From mu- + -ungana (“to join together”).

union, alliance, coalition; connection, combination


ajili

ajili class IX (canonical)
ajili class X (plural)


kichomi

kichomi class VII (plural vichomi class VIII)

kichomi class VII (canonical)
vichomi class VIII (plural)


kitambo

kitambo class VII (plural vitambo class VIII)

kitambo class VII (canonical)
vitambo class VIII (plural)

diminutive of tambo: moment, short period; some distance


kilipukaji

kilipukaji class VII (plural vilipukaji class VIII)

kilipukaji class VII (canonical)
vilipukaji class VIII (plural)


kilipuzi

kilipuzi class VII (plural vilipuzi class VIII)

kilipuzi class VII (canonical)
vilipuzi class VIII (plural)


kiherehere

kiherehere class VII (plural viherehere class VIII)

kiherehere class VII (canonical)
viherehere class VIII (plural)


tarbia

tarbia class IX (canonical)
tarbia class X (plural)


mtihani

mtihani class III (plural mitihani class IV)

mtihani class III (canonical)
mitihani class IV (plural)


mvutano

mvutano class III (plural mivutano class IV)

mvutano class III (canonical)
mivutano class IV (plural)

kani ya mvutano


hewani

head

hewani (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


buruhahi

sw-noun

buruhahi class IX (plural buruhahi class X)

buruhahi class IX (canonical)
buruhahi class X (plural)


kiwango

kiwango class VII (plural viwango class VIII)

kiwango class VII (canonical)
viwango class VIII (plural)


uabudiwaji

uabudiwaji class XI (plural abudiwaji class X)

uabudiwaji class XI (canonical)
abudiwaji class X (plural)


uwepo

From u- + -wepo (“to be (at a definite/specific place)”).


tarkia

tarkia class IX (canonical)
tarkia class X (plural)


tashhidi

sw-noun

tashhidi class V (plural matashhidi class VI)

tashhidi class V (canonical)
matashhidi class VI (plural)


tasfida

tasfida class IX (plural tasfida class X)

tasfida class IX (canonical)
tasfida class X (plural)
tasifida (alternative)
tafsida (alternative)


tawafa

tawafa class IX (canonical)
tawafa class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic طَوَّافَة (ṭawwāfa).


mvamizi

sw-noun

mvamizi class I (plural wavamizi class II)

mvamizi class I (canonical)
wavamizi class II (plural)


mvazi

mvazi class I (canonical)
wavazi class II (plural)


mvivu

mvivu class I (canonical)
wavivu class II (plural)


mvujo

mvujo class III (plural mivujo class IV)

mvujo class III (canonical)
mivujo class IV (plural)


mvunja

mvunja class I (plural wavunja class II)

mvunja class I (canonical)
wavunja class II (plural)


mvunaji

mvunaji class I (plural wavunaji class II)

mvunaji class I (canonical)
wavunaji class II (plural)


mvushaji

mvushaji class I (plural wavushaji class II)

mvushaji class I (canonical)
wavushaji class II (plural)


mvumo

mvumo class III (plural mivumo class IV)

mvumo class III (canonical)
mivumo class IV (plural)

From m- + -vuma (“to growl, roar”) + -o.


konokono

konokono class IX (plural konokono class X)

konokono class IX (canonical)
konokono class X (plural)


msahafu

msahafu class III (plural misahafu class IV)

msahafu class III (canonical)
misahafu class IV (plural)


msalabani

head

msalabani (adverbial locative noun in the pa, ku, or mu locative classes)

in the (adverbial class-16 locative noun)
ku (adverbial locative noun)


dhamira

sw-noun

dhamira class IX (plural dhamira class X)

dhamira class IX (canonical)
dhamira class X (plural)
dhamiri (alternative)


manyake

(slang) a woman's buttocks, or the sexual aspects of her body in general


juala

juala class IX (canonical)
juala class X (plural)


samawati

samawati class IX (plural samawati class X)

samawati class IX (canonical)
samawati class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic سَمَاوَات (samāwāt), the plural of سَمَاء (samāʔ, “sky”).


hotuba

hotuba class IX (canonical)
hotuba class X (plural)
hutuba (alternative)


mwamuzi

sw-noun

mwamuzi class I (plural wamuzi class II)

mwamuzi class I (canonical)
wamuzi class II (plural)

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


hifadhi

hifadhi class IX (plural hifadhi class X)

hifadhi class IX (canonical)
hifadhi class X (plural)

Weka chini ya hifadhi


mahakama

mahakama class IX (plural mahakama class X)

mahakama class IX (canonical)
mahakama class X (plural)
mahkama (alternative)
mahakma (alternative)


mahkama

mahkama class IX (plural mahkama class X)

mahkama class IX (canonical)
mahkama class X (plural)


jamuhuri

jamuhuri class IX (plural jamuhuri class X)

jamuhuri class IX (canonical)
jamuhuri class X (plural)


kimau

kimau class VII (plural vimau class VIII)

kimau class VII (canonical)
vimau class VIII (plural)

Probably from Portuguese quimão, from Japanese 着物 (kimono).


rikabu

rikabu class IX (canonical)
rikabu class X (plural)

From Arabic رِكَاب (rikāb), singulative of رُكُبْ (rukub, “mounts”).

(poetic) a mount (an animal that is ridden on, especially a horse)


pamba

pamba class IX (canonical)
pamba class X (plural)


chelewa

chelewa class ? (plural [please provide])


awamu

awamu class IX (canonical)
awamu class X (plural)


kangara

kangara class IX (plural kangara class X)

kangara class IX (canonical)
kangara class X (plural)

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


balungi

balungi class V (plural mabalungi class VI)

balungi class V (canonical)
mabalungi class VI (plural)


mbalungi

mbalungi class III (plural mibalungi class IV)

mbalungi class III (canonical)
mibalungi class IV (plural)


mgono

mgono class III (plural migono class IV)

mgono class III (canonical)
migono class IV (plural)

Borrowed from another Bantu language, like Zaramo or Bondei.


kangaruu

kangaruu class IX (plural kangaruu class X)

kangaruu class IX (canonical)
kangaruu class X (plural)


soseji

soseji class IX (canonical)
soseji class X (plural)


glavu

glavu class IX (canonical)
glavu class X (plural)
glovu (alternative)


glovu

glovu class IX (canonical)
glovu class X (plural)


burashi

burashi class IX (plural burashi class X)

burashi class IX (canonical)
burashi class X (plural)
brashi (alternative)


brashi

brashi class IX (canonical)
brashi class X (plural)


gluu

gluu class IX (canonical)
gluu class X (plural)


helmeti

helmeti class IX (plural helmeti class X)

helmeti class IX (canonical)
helmeti class X (plural)


beberu

beberu class V (plural mabeberu class VI)

beberu class V (canonical)
mabeberu class VI (plural)

Suggested to be from Hindi बरबरी (barabrī, “Barbary goat”), although it may simply be imitative.


patasi

patasi class IX (canonical)
patasi class X (plural)

Borrowed from Gujarati ફડસી (phaḍsī), Kachchi [Term?]; compare Sindhi پَٽاسِي (patāsī).


dhuria

dhuria class IX (canonical)
dhuria class X (plural)


yatima

yatima class V (plural mayatima class VI)

yatima class V (canonical)
mayatima class VI (plural)


fahali

fahali class V (plural mafahali class VI)

fahali class V (canonical)
mafahali class VI (plural)


homa ya manjano

jaundice, particularly as caused by yellow fever


maharazi

maharazi class IX (plural maharazi class X)

maharazi class IX (canonical)
maharazi class X (plural)


dohani

dohani class IX (canonical)
dohani class X (plural)


dohani

dohani class V (plural madohani class VI)

dohani class V (canonical)
madohani class VI (plural)


ekseli

ekseli class IX (canonical)
ekseli class X (plural)


mbahili

mbahili class I (plural wabahili class II)

mbahili class I (canonical)
wabahili class II (plural)


huruma

huruma class IX (canonical)
huruma class X (plural)


hasira

hasira class IX (canonical)
hasira class X (plural)


nguru

nguru class IX (canonical)
nguru class X (plural)

kingfish, king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla)


mbura

mbura class III (plural mibura class IV)

mbura class III (canonical)
mibura class IV (plural)


ambukizo

ambukizo class V (plural maambukizo class VI)

ambukizo class V (canonical)
maambukizo class VI (plural)


chanzo

chanzo class VII (plural vyanzo class VIII)

chanzo class VII (canonical)
vyanzo class VIII (plural)

source, origin, start, foundation; basis, reason


kaskazi

From Arabic كَوْس قَيْظ (kaws qayẓ, literally “headwind of heat”).


zoezi

zoezi class V (canonical)
mazoezi class VI (plural)


hitilafu

sw-noun

hitilafu class IX (plural hitilafu class X)

hitilafu class IX (canonical)
hitilafu class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic اِخْتِلَاف (iḵtilāf).


nakshi

nakshi class IX (canonical)
nakshi class X (plural)
nakishi (alternative)


nakishi

sw-noun

nakishi class IX (plural nakishi class X)

nakishi class IX (canonical)
nakishi class X (plural)


merikebu

merikebu class IX (plural merikebu class X)

merikebu class IX (canonical)
merikebu class X (plural)


sarafu

sarafu class IX (canonical)
sarafu class X (plural)


uzani

From Arabic وَزْن (wazn). Doublet of wizani.


ladha

ladha class IX (canonical)
ladha class X (plural)


tuzo

tuzo class IX (canonical)
tuzo class X (plural)


uchungu

From Common Bantu *bʊ̀cʊ́ngʊ́. By surface analysis, u- + -chungu.


duara

duara class IX (canonical)
duara class X (plural)


mnyoo

mnyoo class III (plural minyoo class IV)

mnyoo class III (canonical)
minyoo class IV (plural)


mwinuko

mwinuko class III (plural miinuko class IV)

mwinuko class III (canonical)
miinuko class IV (plural)


mzunguko

mzunguko class III (plural mizunguko class IV)

mzunguko class III (canonical)
mizunguko class IV (plural)


mwayo

mwayo class III (canonical)
miayo class IV (plural)


mwanaharakati

mwanaharakati class I (plural wanaharakati class II)

mwanaharakati class I (canonical)
wanaharakati class II (plural)


harakati

harakati class IX (plural harakati class X)

harakati class IX (canonical)
harakati class X (plural)


usinga

usinga class XI (canonical)
singa class X (plural)


pembenne

pembenne class IX (plural pembenne class X)

pembenne class IX (canonical)
pembenne class X (plural)


mwanasaikolojia

mwanasaikolojia class I (plural wanasaikolojia class II)

mwanasaikolojia class I (canonical)
wanasaikolojia class II (plural)


kirutubisho

kirutubisho class VII (plural virutubisho class VIII)

kirutubisho class VII (canonical)
virutubisho class VIII (plural)
kirutubishi (alternative)


bangiri

bangiri class IX (plural bangiri class X)

bangiri class IX (canonical)
bangiri class X (plural)


mmonaki

mmonaki class I (plural wamonaki class II)

mmonaki class I (canonical)
wamonaki class II (plural)

Coined from Medieval Latin monachus, from Ancient Greek μοναχός (monakhós).


umonaki

(Christianity) monasticism, state of being a monk


Mbenedikto

Mbenedikto class I (plural Wabenedikto class II)

Mbenedikto class I (canonical)
Wabenedikto class II (plural)


umisionari

umisionari class XI (canonical)
umishionari (alternative)
umishenari (alternative)
umishonari (alternative)


mbangi

mbangi class III (plural mibangi class IV)

mbangi class III (canonical)
mibangi class IV (plural)


iliki

iliki class IX (canonical)
iliki class X (plural)
eliki (alternative)
elki (alternative)
hiliki (alternative)

Ultimately from Proto-Dravidian *ēlakāy, likely via Gujarati ઇલાયચી (ilāyacī), Hindi इलायची (ilāycī).


dalasini

dalasini class IX (plural dalasini class X)

dalasini class IX (canonical)
dalasini class X (plural)

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

bor+

دَارَصِينِيّ


mdalasini

sw-noun

mdalasini class III (plural midalasini class IV)

mdalasini class III (canonical)
midalasini class IV (plural)


kungumanga

kungumanga class IX (plural kungumanga class X)

kungumanga class IX (canonical)
kungumanga class X (plural)


mkungumanga

mkungumanga class III (plural mikungumanga class IV)

mkungumanga class III (canonical)
mikungumanga class IV (plural)


ukumbuko

ukumbuko class XI (plural kumbuko class X)

ukumbuko class XI (canonical)
kumbuko class X (plural)


mtengano

mtengano class III (plural mitengano class IV)

mtengano class III (canonical)
mitengano class IV (plural)

From -tengana, with the meaning "to separate from each other".


nanaa

nanaa class V (canonical)
mananaa class VI (plural)


kilio

kilio class VII (plural vilio class VIII)

kilio class VII (canonical)
vilio class VIII (plural)
kiliyo (alternative)


madhumuni

madhumuni class IX (plural madhumuni class X)

madhumuni class IX (canonical)
madhumuni class X (plural)


katazo

katazo class V (plural makatazo class VI)

katazo class V (canonical)
makatazo class VI (plural)


myombo

myombo class III (plural miyombo class IV)

myombo class III (canonical)
miyombo class IV (plural)

Borrowed from Bemba miombo, plural of muombo.


enzi

enzi class IX (canonical)
enzi class X (plural)


utepetevu

utepetevu class XI (plural tepetevu class X)

utepetevu class XI (canonical)
tepetevu class X (plural)


kisirani

kisirani class IX (plural kisirani class X)

kisirani class IX (canonical)
kisirani class X (plural)


uanzishaji

establishment, beginning, inception, commencement, foundation


mdhalimu

mdhalimu class I (plural wadhalimu class II)

mdhalimu class I (canonical)
wadhalimu class II (plural)


dhiraa

dhiraa class IX (canonical)
dhiraa class X (plural)

cubit, ell (a traditional unit of measurement, approximately 50 cm)


mkono wa kulia

Literally, “eating hand”. East African manners dictate that only the right hand be used for eating.


shemali

shemali class IX (plural shemali class X)

shemali class IX (canonical)
shemali class X (plural)


shibiri

shibiri class IX (plural shibiri class X)

shibiri class IX (canonical)
shibiri class X (plural)
shubiri (alternative)

span (space from thumb to little finger)


kidole cha shahada

kidole cha shahada class VII (plural vidole vya shahada class VIII)

kidole cha shahada class VII (canonical)
vidole vya shahada class VIII (plural)


serkali

serkali class IX (plural serkali class X)

serkali class IX (canonical)
serkali class X (plural)

Alternative form of serikali (“government”)


mwujizi

mwujizi class III (plural miujizi class IV)

mwujizi class III (canonical)
miujizi class IV (plural)


mteta

mteta class I (canonical)
wateta class II (plural)
mtetaji (alternative)


mtetea

mtetea class I (plural watetea class II)

mtetea class I (canonical)
watetea class II (plural)
mteteaji (alternative)


risala

risala class IX (canonical)
risala class X (plural)


selula

selula class IX (canonical)
selula class X (plural)

mobile phone (a portable telephone, a cellphone)


nyenje

nyenje class IX (canonical)
nyenje class X (plural)


digidigi

digidigi class IX (plural digidigi class X)

digidigi class IX (canonical)
digidigi class X (plural)

Onomatopoeia of the animal's cry when alarmed.


nyau

nyau class I/IX (plural nyau class II/X)

nyau class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
nyau class II (plural)
X (plural)

(vulgar, colloquial) pussy (female genitalia)


mtumi

mtumi class I (canonical)
watumi class II (plural)


hamri

hamri class V (canonical)
mahamri class VI (plural)

a kind of andazi fritter made with coconut and cardamom


hamri

hamri class IX (canonical)
hamri class X (plural)


banati

banati class V (plural mabanati class VI)

banati class V (canonical)
mabanati class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic بَنَات (banāt), plural of بِنْت (bint).


ndia

ndia class IX (canonical)
ndia class X (plural)

هُيُوِ دُنِيَ اِيْنَ غُرُرِ ، دِيَ زَتَتَسِ هُزَدَمَيِْ،

R. Allen (1946) “Inkishafi—a translation from the Swahili”, in African Studies, volume 5, number 4, →DOI, pages 243–249

This world is deceitful, why follow its ways?

Huyui dunia ina ghururi? ndia za-tatasi huzandamaye?


mwanadiplomasia

mwanadiplomasia class I (plural wanadiplomasia class II)

mwanadiplomasia class I (canonical)
wanadiplomasia class II (plural)


nusu fainali

nusu fainali class IX (plural nusu fainali class X)

nusu fainali class IX (canonical)
nusu fainali class X (plural)


robo fainali

robo fainali class IX (plural robo fainali class X)

robo fainali class IX (canonical)
robo fainali class X (plural)


fainali

fainali class IX (plural fainali class X)

fainali class IX (canonical)
fainali class X (plural)
finali (alternative)


besiboli

besiboli class IX (plural besiboli class X)

besiboli class IX (canonical)
besiboli class X (plural)


nyundo na mundu

nyundo na mundu class IX (plural nyundo na mundu class X)

nyundo na mundu class IX (canonical)
nyundo na mundu class X (plural)


maige

maige class IX (canonical)
maige class X (plural)


ndewe

ndewe class IX (canonical)
ndewe class X (plural)


kombe la dunia

kombe la dunia class V (plural makombe ya dunia class VI)

kombe la dunia class V (canonical)
makombe ya dunia class VI (plural)

Kombe la Dunia la FIFA

Kombe la Dunia la Wanawake


chanda

chanda class VII (plural vyanda class VIII)

chanda class VII (canonical)
vyanda class VIII (plural)

frond of the coconut palm, used for thatch


utata

utata class XI (canonical)
tata class X (plural)


zimwi

zimwi class V (canonical)
mazimwi class VI (plural)

a kind of mythical demon that eats people, usually by luring them into a trap


Mbantu

Mbantu class I (plural Wabantu class II)

Mbantu class I (canonical)
Wabantu class II (plural)

Borrowed from English Bantu, which is from an early reconstruction of Proto-Bantu and is equivalent to Swahili watu (“people”).

Bantu (a member of any African ethnic group speaking a Bantu language)


bafa

bafa class IX (canonical)
bafa class X (plural)


raundi

raundi class IX (canonical)
raundi class X (plural)


ukiwa

ukiwa class XI (canonical)
kiwa class X (plural)


gori

gori class IX (canonical)
gori class X (plural)


krosi

krosi class IX (canonical)
krosi class X (plural)

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


launi

launi class IX (canonical)
launi class X (plural)


ahali

ahali class IX (canonical)
ahali class X (plural)


kauli mbiu

kauli mbiu class IX (plural kauli mbiu class X)

kauli mbiu class IX (canonical)
kauli mbiu class X (plural)


dagaa

dagaa class IX (canonical)
dagaa class X (plural)

anchovy, sardine (any clupeoid forage fish)


gredi

gredi class IX (canonical)
gredi class X (plural)

form, grade (level of precollegiate education)


uyoga

uyoga class XI (canonical)
mayoga class X (plural)


folda

folda class IX (canonical)
folda class X (plural)


himaya

himaya class IX (canonical)
himaya class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic حِمَايَة (ḥimāya, “protection; the status of a protectorate”).


Mnigeria

sw-noun

Mnigeria class I (plural Wanigeria class II)

Mnigeria class I (canonical)
Wanigeria class II (plural)
Mnaigeria (alternative)
Mnaijeria (alternative)


shada

shada class IX (canonical)
shada class X (plural)


munyu

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀nyʊ̀, variant of *mʊ̀jínyʊ̀.


furiko

furiko class V (plural mafuriko class VI)

furiko class V (canonical)
mafuriko class VI (plural)


muujiza

muujiza class III (plural miujiza class IV)

muujiza class III (canonical)
miujiza class IV (plural)
mwujiza (alternative)


gesi

gesi class IX (canonical)
gesi class X (plural)


ghani

ghani class IX (canonical)
ghani class X (plural)


stroberi

stroberi class IX (plural stroberi class X)

stroberi class IX (canonical)
stroberi class X (plural)


tandawala

tandawala class IX (plural tandawala class X)

tandawala class IX (canonical)
tandawala class X (plural)


mwujiza

mwujiza class III (plural miujiza class IV)

mwujiza class III (canonical)
miujiza class IV (plural)


tezo

tezo class V (canonical)
matezo class VI (plural)


shombo

shombo class ? (plural [please provide])


mkindu

mkindu class III (plural mikindu class IV)

mkindu class III (canonical)
mikindu class IV (plural)

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀kɪ̀ndʊ́. False cognate of Kurukh कींदा (kī̃ndā) and other Dravidian terms.


mnoga

mnoga class III (plural minoga class IV)

mnoga class III (canonical)
minoga class IV (plural)


kreta

kreta class IX (canonical)
kreta class X (plural)


kicho

kicho class VII (plural vicho class VIII)

kicho class VII (canonical)
vicho class VIII (plural)


mathree

mathree class V (plural mathree class VI)

mathree class V (canonical)
mathree class VI (plural)


machicha

residue from straining a liquid, usually beer or coconut milk


mama mboga

mama mboga class IX (plural mama mboga class X)

mama mboga class IX (canonical)
mama mboga class X (plural)


mama samaki

mama samaki class IX (plural mama samaki class X)

mama samaki class IX (canonical)
mama samaki class X (plural)


mama ntilie

mama ntilie class IX (plural mama ntilie class X)

mama ntilie class IX (canonical)
mama ntilie class X (plural)
mamantilie (alternative)


globu

globu class IX (canonical)
globu class X (plural)


globu

Alternative form of glopu (“light bulb”)


mkaa

mkaa class III (canonical)
mikaa class IV (plural)


jengo la forodha

jengo la forodha class V (plural majengo ya forodha class VI)

jengo la forodha class V (canonical)
majengo ya forodha class VI (plural)


Mskoti

Mskoti class I (plural Waskoti class II)

Mskoti class I (canonical)
Waskoti class II (plural)

Scot (person born in or native to Scotland)


chaa

chaa class IX (canonical)
chaa class X (plural)


mjadili

mjadili class I (plural wajadili class II)

mjadili class I (canonical)
wajadili class II (plural)


mimba

mimba class IX (canonical)
mimba class X (plural)

From Proto-Bantu *mbímbà, derived from Proto-Bantu *-bímba (“to swell”).


mtambo

mtambo class III (plural mitambo class IV)

mtambo class III (canonical)
mitambo class IV (plural)


leza

leza class IX (canonical)
leza class X (plural)


kiwele

kiwele class VII (plural viwele class VIII)

kiwele class VII (canonical)
viwele class VIII (plural)

From Proto-Bantu *ìbéèdè, borrowed into the standard language from a southern dialect.


mwadhini

mwadhini class I (plural waadhini class II)

mwadhini class I (canonical)
waadhini class II (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مُؤَذِّن (muʔaḏḏin).


Kimalagasi

Kimalagasi class VII (canonical)
Kimalagasy (alternative)


jeli

jeli class IX (canonical)
jeli class X (plural)


mnyororo

sw-noun

mnyororo class III (plural minyororo class IV)

mnyororo class III (canonical)
minyororo class IV (plural)

chain (series of interconnected rings or links)