kamusi

kamusi class IX (canonical)
kamusi class X (plural)

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


machi

machi class IX (canonical)
machi class X (plural)


kisawe

sw-noun

kisawe class VII (plural visawe class VIII)

kisawe class VII (canonical)
visawe class VIII (plural)

Possibly from Arabic مُسَاوٍ (musāwin, “equalling”).

synonym (word with same meaning as another)


sinonimu

sinonimu class IX (plural sinonimu class X)

sinonimu class IX (canonical)
sinonimu class X (plural)

Katika mifano hii maneno doo na ganji ni sinonimu.

2016, LYDIAH NYAMBEKI MEKONGE, “ATHARI ZA SHENG KATIKA UFUNDISHAJI WA KISWAHILI MJINI KISII”, in University of Nairobi, archived from the original on 2019-06-27, page 49:

In these examples the words doo and ganji are synonyms.


tashbihi

tashbihi class IX (plural tashbihi class X)

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


malenge

malenge class IX (plural malenge class X)

malenge class IX (canonical)
malenge class X (plural)

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

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

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


uwezo

uwezo class XI (canonical)
uweza (alternative)


chemsha bongo

chemsha bongo class IX (plural chemsha bongo class X)

chemsha bongo class IX (canonical)
chemsha bongo class X (plural)

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

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

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

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


mwongo

mwongo class I (canonical)
waongo class II (plural)
muongo (alternative)
mlongo (alternative)


mwongo

mwongo class III (plural miongo class IV)

mwongo class III (canonical)
miongo class IV (plural)
muongo (alternative)
mlongo (alternative)


mfupa

mfupa class III (plural mifupa class IV)

mfupa class III (canonical)
mifupa class IV (plural)


wingi

(sports) wing (position in many team sports)


akthari

akthari class IX (plural akthari class X)

akthari class IX (canonical)
akthari class X (plural)


msimu

msimu class III (plural misimu class IV)

msimu class III (canonical)
misimu class IV (plural)


chungwa

chungwa class V (plural machungwa class VI)

chungwa class V (canonical)
machungwa class VI (plural)

→ Gujarati: મચુંગો (macuṅgo) (from the plural machungwa)

→ Rwanda-Rundi: icunga (Rwanda), umucungwa (Rundi)

(Kimvita) augmentative of chungwa ([[Appendix:Swahili_noun_classes#N class|n class_((IX/X))]]): big orange


chungwa

chungwa class IX (plural chungwa class X)

chungwa class IX (canonical)
chungwa class X (plural)

/ˈtʃʰu.ᵑɡʷɑ/


sayari

sayari class IX (canonical)
sayari class X (plural)

planet (each of the seven major bodies which move relative to the fixed stars in the night sky)


nambari

nambari class IX (plural nambari class X)

nambari class IX (canonical)
nambari class X (plural)
namba (alternative)


muungo

muungo class III (plural miungo class IV)

muungo class III (canonical)
miungo class IV (plural)

a fastening (hook or similar restraint used to fasten things together)


nyasi

nyasi class V (canonical)
manyasi class VI (plural)


unyasi

unyasi class XI (canonical)
nyasi class X (plural)
unyansi (alternative)


dawa

dawa class IX (plural dawa class X or madawa class VI)

dawa class IX (canonical)
dawa class X (plural)
madawa class VI (plural)


pombe

pombe class IX (canonical)
pombe class X (plural)

Translingual: Schizosaccharomyces pombe


mwavuli

mwavuli class III (plural miavuli class IV)

mwavuli class III (canonical)
miavuli class IV (plural)
mwamvuli (alternative)

umbrella (cloth-covered frame used for protection against rain or sun)

umbrella (anything that provides protection)


pointi

pointi class IX (canonical)
pointi class X (plural)

point (location or place, unit of scoring in a game or competition)


maadili

maadili (canonical)
maadili class VI (canonical)
adili (plural-of)


digali

digali class IX (canonical)
digali class X (plural)

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


mwimbaji

mwimbaji class I (plural wimbaji class II)

mwimbaji class I (canonical)
wimbaji class II (plural)
muimbaji (alternative)


mfumuko wa bei

mfumuko wa bei class III (plural mifumuko ya bei class IV)

mfumuko wa bei class III (canonical)
mifumuko ya bei class IV (plural)


benki

benki class V or IX (plural mabenki class VI or benki class X)

benki class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
mabenki class VI (plural)
benki class X (plural)


serikali

serikali class IX (plural serikali class X)

serikali class IX (canonical)
serikali class X (plural)
serkali (alternative)
serekali (alternative)

→ Kamba: silikali

→ Kikuyu: thirikari

→ Luhya: eserikali

Borrowed from Omani Arabic سُركار (sörkār), from Persian سرکار (sarkâr).


mkubwa

sw-noun

mkubwa class I (plural wakubwa class II)

mkubwa class I (canonical)
wakubwa class II (plural)


kiambaza

kiambaza class VII (plural viambaza class VIII)

kiambaza class VII (canonical)
viambaza class VIII (plural)

a wall of a house (structure built for defense, specifically surrounding a house)


ukuta

ukuta class XI (canonical)
kuta class X (plural)

Uncertain
A number of different suggestions have been made:
* From Bantu *kuta (Andras Rajki)
* Borrowed from Malay kota (“city, fort”).
* From Arabic kūt ‘walled town’

wall (structure built for defense surrounding or separating an area)


mkutano

mkutano class III (plural mikutano class IV)

mkutano class III (canonical)
mikutano class IV (plural)

From m- + -kutana (“to meet each other”) + -o.

af

meeting, conference (gathering for a purpose)


uwekezaji

investment (a placement of capital in expectation of deriving income or profit from its use)


kampuni

sw-noun

kampuni class IX (plural kampuni class X)

kampuni class IX (canonical)
kampuni class X (plural)

company (in legal context, a corporation)


mtandao

mtandao class III (plural mitandao class IV)

mtandao class III (canonical)
mitandao class IV (plural)

network (interconnected group or system)


rununu

rununu class IX (canonical)
rununu class X (plural)

mobile phone (a portable telephone, a cellphone)


redio

redio class IX (canonical)
redio class X (plural)
radio (alternative)


alama ya mkato

alama ya mkato class IX (plural alama za mkato class X)

alama ya mkato class IX (canonical)
alama za mkato class X (plural)


fasiri

fasiri class IX (canonical)
fasiri class X (plural)


upendo

upendo class XI (plural mapendo class VI)

upendo class XI (canonical)
mapendo class VI (plural)
pendo (alternative)
upendi (alternative)
upenzi (alternative)


kiambishi

kiambishi class VII (plural viambishi class VIII)

kiambishi class VII (canonical)
viambishi class VIII (plural)


kwaya

kwaya class IX (canonical)
kwaya class X (plural)


ramani

ramani class IX (canonical)
ramani class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic رَمَانِيّ (ramāniyy), رَحْمَانِيّ (raḥmāniyy), رَهْمَانِيّ (rahmāniyy), رَهْمَانَج (rahmānaj), رَهْنَامَج (rahnāmaj), رَاهْنَامَج (rāhnāmaj, “pilot guide, handbook showing the sailing way, periplus”), from Middle Persian [Term?] (/rāhnāmag/, literally “way-book”) whence Persian رهنامه (rahnâme), راهنامه (râhnâme).


dhoruba

sw-noun

dhoruba class IX (plural dhoruba class X)

dhoruba class IX (canonical)
dhoruba class X (plural)

From Arabic ضَرْبَة (ḍarba, “storm”, literally “hit, blow”).


jeshi

jeshi class V (canonical)
majeshi class VI (plural)

army (large, highly organised military force concerned mainly with ground operations)


mwanajeshi

sw-noun

mwanajeshi class I (plural wanajeshi class II)

mwanajeshi class I (canonical)
wanajeshi class II (plural)


ng'ombe

ng'ombe class I/IX (plural ng'ombe class II/X)

ng'ombe class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
ng'ombe class II (plural)
X (plural)

→ Malagasy: omby

ng'ombe mzuri

ng'ombe wazuri

Ng'ombe anakula majani.

نِكَمَ كِسِمَ كِسِگُ وُمْبِّ ، كِنْيِ مْتَپَاءَ مَانَ وَغُمْبِ

18th century, Abdallah bin Ali bin Nasir, Al-Inkishafi, stanza 14:

It is like a shallow well where charges a young bull;

Ni-kama kisima kisicho ombe, chenye mta-paa mwana wa-ng'ombe,


msimamo

msimamo class III (plural misimamo class IV)

msimamo class III (canonical)
misimamo class IV (plural)


kando

kando class IX (canonical)
kando class X (plural)


mmea

mmea class III (canonical)
mimea class IV (plural)

plant (organism capable of photosynthesis)


ndizi

ndizi class IX (canonical)
ndizi class X (plural)

→ Gujarati: ડીઝી (ḍījhī)


bomu

bomu class V (canonical)
mabomu class VI (plural)


kanisa

kanisa class V (plural makanisa class VI)

kanisa class V (canonical)
makanisa class VI (plural)

→ Kikuyu: kanitha

→ Luganda: ekkanisa


mdogo

mdogo class I (canonical)
wadogo class II (plural)


fimbo

fimbo class IX (canonical)
fimbo class X (plural)

cane (slender flexible stem of plants such as bamboo)


vimbe

vimbe class IX (canonical)
vimbe class X (plural)

Wataalamu wa vimbe katika jimbo hilo wanasema hawajawahi kuona ulemavu wa aina hiyo awali.

2016 January 12, “Simba wa kushangaza aliyeuawa Marekani”, in BBC Swahili:


mwanamke

mwanamke class I (plural wanawake class II)

mwanamke class I (canonical)
wanawake class II (plural)


malkia

malkia class IX (canonical)
malkia class X (plural)

queen (female monarch or wife of a king)


wikendi

wikendi class IX (plural wikendi class X)

wikendi class IX (canonical)
wikendi class X (plural)
wikiendi (alternative)


bandia

bandia class IX (canonical)
bandia class X (plural)


mtu

mtu class I (canonical)
watu class II (plural)


pembetatu

pembetatu class IX (plural pembetatu class X)

pembetatu class IX (canonical)
pembetatu class X (plural)


bikari

bikari class IX (canonical)
bikari class X (plural)

From Persian پرگار (pargâr), via Arabic بِرْكَار (birkār).


fulusi

fulusi class IX (canonical)
fulusi class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic فُلُوس (fulūs, “money”), ultimately from Latin follis (“bag”).

bor+

currency (money or other item used to facilitate transactions)


fulusi

Borrowed from Arabic فُلُوس (fulūs), plural of فَلْس (fals, “fish scale”), from φολίς (pholís, “reptile or fish scale”).


kichujio

sw-noun

kichujio class VII (plural vichujio class VIII)

kichujio class VII (canonical)
vichujio class VIII (plural)

sieve (device to separate larger objects)

(computing) a filter (process that sorts data)


mzoga

mzoga class III (plural mizoga class IV)

mzoga class III (canonical)
mizoga class IV (plural)


kombamwiko

kombamwiko class V (plural makombamwiko class VI)

kombamwiko class V (canonical)
makombamwiko class VI (plural)


jongoo

jongoo class V (plural majongoo class VI)

jongoo class V (canonical)
majongoo class VI (plural)


mfano

mfano class III (plural mifano class IV)

mfano class III (canonical)
mifano class IV (plural)

example (something representative of a group)


mvulana

mvulana class I (plural wavulana class II)

mvulana class I (canonical)
wavulana class II (plural)


msichana

msichana class I (plural wasichana class II)

msichana class I (canonical)
wasichana class II (plural)

inh

*mʊ̀cɪ̀kàjánà


makala

makala class IX (canonical)
makala class X (plural)

makala ya habari

article (story, report, or opinion piece)


somo

somo class V (canonical)
masomo class VI (plural)

reading, passage (something which is to be read)


somo

somo class IX (canonical)
somo class X (plural)


jibu

jibu class V (canonical)
majibu class VI (plural)


mchwa

mchwa class IX (canonical)
mchwa class X (plural)


ajali

ajali class IX (canonical)
ajali class X (plural)

ajali ya magari


ushauri

From u- + -shauri (“to consult, confer”).

advice (opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed; counsel)


mashariki

sw-noun

mashariki class IX (plural mashariki class X)

mashariki class IX (canonical)
mashariki class X (plural)

From Arabic مَشْرِق (mašriq, “sunrise”).


kusini

kusini class IX (canonical)
kusini class X (plural)

From kusi (“Southern Wind”) + -ni (locative).


ndugu

ndugu class IX (canonical)
ndugu class X (plural)

relative, kinsman, sibling (family member)


mjukuu

mjukuu class I (plural wajukuu class II)

mjukuu class I (canonical)
wajukuu class II (plural)


shangazi

shangazi class I/IX (plural shangazi class II/X or mashangazi class II/X)

shangazi class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
shangazi class II (plural)
X (plural)
mashangazi class II (plural)


mpwa

mpwa class I (canonical)
wapwa class II (plural)


binamu

binamu class I/IX (plural binamu class II/X or mabinamu class II/X)

binamu class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
binamu class II (plural)
X (plural)
mabinamu class II (plural)

From Arabic اِبْن (ibn) + Arabic عَمّ (ʕamm). By surface analysis, bin + amu.

cousin (any relation who is not a direct ancestor or descendant, and more distantly related than an aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, etc.)


asali

honey (sweet substance produced by bees)


mwanaume

mwanaume class I (plural wanaume class II)

mwanaume class I (canonical)
wanaume class II (plural)


kiume

kiume class VII (plural viume class VIII)

kiume class VII (canonical)
viume class VIII (plural)

masculinity (degree or property of being masculine, manliness)


mboga

mboga class IX (canonical)
mboga class X (plural)
uboga (alternative)

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

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


shimo

shimo class V (canonical)
mashimo class VI (plural)


mradi

mradi class III (plural miradi class IV)

mradi class III (canonical)
miradi class IV (plural)


namna

namna class IX (canonical)
namna class X (plural)
namuna (alternative)
mamna (alternative)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic نمونة (nemūne, “pattern”), from Persian نمونه (namune).


jinsi

jinsi class IX (canonical)
jinsi class X (plural)


dhamana

sw-noun

dhamana class IX (plural dhamana class X)

dhamana class IX (canonical)
dhamana class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic ضَمَان (ḍamān), or ضَمَانَة (ḍamāna).

a bail or pledge, a collateral (security or guarantee (usually an asset) pledged for the repayment of a loan)


tetesi

tetesi class IX (canonical)
tetesi class X (plural)


fitina

fitina class IX (canonical)
fitina class X (plural)


chumba

chumba class VII (plural vyumba class VIII)

chumba class VII (canonical)
vyumba class VIII (plural)

A diminutive from the same root as nyumba (“house”).


kobe

kobe class I/IX (plural kobe class II/X or makobe class II/X)

kobe class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
kobe class II (plural)
X (plural)
makobe class II (plural)

tortoise, turtle (land-dwelling reptile)


kalamu

kalamu class IX (canonical)
kalamu class X (plural)

→ Luo: kalam


shaba

shaba class IX (canonical)
shaba class X (plural)


kiti

kiti class VII (canonical)
viti class VIII (plural)

→ Lingala: kíti


ushanga

ushanga class XI (plural shanga class X)

ushanga class XI (canonical)
shanga class X (plural)


bunduki

bunduki class IX (plural bunduki class X)

bunduki class IX (canonical)
bunduki class X (plural)

→ Iraqw: punduki

→ Kituba: munduki

→ Lingala: bondóki

→ Luganda: emmundu

→ Luo: bunde

→ Nzadi: onduk

→ Rwanda-Rundi: imbunda

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


jiji

jiji class V (canonical)
majiji class VI (plural)


waziri

sw-noun

waziri class V (plural mawaziri class VI)

waziri class V (canonical)
mawaziri class VI (plural)

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

der

waziri wa afya

waziri wa fedha

waziri wa kilimo

waziri wa nchi

waziri wa nishati na madini

waziri wa uchenzi

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


ndimu

ndimu class IX (canonical)
ndimu class X (plural)


mdimu

sw-noun

mdimu class III (plural midimu class IV)

mdimu class III (canonical)
midimu class IV (plural)


mchele

mchele class III (plural michele class IV)

mchele class III (canonical)
michele class IV (plural)

Kikuyu: mũceere

Rwanda-Rundi: umuceri

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

(slang, Kenya) roofie (a drug used to make someone drowsy or disoriented)


bahati

bahati class IX (canonical)
bahati class X (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic بخت (baḵt), from Persian بخت (baxt).

fortune, luck (something that happens to someone by chance, good or bad)


kasri

kasri class V (canonical)
makasri class VI (plural)

kasri la rais

palace, mansion (large residence where aristocrats usually live)


methali

methali class IX (plural methali class X)

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

proverb (phrase expressing a basic truth)


mwenzi

mwenzi class I (canonical)
wenzi class II (plural)


kitenzi jina

kitenzi jina class VII (plural vitenzi jina class VIII)

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

(grammar) infinitive (uninflected verb form)


karai

karai class V (canonical)
makarai class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Gujarati કઢાઈ (kaḍhāī), Kachchi [Term?].

basin (bowl for washing, often affixed to a wall)


beseni

beseni class V or IX (plural mabeseni class VI or beseni class X)

beseni class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
mabeseni class VI (plural)
beseni class X (plural)
besheni (alternative)

beseni la kuoga


mdundo

mdundo class III (plural midundo class IV)

mdundo class III (canonical)
midundo class IV (plural)


kiliyo

kiliyo class VII (plural viliyo class VIII)

kiliyo class VII (canonical)
viliyo class VIII (plural)


sauti

sauti class IX (canonical)
sauti class X (plural)


gawo

gawo class V (canonical)
magawo class VI (plural)


mchoro

mchoro class III (plural michoro class IV)

mchoro class III (canonical)
michoro class IV (plural)

drawing (picture, likeness, diagram or representation)


talanta

talanta class IX (plural talanta class X)

talanta class IX (canonical)
talanta class X (plural)

Borrowed from English talent, likely influenced by Ancient Greek τάλαντον (tálanton) in Bible translations.

(uncommon) talent (marked ability or skill)


kilema

kilema class VII (plural vilema class VIII)

kilema class VII (canonical)
vilema class VIII (plural)

→ Malagasy: kilema

Borrowed from Arabic كِلَام (kilām), plural of كَلْم (kalm, “bite, cut”).


nywele

plural of unywele: many pieces of hair, a head of hair


mdomo

mdomo class III (plural midomo class IV)

mdomo class III (canonical)
midomo class IV (plural)


shingo

shingo class IX (canonical)
shingo class X (plural)

neck (the part of body connecting the head and the trunk found in humans and some animals)


malaika

malaika class IX (plural malaika class X)

malaika class IX (canonical)
malaika class X (plural)

From Arabic مَلَائِكَة (malāʔika), plural of مَلْأَك (malʔak).


harufu

harufu class IX (canonical)
harufu class X (plural)


msemo

msemo class III (plural misemo class IV)

msemo class III (canonical)
misemo class IV (plural)


barabara

barabara class IX (plural barabara class X)

barabara class IX (canonical)
barabara class X (plural)

Kikuyu: barabara

Possibly from Arabic بَرّ (barr, “land, earth”).

maisha ni barabara ndefu

Baada ya siku tisa Mo kama anavyojulikana nchini humo, alitupwa nje ya uwanja wa Gymkana katika barabara ya Ocean Road eneo linalolindwa sana kwa kuwa barabara hiyo inelekea ikulu ya rais nchini Tanzania.

2019 July 30, “Erick Kabendera: Polisi wa Tanzania wanasema walimkamata mwandishi huyo [Erick Kabendera: Police in Tanzania say they have arrested the reporter]”, in BBC Swahili:

After nine days Mo, as he [Mohammed Dewji] is known in the country, was thrown out of the Gymkana Stadium on the road Ocean Road in an area that is well protected, as the road leads to the presidential palace in Tanzania.

road (strip of land made suitable for travel)


ujia

path (a trail for the use of, or worn by, pedestrians)


fursa

fursa class IX (canonical)
fursa class X (plural)

fursa ya biashara

fursa ya kazi

an opportunity (chance for advancement, progress or profit)


mabavu

brute force (method of accomplishing something primarily by means of strength)


mshikano

mshikano class III (plural mishikano class IV)

mshikano class III (canonical)
mishikano class IV (plural)

Kocha wa Bandari Twahir Muhiddin atakuwa na kiungo wake mpya Justus Anene mbali na Kepha Aswani na Bruno Serrenkuma ambao wanaonesha dalili za mshikano mzuri.

2014 February 21, “Gor Mahia na Afc Leopards uwanjani”, in BBC Swahili:

Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin will have his new addition Justus Anene besides Kepha Aswani and Bruno Serrenkuma who show signs of good cohesion.

(uncommon) Alternative form of mshikamano


sheria

sheria class IX (canonical)
sheria class X (plural)
sharia (alternative)

der

Arabic شَرِيعَة (šarīʕa)


mke

mke class I (canonical)
wake class II (plural)

inh

*mʊ̀káí ~ *mʊ̀ké


tajiriba

sw-noun

tajiriba class IX (plural tajiriba class X)

tajiriba class IX (canonical)
tajiriba class X (plural)
tajriba (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic تَجْرِبَة (tajriba).

bor+

experience (knowledge and skill to be able to do something correctly)


uzoefu

experience (knowledge gathered from performing an activity)


tajriba

sw-noun

tajriba class IX (plural tajriba class X)

tajriba class IX (canonical)
tajriba class X (plural)


gari moshi

gari moshi class V (plural magari moshi class VI)

gari moshi class V (canonical)
magari moshi class VI (plural)

From gari (“vehicle”) + moshi (“smoke”).

Alternative spelling of garimoshi (“train”)


mnazi

mnazi class III (plural minazi class IV)

mnazi class III (canonical)
minazi class IV (plural)


kikofi

kikofi class VII (plural vikofi class VIII)

kikofi class VII (canonical)
vikofi class VIII (plural)


kiganja

kiganja class VII (plural viganja class VIII)

kiganja class VII (canonical)
viganja class VIII (plural)


mshtakiwa

mshtakiwa class I (plural washtakiwa class II)

mshtakiwa class I (canonical)
washtakiwa class II (plural)
mshitakiwa (alternative)


maumivi

Mshambuliaji wa timu ya soka ya Manchester City Robinho anaweza kurejea uwanjani baada ya kuendelea kupona maumivi ya kiwiko cha mguu na kuwahi mchezo dhidi ya Scunthorpe wa kombe la Carling tarehe 28 Octoba.

2009 October 13, “Baada ya wiki mbili Robinho uwanjani”, in BBC Swahili:


mbio

mbio class IX (canonical)
mbio class X (plural)


mfanyikazi

mfanyikazi class I (plural wafanyikazi class II)

mfanyikazi class I (canonical)
wafanyikazi class II (plural)


muuguzi

muuguzi class I (plural wauguzi class II)

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


peremende

peremende class IX (plural peremende class X)

peremende class IX (canonical)
peremende class X (plural)

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


kabila

kabila class V (plural makabila class VI)

kabila class V (canonical)
makabila class VI (plural)


panchi

panchi class IX (canonical)
panchi class X (plural)

punch (device for creating holes in thin material)


msoto

msoto class IX (canonical)
msoto class X (plural)

(Sheng) brokeness (the characteristic of being broke; having no money)


daka

daka class IX (canonical)
daka class X (plural)


gharama

gharama class IX (plural gharama class X)

gharama class IX (canonical)
gharama class X (plural)


kinofu

kinofu class VII (plural vinofu class VIII)

kinofu class VII (canonical)
vinofu class VIII (plural)


nzi

nzi class IX (canonical)
nzi class X (plural)
inzi (alternative)


kifungo

kifungo class VII (plural vifungo class VIII)

kifungo class VII (canonical)
vifungo class VIII (plural)

a fastening; a brooch; a buckle; a button

a bond; a cornerstone; that which connects

lockdown (confinement of people as a security measure)


hazina

hazina class IX (canonical)
hazina class X (plural)


akaunti

akaunti class IX (plural akaunti class X)

akaunti class IX (canonical)
akaunti class X (plural)
akunti (alternative)

account (authorization to use a service)


burudani

burudani class IX (plural burudani class X)

burudani class IX (canonical)
burudani class X (plural)

entertainment, recreation, amusement, refreshment


masomo ya ziada

tuition (sum of money paid for instruction)


kilemba

kilemba class VII (plural vilemba class VIII)

kilemba class VII (canonical)
vilemba class VIII (plural)

crest (anatomical feature of some animals resembling a head-ornament)


mwanga

mwanga class III (plural mianga class IV)

mwanga class III (canonical)
mianga class IV (plural)

كِطَّمْسِكِزَ گَوُجُهَّالِ ، نُرُ نَمِيَاغَ اِتَظَلَالِ

18th century, Abdallah bin Ali bin Nasir, Al-Inkishafi, stanza 9:

Brightness and lights will overcome the shadow and darkness of ignorance

Kiṭamsi-kiza cha-ujuhali, nuru na-mianga itaẓalali


andiko

andiko class V (plural maandiko class VI)

andiko class V (canonical)
maandiko class VI (plural)

script (writing, lettering); manuscript; handwriting


kondoo

kondoo class IX (canonical)
kondoo class X (plural)

Ultimately from a Central Sudanic language, in which it originally meant "goat". Borrowed independently into many other languages, e.g. Kikuyu ng'ondu, Malagasy ondry.


utingo

a porter (person who carries luggage to a transportation vehicle)


kondakta

kondakta class V (plural makondakta class VI)

kondakta class V (canonical)
makondakta class VI (plural)

conductor (person who takes tickets on public transportation)


mhalifu

mhalifu class I (plural wahalifu class II)

mhalifu class I (canonical)
wahalifu class II (plural)

From m- + -halifu (“to disobey, rebel”).

criminal (a person who is guilty of a crime)


balagha

balagha class IX (plural balagha class X)

balagha class IX (canonical)
balagha class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic بَلَاغَة (balāḡa, “eloquence”).

bor+

rhetoric (art of using language for persuasion)


katikati

sw-noun

katikati class IX (plural katikati class X)

katikati class IX (canonical)
katikati class X (plural)
kati (alternative)


shati

shati class V (canonical)
mashati class VI (plural)


kiatu

kiatu class VII (plural viatu class VIII)

kiatu class VII (canonical)
viatu class VIII (plural)


sindiria

sindiria class IX (plural sindiria class X)

sindiria class IX (canonical)
sindiria class X (plural)


kemikali

kemikali class IX (plural kemikali class X)

kemikali class IX (canonical)
kemikali class X (plural)


kibadala

kibadala class VII (plural vibadala class VIII)

kibadala class VII (canonical)
vibadala class VIII (plural)


kikohozi

kikohozi class VII (plural vikohozi class VIII)

kikohozi class VII (canonical)
vikohozi class VIII (plural)

a cough (expulsion of air from the lungs)


jengo

jengo class V (canonical)
majengo class VI (plural)

building (closed structure with walls and a roof)


kengele

kengele class IX (plural kengele class X)

kengele class IX (canonical)
kengele class X (plural)

ring, ringing (a resonant sound, like that produced by a bell)


kidevu

kidevu class VII (plural videvu class VIII)

kidevu class VII (canonical)
videvu class VIII (plural)


kipenga

kipenga class VII (plural vipenga class VIII)

kipenga class VII (canonical)
vipenga class VIII (plural)

whistle (device used to make a whistling sound)


firimbi

firimbi class IX (plural firimbi class X)

firimbi class IX (canonical)
firimbi class X (plural)


mwili

mwili class III (canonical)
miili class IV (plural)

body (physical structure of a human or animal)

(anatomy) trunk (central part of the body)


kiwiliwili

kiwiliwili class VII (plural viwiliwili class VIII)

kiwiliwili class VII (canonical)
viwiliwili class VIII (plural)

torso (body excluding the head and limbs)


kitufe

kitufe class VII (plural vitufe class VIII)

kitufe class VII (canonical)
vitufe class VIII (plural)

button (mechanical device or on-screen control that can be pressed)


awali

awali class IX (canonical)
awali class X (plural)


chaki

chaki class IX (canonical)
chaki class X (plural)

chalk (a soft, white, powdery limestone)


kikapu

kikapu class VII (plural vikapu class VIII)

kikapu class VII (canonical)
vikapu class VIII (plural)


tanzu

tanzu class IX (canonical)
tanzu class X (plural)

branch (woody part of a tree arising from the trunk and usually dividing)


pazia

pazia class V (canonical)
mapazia class VI (plural)

curtain (piece of cloth covering a window)


ripoti

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


demokrasia

demokrasia class IX (plural demokrasia class X)

demokrasia class IX (canonical)
demokrasia class X (plural)
demokrasi (alternative)


msumeno

msumeno class III (plural misumeno class IV)

msumeno class III (canonical)
misumeno class IV (plural)


tisho

tisho class V (canonical)
matisho class VI (plural)


kaptula

kaptula class IX (plural kaptula class X)

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

Possibly from Chichewa kubutula (“to cut off”), or French pantalon.


kijiti

kijiti class VII (plural vijiti class VIII)

kijiti class VII (canonical)
vijiti class VIII (plural)


mgomo

mgomo class III (plural migomo class IV)

mgomo class III (canonical)
migomo class IV (plural)

a strike (people stopping to work to achieve better working conditions)


yamini

yamini class IX (canonical)
yamini class X (plural)

From Arabic يَمِين (yamīn, “right side; oath”).


fikira

sw-noun

fikira class V or IX (plural mafikira class VI or fikira class X)

fikira class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
mafikira class VI (plural)
fikira class X (plural)

thought (the state or condition of thinking)


gezo

gezo class V (canonical)
magezo class VI (plural)


upepo

upepo class XI (canonical)
pepo class X (plural)

upepo mkali


nguo

nguo class IX (canonical)
nguo class X (plural)


wingu

wingu class V (canonical)
mawingu class VI (plural)

cloud (visible mass of water droplets suspended in the air)


nanga

nanga class IX (canonical)
nanga class X (plural)

anchor (tool to hook a vessel into sea bottom)


manufaa

Borrowed from Arabic مَنْفَعَة (manfaʕa).


simiti

simiti class IX (canonical)
simiti class X (plural)
sementi (alternative)


kitendo

sw-noun

kitendo class VII (plural vitendo class VIII)

kitendo class VII (canonical)
vitendo class VIII (plural)


keki

keki class IX (canonical)
keki class X (plural)


mkataba

mkataba class III (plural mikataba class IV)

mkataba class III (canonical)
mikataba class IV (plural)

Sir Kim Darroch alielezea hatua ya Trump kuvunja mkataba huo kama "ubadhirifu wa kidiplomasia" kwa mujibu wa gazeti la Mail on Sunday.

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

Sir Kim Darroch referred to Trump's actions to break the agreement as "diplomatic vandalism" according to the Mail on Sunday.


blanketi

blanketi class IX (plural blanketi class X)

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


ziwa

ziwa class V (canonical)
maziwa class VI (plural)


ziwa

From the same Cushitic borrowing as maziwa (“milk”), which represents the original semantics, but was shifted to a plurale tantum to match other liquids.


kiini

kiini class VII (plural viini class VIII)

kiini class VII (canonical)
viini class VIII (plural)


mwisho

mwisho class III (plural miisho class IV)

mwisho class III (canonical)
miisho class IV (plural)


tamati

tamati class IX (canonical)
tamati class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic تَمَّة (tamma), instance noun of تَمّ (tamm).


mbayuwayu

mbayuwayu class IX (plural mbayuwayu class X)

mbayuwayu class IX (canonical)
mbayuwayu class X (plural)

swallow (small, migratory bird of the Hirundinidae family)


mamlaka

From a noun form of Arabic مَلَكَ (malaka).

authority (power to enforce rules or give orders)


shajara

shajara class IX (plural shajara class X)

shajara class IX (canonical)
shajara class X (plural)

diary, journal (daily log of experiences)


utomvu

utomvu class IX (canonical)
utomvu class X (plural)


giza

giza class V (canonical)
kiza (alternative)


hatari

hatari class IX (canonical)
hatari class X (plural)


hakimu mkuu

hakimu mkuu class V (plural mahakimu wakuu class VI)

hakimu mkuu class V (canonical)
mahakimu wakuu class VI (plural)


jaji

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


uhai

life (the state between birth and death)


majimaji

liquid (fluid substance, state of matter)


hasara

hasara class IX (canonical)
hasara class X (plural)


hospitali

hospitali class IX (plural hospitali class X or mahospitali class VI)

hospitali class IX (canonical)
hospitali class X (plural)
mahospitali class VI (plural)


daktari

daktari class I (plural madaktari class II)

daktari class I (canonical)
madaktari class II (plural)
dakitari (alternative)
dokta (alternative)
Dkt. (alternative)


chumvi

Kikuyu: cumbĩ


sukari

sukari class IX (canonical)
sukari class X (plural)

→ Kikuyu: cukari

→ Lingala: sukáli

→ Luganda: ssukaali

→ Rwanda-Rundi: isukari

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


mkia

mkia class III (canonical)
mikia class IV (plural)

mkia wa ndege


mjeledi

mjeledi class III (plural mijeledi class IV)

mjeledi class III (canonical)
mijeledi class IV (plural)


laini

laini class IX (canonical)
laini class X (plural)

Idadi kubwa ya watu haijasajili laini zao za simu

2020 January 21, “Je, ni nani waliozimiwa simu Tanzania?”, in BBC News Swahili:

A large number of people have not registered their phone lines


wororo

softness (quality of being soft or smooth)


mto

mto class III (canonical)
mito class IV (plural)

river (large stream which drains a landmass)


woga

woga class XI (canonical)
uoga (alternative)

From w- + the same root as mwoga and -ogopa. From Proto-Bantu [Term?].

(uncountable) fear (caused by actual or perceived danger or threat)


tamthilia

tamthilia class IX (plural tamthilia class X)

tamthilia class IX (canonical)
tamthilia class X (plural)
tamthiliya (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic تَمْثِيلِيَّة (tamṯīliyya).

bor+

تَمْثِيلِيَّة


mkondo

sw-noun

mkondo class III (plural mikondo class IV)

mkondo class III (canonical)
mikondo class IV (plural)


jiwe

jiwe class V (canonical)
mawe class VI (plural)


kirauni

kirauni class VII (plural virauni class VIII)

kirauni class VII (canonical)
virauni class VIII (plural)

(uncommon) crown, coat of arms (design depicted on an escutcheon)


mshipa

mshipa class III (plural mishipa class IV)

mshipa class III (canonical)
mishipa class IV (plural)


nyambuo

nyambuo class IX (plural nyambuo class X)

nyambuo class IX (canonical)
nyambuo class X (plural)


dikteta

dikteta class V (plural madikteta class VI)

dikteta class V (canonical)
madikteta class VI (plural)

dictator (totalitarian leader of a dictatorship)


uchaguzi

uchaguzi class XI (plural chaguzi class X)

uchaguzi class XI (canonical)
chaguzi class X (plural)

From u- + -chagua (“to choose, to elect”) + -zi.

affix

election (process of choosing a new leader)


ukomunisti

ukomunisti class XI (canonical)
ukoministi (alternative)


kwata

kwata class IX (canonical)
kwata class X (plural)

a drill for training the body (an exercise)


ndama

ndama class IX (canonical)
ndama class X (plural)

calf (young of various domestic ungulates, especially cattle)


nyundo

nyundo class IX (canonical)
nyundo class X (plural)


kahaba

sw-noun

kahaba class V (plural makahaba class VI)

kahaba class V (canonical)
makahaba class VI (plural)

prostitute (a person having sex for profit)


changudoa

changudoa class V (plural machangudoa class VI)

changudoa class V (canonical)
machangudoa class VI (plural)

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

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

prostitute (a person who has sex for profit)


kiberenge

kiberenge class VII (plural viberenge class VIII)

kiberenge class VII (canonical)
viberenge class VIII (plural)


kodi

kodi class IX (canonical)
kodi class X (plural)


shabaha

shabaha class IX (plural shabaha class X)

shabaha class IX (canonical)
shabaha class X (plural)

The abstract meaning and probably also the form point to Arabic origin. If so, perhaps from Arabic شُبْهة (šubha, “suspicion, supposition”), seen as an incentive to act.


mtazamo

sw-noun

mtazamo class III (plural mitazamo class IV)

mtazamo class III (canonical)
mitazamo class IV (plural)


katiba

katiba class IX (canonical)
katiba class X (plural)

a constitution (formal or informal system of primary principles and laws regulating a government or other institutions)


mkopo

mkopo class III (plural mikopo class IV)

mkopo class III (canonical)
mikopo class IV (plural)

loan (borrowed sum of money or other valuables)


diwani

diwani class V (plural madiwani class VI)

diwani class V (canonical)
madiwani class VI (plural)

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


diwani

diwani class IX (canonical)
diwani class X (plural)

anthology (collection of literary works)


nywila

nywila class IX (canonical)
nywila class X (plural)

password (secret text used to gain admittance)


sakafu

sakafu class IX (canonical)
sakafu class X (plural)


alama

alama class IX (canonical)
alama class X (plural)

mark, grade (indication for reference or measurement)


milele

milele class IX (canonical)
milele class X (plural)


jamii

jamii class IX (canonical)
jamii class X (plural)

From Arabic جَمِيع (jamīʕ) and/or جَامِع (jāmiʕ).

all (of something), totality, sum, a category


waya

waya class IX (canonical)
nyaya class X (plural)


kiko

kiko class VII (canonical)
viko class VIII (plural)


punje

punje class IX (canonical)
punje class X (plural)

grain (harvested seed of various grass-related food crops)


chonjo

chonjo class ? (plural [please provide])


tahadhari

tahadhari class IX (plural tahadhari class X)

tahadhari class IX (canonical)
tahadhari class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic تَحَذَّرَ (taḥaḏḏara).


mboleya

sw-noun

mboleya class IX (plural mboleya class X)

mboleya class IX (canonical)
mboleya class X (plural)


mchezo

mchezo class III (plural michezo class IV)

mchezo class III (canonical)
michezo class IV (plural)

game (pursuit or activity for entertainment)


haraka

haraka class IX (canonical)
haraka class X (plural)


ghala

ghala class V (canonical)
maghala class VI (plural)


fizikia

fizikia class IX (plural fizikia class X)

fizikia class IX (canonical)
fizikia class X (plural)


dirisha

dirisha class V (plural madirisha class VI)

dirisha class V (canonical)
madirisha class VI (plural)

→ Kikuyu: ndirica

→ Lingala: lininísa

From Omani Arabic دريشة (drīša), from Persian دریچه (dariče, “small window”).


bunge

bunge class V (canonical)
mabunge class VI (plural)

parliament (elected political institution)


chuo kikuu

chuo kikuu class VII (plural vyuo vikuu class VIII)

chuo kikuu class VII (canonical)
vyuo vikuu class VIII (plural)

university (institution of higher education)


ugavi

distribution (act of distribution or being distributed)

ugavi na utashi


farakano

farakano class V (plural mafarakano class VI)

farakano class V (canonical)
mafarakano class VI (plural)

division, separation (act or process of dividing or separating anything)


jitu

jitu class V (canonical)
majitu class VI (plural)

From ji- (augmentative prefix) + mtu (“man”).

augmentative of mtu: giant (massive humanoid)


falaki

falaki class IX (canonical)
falaki class X (plural)


jaribio

jaribio class V (plural majaribio class VI)

jaribio class V (canonical)
majaribio class VI (plural)


mstari

mstari class III (plural mistari class IV)

mstari class III (canonical)
mistari class IV (plural)

From Arabic مِسْطَرَة (misṭara, “ruler”).

line, row (straight sequence of objects)


mviringo

mviringo class III (plural miviringo class IV)

mviringo class III (canonical)
miviringo class IV (plural)


jedwali

jedwali class V (plural majedwali class VI)

jedwali class V (canonical)
majedwali class VI (plural)

multiplication table
multiplication table


adabu

adabu class IX (canonical)
adabu class X (plural)


ngono

ngono class IX (canonical)
ngono class X (plural)

A nominalization of a dialectal verb -gona lost in Standard Swahili, from Common Bantu *-gòna (“sleep”).


chungu

chungu class VII (plural vyungu class VIII)

chungu class VII (canonical)
vyungu class VIII (plural)


chungu

chungu class IX (canonical)
chungu class X (plural)


kasoro

kasoro class IX (canonical)
kasoro class X (plural)


kisima

kisima class VII (plural visima class VIII)

kisima class VII (canonical)
visima class VIII (plural)


inchi

inchi class IX (canonical)
inchi class X (plural)

inch (a unit of length equal to one-twelfth of a foot and equivalent to exactly 2.54 centimetres)


kondomu

kondomu class IX (plural kondomu class X)

kondomu class IX (canonical)
kondomu class X (plural)

condom (flexible sleeve worn on the penis)


rubani

rubani class V (plural marubani class VI)

rubani class V (canonical)
marubani class VI (plural)

pilot (controller of a ship or aircraft)


bingwa

bingwa class V (plural mabingwa class VI)

bingwa class V (canonical)
mabingwa class VI (plural)

expert (person with extensive knowledge or ability)

champion (someone who has been winner in a contest)


mwajiriwa

mwajiriwa class I (plural wajiriwa class II)

mwajiriwa class I (canonical)
wajiriwa class II (plural)

employee (individual who provides labor to a company or another person)


mbolea

mbolea class IX (canonical)
mbolea class X (plural)
mboleya (alternative)


elimu

elimu class IX (canonical)
elimu class X (plural)

education (process or art of imparting knowledge, skill and judgment)


televisheni

televisheni class IX (plural televisheni class X)

televisheni class IX (canonical)
televisheni class X (plural)

kutazama televisheni


runinga

runinga class IX (plural runinga class X)

runinga class IX (canonical)
runinga class X (plural)


elektroniki

elektroniki class IX (plural elektroniki class X)

elektroniki class IX (canonical)
elektroniki class X (plural)


mshahara

mshahara class III (plural mishahara class IV)

mshahara class III (canonical)
mishahara class IV (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مُشَاهَرَة (mušāhara, “monthly salary”).

bor+

salary, wage (fixed amount of money paid on monthly or annual basis)


sikitiko

sw-noun

sikitiko class V (plural masikitiko class VI)

sikitiko class V (canonical)
masikitiko class VI (plural)


tatizo

tatizo class V (plural matatizo class VI)

tatizo class V (canonical)
matatizo class VI (plural)

From -tatiza (“complicate, make difficult”).


masaibu

Borrowed from Arabic مَصَائِب (maṣāʔib), plural of مُصِيبَة (muṣība), whence Swahili msiba.


miliki

miliki class IX (canonical)
miliki class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مِلْك (milk, “possession”).


mshtaki

sw-noun

mshtaki class I (plural washtaki class II)

mshtaki class I (canonical)
washtaki class II (plural)


digrii

digrii class IX (canonical)
digrii class X (plural)

(chiefly Tanzania) degree (unit of temperature)

degree (unit of measurement of latitude and longitude)

degree (unit of measurement of angle equal to 1⁄360 of a circle's circumference)


mamna

mamna class IX (canonical)
mamna class X (plural)


wasia

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


misheni

misheni class IX (plural misheni class X)

misheni class IX (canonical)
misheni class X (plural)


wizara

wizara class IX (canonical)
wizara class X (plural)

wizara ya afya

wizara ya elimu

wizara ya fedha

wizara ya habari, mawasiliano na teknolojia ya habari

ministry of information, communication and information technology

wizara ya kilimo

wizara ya maji na umwagliaji

wizara ya mambo ya nje

wizara ya nishati

wizara ya nishati na madini

wizara ya sheria

wizara ya sheria na katiba

ministry of justice and constitutional affairs

wizara ya ujenzi


komunyo

komunyo class IX (plural komunyo class X)

komunyo class IX (canonical)
komunyo class X (plural)


porini

head

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

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


upele

upele class XI (canonical)
pele class X (plural)


kiandarua

sw-noun

kiandarua class VII (plural viandarua class VIII)

kiandarua class VII (canonical)
viandarua class VIII (plural)


swichi

swichi class IX (canonical)
swichi class X (plural)

switch (device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow)


sindano

sindano class IX (plural sindano class X)

sindano class IX (canonical)
sindano class X (plural)

→ Kikuyu: cindano


aproni

aproni class IX (canonical)
aproni class X (plural)


operesheni

operesheni class IX (plural operesheni class X)

operesheni class IX (canonical)
operesheni class X (plural)
oparesheni (alternative)
opresheni (alternative)

(medicine) operation (surgical procedure)

(military) operation (military campaign)


shira

shira class IX (canonical)
shira class X (plural)

syrup (sugary liquid that is added to or poured over food as a flavouring)


falahi

falahi class V (plural mafalahi class VI)

falahi class V (canonical)
mafalahi class VI (plural)


shirikisho

shirikisho class V (plural mashirikisho class VI)

shirikisho class V (canonical)
mashirikisho class VI (plural)

From -shirikisha, the causative form of -shiriki.


mwekezaji

mwekezaji class I (plural wawekezaji class II)

mwekezaji class I (canonical)
wawekezaji class II (plural)
muwekezaji (alternative)

investor (person who invests money in order to make a profit)


mkoa

mkoa class III (canonical)
mikoa class IV (plural)

province, region (a subdivision of government usually one step below the national level)


jimbo

jimbo class V (canonical)
majimbo class VI (plural)

⇒ English: majimboism


utwana

slavery (institution or practice of owning human beings)


kipara

kipara class VII (plural vipara class VIII)

kipara class VII (canonical)
vipara class VIII (plural)


msalaba

msalaba class III (plural misalaba class IV)

msalaba class III (canonical)
misalaba class IV (plural)

→ Kikuyu: mũtharaba


gharika

gharika class V (plural magharika class VI)

gharika class V (canonical)
magharika class VI (plural)

From Arabic غَرِيقَة (ḡarīqa, “drowned”).


mlipuko

mlipuko class III (plural milipuko class IV)

mlipuko class III (canonical)
milipuko class IV (plural)


mfereji

mfereji class III (plural mifereji class IV)

mfereji class III (canonical)
mifereji class IV (plural)

Borrowed from Malagasy farihy. Compare Malay perigi.

Meli kutoka Ulaya zinapitia tena mfereji wa Suez, na hivi kufupisha urefu wa safari, na papo hapo kupunguza kidogo gharama ya kusafirisha bidhaa.

1980, S. N. Ndunguru, Urithi wetu: kitabu cha jiografia ya Tanzania Bara, page 45:

Ships from Europe also go through the Suez Canal, by which they shorten the length of the trip, and then reduce the cost of shipping goods.

Lakini haifai kuwafariji wananchi na kuwaambia kwamba kila mtu atapata maji ya mfereji katika nyumba yake.

1983, Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard), volume LX, page 1427:

But we don't need to comfort the citizens and tell them that everyone will get tap water in their home.

pipe for water, or the tap which dispenses it


kipimo

kipimo class VII (plural vipimo class VIII)

kipimo class VII (canonical)
vipimo class VIII (plural)

measurement (magnitude determined by measuring)


majaliwa

From -jaliwa (“be granted [by God]”), the passive form of -jalia (“[for God] to be favorable”).

the grace of God, as in by the Grace of God


shabiki

shabiki class V (plural mashabiki class VI)

shabiki class V (canonical)
mashabiki class VI (plural)

fan (admirer of a performer or aficionado of a sport)


afisa wa usalama

afisa wa usalama class V (plural maafisa wa usalama class VI)

afisa wa usalama class V (canonical)
maafisa wa usalama class VI (plural)

police officer (an officer in a law enforcement agency)


glasi

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


mlingoti

mlingoti class III (plural milingoti class IV)

mlingoti class III (canonical)
milingoti class IV (plural)


nafaka

nafaka class IX (canonical)
nafaka class X (plural)


alama ya mshangao

alama ya mshangao class IX (plural alama za mshangao class X)

alama ya mshangao class IX (canonical)
alama za mshangao class X (plural)

exclamation mark (punctuation for excitement or surprise)


rungu

rungu class V (canonical)
marungu class VI (plural)


klabu

klabu class IX (canonical)
klabu class X (plural)


karamu

karamu class IX (canonical)
karamu class X (plural)

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


tukio

tukio class V (canonical)
matukio class VI (plural)


kinyozi

sw-noun

kinyozi class VII (plural vinyozi class VIII)

kinyozi class VII (canonical)
vinyozi class VIII (plural)


wakili

wakili class V (plural mawakili class VI)

wakili class V (canonical)
mawakili class VI (plural)

lawyer, attorney (professional person authorized to practice law)


girisi

girisi class IX (canonical)
girisi class X (plural)


ardhi

ardhi class IX (canonical)
ardhi class X (plural)


ngiri

ngiri class IX (canonical)
ngiri class X (plural)


sokwe

sokwe class V (canonical)
masokwe class VI (plural)


mchawi

mchawi class I (plural wachawi class II)

mchawi class I (canonical)
wachawi class II (plural)


nyege

nyege class IX (canonical)
nyege class X (plural)


mkakati

mkakati class III (plural mikakati class IV)

mkakati class III (canonical)
mikakati class IV (plural)


mpango

mpango class III (plural mipango class IV)

mpango class III (canonical)
mipango class IV (plural)

mpango wa safari


sarakasi

sarakasi class IX (plural sarakasi class X)

sarakasi class IX (canonical)
sarakasi class X (plural)

circus (company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts)


kwao

kwao class IX (canonical)
kwao class X (plural)


filamu

filamu class IX (canonical)
filamu class X (plural)


taswira

taswira class IX (plural taswira class X)

taswira class IX (canonical)
taswira class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic تَصْوِيرَة (taṣwīra).


kizuka

sw-noun

kizuka class VII (plural vizuka class VIII)

kizuka class VII (canonical)
vizuka class VIII (plural)

a vision, an apparition (a religious or mystical experience)


mdadisi

mdadisi class I (plural wadadisi class II)

mdadisi class I (canonical)
wadadisi class II (plural)

From m- + dadisi (“to pry, to snoop; to inquire, query”).


utafiti

sw-noun

utafiti class XI (plural tafiti class X)

utafiti class XI (canonical)
tafiti class X (plural)

From u- + -tafiti (“to research, investigate”).


njugu

njugu class IX (canonical)
njugu class X (plural)

→ Gujarati: જુગુ (jugu)

groundnut, peanut (a legume resembling a nut)


maji ya machungwa

sw-noun

maji ya machungwa class VI (plural only)


mrithi

mrithi class I (plural warithi class II)

mrithi class I (canonical)
warithi class II (plural)

heir (someone who inherits, or is designated to inherit, the property or title of another)


muamana

muamana class IX (plural muamana class X)

muamana class IX (canonical)
muamana class X (plural)

trust (confidence in or reliance on some person or quality)


nduma

nduma class IX (canonical)
nduma class X (plural)

a special kind of root, sometimes called arrowroot, indigenous to Kenya

yam (any Dioscorea vine), especially cocoyam


tumbako

tumbako class IX (plural tumbako class X)

tumbako class IX (canonical)
tumbako class X (plural)


hamamu

hamamu class IX (canonical)
hamamu class X (plural)


harimuni

harimuni class IX (plural harimuni class X)

harimuni class IX (canonical)
harimuni class X (plural)
harimoni (alternative)

accordion (a small, portable, keyed wind instrument)


kikingi

kikingi class VII (plural vikingi class VIII)

kikingi class VII (canonical)
vikingi class VIII (plural)


mzigo

mzigo class III (plural mizigo class IV)

mzigo class III (canonical)
mizigo class IV (plural)


mnyang'anyi

mnyang'anyi class I (plural wanyang'anyi class II)

mnyang'anyi class I (canonical)
wanyang'anyi class II (plural)


mbao

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.


embe

embe class V (canonical)
maembe class VI (plural)

→ Bemba: iyembe

→ Kongo: riembe

→ Luganda: omuyembe

→ Nubi: yembe

Borrowed from Omani Arabic امبا (embē), from an Indo-Iranian language, probably Persian انبه (anbe).


kamba

kamba class IX (canonical)
kamba class X (plural)

→ Malagasy: kamba

Borrowed from Arabic قِنَّبَة (qinnaba).


kimbunga

sw-noun

kimbunga class VII (plural vimbunga class VIII)

kimbunga class VII (canonical)
vimbunga class VIII (plural)

cyclone, typhoon, hurricane (weather phenomenon)


msururu

msururu class III (plural misururu class IV)

msururu class III (canonical)
misururu class IV (plural)

a row or line (a number of things that follow on one after the other)


jumla

jumla class IX (canonical)
jumla class X (plural)


mdahalo

mdahalo class III (plural midahalo class IV)

mdahalo class III (canonical)
midahalo class IV (plural)


furaha

From Arabic فَرَح (faraḥ) or another word from the same triliteral root.


almasi

almasi class IX (canonical)
almasi class X (plural)


bahasha

bahasha class IX (plural bahasha class X or mabahasha class VI)

bahasha class IX (canonical)
bahasha class X (plural)
mabahasha class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic بخشة (baḵša, “envelope”).


kiungo

sw-noun

kiungo class VII (plural viungo class VIII)

kiungo class VII (canonical)
viungo class VIII (plural)

From ki- + -unga (“to join; to season”).

spice (plant matter used to season or flavour food)

a junction or joint, esp. a part of the body where bones join


thamani

thamani class IX (plural thamani class X)

thamani class IX (canonical)
thamani class X (plural)

value (quality (positive or negative) that renders something desirable or valuable)


thamana

thamana class IX (plural thamana class X)

thamana class IX (canonical)
thamana class X (plural)


jeuri

jeuri class IX (canonical)
jeuri class X (plural)


ndoa

ndoa class IX (canonical)
ndoa class X (plural)


mwiba

mwiba class III (canonical)
miiba class IV (plural)

thorn (sharp protective spine of a plant)


mpepea

mpepea class III (plural mipepea class IV)

mpepea class III (canonical)
mipepea class IV (plural)


kichwamaji

kichwamaji class VII (plural vichwamaji class VIII)

kichwamaji class VII (canonical)
vichwamaji class VIII (plural)


askari

askari class I/IX (plural askari class II/X or maaskari class II/X)

askari class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
askari class II (plural)
X (plural)
maaskari class II (plural)

→ Chichewa: msilikali, msirikali

→ English: askari

→ French: askari

→ German: Askari

→ Iraqw: askaari

→ Italian: ascaro

→ Polish: askarys

Borrowed from Arabic عَسْكَرِيّ (ʕaskariyy).


kanoni

kanoni class IX (canonical)
kanoni class X (plural)

(religion) a canon (member of a cathedral chapter)


mrija

sw-noun

mrija class III (plural mirija class IV)

mrija class III (canonical)
mirija class IV (plural)


muchanga

muchanga class III (plural michanga class IV)

muchanga class III (canonical)
michanga class IV (plural)

a traditional blood sacrifice after building a vessel


mchukuzi

mchukuzi class I (plural wachukuzi class II)

mchukuzi class I (canonical)
wachukuzi class II (plural)

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


mzani

mzani class III (plural mizani class IV)

mzani class III (canonical)
mizani class IV (plural)


tembe

tembe class IX (canonical)
tembe class X (plural)


roho

roho class IX (canonical)
roho class X (plural)


saratani

saratani class IX (plural saratani class X)

saratani class IX (canonical)
saratani class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic سَرَطَان (saraṭān).

cancer (disease of uncontrolled cellular proliferation)


glopu

glopu class IX (canonical)
glopu class X (plural)

a globe (spherical object depicting Earth)


mkokoteni

mkokoteni class III (plural mikokoteni class IV)

mkokoteni class III (canonical)
mikokoteni class IV (plural)


rukwama

rukwama class V (plural marukwama class VI)

rukwama class V (canonical)
marukwama class VI (plural)


kifua

kifua class VII (plural vifua class VIII)

kifua class VII (canonical)
vifua class VIII (plural)


kikombe

kikombe class VII (plural vikombe class VIII)

kikombe class VII (canonical)
vikombe class VIII (plural)


nakala

nakala class IX (canonical)
nakala class X (plural)

a copy (result of copying; often a newspaper article)

nakala ya picha


anuani

anuani class IX (canonical)
anuani class X (plural)


maktaba

maktaba class IX (plural maktaba class X)

maktaba class IX (canonical)
maktaba class X (plural)

library (institution which holds books etc.)


ufunuo

revelation (something dramatically disclosed; manifestation of divine truth)


msongamano

msongamano class III (plural misongamano class IV)

msongamano class III (canonical)
misongamano class IV (plural)

From m- + -songamana (“to be jammed together”).


paspoti

sw-noun

paspoti class IX (plural paspoti class X)

paspoti class IX (canonical)
paspoti class X (plural)


darubini

darubini class IX (plural darubini class X)

darubini class IX (canonical)
darubini class X (plural)

Borrowed from dialectal Arabic دَرْبِين (darbīn, “telescope; binoculars”) (now more commonly دَرْبِيل (darbīl)), from Persian دوربین (durbin).

bor

telescope (optical instrument that magnifies)


mtego

sw-noun

mtego class III (plural mitego class IV)

mtego class III (canonical)
mitego class IV (plural)

Inherited from Proto-Bantu [Term?]. By surface analysis, m- + -tega (“to set a trap, to entrap”) + -o.

surf

trap (device designed to catch or kill animals)


mwelekeo

sw-noun

mwelekeo class III (plural mielekeo class IV)

mwelekeo class III (canonical)
mielekeo class IV (plural)

direction (indication of the point toward which an object is moving)

mwelekeo hasi


ajira

ajira class IX (canonical)
ajira class X (plural)

employment (the work or occupation for which one is paid)


ubani

incense (a perfume often used in the rites of various religions)

a fee or payment, especially one made to a family that has experienced a death


mshauri

mshauri class I (plural washauri class II)

mshauri class I (canonical)
washauri class II (plural)

From m- + -shauri (“to consult, confer”).


pilipili

pilipili class IX (plural pilipili class X)

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


surupwenye

surupwenye class V (plural masurupwenye class VI)

surupwenye class V (canonical)
masurupwenye class VI (plural)


wakala

wakala class V (plural mawakala class VI)

wakala class V (canonical)
mawakala class VI (plural)

an agency (business of one entrusted with the concerns of another)

an agent from an agency (one who acts in place of another)


falsafa

falsafa class IX (plural falsafa class X)

falsafa class IX (canonical)
falsafa class X (plural)

From Arabic فَلْسَفَة (falsafa), from Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophía).


nyangumi

nyangumi class IX (plural nyangumi class X)

nyangumi class IX (canonical)
nyangumi class X (plural)


mlafi

mlafi class I (canonical)
walafi class II (plural)


balozi

balozi class V (plural mabalozi class VI)

balozi class V (canonical)
mabalozi class VI (plural)

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


mfu

mfu class I (canonical)
wafu class II (plural)


kinyezi

disgust (an intense dislike or repugnance for something bad or nasty)


mwelekezi

sw-noun

mwelekezi class I (plural waelekezi class II)

mwelekezi class I (canonical)
waelekezi class II (plural)


mtaro

mtaro class III (plural mitaro class IV)

mtaro class III (canonical)
mitaro class IV (plural)


handaki

handaki class V (plural mahandaki class VI)

handaki class V (canonical)
mahandaki class VI (plural)


kifutio

kifutio class VII (plural vifutio class VIII)

kifutio class VII (canonical)
vifutio class VIII (plural)

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


ndani

ndani class IX (canonical)
ndani class X (plural)


kitone

kitone class VII (plural vitone class VIII)

kitone class VII (canonical)
vitone class VIII (plural)


msuli

msuli class III (plural misuli class IV)

msuli class III (canonical)
misuli class IV (plural)


hatua

hatua class IX (canonical)
hatua class X (plural)

The length of a pace, used as a measurement of distance.


firauni

firauni class V (plural mafirauni class VI)

firauni class V (canonical)
mafirauni class VI (plural)

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

pharaoh (supreme ruler of ancient Egypt)


meneja

meneja class V (plural mameneja class VI)

meneja class V (canonical)
mameneja class VI (plural)

manager (person whose job is to manage something)


mshiriki

mshiriki class I (plural washiriki class II)

mshiriki class I (canonical)
washiriki class II (plural)


majadiliano

From ma- + -jadiliana (“to discuss with one another”) + -o.


mkundu

sw-noun

mkundu class III (plural mikundu class IV)

mkundu class III (canonical)
mikundu class IV (plural)

anus (lower opening of the digestive tract)


ubadilishaji

a conversion (the act of having converted something)


mtaalam

mtaalam class I (plural wataalam class II)

mtaalam class I (canonical)
wataalam class II (plural)
mtaalamu (alternative)

From Arabic مُتَعَلِّم (mutaʕallim, “educated”).

der

mtaalam wa uchumi

expert (person with extensive knowledge or ability)


hoteli

sw-noun

hoteli class IX (plural hoteli class X or mahoteli class VI)

hoteli class IX (canonical)
hoteli class X (plural)
mahoteli class VI (plural)

hotel (establishment providing accommodation)


nahodha

nahodha class V (plural manahodha class VI)

nahodha class V (canonical)
manahodha class VI (plural)

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


kamanda

sw-noun

kamanda class I (plural makamanda class II)

kamanda class I (canonical)
makamanda class II (plural)

commander (one who exercises control and direction of an organization)


likizo

likizo class IX (canonical)
likizo class X (plural)


kiapo

kiapo class VII (plural viapo class VIII)

kiapo class VII (canonical)
viapo class VIII (plural)


nyambizi

nyambizi class IX (plural nyambizi class X)

nyambizi class IX (canonical)
nyambizi class X (plural)


sabmarini

sabmarini class IX (plural sabmarini class X)

sabmarini class IX (canonical)
sabmarini class X (plural)


ajinabi

ajinabi class V (plural majinabi class VI)

ajinabi class V (canonical)
majinabi class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic أَجْنَبِيّ (ʔajnabiyy).


ukumbi

ukumbi class XI (canonical)
kumbi class X (plural)


nguzo

nguzo class IX (canonical)
nguzo class X (plural)

prop, pillar (an object placed against or under another, to support it)

pillar (an essential supporting part of something)


mkufunzi

sw-noun

mkufunzi class I (plural wakufunzi class II)

mkufunzi class I (canonical)
wakufunzi class II (plural)

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


kocha

kocha class V (canonical)
makocha class VI (plural)


mlanguzi

mlanguzi class I (plural walanguzi class II)

mlanguzi class I (canonical)
walanguzi class II (plural)

middleman (intermediate dealer between manufacturer and the retailer or customer)


jembe

jembe class V (canonical)
majembe class VI (plural)


msasi

msasi class I (canonical)
wasasi class II (plural)


zulia

zulia class V (canonical)
mazulia class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic زُلِيَّة (zuliyya).

carpet (a fabric used as a floor covering)


mkimbizi

mkimbizi class I (plural wakimbizi class II)

mkimbizi class I (canonical)
wakimbizi class II (plural)

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

refugee (person seeking political asylum)


mechi

mechi class IX (canonical)
mechi class X (plural)


mwafaka

mwafaka class III (plural miafaka class IV)

mwafaka class III (canonical)
miafaka class IV (plural)
muafaka (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic مُوَافَقَة (muwāfaqa).

bor+

agreement, accord, concord, common ground, compromise


umaarufu

From u- + maarufu (“popular, famous, distinguished”).


shujaa

sw-noun

shujaa class V (plural mashujaa class VI)

shujaa class V (canonical)
mashujaa class VI (plural)


ufagio

ufagio class XI (plural fagio class X or mafagio class VI)

ufagio class XI (canonical)
fagio class X (plural)
mafagio class VI (plural)


mwanakijiji

mwanakijiji class I (plural wanakijiji class II)

mwanakijiji class I (canonical)
wanakijiji class II (plural)

villager (person who lives in, or comes from, a village)


mpenzi

mpenzi class I (plural wapenzi class II)

mpenzi class I (canonical)
wapenzi class II (plural)


riwaya

riwaya class IX (canonical)
riwaya class X (plural)


mwendo

mwendo class III (plural miendo class IV)

mwendo class III (canonical)
miendo class IV (plural)


neema

neema class IX (canonical)
neema class X (plural)

grace (free and undeserved favour, especially of God)


kionjo

kionjo class VII (plural vionjo class VIII)

kionjo class VII (canonical)
vionjo class VIII (plural)

a temptation (something attractive, tempting or seductive)


uungu

divinity (godhood, state of being God or a god)


kifuli

kifuli class IX (canonical)
kifuli class X (plural)


wimbi

wimbi class V (canonical)
mawimbi class VI (plural)


wimbi

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

cog

Eleusine coracana
Eleusine coracana#Translingual


kichungi

sw-noun

kichungi class VII (plural vichungi class VIII)

kichungi class VII (canonical)
vichungi class VIII (plural)

From ki- + -chunga (“to sift, to sieve”).

a cigarette filter (device to stop tobacco from entering the mouth)


mchochezi

mchochezi class I (plural wachochezi class II)

mchochezi class I (canonical)
wachochezi class II (plural)


jaketi

jaketi class V (plural majaketi class VI)

jaketi class V (canonical)
majaketi class VI (plural)

jacket (piece of clothing worn on the upper body outside a shirt or blouse)


kabuti

kabuti class V (plural makabuti class VI)

kabuti class V (canonical)
makabuti class VI (plural)


takataka

takataka class IX (plural takataka class X)

takataka class IX (canonical)
takataka class X (plural)


uchafu

dirtiness (state or quality of being dirty)


harusi

harusi class IX (canonical)
harusi class X (plural)
arusi (alternative)

Usually derived from Arabic عُرْس (ʕurs). While this is entirely plausible given the use of epenthetic vowels in Swahili, the similarity with Persian عروسی (arusi, “wedding”) is also striking.


zeruzeru

zeruzeru class V (plural mazeruzeru class VI)

zeruzeru class V (canonical)
mazeruzeru class VI (plural)

albino (a person congenitally lacking melanin)


mwanagenzi

mwanagenzi class I (plural wanagenzi class II)

mwanagenzi class I (canonical)
wanagenzi class II (plural)


bakuli

bakuli class V (plural mabakuli class VI)

bakuli class V (canonical)
mabakuli class VI (plural)

→ Gujarati: બકુડી (bakuḍī)

→ Luganda: bbakuli

→ Malagasy: bakoly


jiriwa

jiriwa class IX (canonical)
jiriwa class X (plural)

a vise (two-jawed instrument for holding work)


mchango

mchango class III (plural michango class IV)

mchango class III (canonical)
michango class IV (plural)

donation, contribution (a voluntary gift for a specific cause, especially for a wedding)


kanusho

kanusho class IX (plural kanusho class X)

kanusho class IX (canonical)
kanusho class X (plural)


sharti

sharti class V (plural masharti class VI)

sharti class V (canonical)
masharti class VI (plural)

(usually in plural) obligation, contract


mshikadau

mshikadau class I (plural washikadau class II)

mshikadau class I (canonical)
washikadau class II (plural)

Kampuni ya umeme ya Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding, ambayo ndio mshikadau mkuu wa mradi huo, ilisema katika taarifa kwamba bwawa hilo lilipasuka kutokana na mvua kubwa iliosababisha maji mengi kuelekea katika bwawa hilo.

2018 July 25, “Kupasuka kwa bwawa la Laos: Harakati ya uokozi katika vijiji vilivyojaa maji”, in BBC Swahili:

The electricity company, Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding, which is that project's main stakeholder, said in a report that the reservoir broke open due to heavy rain which caused a lot of water to be carried into the reservoir.

stakeholder (person or organisation with a legitimate interest)


zaka

zaka class IX (canonical)
zaka class V (canonical)
zaka class X (plural)
mazaka class VI (plural)


zaka

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


mlevi

mlevi class I (canonical)
walevi class II (plural)

drunkard (person who is habitually drunk)


virusi

virusi class VIII or IX (plural virusi class VIII or virusi class X)

virusi class VIII (canonical)
IX (canonical)
virusi class VIII (plural)
virusi class X (plural)


faini

faini class IX (canonical)
faini class X (plural)


uteuzi

From u- + -teua (“to choose, elect, appoint”) + -zi.

af

that which is chosen; an appointment, nomination or an elect


mnada

sw-noun

mnada class III (plural minada class IV)

mnada class III (canonical)
minada class IV (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مُنَادَاة (munādāh).


mamluki

sw-noun

mamluki class IX (plural mamluki class X)

mamluki class IX (canonical)
mamluki class X (plural)


swali

swali class V (canonical)
maswali class VI (plural)
suali (alternative)

question (sentence which asks for information)


kabati

kabati class V (plural makabati class VI)

kabati class V (canonical)
makabati class VI (plural)

Borrowed from English cupboard, from Middle English cuppeborde. Lodhi suggests from Gujarati કબાટ (kabāṭ).


kokoto

kokoto class V (plural makokoto class VI)

kokoto class V (canonical)
makokoto class VI (plural)

gravel, pebble, small stone (usually a stone the size of a fruit)


pahali

pahali class XVI (canonical)
mahali (alternative)
mahala (alternative)
pahala (alternative)

From pa- merged with the older form mahali, in turn from Arabic مَحَلّ (maḥall).


hadithi

hadithi class IX (plural hadithi class X)

hadithi class IX (canonical)
hadithi class X (plural)

From Arabic حَدِيث (ḥadīṯ, “story, news”).


kasheshe

kasheshe class IX (plural kasheshe class X)

kasheshe class IX (canonical)
kasheshe class X (plural)


mzaha

mzaha class III (plural mizaha class IV)

mzaha class III (canonical)
mizaha class IV (plural)

joke (something said or done for amusement)


mbuga

mbuga class IX (canonical)
mbuga class X (plural)

park (ground for preservation of game, etc.)


kiraka

kiraka class VII (plural viraka class VIII)

kiraka class VII (canonical)
viraka class VIII (plural)

patch (piece of cloth used to repair something)


teksi

teksi class IX (canonical)
teksi class X (plural)
taksi (alternative)


jikoni

head

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

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

→ Gujarati: જીકોની (jīkonī)


njemba

njemba class IX (canonical)
njemba class X (plural)


mcheshi

sw-noun

mcheshi class I (plural wacheshi class II)

mcheshi class I (canonical)
wacheshi class II (plural)

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


kaakaa

sw-noun

kaakaa class V (plural makaakaa class VI)

kaakaa class V (canonical)
makaakaa class VI (plural)


tabia

tabia class IX (canonical)
tabia class X (plural)

nature, character (the way somebody or something is)


jinamizi

jinamizi class V (plural majinamizi class VI)

jinamizi class V (canonical)
majinamizi class VI (plural)


kambi

kambi class IX (canonical)
kambi class X (plural)

Borrowed from English camp.
Thilo Schadeberg suggests an Arabic origin ("kanb") but that seems unlikely.

a camp (an outdoor place, a base, or housing for a group of people)


unyoya

unyoya class XI (plural manyoya class VI or nyoya class X)

unyoya class XI (canonical)
manyoya class VI (plural)
nyoya class X (plural)

fur (hairy coat of a mammal, especially when fine, soft and thick)


dereva

dereva class V (plural madereva class VI)

dereva class V (canonical)
madereva class VI (plural)


jokofu

jokofu class V (plural majokofu class VI)

jokofu class V (canonical)
majokofu class VI (plural)

refrigerator (appliance that refrigerates food)


mhubiri

mhubiri class I (plural wahubiri class II)

mhubiri class I (canonical)
wahubiri class II (plural)

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

preacher (someone who preaches a worldview, philosophy or religion, especially someone who preaches the gospel)


masafa

distance, range, extent (space between two points)


mwanasiasa

mwanasiasa class I (plural wanasiasa class II)

mwanasiasa class I (canonical)
wanasiasa class II (plural)


mkeka

mkeka class III (plural mikeka class IV)

mkeka class III (canonical)
mikeka class IV (plural)


kiota

kiota class VII (plural viota class VIII)

kiota class VII (canonical)
viota class VIII (plural)


kipenyo

kipenyo class VII (plural vipenyo class VIII)

kipenyo class VII (canonical)
vipenyo class VIII (plural)

From -penya (“penetrate, get inside”). The sense "diameter" is extended from the sense "hole", e.g. when referring to a hole for the axis of a globe.

diameter (line through the center of a circle)


korongo

korongo class IX (plural korongo class X)

korongo class IX (canonical)
korongo class X (plural)


korongo

korongo class V (plural makorongo class VI)

korongo class V (canonical)
makorongo class VI (plural)


jeki

jeki class IX (canonical)
jeki class X (plural)

a jack (mechanical device for raising and supporting a heavy object)


gunia

gunia class V (canonical)
magunia class VI (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic قُوْنِيَّة (gūniyya), from Gujarati ગૂણિયું (gūṇiyũ).


msanii

sw-noun

msanii class I (plural wasanii class II)

msanii class I (canonical)
wasanii class II (plural)

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


kilimo

agriculture (the art or science of cultivating the ground)


kaburi

kaburi class V (plural makaburi class VI)

kaburi class V (canonical)
makaburi class VI (plural)


kifungu

kifungu class VII (plural vifungu class VIII)

kifungu class VII (canonical)
vifungu class VIII (plural)


fremu

fremu class IX (canonical)
fremu class X (plural)

frame (structural elements of a building or other constructed object; rigid, generally rectangular mounting)


kizuizi

kizuizi class VII (plural vizuizi class VIII)

kizuizi class VII (canonical)
vizuizi class VIII (plural)

From -zuia (“to prevent, to keep back”) or a variant.


mpaka

mpaka class III (plural mipaka class IV)

mpaka class III (canonical)
mipaka class IV (plural)

border, boundary (dividing line or location between two areas)


tumaini

tumaini class V (plural matumaini class VI)

tumaini class V (canonical)
matumaini class VI (plural)


kiumbe

kiumbe class VII (plural viumbe class VIII)

kiumbe class VII (canonical)
viumbe class VIII (plural)


andazi

andazi class V (plural maandazi class VI)

andazi class V (canonical)
maandazi class VI (plural)

a kind of fried bread, similar to a doughnut


fedheha

fedheha class IX (plural fedheha class X)

fedheha class IX (canonical)
fedheha class X (plural)


mwenyeji

mwenyeji class I (plural wenyeji class II)

mwenyeji class I (canonical)
wenyeji class II (plural)

resident (person living at a location or an area)


kafiri

kafiri class V (plural makafiri class VI)

kafiri class V (canonical)
makafiri class VI (plural)


mteremko

mteremko class III (plural miteremko class IV)

mteremko class III (canonical)
miteremko class IV (plural)

a downward slope (area of ground that tends downward)


ndondi

ndondi class IX (canonical)
ndondi class X (plural)


bondia

bondia class V (plural mabondia class VI)

bondia class V (canonical)
mabondia class VI (plural)


dazani

dazani class IX (canonical)
dazani class X (plural)


utatuzi

solution (an act, plan or other means, used or proposed, to solve a problem)


msimbo

msimbo class III (plural misimbo class IV)

msimbo class III (canonical)
misimbo class IV (plural)


bikira

bikira class V (plural mabikira class VI)

bikira class V (canonical)
mabikira class VI (plural)

virgin (person who has never had sexual intercourse)


kituo

kituo class VII (plural vituo class VIII)

kituo class VII (canonical)
vituo class VIII (plural)


uvimbe

uvimbe class IX (canonical)
uvimbe class X (plural)


jipu

jipu class V (canonical)
majipu class VI (plural)


shtaka

shtaka class V (plural mashtaka class VI)

shtaka class V (canonical)
mashtaka class VI (plural)
shitaka (alternative)

Borrowed from Arabic اِشْتِكَاء (ištikāʔ).


mhariri

sw-noun

mhariri class I (plural wahariri class II)

mhariri class I (canonical)
wahariri class II (plural)

From Arabic مُحَرِّر (muḥarrir, “editor”).


jimbi

jimbi class V (canonical)
majimbi class VI (plural)


mfinyanzi

mfinyanzi class I (plural wafinyanzi class II)

mfinyanzi class I (canonical)
wafinyanzi class II (plural)

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


rekodi

rekodi class IX (canonical)
rekodi class X (plural)
rikodi (alternative)

record (information put into a lasting physical medium, such as a vinyl disc on which sound is recorded)

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


janga

janga class V (canonical)
majanga class VI (plural)

calamity, disaster (unexpected catastrophe causing physical damage, etc.)


kiwanda

kiwanda class VII (plural viwanda class VIII)

kiwanda class VII (canonical)
viwanda class VIII (plural)

factory, workshop (place where people work)


ngao

ngao class IX (canonical)
ngao class X (plural)

Hekima, umoja, na amani / Hizi ni ngao zetu

1961, “Mungu ibariki Afrika (national anthem of Tanzania)”:

Wisdom, unity, and peace / These are our shields


mtoto yatima

mtoto yatima class I (plural watoto yatima class II)

mtoto yatima class I (canonical)
watoto yatima class II (plural)


bima

bima class IX (canonical)
bima class X (plural)

Borrowed from Hindi बीमा (bīmā) / Urdu بِیمَہ (bīmā), from Persian بیمه.

bor

Urdu بِیمَہ (bīmā)


tajiri

sw-noun

tajiri class V (plural matajiri class VI)

tajiri class V (canonical)
matajiri class VI (plural)

employer (person or entity which employs others)


shirika

shirika class V (plural mashirika class VI)

shirika class V (canonical)
mashirika class VI (plural)

organization, business (group of people or other legal entities with an explicit purpose and written rules)


uteo

uteo class XI (canonical)
teo class X (plural)

a winnower (a form of fan or basket used for winnowing)


mseto

mseto class III (plural miseto class IV)

mseto class III (canonical)
miseto class IV (plural)

a mixture (something that consists of diverse elements)


mwenyewe

mwenyewe class I (plural wenyewe class II)

mwenyewe class I (canonical)
wenyewe class II (plural)


talaka

talaka class IX (canonical)
talaka class X (plural)


kandarasi

kandarasi class IX (plural kandarasi class X)

kandarasi class IX (canonical)
kandarasi class X (plural)

contract (agreement that is legally binding)


kibarua

kibarua class VII (plural vibarua class VIII)

kibarua class VII (canonical)
vibarua class VIII (plural)


kibarua

kibarua class I (plural vibarua class II)

kibarua class I (canonical)
vibarua class II (plural)


suluhu

suluhu class IX (canonical)
suluhu class X (plural)


timu

timu class IX (canonical)
timu class X (plural)

team (group of people, especially in a sport)


dharau

dharau class IX (canonical)
dharau class X (plural)


kolabo

kolabo class IX (canonical)
kolabo class X (plural)

(slang) a collab (production or creation made by collaborating, esp. music)


mwanariadha

mwanariadha class I (plural wanariadha class II)

mwanariadha class I (canonical)
wanariadha class II (plural)
mwariadha (alternative)

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


ufizi

ufizi class XI (canonical)
fizi class X (plural)


shindano

shindano class V (plural mashindano class VI)

shindano class V (canonical)
mashindano class VI (plural)

(uncommon) singular of mashindano: a contest (part of a competition)


nguvu

nguvu class IX (canonical)
nguvu class X (plural)


mboni

mboni class IX (canonical)
mboni class X (plural)

pupil of the eyeball (hole in the middle of the iris of the eye)


kikosi

kikosi class VII (plural vikosi class VIII)

kikosi class VII (canonical)
vikosi class VIII (plural)


sherehe

sherehe class IX (plural sherehe class X)

sherehe class IX (canonical)
sherehe class X (plural)


mkunjo

mkunjo class III (plural mikunjo class IV)

mkunjo class III (canonical)
mikunjo class IV (plural)

From m- + -kunja (“to bend, to fold”) + -o.


pambo

pambo class V (canonical)
mapambo class VI (plural)


kusudio

kusudio class V (plural makusudio class VI)

kusudio class V (canonical)
makusudio class VI (plural)


tarajio

tarajio class V (plural matarajio class VI)

tarajio class V (canonical)
matarajio class VI (plural)


ziada

ziada class IX (canonical)
ziada class X (plural)

extra (that which is beyond what is due, usual, expected, or necessary; additional; supernumerary)


msingi

msingi class III (plural misingi class IV)

msingi class III (canonical)
misingi class IV (plural)


pigano

pigano class V (plural mapigano class VI)

pigano class V (canonical)
mapigano class VI (plural)


mwanya

mwanya class III (plural mianya class IV or myanya class IV)

mwanya class III (canonical)
mianya class IV (plural)
myanya class IV (plural)

gap, opening (narrow space between two things)


geji

geji class IX (canonical)
geji class X (plural)

gauge (a measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard)


tamaa

tamaa class IX (canonical)
tamaa class X (plural)


uhamisho

a transfer (act of conveying or removing something from one place, person or thing to another, esp. in sports)


fasiki

fasiki class I/IX (plural fasiki class II/X or mafasiki class II/X)

fasiki class I (canonical)
IX (canonical)
fasiki class II (plural)
X (plural)
mafasiki class II (plural)


jeraha

jeraha class V (plural majeraha class VI)

jeraha class V (canonical)
majeraha class VI (plural)


korti

korti class IX (canonical)
korti class X (plural)


mchezaji

mchezaji class I (plural wachezaji class II)

mchezaji class I (canonical)
wachezaji class II (plural)


ngazi

ngazi class IX (canonical)
ngazi class X (plural)


kizazi

kizazi class VII (plural vizazi class VIII)

kizazi class VII (canonical)
vizazi class VIII (plural)

generation (single step or stage in the succession of natural descent)


kilele

kilele class VII (plural vilele class VIII)

kilele class VII (canonical)
vilele class VIII (plural)


windo

windo class V (canonical)
mawindo class VI (plural)


zaburi

zaburi class IX (canonical)
zaburi class X (plural)


uvamizi

From u- + -vamia (“to attack, raid”) + -zi.

raid (a sudden attack or invasion for the purpose of making arrests, seizing property, or plundering), ambush, invasion


sajili

sajili class IX (canonical)
sajili class X (plural)

registry (a record or building in which things are registered or where registers are kept)


chizi

chizi class V (canonical)
machizi class VI (plural)


chizi

chizi class IX (canonical)
chizi class X (plural)


tokeo

tokeo class V (canonical)
matokeo class VI (plural)


soroveya

soroveya class V (plural masoroveya class VI)

soroveya class V (canonical)
masoroveya class VI (plural)

surveyor (person occupied with surveying or inspecting)


yowe

yowe class V (canonical)
mayowe class VI (plural)

Acha kupiga mayowe


kibare

kibare class VII (plural vibare class VIII)

kibare class VII (canonical)
vibare class VIII (plural)

aliwahiwa kibare na mwanamume


kibao

kibao class VII (plural vibao class VIII)

kibao class VII (canonical)
vibao class VIII (plural)


hema

hema class V (canonical)
mahema class VI (plural)

→ Kikuyu: hema

→ Lingala: éma


taulo

taulo class IX (canonical)
taulo class X (plural)


mwelekeo mkuu

mwelekeo mkuu class III (plural mielekeo mkuu class IV)

mwelekeo mkuu class III (canonical)
mielekeo mkuu class IV (plural)


mwenendo

mwenendo class III (plural mienendo class IV or myenendo class IV)

mwenendo class III (canonical)
mienendo class IV (plural)
myenendo class IV (plural)

behavior, conduct (manner in which one conducts themselves)


vijana

vijana class IX (canonical)
vijana class X (plural)


kwekwe

kwekwe class V (plural makwekwe class VI)

kwekwe class V (canonical)
makwekwe class VI (plural)


jumba

jumba class V (canonical)
majumba class VI (plural)
jum (alternative)

augmentative of nyumba: mansion (a large house or building)


shairi

shairi class V (plural mashairi class VI)

shairi class V (canonical)
mashairi class VI (plural)


malenga

malenga class IX (plural malenga class X)

malenga class IX (canonical)
malenga class X (plural)


dibaji

dibaji class IX (canonical)
dibaji class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic دِيبَاجَة (dībāja).


kichaka

kichaka class VII (plural vichaka class VIII)

kichaka class VII (canonical)
vichaka class VIII (plural)

a bush or shrub (category of woody plant)

a splinter used as a fastener to support a pole


madini

madini class IX (canonical)
madini class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic مَعْدِن (maʕdin, “mineral”).


kiinua mgongo

sw-noun

kiinua mgongo class VII (plural viinua mgongo class VIII)

kiinua mgongo class VII (canonical)
viinua mgongo class VIII (plural)


kiwanja

kiwanja class VII (plural viwanja class VIII)

kiwanja class VII (canonical)
viwanja class VIII (plural)

diminutive of uwanja: plot of land; grounds


dukuduku

dukuduku class V (plural madukuduku class VI)

dukuduku class V (canonical)
madukuduku class VI (plural)


jumuisho

jumuisho class IX (plural jumuisho class X)

jumuisho class IX (canonical)
jumuisho class X (plural)

togetherness, inclusion (state or quality of including all people together)


bidhaa

bidhaa class IX (canonical)
bidhaa class X (plural)


jioni

jioni class IX (canonical)
jioni class X (plural)


volkano

volkano class IX (plural volkano class X)

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

volcano (mountain containing a magma chamber)


bwawa

bwawa class V (canonical)
mabwawa class VI (plural)


ghashi

ghashi class IX (canonical)
ghashi class X (plural)


mkurugenzi

mkurugenzi class I (plural wakurugenzi class II)

mkurugenzi class I (canonical)
wakurugenzi class II (plural)


nundu

nundu class IX (canonical)
nundu class X (plural)

a hump (a rounded fleshy mass, such as on a camel or zebu)


mshindi

mshindi class I (plural washindi class II)

mshindi class I (canonical)
washindi class II (plural)


mapinduzi

From -pinduza (“overturn”), from -pinda.


ngumi

ngumi class IX (canonical)
ngumi class X (plural)


ilani

ilani class IX (canonical)
ilani class X (plural)

a manifesto (public declaration of principles)


ahadi

ahadi class IX (canonical)
ahadi class X (plural)

kutoa ahadi

kuvunja ahadi


jiometri

jiometri class IX (plural jiometri class X)

jiometri class IX (canonical)
jiometri class X (plural)
jiometria (alternative)


kielelezo

kielelezo class VII (plural vielelezo class VIII)

kielelezo class VII (canonical)
vielelezo class VIII (plural)


kachero

kachero class V (plural makachero class VI)

kachero class V (canonical)
makachero class VI (plural)


inspekta

inspekta class V (plural mainspekta class VI)

inspekta class V (canonical)
mainspekta class VI (plural)

inspector (a police officer ranking below superintendent)


shehena

shehena class IX (plural shehena class X)

shehena class IX (canonical)
shehena class X (plural)


suala

suala class V (canonical)
masuala class VI (plural)

question, problem, issue (question or situation to be resolved)


hanjamu

hanjamu class V (plural mahanjamu class VI)

hanjamu class V (canonical)
mahanjamu class VI (plural)


mchoyo

mchoyo class I (plural wachoyo class II)

mchoyo class I (canonical)
wachoyo class II (plural)


kikao

kikao class VII (plural vikao class VIII)

kikao class VII (canonical)
vikao class VIII (plural)


idadi

idadi class IX (canonical)
idadi class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic عِدَاد (ʕidād, “number”).


idhini

idhini class IX (canonical)
idhini class X (plural)

permission, approval, consent (authorisation)


ustawi

ustawi class XI (canonical)
usitawi (alternative)

welfare (health, safety, well-being, happiness and prosperity)


mchanganyiko

sw-noun

mchanganyiko class III (plural michanganyiko class IV)

mchanganyiko class III (canonical)
michanganyiko class IV (plural)

mixture (something that consists of diverse elements)


mkorogo

mkorogo class III (plural mikorogo class IV)

mkorogo class III (canonical)
mikorogo class IV (plural)

From m- + -koroga (“to stir, mix”) + -o.


insha

insha class IX (canonical)
insha class X (plural)

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


wilaya

wilaya class IX (canonical)
wilaya class X (plural)

Borrowed from Arabic وِلَايَة (wilāya). Doublet of Ulaya.


msambamba

msambamba class III (plural misambamba class IV)

msambamba class III (canonical)
misambamba class IV (plural)

parallelogram (convex quadrilateral in which each pair of opposite edges are parallel and of equal length)


bastola

bastola class IX (plural bastola class X)

bastola class IX (canonical)
bastola class X (plural)


josho

josho class V (canonical)
majosho class VI (plural)

a plunge dip, a dipping trough (tank or trough to kill parasites in cattle)


mshindani

mshindani class I (plural washindani class II)

mshindani class I (canonical)
washindani class II (plural)

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


diplomasia

diplomasia class IX (plural diplomasia class X)

diplomasia class IX (canonical)
diplomasia class X (plural)

diplomacy (art of conducting international relations)


nduru

nduru class IX (canonical)
nduru class X (plural)


mshirika

mshirika class I (plural washirika class II)

mshirika class I (canonical)
washirika class II (plural)


riadha

riadha class IX (canonical)
riadha class X (plural)

athletics, sport (competitive activities)


mchakato

mchakato class III (plural michakato class IV)

mchakato class III (canonical)
michakato class IV (plural)

process (series of activities causing something to be done)


afisa

afisa class V (canonical)
maafisa class VI (plural)
ofisa (alternative)

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


ofisa

ofisa class V (canonical)
maofisa class VI (plural)


tusi

tusi class V (canonical)
matusi class VI (plural)

insult (action or speech deliberately intended to be rude)


tusi

tusi class IX (canonical)
tusi class X (plural)


kibali

kibali class VII (plural vibali class VIII)

kibali class VII (canonical)
vibali class VIII (plural)


forodha

forodha class IX (plural forodha class X)

forodha class IX (canonical)
forodha class X (plural)

Borrowed from Omani Arabic فرضة (furḍa, “custom house”), from Arabic فُرْضَة (furḍa, “crevice, gap; mouth of a body of water, place where one gets to the water (where also port customs is located)”).

der

customs (department or agency that collects taxes on items entering or leaving a country)


desturi

sw-noun

desturi class IX (plural desturi class X)

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

Borrowed from Omani Arabic دستور (destūr), from Persian دستور (dastur).


hesabu

hesabu class IX (canonical)
hesabu class X (plural)


agizo

sw-noun

agizo class V (plural maagizo class VI or magizo class VI)

agizo class V (canonical)
maagizo class VI (plural)
magizo class VI (plural)


kingora

kingora class VII (plural vingora class VIII)

kingora class VII (canonical)
vingora class VIII (plural)
king'ora (alternative)


refari

refari class V (plural marefari class VI)

refari class V (canonical)
marefari class VI (plural)

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


mtalii

mtalii class I (plural watalii class II)

mtalii class I (canonical)
watalii class II (plural)


kibanda

kibanda class VII (plural vibanda class VIII)

kibanda class VII (canonical)
vibanda class VIII (plural)

hut, shed (small or crude single-room building)


njaa

njaa class IX (canonical)
njaa class X (plural)


faraja

faraja class IX (canonical)
faraja class X (plural)

relief or comfort (removal of stress or discomfort)


yunifomu

yunifomu class V (plural mayunifomu class VI)

yunifomu class V (canonical)
mayunifomu class VI (plural)

uniform (distinctive outfit as a means of identifying members of a group)


jagi

jagi class V (canonical)
majagi class VI (plural)


wivu

wivu class XI (canonical)
-ivu (alternative)
wizu (alternative)


wizu

Alternative form of wivu (noun sense: jealousy)


orodha

orodha class IX (canonical)
orodha class X (plural)

Possibly from Arabic عَرْض (ʕarḍ, “offer, supply”) or a related form.


ulinzi

surveillance (observation of individuals or groups of individuals)


mshukiwa

mshukiwa class I (plural washukiwa class II)

mshukiwa class I (canonical)
washukiwa class II (plural)

suspect (person suspected of wrongdoing)


naibu

naibu class V (canonical)
manaibu class VI (plural)

naibu waziri mkuu


kipenzi

kipenzi class VII (plural vipenzi class VIII)

kipenzi class VII (canonical)
vipenzi class VIII (plural)

kipenzi changu

a favorite (one that is preferred or liked above all others; most loved)


damisi

damisi class IX (canonical)
damisi class X (plural)


saini

saini class IX (canonical)
saini class X (plural)

saini ya dijiti


mkasa

mkasa class III (plural mikasa class IV)

mkasa class III (canonical)
mikasa class IV (plural)


ukoma

Mycobacterium leprae
Mycobacterium leprae#Translingual

leprosy (infectious disease caused by infection by Mycobacterium leprae)


haramu

haramu class IX (canonical)
haramu class X (plural)


ukingo wa bahari

ukingo wa bahari class XI (plural kingo za bahari class X)

ukingo wa bahari class XI (canonical)
kingo za bahari class X (plural)


furushi

furushi class V (plural mafurushi class VI)

furushi class V (canonical)
mafurushi class VI (plural)

a bundle or pack (group of objects held together by wrapping or tying)


jini

jini class IX (canonical)
jini class X (plural)


jini

jini class V (canonical)
majini class VI (plural)


koroboi

koroboi class IX (plural koroboi class X)

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


muumini

muumini class I (plural wauumini class II)

muumini class I (canonical)
wauumini class II (plural)
mwumini (alternative)


azma

azma class IX (canonical)
azma class X (plural)

intention (the goal or purpose behind a specific action)


gharadhi

gharadhi class IX (plural gharadhi class X)

gharadhi class IX (canonical)
gharadhi class X (plural)


jukumu

jukumu class V (plural majukumu class VI)

jukumu class V (canonical)
majukumu class VI (plural)

insurance (indemnity against a future occurrence of an uncertain event)

responsibility (obligation to do something)


matibabu

medical care (services offered to treat a patient)


mtendaji

mtendaji class I (plural watendaji class II)

mtendaji class I (canonical)
watendaji class II (plural)

an executive (title of a chief officer or administrator)


toleo

toleo class V (canonical)
matoleo class VI (plural)

toleo la kwanza

toleo la pili


safa

safa class IX (canonical)
safa class X (plural)


shinikizo

shinikizo class V or IX (plural mashinikizo class VI or shinikizo class X)

shinikizo class V (canonical)
IX (canonical)
mashinikizo class VI (plural)
shinikizo class X (plural)

From -shinikiza (“to pressurize, to force, to compel”).


tambiko

tambiko class V (plural matambiko class VI)

tambiko class V (canonical)
matambiko class VI (plural)


kichefuchefu

kichefuchefu class VII (plural vichefuchefu class VIII)

kichefuchefu class VII (canonical)
vichefuchefu class VIII (plural)

nausea (feeling of physical unwellness, usually with the desire to vomit)


mtindo

mtindo class III (plural mitindo class IV)

mtindo class III (canonical)
mitindo class IV (plural)


funzo

funzo class V (canonical)
mafunzo class VI (plural)

a lesson, a teaching (a section of learning or teaching)


chokochoko

chokochoko class IX (plural chokochoko class X)

chokochoko class IX (canonical)
chokochoko class X (plural)

a disagreement or dissension (condition of not agreeing or concurring)


mkwaju

mkwaju class III (plural mikwaju class IV)

mkwaju class III (canonical)
mikwaju class IV (plural)


kipodozi

kipodozi class VII (plural vipodozi class VIII)

kipodozi class VII (canonical)
vipodozi class VIII (plural)

makeup (cosmetics; colorants and other substances applied to the skin to alter its appearance)


kisiki

kisiki class VII (plural visiki class VIII)

kisiki class VII (canonical)
visiki class VIII (plural)

stump (remains of something (e.g. a tree) that has been cut off)


utabiri wa hali ya anga

utabiri wa hali ya anga class XI (no plural)

utabiri wa hali ya anga class XI (canonical)

weather forecast (prediction of future weather)


kayamba

kayamba class V (plural makayamba class VI)

kayamba class V (canonical)
makayamba class VI (plural)

a rattle (a sound made by loose objects shaking or vibrating against one another)


shahidi

shahidi class V (plural mashahidi class VI)

shahidi class V (canonical)
mashahidi class VI (plural)

witness (one who sees or has personal knowledge of something)


dhuluma

dhuluma class IX (plural dhuluma class X)

dhuluma class IX (canonical)
dhuluma class X (plural)
dhulma (alternative)

Etymology tree
Arabic ظُلْم (ẓulm)bor.
Swahili dhuluma
Borrowed from Arabic ظُلْم (ẓulm).


mjane

mjane class I (canonical)
wajane class II (plural)


kitoweo

sw-noun

kitoweo class VII (plural vitoweo class VIII)

kitoweo class VII (canonical)
vitoweo class VIII (plural)

Kikuyu: gĩtoero

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


subra

subra class IX (canonical)
subra class X (plural)


ndumba

ndumba class IX (canonical)
ndumba class X (plural)

magic, esp. traditional ornamental medicine used for healing


muwa

muwa class III (canonical)
miwa class IV (plural)
mua (alternative)

Saccharum officinarum
Saccharum officinarum#Translingual

sugar cane (species of grass (Saccharum officinarum), whose sap is a source of sugar)


majeruhi

majeruhi class IX (plural majeruhi class X)

majeruhi class IX (canonical)
majeruhi class X (plural)

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

surf

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


mkale

mkale class I (canonical)
wakale class II (plural)