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-a kienyeji indigenous, local, traditional -a kitaalamu scholarly (cf. mtaalamu) -a kiungu divine (cf. mungu) -a nyongeza supplementary, additional aarifiwa be informed (also: arifiwa; from Arabic; cf. maarifa, taarifa) abudu worship (from Arabic; cf. ibada) acha leave, leave behind (cf. achana, achia, achilia mbali) achana leave each other, separate (cf. acha, achana naye) achana naye leave him/her alone (cf. acha, achana, achia, achilia mbali) achia leave off, bequeath, leave someone something (cf. acha, achana, achana naye, achia, achilia mbali) achilia mbali let alone, never mind (cf. acha, achia) adabu 9/10 manners (from Arabic; cf. adibisha, adibu) adesi 9/10 lentils (from Arabic) adha 9/10 discomfort, trouble (from Arabic; cf. udhi, udhi 5/6, udhia, udhika) adhabu 9/10 punishment (from Arabic; cf. adhibu) adhana 9/10 call to prayer (from Arabic; cf. adhinia) adhibu punish (from Arabic; cf. adhabu) adhimisha celebrate (from Arabic; cf. adhimu) adhimu celebrate, honor, glorify (from Arabic; cf. adhimisha) adhinia call to prayer (from Arabic; cf. adhana) adhuhuri 9/10 noontime, 12-2 pm (from Arabic) adibisha teach good manners (cf. adabu, adibu) adibu courteous, well-bred (cf. adabu, adibisha) adili conduct oneself well (from Arabic; cf. adili 5/6) adili 5/6 ethic (from Arabic; cf. adili, v.) adimu rare (from Arabic; cf. adimika) adimika be rare, scarce (from Arabic; words with common root: adimu) adui 9/10 & 1/2 enemy (from Arabic) afadhali it is better (from Arabic) afisa 5/6 & 1/2 officer (from English) afya 9/10 health (from Arabic) aga take leave, say goodbye (cf. agana) agana take leave of one another (cf. aga) agiza direct, order, give instructions (cf. agizwa) agizwa be ordered (cf. agiza) ahadi 9/10 promise, agreement (from Arabic; cf. ahidiana) ahidiana promise to each other (from Arabic; cf. ahadi) aibu 9/10 shame, disgrace, embarrassment (from Arabic) aidha furthermore, moreover (from Arabic) aina ya pekee special, peculiar (aina from Arabic) aisee I say; oh really! (from English) ajabu 9/10 amazement (from Arabic) ajali 9/10 accident (from Arabic) ajira 9/10 employment (from Arabic: cf. ajiriwa) ajiriwa be hired (from Arabic; cf. ajira) akaunt 9/10 account (from English) akhera 9/10 afterlife (also: ahera; from Arabic) akhiri 9/10 postponement, delay (also: ahiri; from Arabic) akiba 9/10 savings, reserve (from Arabic) alama 9/10 sign; academic grade (from Arabic) alasiri 9/10 late afternoon (from Arabic) aleluya Halleluiah (from Hebrew via English) alhamdu praise; first chapter of the Koran, also known as Al-Fatiha (from Arabic) Al hamdu lil’lahi Praise be to God (from Arabic) alika invite (cf. alikwa) alikwa be invited (cf. alika) almasi 9/10 diamond (from Arabic) amana 9/10 security, trust (from Arabic; cf. amini, amani) amani 9/10 peace (from Arabic; cf. amini, amana) ambatana na be linked to or with ambilika be affable, approachable ambukiza infect (cf. ambukizo, ambukizwa) ambukizo 5/6 contagion, infection (cf. ambukiza, ambukizwa) ambukizwa be infected (cf. ambukiza, ambukizo) amini believe, trust (cf. amana, amanim) amka get up, wake up (cf. amsha) amri 9/10 order, command, imperative (from Arabic; cf. amrisha, amuru) amrisha give orders (from Arabic; cf. amri, amuru) amsha wake someone up (cf. amka) amuru command (from Arabic; cf. amri, amrisha) anasa 9/10 luxury, pleasure, comfort (from Arabic) andaa prepare (cf. andalia) andalia prepare for (cf. andaa) andama follow, be next (cf. andama na, andamana na) andama na go around with (cf. andama, andamana na) andamana na follow around, go with (cf. andama, andama na) angamia perish; be destroyed (cf. angamiza, maangamizi) angamiza destroy (cf. angamia, maangamizi) angaza shine, illuminate (cf. angazia) angazia to shine on, light up for (cf. angaza) anguka fall (cf. angukia, angusha, angushana) angukia fall on something/someone (cf. anguka, angusha, angushana) angusha make someone/something fall down, pull down, push down, make fall (cf. anguka, angukia, angushana) angushana fall on each other (cf. anguka, angukia, angusha) anko 9/10 uncle (used in reference to an older male; from English) anwani 9/10 address (from Arabic) apa yamini solemnly swear (cf. apa) ashiria inform, signal, warn (cf. ishara; from Arabic) asi rebel (against) (from Arabic) asilia genuine, real, original, indigenous (from Arabic) asiswa be founded (cf. mwasisi) askari 9/10 & 1/2 policeman, soldier (from Arabic) askofu 5/6 & 1/2 bishop (from Arabic) aspirini 9/10 aspirin (from English) athari 9/10 effect, impact, influence (from Arabic; cf. athirika, athiriwa) athirika be affected (from Arabic; cf. athari, athiriwa) athiriwa be affected (from Arabic; cf. athari, athirika) awali 9/10 beginning, start, inception (from Arabic) awamu 9/10 phase, term (of office) aya 9/10 paragraph (from Arabic) azali without beginning, eternal (from Arabic) azima 9/10 intention, purpose (from Arabic; cf. azimio, azimu, azma); charm, magic, talisman azimio 5/6 intention, plan, declaration (cf. azima, azimu, azma) azimu decide on, resolve (from Arabic; cf. azimio, azima, azma) azma 9/10 scheme (from Arabic; cf. azimio, azimu, azima)
-badala alternative (cf. badala yake, badili; from Arabic) badala yake instead of him/her/it (cf. -badala; from Arabic) badili change (cf. badala; from Arabic) bafu 9/10 bathroom (from English bath) bahari 9/10 sea, ocean (from Arabic) bahasha 9/10 envelope (from Turkish) bahati 9/10 luck (cf. bahatisha; from Persian) bahatisha guess (cf. bahati; from Persian) baini recognize, see clearly, know with certainty (cf. bainika, bainisha; from Arabic) bainika be discovered, recognized (cf. baini, bainisha; from Arabic) bainisha show clearly (cf. baini, bainika; from Arabic) bajeti 5/6 augmentative of bajeti 9/10 budget (from English) baka 5/6 mark on the skin, scar (from Arabic) baki remain (cf. bakia, bakiza; from Arabic) bakia remain, leave (cf. baki, bakiza; from Arabic) bakiza leave something, cause to remain (cf. baki, bakia; from Arabic) bakora 9/10 stick, cane (from Arabic) bakuli 9/10 bowl (from Arabic) balaa 5/6 disaster, calamity, disturbance (from Arabic) baleghesha cause to mature (from Arabic) balozi 5/6 & 1/2 advisor, ambassador (from Turkish via Arabic) bana press, squeeze, be (too) tight, put pressure on (cf. banana) banana squeeze against one another (cf. bana) bandari 9/10 port (from Persian) bandia artificial, imitation, false (also: -a bandia; from Arabic) banika roast, toast (cf. banikwa) banikwa be roasted, toasted (cf. banika) bango la barabarani 5/6 billboard bao 5/6 goal; board; fortune-telling; divining board (from Portuguese) baraka 9/10 blessing, prosperity (cf. bariki; from Arabic) baraza 5/6 council (from Arabic or Persian) bariki bless (cf. baraka; from Arabic) bati 5/6 tin, tin metal sheet (from Arabic or Hindi) batiki 9/10 batik (from Javanese via English) batizwa be baptized (from English) bayana obvious, well-known, incontrovertible (from Arabic) bembeleza quieten, soothe, coax, persuade bendi 9/10 band (from English) benki 9/10 bank (from English) biblia 9/10 Bible (from English) bidi compel, obligate, necessitate (cf. bidii; from Arabic) bidii 9/10 effort, hard work (cf. bidi; from Arabic) bikira 5/6 & 1/2 virgin; nun (from Arabic) bilauri 9/10 glass (from Arabic) bima 9/10 insurance (from Hindi) binafsi private (cf. binafsishwa) binafsishwa be privatized (cf. binafsi) binti 5/6/8 &1/2 daughter (from Arabic) bingwa 5/6 & 1/2 expert, specialist bisha argue, quarrel; knock (cf. bishana) bishana argue with eachother (cf. bisha) blogu 9/10 blog (from English) bodi 9/10 board, committee (from English board) bofya click on a link in a web page (lit. 'to make sink in') boma 5/6 government office area (from Persian) bomba 5/6 pipe, pump (from Portuguese) bora best (cf. boreka; from Arabic) boreka be improved (cf. bora; from Arabic) budi alternative (sina budi = I must, I have to ... [literally: I have no alternative but to...]; from Arabic) bunduki 9/10 rifle, gun (from Arabic, Hindi or Persian) bung'aa be dumbfounded, lose one's senses bunge 5/6 parliament, congress bure gratis, free; useless (from Hindi or Arabic; cf. bure tu) bure tu for nothing, useless (cf. bure) burudani 9/10 entertainment (from Arabic) busara 9/10 common sense (from Arabic) busiana kiss each other (cf. busu) busu kiss (from Persian; cf. busu 5/6, busiana) busu 5/6 kiss (from Persian; cf. busiana, busu, v.) butaa 9/10 amazement (also: butwaa; from Arabic) Bwana lord
cha dawn, change to dawn, be morning chachu 9/10 yeast, fermentation agent chafuka get dirty; messy; get mean (cf. machafuko, uchafuzi) chagua select, choose (cf. chaguliwa) chaguliwa be selected (cf. chagua) chakaa be exhausted, grow old, wear out (cf. chakavu) -chakavu old, shabby, worn-out (cf. chakaa) chama cha ushirika 7/8 co-operative; union (cf. shirika, shiriki, shirikiana) chandalua 9/10 mosquito net (also: chandarua; from Hindi) -changamfu happy, gay, charming, active changanua analyze, separate (reversive of changanya) changanya mix (cf. changanua) changia contribute to (cf. changisha) changisha contribute (cf. changia) changudoa 5/6 & 1/2 prostitute (slang) chanja cut into, make an incision (cf. chanjo) chanjari in line, in single file chanjo 9/10 & 5/6 innoculation, vaccination (cf. chanja) chapisha publish (cf. piga chapa) cheka laugh (cf. chekelea, chekesha, kicheko) chekelea smile, chuckle (cf. cheka, chekesha, kicheko) chekesha make laugh, be funny (cf. cheka, chekelea, kicheko) chelewa be late (cf. chelewesha) chelewa kufika be/come late (cf. chelewa, chelewesha) chelewesha make late; delay (cf. chelewa) chemchemi 9/10 spring of water cheo 7/8 position (social); standing cheti 7/8 certificate, document (from Hindi) cheza play (cf. chezea, chezesha) chezea play with (cf. cheza, chezesha) chezesha wiggle, move, shake something (cf. cheza, chezea) chimba dig, dig up (cf. chimbo, chimbuko) chimbo 5/6 ditch, hole (cf. chimba, chimbuko) chimbuko 5/6 beginning, source (cf. chimba, chimbo) chinja slaughter, kill (cf. chinjwa) chinjwa be slaughtered, killed (cf. chinja) chokoza poke into (cf. chokozwa) chokozwa be provoked (cf. chokoza) chonga carve, cut out (cf. chongea, chongoka, chongwa) chongea carve, cut with/for; slander, tattle (cf. chonga, chongoka, chongwa) chongoka be jagged, sharp (cf. chonga, chongea, chongwa) chongwa be carved, chopped, cut (cf. chonga, chongea, chongoka) chuki 9/10 hatred (cf. chukia, chukiza, chukizwa) chukia hate, abhor (cf. chuki, chukiza, chukizwa) chukiza make mad (cf. chuki, chukia, chukizwa) chukizwa be annoyed, made mad (cf. chuki, chukia, chukiza) chukua take (cf. chukuliwa) chukuliwa be taken (cf. chukua) chumba cha kuogea bathing room chunga take care of, look after, watch (cf. chungua, chungulia, chunguza, chunguzana, chungwa) chungua look carefully (cf. chunga, chungulia, chunguza, chunguzana, chungwa) chungulia check out, spy, pry into (cf. chunga, chungua, chunguza, chunguzana, chungwa) chunguza inspect, examine (cf. chunga, chungua, chungulia, chunguzana, chungwa) chunguzana inspect each other (cf. chunga, chungua, chungulia, chunguza, chungwa) chungwa be taken care of, be looked after, watched (cf. chunga, chungua, chungulia, chunguza, chunguzana)
dadako contraction of dada yako, your sister daftari 5/6 notebook (from Arabic) dai claim (from Arabic; cf. daiwa) daiwa owe (cf. dai) daima always, perpetually, permanently, forever daka snatch (cf. daka maneno, dakia) daka maneno interrupt speech (cf. daka, dakia) dakia jump in (conversation), interrupt (cf. daka, daka maneno) dadadala 5/6 small bus, minivan, or truck used as a bus danganya deceive, cheat, elude (cf. danganyika) danganyika be deceived (cf. danganya) dansi 9/10 dance (from English) daraka 5/6 obligation, responsibility debe 5/6 tin, can (from Hindi) degedege 9/10 convulsions and fever, especially in small children (also: dege 5/6) deski 5/6 school desk (from English) dhahabu 9/10 gold (from Arabic) -dhaifu feeble, weak, infirm, sickly (from Arabic; cf. udhaifu) dhahiri clear, evident, obvious (cf. dhihirisha, hadhari, hadharisha, jihadhari, tahadharisha, tahadharishwa; from Arabic) dhalimu cruel, oppressive (from Arabic) dhamana 9/10 responsibility (from Arabic) dhamira 9/10 theme; intention (from Arabic; cf. dhamiri, dhamiria) dhamiri 9/10 conscience, intention (from Arabic; cf. dhamira, dhamiria) dhamiria aim, intend to, propose to (from Arabic; cf. dhamira, dhamiri) dhana 9/10 concept, idea, opinion, notion dhani think, consider (from Arabic) dhara 5/6 damage, harm, injury, negative consequence (from Arabic; cf. dhuru) dharau ignore, scorn (from Arabic) dharau 9/10 contempt (from Arabic; cf. dharau, v.) dharauliwa be ignored, scorned (from Arabic; cf. dharau) dharura 9/10 emergency (from Arabic) dhibiti protect against; control, censor (from Arabic; cf. dhibitiwa) dhibitiwa controlled, protected against (from Arabic; cf. dhibiti) dhihaki make fun of, ridicule (from Arabic) dhihirisha reveal, explain, show (cf. dhahiri, hadhari, hadharisha, jihadhari, tahadharisha, tahadharishwa; from Arabic) dhiki 9/10 distress, misfortune (from Arabic) dhoruba 9/10 storm (from Arabic) dhuluma 9/10 & 1/2 tyrant (from Arabic; cf. dhulumu) dhulumu exploit, opress, treat unjustly (from Arabic; cf. dhuluma) dhuru hurt, harm (from Arabic; cf. dhara) dira 9/10 compass, direction (from Arabic) diwani 9/10 collection of poems (from Arabic) diwani 5/6 & 1/2 civil leader, councilor (from Arabic) diwani ya ushairi 9/10 poetry collection dodosa cross-examine (from Arabic) dogoli 5/6 exorcism ceremony( named after the dogoli drum of the Zaramo people in Tanzania) dogowesha form a diminutive, diminish (cf. -dogo) dokeza hint, indicate, suggest dondoa pick up a little by little (cf. dondoka, dondolewa) dondoka drip (cf. dondoa, dondolewa) dondolewa be quoted (cf. dondoa) dosari 9/10 blemish, defect (from Arabic) duara 9/10 circle (from Arabic) dukuduku 5/6 & 9/10 exasperation, deep concern, confusion dumaza stunt, retard, underdevelop dumisha sustain, make last (cf. dumu) dumu last, persist (cf. dumisha) dunda beat (fast, excitedly) (from Hindi) duni inferior, low (from Arabic; cf. dunisha) dunia 9/10 world (from Arabic) dunisha despise (cf. duni) dunga administer a hypodermic injection (cf. dungwa, dungiwa) dungwa to be given a hypodermic injection (cf. dunga, dungiwa) dungiwa to be given a hypodermic injection (cf. dunga, dungwa)
egemea rely on, rest on (cf. tegemea) elekea towards, be in the direction of, be directed towards (cf. elekeza, elekezo, elekezwa) elekeza direct someone or something, position something (cf. elekea, elekezo, elekezwa) elekezo 5/6 direction (cf. elekea, elekeza, elekezwa) elekezwa be directed, instructed, ordered (cf. elekea, elekeza, elekezo) eleweka be understood, understandable (cf. eleza, elezwa) eleza explain, describe (cf. eleweka, elezwa) elezwa be explained, described (cf. eleweka, eleza) enda kwa mganga go to the doctor enda zake go off, take off, go on his/her way enda zangu go off, etc., be on my way endea go to/towards (cf. endelea, endeleza, endeshwa) endelea continue, progress (cf. endea, endeleza, endeshwa) endeleza make someone progress (cf. endea, endelea, endeshwa) endeshwa be run (cf. endea, endelea, endeleza) eneo 5/6 area (releated words: enea) enuka rise up (standard: inuka) enzi give honor and respect, glorify epusha cause to avoid (cf. epuka) eti apparently, as if, that (indicates some doubt about the statement that follows it; functions similarly to quotations marks, i.e. indicates reported speech, statements of others, or irony)
fadhili aid, assist (cf. fadhiliwa) fadhiliwa be helped, sponsored (cf. fadhili) fafanulia make clear to someone fahamu 10 senses (cf. fahamisha) faida 9/10 profit, good (cf. faidika) faidika profit; be advantageous (cf. faida) faili 5/6 file, folder (from English) fanana resemble (cf. fanana na) fanana na resemble someone/something (cf. fanana) fani 9/10 form; genre; type; kind; field (of activity) fanya fujo make a disturbance, trouble fanyiza make (cf. fanya) faradhi 9/10 religious obligation fariji comfort, console, relieve fichua expose, reveal, uncover (reversive of ficha) fifia be dying away, fade, pine, dribble away, disappear (cf. fifisha) fifisha make fade, dissappear (usually: fifiza; words with common root: fifia) fika reach, arrive (cf. fikia, fikisha) fikia arrive at, reach at/to (cf. fika, fikisha) fikia kikomo reach the limit (cf. fika, fikia) fikisha cause or enable to reach (cf. fika, fikia) finyana macho wink at each other finyu narrow, tight fitina 9/10 strife, antagonism flana or fulana 9/10 sweater, vest fofofo deep, heavily (lala fofofo) foka be fuming with anger, blurt out angrily (cf. fokea, fokewa) fokea yell at (cf. foka, fokewa) fokewa be yelled at (cf. foka, fokea) fomu 9/10 form, questionnaire (from English) fuatilia follow carefully (cf. fuata) fuja waste, squander (cf. fujo) fujo 9/10 trouble (usually noisy) (cf. fuja) fukuza drive away, drive out, kick out (cf. fukuzwa) fukuzwa be driven away, expelled (cf. fukuza) fumana catch in the act, esp. sex (cf. fumania) fumania catch in the act, esp. sex (cf. fumana) fumia knit for someone (cf. fuma) fundi 5/6 & 1/2 expert, craftsperson funga mizigo pack up, pack bags funga safari set out on a trip funika cover (cf. funua, funuliwa) funua open, open up (cf. funika, funua macho, funua mdomo, funuliwa) funua macho open one's eyes (cf. funua) funua mdomo open one's mouth (cf. funua) funuliwa be opened (cf. funika, funua) fupisho 5/6 abbreviation (cf. -fupi) furahi be happy, joyful (cf. furaha)
gaagaa or garagara roll from side to side ganda coagulate, freeze, jell up; embrace, clasp garama 9/10 cost, expensives (usually gharama) gari 5/6 car; vehicle; wheelbarrow (from English car) gauni 5/6 dress (from English 'gown') gereza 9/10 prison (from Portuguese 'igreja,' meaning 'church') geuka turn around; become different, change (cf. geuka kupindukia, geuka sura, geuza, geuza sura, geuzageuza) geuka kupindukia make a U-turn (cf. geuka) geuka sura change appearance (face) (cf. geuka) geuza change something (cf. geuka, geuza sura, geuzageuza) geuza sura change one's appearance (cf. geuka, geuza) geuzageuza turn over and over (cf. geuka, geuza) ghaidhi 9/10 anger gharama 9/10 expense, cost, price ghasia 9/10 uproar, commotion; disturbance, trouble ghilibu get the better of, cheat glasi 9/10 glass (from English) gomba argue (with), quarrel (cf. gombana na) gombana na argue, fight (verbally) (cf. gomba) gonga knock (cf. gongwa) gongwa be knocked (on) (cf. gonga) gorofa floor, level in a building gundua find (out) (cf. gundulika, gunduliwa) gundulika be found out (cf. gundua, gunduliwa) gunduliwa be found out (cf. gundua, gundulika) gusia touch, finger something; touch on (in conversation) (cf. gusa) gwiji 5/6 (or 9/10) & 1/2 expert
hadhari be careful, cautious (cf. dhahiri, hadharisha, jihadhari, tahadharisha, tahadharishwa) hadharisha warn, make someone careful of (cf. dhahiri, hadhari, jihadhari, tahadharisha, tahadharishwa) haidhuru It doesn't matter/Never mind. (cf. dhuru) haifai it isn't right/appropriate; it's no good haja ndogo 9/10 euphemism: need to urinate haji pilgrimage to Mecca (cf. hiji, hujaji) hakika 9/10 truth, certainty (cf. hakikisha, hakikishwa) hakikisha make sure, make certain (cf. hakika, hakikishwa) hakikishwa be verified, ascertained (cf. hakika, hakikisha) halali lawful, legal (cf. halalisha, halalishwa) halalisha authorize, permit (cf. halali, halalishwa) halalishwa be permitted, sanctioned, legalized (cf. halali, halalisha) hali kadhalika 9/10 similarly, likewise halmashauri 9/10 committee, council hama move (away) (cf. hamia, hamisha) hamasa 9/10 excitement, eagerness (cf. hamasisha) hamasisha make eager, excite (cf. hamasa) hamia move to, settle at (cf. hama) hamisha move something (cf. hama, hamia) hamu 9/10 anxiety, fervor, longing, desire hangaiko 5/6 commotion, anxiety, restlessness harakati 9/10 struggle, scramble, rush, activity, agitation haramia 5/6 & 1/2 bandit (cf. haramu) haramu prohibited (cf. haramia) haribika get destroyed, ruined (cf. haribiwa, haribu) haribiwa be destroyed (cf. haribika, haribu) haribu spoil, ruin (cf. haribika, haribiwa) hasa especially (also: haswa) haswa especially (also: hasa) hati 9/10 certificate, document hatima 9/10 conclusion, end (cf. hatimaye) hatimaye eventually, finally, at last (contraction of hatima yake; cf. hatima) hawara 9/10 & 1/2 whore; mistress haya 9/10 embarrassment, shyness; shame hayati 9/10 & 1/2 deceased person (respectful) heshima 9/10 respect (cf. heshimu) heshimu respect (cf. heshima) hiji make a pilgrimage to Mecca (cf. haji, hujaji) hima 9/10 energy, urgency, importance (cf. himiza, himizwa) himiza urge, hasten (cf. hima, himizwa) himizwa be/get encouraged (cf. hima, himiza) hirizi 9/10 amulet, charm, talisman hitaji need (cf. hitaji, n., hitajika) hitaji 5/6 need (cf. hitaji, v., hitajika) hitajika be necessary, needed (cf. hitaji, v., hitaji, n.) hitimu graduate, complete studies (cf. hitimishwa) hitimishwa be/get concluded (cf. hitimu) hiyari 9/10 choice, option, free will (more common: hiari) hojiwa be quizzed, interviewed homa 9/10 fever (sometimes used idiomatically for malaria) hongo 5/6 blackmail hori 5/6 manger, feeding trough huba 9/10 love hubiri preach (cf. hubiria, hubiriwa) hubiria preach to/at (cf. hubiri, hubiriwa) hubiriwa be announced, reported, preached (cf. hubiri, hubiria) huduma 9/10 service, aid, assistance, help (cf. hudumia, hudumu) hudumia aid, assist, serve, help, attend to (cf. huduma, hudumu) hudumu serve, take care (cf. huduma, hudumia) huenda ikawa it is possible, it may be that hujaji 5/6 pilgrim to Mecca (cf. haji, hiji) hukumiwa be sentenced, be judged (cf. hukumu, n., hukumu, v.) hukumu sentence; judge, cast judgment (cf. hukumiwa, hukumu, n.) hukumu 9/10 judgement, legal sentence (cf. hukumiwa, hukumu, v.) huria free, independent (cf. uhuru) huruma 9/10 pity, compassion, sympathy, mercy (cf. hurumia) hurumia take pity, feel sorry for (cf. huruma) husika concerned, particular, specific husika na be involved in (cf. husisha, husu) husisha make concerned, involve (cf. husika na, husu) husu concern (cf. husika na, husisha) huzunisha sadden (cf. huzuni)
ibada 9/10 religious service, worship (from Arabic; cf. abudu) Ibilisi 9/10 & 1/2 Satan, the devil ibua bring out, bring to light idadi 9/10 number, amount, quantity idara 9/10 academic department igiza play, imitate (cf. igizo) igizo 5/6 play, drama (cf. igiza) ijapokuwa even though, although ijara 9/10 payment ima either ... or (usually: ama) Imamu 9/10 & 1/2 Imam, Muslim leader (from Arabic) imba aleluya express happiness noisily inama bend over, bend down, bow (cf. inamia) inamia bow to/before, stand by/on someone (cf. inama) inapata approximately, about (usually: yapata) ingia enter (cf. ingilia, ingiza) ingilia interfere, intrude on (cf. ingia, ingiza) ingiza put in, insert (cf. ingia, ingilia) injili 9/10 gospel, new testament inua raise, lift, elevate (cf. inuliwa) inuliwa have (something) lifted, raised, be lifted, raised (cf. inua) Isa Jesus (when spoken of by Muslims) isha Muslim prayers after sunset, 6:30 - 8:30 pm istilahi 9/10 specialized vocabulary itikadi 9/10 belief, ideology (cf. itakidi) iva be ready, be well cooked, be ripe iwapo if, when, in case (literally: when it is)
jaa 9/10 garbage pail, rubbage heap jabali 5/6 & 1/2 (colloquial) prominent, exceptional person (lit.: 5/6 huge rock) jahanum 9/10 hell (in the Koran, one of seven levels of Hell, where idol-worshippers are sent on the day of judgement) jahili ingorant, cruel, uncivilized Jalali Almighty (title of Allah) jali grant (of God) (cf. jaliwa) jaliwa be granted by God (cf. jali) jamaa 9/10 & 1/2 family member, relative jambazi 5/6 & 1/2 armed robber, gangster janga 5/6 danger, trouble, calamity, disaster, mental blow jangwa 5/6 desert jaribio 5/6 experiment (cf. jaribu) jaribu try (cf. jaribio) jarida 9/10 journal jasho 5 sweat, perspiration jasusi 5/6 & 1/2 spy jawabu 5/6 answer jaza fill something jazba 9/10 intense feeling jela 9/10 prison jeneza 5/6 & 9/10 bier, casket, coffin jengo 5/6 building jiandaa prepare oneself (cf. andaa) jibaini make oneself clear jibanza squeeze oneself up against jibiwa be answered (cf. jibika, jibu) jibika be answerable (cf. jibiwa, jibu) jibu answer (cf. jibiwa, jibika) Jibril Gabriel jicho/macho 5/6 eye jichoma ulimi prick ones tongue jidai pretend, claim (falsely) jifanya pretend jifikiri think/imagine oneself jifungua give birth jifunika cover oneself jifurahisha cheer oneself up jihadhari mind oneself, exercise caution (cf. dhahiri, hadhari, hadharisha, tahadharisha, tahadharishwa) jiharibia spoil/ruin one's something jikabidhi give oneself away jike/majike 5/6 female animal jiko/majiko 5/6 kitchen jikunja curl up jikunyata kwa baridi double up with cold jikwatua jilipiza kisa take revenge jina 5/6 noun, name jinasibisha claim descent jini 5/6 & 1/2 spirit, devil, genie, ghost (from Arabic) jipendekeza ingratiate oneself jipu 5/6 abscess, tumor, boil jipulizia upepo blow air at oneself jirefusha make oneself tall jirekebisha mend one's ways jitahidi make an effort, do one's best, try hard (cf. juhudi) jitambua remember oneself jitegemea rely on oneself jitokeza appear, emerge (cf. toa, toka, tokeza) jitu/majitu 5/6 giant jitunza take care of oneself jiumizia hurt/harm oneself jiunga na join jivuna be proud (cf. jivunia) jivunia pride oneself on (cf. jivuna) jiweza have the ability joho 9/10 robe, cloak jongea approach, move jopo 5/6 panel of people jua know jua kali 5 hot sun; informal sector juhudi 9/10 effort (cf. jitahidi) jukumu 5/6 responsibility, role julia hali ask about how someone is doing julikana be known julisha introduce, let know, inform jumba 5/6 large building jumuia 9/10 community (cf. jumuisha, mjumuiko) jumuisha to bring together (cf. jumuia, mjumuiko) juu yake about her/him juzi day before yesterday juzi juzi recently
kaba roho grab by the throat kabati 5/6 cupboard kabili confront kabiliana face one another, confront one another (cf. kabili) kabiliwa be faced by (cf. kabili) kabla before kaburu 5/6 & 1/2 boer, A Dutch colonist (or descendant) in South Africa kacha kachu sound of the scissors cutting (onomatopoeia) kadamnasi in public kadinali 5/6 & 1/2 cardinal kadiri 9/10 amount, as much as (cf. kadiriwa, makadirio) kadiriwa be estimated (cf. kadiri, makadirio) kafara 5/6 sacrifice, offering kafiri 5/6 & 1/2 atheist, non-believer, infidel kahaba 5/6 & 1/2 prostitute kaki khaki color kalenda 9/10 calendar kali strong, sharp kalika be put in place (cf. kaa) kaliwa be inhabited (cf. kaa) kama kwamba as if kamari 9/10 card game kamati 9/10 committee kamba 9/10 & 1/2 crab, crayfish, lobster, shrimp kamba 9/10 rope (cf. funga kamba) kambi 5/6 camp kamia extort, demand, threaten kamili complete, full, perfect kamongo 9/10 catfish, gilled lungfish (from Luo) kamwe never, at all, by no means kampasi 9/10 campus (from English) kampeni 9/10 campaign (from English) kanda 9/10 zone (also ukanda/kanda 11/10) kanda massage, knead kando alongside kaniki 9/10 black or dark blue cloth kansa 9/10 canser (from English) kanuni 9/10 rule, canon, convention (from Arabic) kanusha negate kanyaga step on, trample kaptula 9/10 shorts kapu 5/6 large basket karakana 9/10 workshop karatasi 9/10 paper karibisha welcome, invite karibishwa be welcomed, be invited kashifu slander, libel kaskazi 9/10 north (usually: kaskazini) kasi fast, speedily kasi 9/10 speed kasirika be/get angry, upset kasirisha upset someone kasoro 9/10 defect, fault kata 9/10 administrative district kata cut kata ini hurt deeply kata kona turn, move in a direction kata shauri decide kataa refuse (cf. katalia, kataza) katalia say no to someone (cf. kataa, kataza) kataliwa be refused kataza forbid (cf. kataa, katalia) katisha cut off (cf. kata) kati ya among, between kati yenu among you all katibu 5/6 & 1/2 secretary, clerk katisha end something abruptly katishwa be cut off, short kauli 9/10 advice kaumu luti 9/10 & 1/2 homosexual kausha dry something kawaida 9/10 custom, habit, usage, norm kaya 9/10 homestead, village kaza apply force kaza kamba try as hard as one can kazi bure no use, useless kebehi denigrate, abuse, insult kelele 9/10 noise, shout kem kem a lot of kemea scold, rebuke kemeo 5/6 rebuke kemewa be rebuked (cf. kemea) kengeza 5/6 squint kesho yake the following day kiambishi awali 7/8 grammatical prefix kiambishi kati 7/8 grammatical infix kiambishi tamati 7/8 grammatical suffix kiasi 7/8 amount kiasi cha to the extent that, so that kibao 7/8 sign; small board (cf. bao); (colloqial) plenty, tons of, ‘a whole bunch’ kibofu 7/8 bladder kibogoyo 7/8 & 1/2 toothless person kiboko 7/8 leather whip kichaa 7/8 madness; crazy person kichocheo 7/8 act kichuguu 7/8 termite hill kichwa cha maneno 7/8 headline, title kidato 7/8 grade level in secondary school kidevu 7/8 chin kidhi bestow, confer, grant, satisfy kidole 7/8 finger kidole cha pete ring finger kidonge 7/8 pill, tablet kidonge cha kuzuia mimba 7/8 the pill (for preventing pregnancy) kielelezo 7/8 teaching aid kielezi 7/8 adverb kienyeji (-a kienyeji) local, traditional, indigenous kifaa 7/8 instrument, implement, tool kifaranga 7/8 & 1/2 chick, baby bird kifo 7/8 death kifu satisfy kifua 7/8 chest kifua kikuu 7 tuberculosis kifudifudi face down kifuli 9/10 lock kifungo 7/8 prison kifupisho 7/8 abbreviation, word contraction kigelegele 7/8 ululation kigezo 7/8 measuring stick, criterion kigogo 7/8 & 1/2 bigwig, dignitary, notable kiini 7/8 core, essence kijibarua 7/8 small note kijifimbo 7/8 small stick kijineno 7/8 babble (diminutive of neno) kijiwe 7/8 pimple, acne kijumba 7/8 small hut kikamilifu accurately, precisely kikao 7/8 meeting, session kikapu 7/8 basket kikohozi 7/8 cough, fit of coughing (from kukohoa) kikongwe 7/8 extremely old person kikundi 7/8 small group small kikwazo 7/8 obstacle, impediment, stumbling block kila kukicha every day (from kucha , to dawn) kilabu 7/8 club, bar (from English 'club') kilele 7/8 peak kilevi (-a kilevi) drunken kimada 7/8 & 1/2 woman who lives with a man without being married, mistress kimbiza drive away kimelea 7/8 parasite kimilikishi 7/8 possessive adjective or pronoun (cf. miliki) Kimombo English language [slang] Kimvita 7 dialect of Swahili spoken in Mombasa kimya 7/8 silence kina 7/8 depth kinaganaga straightforwardly, openly kinga protect (cf. kinga 9/10) kinga 9/10 protection, prevention (cf. kinga, v.) kinu 7/8 mortar kinyaa 7 disgust kinyang'anyiro 7/8 stiff competition kinywa 7/8 mouth Kipaimara Christian confirmation kipaumbele 7/8 utmost importance, priority kionyeshi 7/8 demonstrative pronoun or adjective kionyeshi rudufu 7/8 reduplicated demonstrative kioo 7/8 mirror kipaimara 7 (religious) confirmation kipaji 7/8 talent kipande 7/8 piece kipato 7/8 income (cf. pata, patikana) kipawa 7/8 talent kipengele 7/8 section of a document; a point, item, aspect kipigo 7/8 blow, impact (cf. piga) kipindi 7/8 time period; semester, term kipofu 7/8 & 1/2 blind person kirejeshi 7/8 relative construction kirejeshi kati 7/8 infixed relative kirungu 7/8 little knobkerry kisaikolojia psychologically (from English) kisigino 7/8 heel kisingizio 7/8 pretext, excuse kisirisi secretly kisiwa 7/8 island kitambaa 7/8 cloth, head cloth kitambo 7/8 short period of time (muda kitambo = a while) kitambulisho 7/8 sign; identification kitanda 7/8 bed kitendea kazi 7/8 tool, implement, instrument kitengo 7/8 sub-committee kitenzi 7/8 verb kitenzi kisicho tensi tenseless relative kithiri grow, increase kitisho 7 a terror, threat kitovu 7/8 bellybutton; center, source kitulizo 7 comfort, consolation kitumbua 7/8 fritter kituo 7/8 station, stop, pause (cf. kituo cha wazee) kituo cha wazee 7/8 nursing home (cf. kituo) kiunganishi 7/8 conjunction, linker kiuno 7/8 waist kivuli 7/8 shade, shadow kivumishi 7/8 adjective kiwakilishi 7/8 symbol, representation kiwanda 7/8 factory kiwango 7/8 level kiwiliwili 7/8 body (human; usually: mwili) kizazi 7/8 generation; descendant kizuizini 7/8 detention kliniki clinic (from English) klipu 9/10 media clip (from English) kochi 5/6 couch kodelea stare at kodoa macho stare kofi 5/6 slap kohoa cough kojoa urinate koma finish, put an end to, stop (cf. komesha) komesha cause to stop (cf. koma) kombe 5/6 large cup (award) kombo wrong (adverb) komea hapo stop at this point komesha cause to stop, bring to an end kona 9/10 corner (from English) konda lose weight kondakta 5/6 & 1/2 conductor (from English) konde 5/6 plot of land, field kopo 5/6 tin can koroboi 9/10 kerosene lamp korofi nasty korti 9/10 court of law kosa be short of kovu 5/6 scar kozi 9/10 course (educational) kubali agree, accept a fact (cf. kubalika) kubalika be acceptable (cf. kubali) kubwisha form an augmentative, enlarge kucha 5/6 claw kuelekea towards, to (direction) kufuatana na according to kuhusu about, concerning kukupotezea muda wako to waste your time kula kiapo take an oath kulia right (vs. left) kuliko than kumba strike, hit, effect negatively (cf. kumbana, kumbwa) kumbana bump into, jostle, push (cf. kumba, kumbwa) kumbatia embrace kumbukumbu 9/10 memory, archive, historical record kumbwa be seized, stricken (cf. kumba, kumbana) kumjulia hali ask about his/her health kumpa mtu pongezi congratulate someone kundi 5/6 group kunguni 9/10 & 1/2 bug kuni 9/10 firewood kunjakunja crumple up kunjua unfold, unwrap kupe 9/10 & 1/2 tick kurudi nyuma to the back; go back kusanya collect something, gather, summon (cf. kusanyiko, kusanywa) kusanyiko 5/6 gathering, crowd (cf. kusanya, kusanywa) kusanywa be gathered (cf. kusanya, kusanyiko) kushoto left (vs. right) kusudia intend, mean, decide, propose (cf. kusudiwa) kusudiwa to be intended, meant, proposed (cf. kusudia) kuta find kutokana na due to, as a result of kutwa all day, the whole day kuwa that (conjunction) kuza develop, enlarge kuzunguka around; go arround kwa ajili ya because of, for the sake of kwa bahati mbaya unfortunately kwa ghafla suddenly kwa hiyari voluntarily kwa kadiri ya in accordance with kwa kuwa as, since, because kwa makini carefully kwa mujibu wa according to, in accordance with kwa wakati huu for the time being kwama be in a difficult situation (cf. kwamua) kwamua free, extricate (reversive of kwama) kwani since, as kwapa 9/10 armpit kwaruza scrape, grate kwenye to (the place of) kwepa avoid kwinini 9/10 quinine (from English)
la hasha by no means, certainly not, no way la pesa spend money (neg. connotation) la sivyo if not, otherwise laani condemn (cf. laaniwa) laaniwa be cursed, damned (cf. laani) laiti if only, would that laki meet, go out to meet lala sleep lalamika complain lala upande be on its side lamba lick laumiwa be blamed (cf. laumu, lawama) laumu blame, critize (cf. laumiwa, lawama) lawama 9/10 & 6 (malawama) complaint, reproach, blame, accusation (cf. laumu, laumiwa) laza put something down (on a bed), to make someone sleep or lie down lazimishwa to be forced, compelled, made to do something lazwa be put down in bed lebo 9/10 label (from English) lege lege lazy lelewa be brought up, be nurtured lemaa be crippled, deformed lenga shabaha aim at a target (cf. lengo) lengo 5/6 aim, purpose, intention (cf. lenga) leta bring letea bring to someone lewa be/get drunk lia make a sound, cry licha ya not only linda protect, guard lindwa be protected, be guarded lingana be similar, matching linganishwa be compared lisha feed lishe 9/10 nutrition logwa get bewitched lokesheni 9/10 location Lusifa 9/10 & 1/2 Lucifer
maadhimisho 6 commemoration, celebration maafa 6 disaster maalum special maambukizo 6 infection, contagion (cf. ambukiza, uambukizaji) maandalizi 6 preparation(s) maanisha mean maarifa 6 knowledge, know-how (cf. aarifiwa, taarifa) mababu 6 & 2 ancestors (from babu 9/10 & 1/2 grandfather) mabia 6 beers machafuko 6 disorder (cf. chafuka, uchafuzi) madaha 6 showing off madaraka 6 responsibility madhara 6 harm madhehebu 6 religious denominations madini 9/10 metal, ore maelezo 6 description; explanation mafanikio 6 success maficho 6 hiding place mafunzo 6 training mafyekeo 6 grass cutter magadi 6 soda magharibi 9/10 sunset mahaba 6 love, romance mahafali 6 graduation, convocation mahali pengine somewhere else Mahara 6 & 2 people of the island of Socotra, Yemen mahari 9 dowry mahiri skillful mahojiano 6 interview (cf. hojiwa) mahtuti critically ill, in critical condition (adj.) mahususi special, particular mahubiri 6 sermon maiti 6 & 1/2 corpse majaaliwa ya Mungu gift from God majadiliano 6 discussion majani 6 grass; leaves majilisi 6 lounge majivuno 6 bragging majuu 6 up (a higher living standard, often abroad) Maka 17 Mecca maka be astonished makadirio 6 estimate, evaluation makala 9/10 article (piece of writing) makali 6 fierceness, harshness, cruelty makamo 9/10& 6 middle/mature age makamu 9/10 deputy makao makuu 6 headquarters makazi 6 dwelling, residence, settlement makeke 6 posturing, self-importance makini deliberate maktaba 9/10 library makusudi 6 intention makuzi 6 upbringing makwao 6 their homes malalamiko 5/6 complaint malazi 6 accommodation malezi 6 upbringing malizia finish off mama wa ubatizo godmother mamangu my mother (contraction of mama yangu) mamlaka 9/10 authority mandhari 6 scene, scenery, view mantiki 6 logic maradhi 6 illness, affliction mbingu 9/10 heaven manispaa 9/10 municipality (from English) manufaa 6 benefit, profit, good results maonyesho 6 exhibition; gallery/galleries maonyo 6 warning maovu 6 evil mapambano 6 clash, struggle mapatanisho 6 agreement, reconciliation mapenzi 6 love mapovu 6 suds mara chache a few times mara kwa mara often marashi 6 perfume marehemu 1/2 deceased, dead person Marekani the U.S.A. Maria Mary maringo 6 airs marufuku forbidden masengenyo 6 slander Mashelisheli people of the Seychelles Islands mashindano 6 competition masomo ya watu wazima adult education classes masuto 6 criticism maswahaba 6 & 2 companions, associates mate 6 spit, saliva matembezi 6 trip, excursion mateso 6 suffering, persecution matokeo 6 result, results matumizi 6 use matakwa 6 wish(es) maumbile 6 physical features, nature maumivu 6 pain mavazi 6 clothes, clothing, costume mavi 6 shit mavune 6 fatigue, exhaustion mavuno 6 harvest, crop mawele 6 (uwele 11) millet grain maziko 6 burial, funeral mazingaombwe 6 magic, illusion, witchcraft mazingira 6 surroundings, environment mazishi 6 burial mazoea 6 habit mazoezi ya kijeshi 6 military exercise mbeba chuma 1/2 weight lifter mbeleni (-a mbeleni ) future (adj.) mbegu 9/10 seed mbingu 9/10 sky, heaven mbogo 9/10 & 1/2 buffalo (also: nyati) Mbongo a person from Bongo, i.e. Dar es Salaam (colloqial) mbu 9/10 & 1/2 mosquito mbunge 1/2 member of parliament, congressperson mbuni 9/10 & 1/2 ostrich mbuyu 3/4 baobab tree mbwa mwitu 9/10 & 1/2 wild dog, wolf mchana 3/4 daylight, daytime mchana kutwa all day long mchanga 1/2 young person mchanga 3/4 sand mchikichi 3/4 oil palm mchongoma 3/4 governor’s plum tree mchoyo 1/2 miser, greedy person mchumba 1/2 fianc (c), steady boy- or girlfriend mchungwa 3/4 orange tree mchuzi 3/4 broth, curry, gravy, sauce, soup mchwa 9/10 & 1/2 termite mdahalo 3/4 debate (organized) mdomo 3/4 mouth mduara 3/4 circumference, circle mdundo 3/4 beat, rhythm mechi 9/10 match medani 9/10 arena, space meli 9/10 boat meneja 9/10 & 1/2 manager, administrator (from English) menya peel meremeta be furious meza swallow methali 9/10 proverb mfano 3/4 example mfu 1/2 dead person, corpse mfululizo 3/4 stream, sequence mfululizo continously mfumo 3/4 system mfunguo 3/4 month in the Muslim calendar Mfunguotatu third month in Muslim calendar (Ar. Rabi -Awwal) mgahawa 3/4 (mkahawa) restaurant, refectory mganga 1/2 traditional doctor, healer mgawanyo 3/4 distribution, division mgogoro 3/4 conflict, obstactle, impediment, dispute, conflict mgomba 3/4 banana plant mgombea 1/2 candidate mgongano 3/4 conflict mgongo 3/4 back mgonjwa wa akili 1/2 mental patient mhadhiri 1/2 lecturer mhalifu 1/2 lawbreaker (cf. uhalifu) mhalizeti 3/4 (alizeti 9/10) sunflower plant mhangaiko 3/4 anxiety mhariri 1/2 editor mhasibu 1/2 accountant Mhindi Indian person mhisani 1/2 benefactor, supporter mhitimu 1/2 graduate (one who is graduating) mhusika 1/2 character, participant midadi mie intensified and contracted form of mimi ndiye, myself mifugo 4 livestock milele always, forever, eternally miliki own, possess (cf. kimilikishi, miliki 9/10) miliki 9/10 power (cf. miliki, v.) milioni 9/10 million (from English) mimba 9/10 pregnancy minajili for the sake of, in order that misa 9/10 mass (religious service) mithili 9/10 example miwani 4 glasses, spectacles mjadala 3/4 discussion mjamzito 1 (wajawazito 2) pregnant woman mjane 1/2 widow, widower, bereaved person mjanja 1/2 clever, tricky person mji 3/4 town, city mjumbe 1/2 representative, delegate mjumuiko 3/4 assembly, gathering (cf. jumuia, jumuisha) mjusi 3/4 & 1/2 lizard mjuzi 1/2 knowledgeable person mkabala na facing, opposite mkakati 3/4 strategy, way, technique mkalimani 1/2 interpreter, translator mkarimu 1/2 generous person mkasi 3/4 scissors mkazi 1/2 inhabitant, dweller, resident mkoa 3/4 region, province mkoloni 1/2 colonist (from English ‘colony’) mkojo 3/4 urine mkondo 3/4 course, current, passage mkonge 1/2 sisal plant mkopo 3/4 loan, credit mkosefu 1/2 person making mistakes; sinner mkorofi 1/2 nasty person mkubwa wa darasa class prefect, student chairperson mkuki 3/4 spear mkumbo 3/4 destruction, devestation, onslaught mkusanyiko 3/4 collection mkuu wa shule 1/2 headmistress/master Mkuu wa Wilaya 1/2 District Officer mkurugenzi 1/2 director mkwaruzomkwaruzo 3/4 scratching, tickling (cf. kwaruza) mlengwa 1/2 targetted, intended person mlevi 1/2 drunkard mlinzi 1/2 watchman, guard mlio 3/4 cry, sound mlizamu 3/4 water spout mlokole 1/2 born-again Christian mluzi 3/4 whistle Mmakonde 1/2 Makonde person. See glossary of cultural references for more detail. Mmatumbi 1/2 black Tanzanian mmoja wao one of them mmomonyoko 3/4 erosion mnafiki 1/2 liar, hypocrite mnajimu 1/2 astrologer, astronomer (cf. unajimu) mnamo on (a certain date) mno too much, very much mngwana 1/2 civilized person mnunuzi 1/2 buyer mnyamavu 1/2 quiet person mnyambuliko 3/4 verb extension mnyambuliko wa kufanyia applied extension mnyambuliko wa kufanyika stative extension mnyambuliko wa kufanyiza causative extension mnyambuliko wa kufanyua reversive extension mnyambuliko wa kufanywa passive extension mnyang'anyi 1/2 thief, pilferer mnyonge 1/2 weak, poor person moja kwa moja directly, straight on Mola 9/10 & 1/2 Lord moto 3/4 fire, hell moyo 3/4 heart mpango 3/4 plan, arrangement mpiga 1/2 one who strikes; fighter mpini 3/4 handle mpira 3/4 soccer ball mpumbavu 1/2 idiot mpunga 3/4 rice (plant) mratibu 1/2 scheduler; master of ceremonies; coordinator (cf. ratiba) mreteni 3/4 juniper msalaba 3/4 cross msanii 1/2 artist mshale 3/4 arrow msamaha 3/4 forgiveness msharika 1/2 member, parishioner mshenzi 1/2 uncivilized person mshikamano 3/4 cohesion mshipa 3/4 artery, vein mshirika 1/2 a superstitious person (negative connotation) msimamo 3/4 standpoint; principle msingi 3/4 basis, foundation mshangao 3 amazement mshenga 1/2 messenger, go-between mshenzi 1/2 savage mshika 1/2 holder mshtuko 3/4 shock msiba 3/4 calamity, misfortune, bereavement msimamizi 1/2 overseer msindikizaji 1/2 escort (cf. sindikiza) msukumo 3/4 push msungo 1/2 one who has not been through puberty initiation rites mtaa 3/4 neighborhood; street, avenue; part of town mtaala 3/4 curriculum mtaalamu 1/2 specialist, expert, scholar (cf. -a kitaalamu) mtahiniwa 1/2 someone being tested (cf. mtihani)
mtaji 3/4
capital mtazamo 3/4 observation, viewpoint mteja 1/2 customer; one who is exorcised by a traditional healer; the healer's assistant (usually a former customer who has been exorcised) mtekelezaji 1/2 implementer mtenda 1/2 grammatical subject mtendaji 1/2 activist, executive mtende 3/4 date palm mtendwa 1/2 grammatical object mtengenezaji 1/2 producer mtoto mpotevu 1/2 prodigal son mtu aliyefiwa bereaved person mtu mzima 1/2 adult mtuhumiwa 1/2 suspect mtume 3/4 & 1/2 prophet, apostle (synonymous with nabii of Arabic origin) mtumbwi 3/4 canoe mtumishi 1/2 servant mtungi 3/4 earthen water jar mtutu 3/4 barrel of a gun muanga clarity, enlightenment (standard: mwanga) muathirika 1/2 affected person (also: mwathirika) mudu be capable, able, manage muhogo 3/4 cassava muhtasari 3/4 outline, summary muhula 3/4 semester, academic quarter mulika shine, gleam, throw light mumo humo right in there muungano 3/4 union, alliance mushkili 3/4 difficulty, problem, uncertainty (standard: mushkeli) muziki 3/4 music mvinyo 9/10 wine mvivu 1/2 lazy person mvungu 3/4 (space) under the bed mvutano 3/4 tension, conflict (cf. vuta) mwadilifu 1/2 just, righteous, obedient mwaga pour (cf. mwagia, mwagilia, mwagiwa, umwagiliaji) mwagia pour on someone/something (cf. mwaga, mwagilia, mwagiwa, umwagiliaji) mwagilia water, irrigate (cf. mwaga, mwagia, mwagiwa, umwagiliaji) mwagiwa be poured on, have something poured on (cf. mwaga, mwagia, mwagilia, umwagiliaji) mwalimu mkuu 1/2 head teacher, headmaster, headmistress mwambao 3/4 area along the coast, coastline mwanachama 1/2 member of an organization mwanadiplomasia 1/2 diplomat (from English 'diplomacy') mwanaharakati 1/2 activist mwanamke asherati fallen woman, harlot mwanamazingaombwe 1/2 magician (cf. mazingaombwe) mwanapropaganda 1/2 propandist mwandiko 3/4 writing mwandishi 1/2 writer, author mwanga 3/4 light; enlightenment mwasisi 1/2 founder (cf. asisiwa) mwathirika 3/4 affected person (also: muathirika) mwehu 1/2 lunatic, madman mwendeshaji 1/2 driver mwendo style of walking mwendo/nyendo 3/10 behavior mwenendo 3/4 behavior, way of going about things mwenye bidii hardworking person mwenye pembe in corners mwenyeji 1/2 local, indigenous person mwenyekiti 1/2 chairperson mwenyembago name of a specific shetani in Uzaramo (from Kizaramo) mwenyezi 1/2 almighty, possessor of power mwenzi 1/2 comrade mwewe 9/10 & 1/2 kind of hawk mwiba 3/4 thorn mwili/miili 3/4 body mwinda 1/2 hunter mwoga 1/2 coward Mwokozi Saviour mwondoko mwonea huruma feel sorry for someone mwongozaji 1/2 director mwongozo 3/4 guidance mwuaji 1/2 killer, assassin mwumini 1/2 believer Myahudi 1/2 Jew mzaha 3/4 practical joke, prank mzembe 1/2 careless, lazy person mzinga 3/4 cannon mzinga wa nyuki 3/4 beehive mzizi 3/4 root mzuka 3/4 ghost mzunguko 3/4 circulation (from kuzunguka) mzungumzisha mtu talk at or to someone
nabii 5/6 & 1/2 prophet (from Arabic; synonymous with mtume of Bantu origin) nadharia 9/10 theory nadhifisha arrange, put in good order nadhifu clean, orderly nadi announce nadra rarely (also: kwa nadra) nafasi 9/10 opportunity; space nafsi 9/10 self nafuu advantageous, good, nice; better nahau 9/10 explanation; idiom, figure of speech nakshi decorate, adron namna 9/10 kind, type, form (cf. namna gani?, namna hii) namna gani? what do you say? (cf. namna, namna hii) namna hii like this (cf. namna, namna gani?) nanii um (indication of hesitation or pause to think) nao and they, they too (contraction of na wao) nasaha 9/10 advice nasua take from a trap nawa wash hand or face nawiri shine; appear healthy ncha 9/10 point, tip ndala 9/10 flip-flops (also: viatu vya mpira) ndevu 9/10 beard ndiyo maana that's why ndoa 9/10 marriage ndoo 9/10 bucket nenda zako! go away! nena speak -nene fat nenepa put on weight ng'aa shine, glitter, sparkle (cf. ng'alia) ng'alia shine at ng'ambo 9/10 opposite side; abroad ng'amuliwa be discovered, realized ng'ang'ania beg, nag ng’ara gleam, shine, sparkle ng'ata bite ngazi 9/10 stage, step nge 9/10 & 1/2 scorpion ngoja wait ngojea wait (for) ng'oka come out, get pulled out ngono 9/10 sexual intercourse ngozi 9/10 skin, leather nguo za matandiko bed linen ngurumo 9/10 thundering nguzo 9/10 pillar; principle nia 9/10 aim, purpose, intention, goal nidhamu 9/10 discipline ning'inia swing njiwa 9/10 & 1/2 dove njuga 9/10 anklet of bells or rattles worn while dancing noa sharpen nong’ona whisper nong'oneza whisper to nufaisha cause to benefit, prosper nukia smell good, sweet nuksi 9/10 bad luck, misfortune nukta 9/10 point nukuliwa be quoted (cf. nukulu, nukuu) nukulu quote (cf. nukuu, nukuliwa) nukuu copy, transcribe, quote (cf. nukulu, nukuliwa) nung'unika grumble, complain nung'uniko 5/6 grumbling, complaining nuniana complain about/to eachother nuru 9/10 light nusu 9/10 half nusura 9/10 protection (cf. nusuru, nusurika) nusuru support, save, deliver from harm (cf. nusura, nusurika) nusurika narrowly escape (cf. nusura, nusuru) nyamavu quiet, not speaking nyamaza be quiet, keep quiet, repress oneself nyang'anya snatch, steal, take by force nyanyasa annoy, bother, tease (cf. nyanyasa kijinsia) nyanyasa kijinsia harass sexually (cf. nyanyasa) nyati 9/10 & 1/2 buffalo (also: mbogo) nyemelea sneak up on nyigu 5/6 & 1/2 large wasp, hornet nyima refuse to give, deny nyoa shave, cut hair very short, have one's hair cut nyoosha kidole point the finger at, accuse nyonga hang, strangle nyongeza 9/10 addition, supplement nyonya suck, nurse nyosha make straight nyosha nguo iron clothes nyota 9/10 star nyoya 5/6 feather; animal hair (plural) nyoyo 10 hearts (poetic plural of moyo) nyuma behind nyuma yao behind them nyundo 9/10 hammer nywesha make someone drink, give drink to someone nzi 9/10 & 1/2 fly
O alfabeti oa marry a woman ofisi 9/10 office ogopa be afraid ogopesha frighten oka bake okoka be rescued, be saved (cf. wokovu) okota pick up, come across okotwa be picked up, found omba ask, beg, pray (cf. ombaomba, ombea, ombewa) ombaomba 9/10 & 1/2 beggar (cf. omba, ombea, ombewa) omba kidole cha pete propose engagement, to marry ombea ask for something on someone's behalf, pray for (cf. omba, ombaomba, ombewa) ombewa be prayed for (cf. omba, ombaomba, ombea) omboleza lament, mourn ombolezo 5/6 mourning ona ajabu be amazed ona kinyaa be disgusted/sick ona haya feel shy, embarassed (cf. haya) ondoa take away ondolea remove for someone ondolewa be removed onea huruma show compassion, feel for someone onekana seem; appear onesha show ongea (na) talk (with or to) ongeza increase (cf. ongezea, ongezeka, ongezeko) ongezea add to or for (cf. ongeza, ongezea, ongezeka, ongezeko) ongezeka be enlarged, expanded, increased (cf. ongeza, ongezea, ongezeko) ongezeko 5/6 growth, increase (cf. ongeza, ongezea, ongezeka) ongoka be converted, reformed ongozana na follow someone ongozwa be led onya warn orodha 9/10 list (cf. orodhesha) orodhesha list, put in a list (cf. orodha) orofa 9/10 story, floor osha wash up, wash something oshwa be washed ota grow ota kutu become rusty oteshwa usingizini be caused to dream ovyo randomly, carelessly oza rot
P alfabeti pa give pa adhabu give punishment, punish pa mimba make pregnant pa pole commiserate, express sympathy pa pongezi congratulate someone padri 5/6 & 1/2 Catholic priest paja 5/6 thigh paka apply, smear on pakana na border on pakua dish out pamba 9/10 cotton pambana na encounter, tackle pambanua separate, discern pambazuka dawn, be daytime, get light pamoja na together with pandikizi 5/6 big piece pandikizi la mtu giant pandikizwa be planted pandisha hoist, raise (cf. panda) pandwa na mori be beside oneself with anger, emotion panga set up, plan, arrange panga vitu pack up; arrange things pangilia set up pangiwa have something arranged, planned pangusa wipe, dust off papa 9/10 & 1/2 pope papasa touch gently paramia catch hold of parapanda 9/10 kind of trumpet used in religious ceremonies parishi 9/10 parish parokia 9/10 parish pasa behoove; be necessary (for), be right (for) pashwa have to (also: paswa) paswa be behoved pasi 9/10 passport pasuka tear, get split pasuliwa get or be torn pata find, get pata bahati be/get lucky pata mimba get pregnant patana agree patiwa have something brought pazia 5/6 curtain peke yake by self peke yangu by myself peleka send pelekea send to, for pelekwa be sent pembejeo 9/10 agricultural supply pendekezo 5/6 proposal, suggestion, recommendation pendeza please; look good pentekoste pentecostal penya penetrate (cf. penyeza, penyezwa) penyeza smuggle (cf. penya) penyezwa be smuggled (cf. penya, penyeza) pepa sway, stagger peperusha blow away peperusha bendera hoist a flag pepesuka totter, stagger, shake pepetana na face off each other pepopunda 9/10 lockjaw, tetanus pesa za matumizi spending money pevuka become mature pewa be given piga chapa type, print (cf. chapisha) piga chenga dodge, avoid piga hatua take a step piga kelele be noisy piga kofi slap or clap piga magoti kneel piga miayo yawn piga mishindo thump piga mstari underline, draw a line piga ramli divinate; tell the future piga vigelegele ululate pigiwa nguvu be printed in bold pigiwa simu be called on the phone pima measure, inspect pindi if, when pindua turn over, overturn pinduka turn over (by itself) pindukia exceed pinduliwa be turned pinga oppose, obstruct, block, object pingana oppose, obstruct, block eachother; object to one another pingika be refutable pingu 5/6 shackle, handcuff pevuka become mature pipa 5/6 barrel pita pass, go by pitia stop at pitiliza go on by, pass by pitisha move something, pass something from one place to another poda 9/10 powder (also: unga) pofusha make blind pokea receive pokeo 5/6 tradition, custom pole gentle pona get well, heal pongeza congratulate ponyoka escape, slip away pori 5/6 wilderness, inhospitable area poromoka collapse posa propose marriage -potefu destructive (also: -potevu) poteza lose, waste poteza muda waste time -potofu wrong-headed potosha pervert, spoil, lead astray (cf. potoshwa, -potofu) potoshwa perverted, spoiled, led astray (cf. potosha) pozi 9/10 pose (from English) pulika listen, obey
pumua
breath
pumzi 9/10
breath, breathing, respiration
pumzika
rest pumzisha make calm, soothe, cause to rest punga wave pungua get less, be rare, be scarce (cf. pungukiwa na, punguza ulevi, punguzia) pungukiwa na be short of (cf. pungua, punguza ulevi, punguzia) punguza ulevi drink less alcohol (cf. pungua, pungukiwa na, punguzia) punguzia reduce something for somebody (cf. pungua, pungukiwa na, punguza ulevi) pupa 9/10 eagerness pura beat, strike puuza disregard, ignore, belittle
radi 9/10 clap of thunder Radio Uhuru FM broadcaster in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza rafiki wa kiume 1/2 boyfriend rai 9/10 advice, opinion, standpoint raia 5/6 & 1/2 citizen rakaa 9/10 bowing during prayer ramli 9/10 fortune-telling (often from markings in sand) randaranda wander around rarua tear up rasimali 9/10 capital/assets ratiba 9/10 timetable, schedule ratibiwa be scheduled (cf. ratiba) refuka get tall, grow tall rejea return rekebisha adjust, fix rekodi 9/10 record rika 5/6 age group ripota 9/10 & 1/2 reporter (from English) ripoti report, inform (from English 'report') ripoti 9/10 information, report (from English) ripotiwa be reported (from English 'report'; cf. ripoti) risasi 9/10 bullet (see also risasi in the Glossary of Cultural References) rithi inherit riwaya 9/10 novel robo 9/10 one quarter roho 9/10 soul, spirit, life, vital principle rudi return rudia repeat rudishwa be returned rudufisha reduplicate ruhusa allow ruhusiwa be allowed ruhusu permit, allow ruka jump, fly rukia jump at, fly at rukuu bow during prayer rumande 9/10 remand (from English) rungu 5/6 knobkerry, defensive knobbed stick
sabahi greet in the morning, make a morning call sabuni ya kuogea bath soap sadaka 9/10 religious offering safiri travel, go on a journey safirishwa be taken/sent/driven/transported safisha clean safu 9/10 series sahili simple saidia help, assist saili examine, investigate, question saini sign one’s name (from English) saka hunt, search for sala 9/10 prayer sali pray salia remain over salimu greet somebody saliti annoy, disturb (from Arabic) sambamba parallel, abreast, alongside sambaratika disintegrate sambaza spread something sambazwa be spread (cf. sambaza) samehe forgive sanaa 9/10 art sanamu 5/6 statue, idol, sculpture sanduku 5/6 record player; box; suitcase saruji 9/10 cement, concrete sauti nzito 9/10 deep voice sawia at that time, at that same time, also sawiri depict, portray sawiriwa be depicted, portrayed sebule 9/10 living room sekta 9/10 sector (from English) sema ovyo curse; yell semekana be said, rumored semina 9/10 seminar (from German or English) seng'enge 9/10 barbed wire sentensi 9/10 sentence sh. abbreviation of shilingi, shilling (from English) shabiki 5/6 & 1/2 fan, supporter (cf. shabikia) shabikia be a proponent of something (cf. shabiki) shahada 9/10 academic degree shahada ya udaktari Ph.D. shairi 5/6 poem shaka 5/6 doubt shamiri spread shangaa be amazed, surprised, astonished shangaza amaze someone shangilia rejoice, cheer sharti 5/6 rule, regulation, term, necessity, stipulation, condition shauku 9/10 eagerness, craving, passion shauri advise shavu 5/6 cheek shawishi encourage, coax, entice sheikh 9/10 & 1/2 leader, ruler, chief (from Arabic) shetani 5/6 & 1/2 devil, demon, evil spirit shiba get/be full (after a meal) shibe 9/10 good, big meal shika hold, take hold, seize, grasp shika mashavu hold one’s cheeks (in thought or unhappiness) shikilia hold on to shikwa be seized, be held shikwashikwa to be held/touched shimo 5/6 hole shina 5/6 stem source shinda win; succeed shinda masomo pass in classes/courses shingo 9/10 neck shingo upande half-heartedly shinikiza press one’s point, insist (also: shindikiza, sindikiza) shirika 5/6 corporation, organization (cf. shiriki, shirikiana) shirika lililo la serikali 5/6 governmental organization (cf. shirika, shiriki, shirikiana) shiriki share (cf. shirika, shirikiana) shirikiana share (cf. shirika, shiriki) shoka 5/6 axe, hatchet shoga 5/6 & 1/2 close female friend (when used by women); male homosexual (related: ushoga) shtukia be startled shughulikia deal with shuhudia witness, be present at; confirm, attest (cf. shuhudu) shuhudu 9/10 bond, covenant, testament, evidence (cf. shuhudia) shuka 5/6 bed sheet; night wrap (clothing) shukuru thank shurutisha make someone do something; nag; put pressure on, force, compel, demand shusha push down shutumia reproach shuzi 5/6 fart sibu bring misfortune to, afflict, trouble, strike sifa 9/10 reputation; praise sifu praise, commend sifu vikubwa praise to high heaven siha 9/10 wellness sikia hear sikika be audible sikiliza kwa makini listen carefully sikilizana get along well, be friendly sikitika regret, be sorry sikitiko 5/6 sorrow siku hizi zilizopita these past days siku za nyuma (in) the past silika 9/10 character, nature simamia supervise simulia tell, give account of simuliana tell each other simulizi 5/6 (& 9/10) narrative; oral tradition sindikiza accompany part way a guest who is leaving; see someone off (cf. msindikizaji; see also sindikiza in Maelezo ya Utamaduni) singizia slander (cf. singiziwa) singiziwa be falsely accused (cf. singizia) sintofahamu 5/6 misunderstanding (cf. fahamu) sinzia be drowsy siri 9/10 secret sisimizi 9/10 & 1/2 small, black, harmless ant sisitiza insist, emphasize sista 5/6 form of address to nun (from English 'sister ') sitara 9/10 concealment, covering sitasita hesitate, be at a loss sogeza move something sokota twist sokwe 9/10 chimpanzee somba carry (loads) somea ubruda study to be a monk somea usista study to be a nun someka be possible to read, be legible somo 9/10 & 1/2 close female friend songa press, compress songa ugali prepare ugali spea 9/10 spare (from English) spika 9/10 & 1/2 speaker of Parliament (from English) stadi 5/6 (or 9/10) & 1/2 expert (from Arabic) stahamili endure stahili deserve staili 9/10 style staili zifaazo suitable, appropriate styles starehe relax stashahada 9/10 academic certificate stori 9/10 story stukia start, be startled at stusha startle someone sua eject subiri wait sufuria 9/10 aluminum pot sugu callous, insensitive suka plait, braid sukuma push suluhisha mediate, reconcile suluhu 9/10 agreement sumbua trouble, harass, annoy, worry sumbuka be troubled sumbuliwa be troubled by someone/something sumu 9/10 poison sura 9/10 appearance, face surua 9/10 measles suti 9/10 suit swala 5/6 question (topic) swali 5/6 question
taabu 9/10 trouble, problem taamuli 9/10 reflection, contemplation taarifa 9/10 report (cf. aarifiwa, maarifa) taasisi 9/10 institute tabasamu smile tabia 9/10 habit, behavior tabiri interpret dreams, tell fortunes (cf. utabiri) tabiria interpret dreams for, tell fortunes for (cf. utabiri, tabiri) taghafali be absent-minded, distracted tafsiriwa be translated tafuna chew, bite (metaphorically: waste) tahadharisha warn (cf. dhahiri, hadhari, hadharisha, jihadhari, tahadharishwa) tahadharishwa be warned (cf. dhahiri, hadhari, hadharisha, jihadhari, tahadharisha) tai 9/10 tie (from English) taiti 9/10 tights (from English) taja name, utter taji 5/6 crown taka 5/6 trash (also takataka) takataka 5/6 trash (also: taka) takasa cleanse, purify takatifu holy tako 5/6 thigh, buttock takribani almost, nearly (also: takriban) tamaa 9/10 desire tamani desire, hope tambaa crawl tambika make an offering to the spirits tambua recognize, realize (cf. tambulika) tambulika be distinguished, remarkable, well-known (cf. tambua) tamka utter, pronounce (cf. tamkwa) tamkwa be pronounced, spoken (cf. tamka) tamthilia 9/10 drama, play tanda spread tandika get spread, cover tandika meza set/prepare a table tangaza announce tangu since (cf. tangulia) tangulia precede (cf. tangu) tapakaa spread tapeli 5/6 & 1/2 criminal, rogue, cheat tapika vomit tarafa 9/10 administrative division; district taraji hope, expect (cf. tarajia, tarajio, tarajiwa) tarajia hope for (cf. taraji, tarajio, tarajiwa) tarajio 5/6 expectation, hope (cf. taraji, tarajia, tarajiwa) tarajiwa be intended, expected (cf. taraji, tarajia, tarajio) tarehe 9/10 date taslimu 9/10 cash tatanisha perplex, confuse, complicate (cf. tatiza, tatua, tatuliwa) tatiza perplex (cf. tatanisha, tatua, tatuliwa) tatua tear (up) (cf. tatanisha, tatiza, tatuliwa) tatuliwa be torn (up) (cf. tatanisha, tatiza, tatua) taulo 9/10 towel taurat 9 the Torah (standard: taurati, torati) tawala rule tawaliwa be ruled tawanya disperse tayari ready tayarisha prepare, arrange tayarishia prepare for someone tazamana machoni look into each others eyes tazamia expect tazamiwa be expected tega set a trap tega mgongo turn one's back tegatega entangle tegemea expect tegua solve teka take up, get water tekeleza accomplish, fulfill (cf. tekelezeka, tekelezwa) tekelezeka fulfillable, achievable (cf. tekeleza, tekelezwa) teketezwa be destroyed telekezwa be acheived (cf. tekeleza, tekelezeka) telekeza to leave behind telemka move down tema mate spit saliva tembea walk tembelea fimbo walking with (the support of) a stick temea spit at/on tenda do, act, commit tenda 9/10 tender, bid (from English tender) tendeka be done, be happening, be committed tendo 5/6 act, doing tenga separate, isolate; prevent, postpone tengana separate from each other tengwa be separated, isolated; be prevented, postponed (cf. tenga, tengana) tesa annoy, torment, afflict, cause trouble (cf. teso) teso 5/6 pain, misfortune, suffering, annoyance (cf. tesa) tetema shake, tremble (cf. tetemeka) tetemeka shake, tremble (stative of tetema) teua choose, select, pick out (cf. teuliwa) teuliwa be selected, appointed, chosen, designated (cf. teua) tezo 9/10 adze thabiti clear thamani 9/10 price, value thibiti be firm, strong, assured, resolute, steadfast, brave (cf. thibitisha, thibitishia) thibitisha affirm, maintain, confirm, establish (cf. thibiti, thibitishia) thibitishia prove to (cf. thibiti, thibitisha) thubutu dare tia mbaroni arrest, put in custody tia mkazo emphasize tia saini sign one's name tiba 9/10 medical treatment tibiwa be cured, treated, healed (cf. tibu, tiba) tija 9/10 earnings, income tikisa cause to shake, wave tima run away timua run away timuliwa be chased away tingishika shake, vibrate tisha impress, frighten tishia threaten tishio threat (cf. tisha, tishia) tiwa jino be bitten tizama look (standard: tazama) toa give; give out, take out, remove toa maganda remove husks toa maua flower toa mimba have an abortion toa sauti make a sound, play a sound toba 9/10 repentance, confession, penance, penitance, remorse toboa bore a hole tochi 9/10 flashlight (from British English 'torch') toka come out, come from toka jasho sweat, perspire tokea happen tokeo 5/6 result tokeza come out tokwa na machozi break out in tears tolea give to tolewa be removed; taken out tone 5/6 drop tope 5/6 mud Torati 9/10 the Torah (Jewish law) toroka flee, run away from tosha be sufficient, be enough tosheka be satisfied, have enough tota get soaked toweza not to be able tua set, land, settle (down); put down tubu repent tuhuma 9/10 suspicion tukana curse, speak angrily tukia happen, come about (cf. tukio) tukio 5/6 event , incident (cf. tukia) |