The Kamusi Project Swahili-English Dictionary
- A -

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

a - adhibiwa ajara - aksidenti Amu - angao asitambuke - aushi
adhibu - afyuni aktari - amania angavu - arbaini ausi - azuri
aga - ajali amara - amshwa arbatashara - asiswa

-adhibu verb, annoy.

-adhibu verb, chastise.

-adhibu verb, harass.

-adhibu verb, pass judgement.

-adhibu verb, molest.

-adhibu verb, cause pain.

-adhibu verb, punish. Watakapochelewa kurudi kwenye masomo tutawaadhibu [Rech] If they return late to the lessons we shall punish them [Rech]. (< adhabu N).

-adhibu verb, sentence.

-adhibu verb, torment.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, authority.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, dignity.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, fame.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, grandeur.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, greatness.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, pomp.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, power.

adhima noun 9/10, pl adhima, splendor.

-adhimia verb applicative, praise someone. (< -adhimu).

-adhimisha verb causative, celebrate. adhimisha sikukuu celebrate a holiday. (< adhama N).

-adhimisha verb causative, exalt. (< adhama N).

-adhimisha verb causative, glorify. (< adhama N).

-adhimisha verb causative, honor. (< adhama N).

-adhimisha verb causative, magnify. (< -adhimu).

-adhimisha verb causative, praise. (< -adhimu).

adhimisho noun 5/6, pl maadhimisho, celebration. adhimisho la misa takatifu celebration of the mass. [more commonly plural.]

adhimisho noun 5/6, pl maadhimisho, ceremony. [more commonly plural.]

adhimisho noun 5/6, pl maadhimisho, solemnity. [more commonly plural.]

-adhimu verb, celebrate. (< adhama N).

-adhimu verb, exalt. (< adhama N).

-adhimu verb, glorify. (< adhama N).

-adhimu verb, honor. (< adhama N).

-adhimu verb, magnify. (< adhama N).

-adhimu verb, praise.

adhimu adjective, great. (< adhama N). [lit.]

adhimu adjective, important. (< adhama N). [lit.]

adhimu adjective, significant. Kazi yake hii adhimu aifanyayo si rahisi kukadirika [Masomo 395] It is not easy to measure this significant work of his. [lit.]

adhimu adverb, greatly. [lit.]

adhimu adverb, importantly. [lit.]

adhimu adverb, significantly. [lit.]

-adhini verb, call to prayer. Mwadhini anaadhini The muezzin calls to prayer. [Islamic.]

-adhiri verb, criticize. Usiniadhiri mbele za watu. Don't criticize me in front of the people..

-adhiri verb, defame.

-adhiri verb, degrade.

-adhiri verb, find fault with. [also: '-aziri.]

-adhiri verb, humiliate.

-adhiri verb, reprove.

-adhiri verb, slander.

adhuhuri noun 9/10, pl adhuhuri, midday. [also: adhuuri.]

adhuhuri noun 9/10, pl adhuhuri, noon (between 12:00 and 2:00). wakati wa adhuhuri noontime.

sala ya adhuhuri noun 9/10, pl adhuhuri, time of second prayers. [Islamic.]

adhuuri noun 9/10, pl adhuuri, noon (between 12 and 2 o'clock). wakati wa adhuuri noontime. [also: adhuhuri.]

adhuuri noun 9/10, pl adhuuri, midday.

adhuuri noun 9/10, pl adhuuri, time of second prayers. [Islamic.]

-adi verb, accompany. [arch.]

-adi verb, escort. [arch.]

-adi verb, go part of the way with someone (e.g., a guest). [arch.]

adia noun 9/10, pl adia, valuable gift. [arch.]

adia noun 9/10, pl adia, present. [arch.]

-adibisha verb causative, cause to be brought up. (< -adibu).

-adibisha verb causative, cause to be educated.

-adibisha verb causative, cause to be taught good manners.

-adibisha verb causative, train in good manners. (< adabu N).

-adibu verb, bring up.

-adibu verb, educate.

-adibu verb, teach good manners. adibu nafsi yako! mind your manners!.

adibu adjective, courteous.

adibu adjective, gracious.

adibu adjective, polite.

adibu adjective, well-bred.

adibu nafsi yako phrase, Behave yourself!.

-adili verb, conduct oneself well.

-adili verb, be impartial.

-adili verb, be just.

-adili verb, be righteous.

adili adjective, correct.

adili adjective, honest.

adili adjective, impartial.

adili adjective, just.

adili adjective, right. [also: '-adilifu.]

adili adjective, righteous.

adili adjective, straightforward.

adili noun 5/6, pl maadili, honorable conduct.

adili noun 5/6, pl maadili, ethics.

adili noun 5/6, pl maadili, good conduct.

adili noun 5/6, pl maadili, impartiality.

adili noun 5/6, pl maadili, justice.

adili noun 5/6, pl maadili, morality.

adili noun 5/6, pl maadili, morals.

adilifu adjective, correct.

adilifu adjective, honest.

adilifu adjective, impartial.

adilifu adjective, just.

adilifu adjective, right. [also: '-adili.]

adilifu adjective, righteous.

adilifu adjective, straightforward.

-adilisha verb causative, cause to be moral.

-adilisha verb causative, teach morality.

-adilisha verb causative, cause to be righteous. (< -adili).

-adilisha verb causative, teach good conduct.

-adilisha verb causative, teach right conduct. (< adili N).

-adimika verb stative, be unobtainable.

-adimika verb stative, be rare.

-adimika verb stative, be scarce.

adimu adjective, deficient. [Cf. '-adimika.]

adimu adjective, faulty.

adimu adjective, inadequate.

adimu adjective, insufficient. [Cf. '-adimika.]

adimu adjective, rare. (< Arabic).

adimu adjective, scarce. (< Arabic).

adimu adjective, unobtainable. mwanamke anaweza kuwa kama kitu adimu sana [Kez] A woman can be as a most unobtainable object.

adimu adjective, unsatisfactory.

adinasi noun 9/10an, pl adinasi, free person. [arch.]

adinasi noun 9/10an, pl adinasi, person of good birth.

admeli noun 9/10an, pl admeli, admiral. (< Eng). [also: admirali.]

admirali noun 9/10an, pl admirali, admiral. (< Eng). [also: admeli.]

-adua verb, prepare magical charms (against the evil eye). [arch.]

-adua verb, make offerings. [arch.]

-adua verb, make sacrifices. [arch.]

adui noun 5/6an, pl maadui, enemy. mfano wa maadui, hakuna aliyemwambia mwenzake "kwi" [Sul] (< Arabic).

adui noun 5/6an, pl maadui, foe. Kila mmoja wetu anataka adui huyo afukuzwe nje ya mipaka yetu [Nyerere, Masomo 274] Every one of us wants this foe to be driven outside of our borders.

adui noun 5/6an, pl maadui, opponent.

adui mbaya noun 5/6an, pl maadui mabaya, devil. [religious.]

-aenzi verb, exalt.

-aenzi verb, glorify.

-aenzi verb, inaugurate (as a ruler).

-aenzi verb, install.

-aenzi verb, invest with power.

-aenzi verb, empower.

aenzi noun 9/10, pl aenzi, dominion.

aenzi noun 9/10, pl aenzi, power. [also: enzi, ezi.]

aenzi noun 9/10, pl aenzi, rule. [also: enzi, ezi.]

aenzi noun 9/10, pl aenzi, sovereignty. [also: enzi, ezi.]

aenzi noun 9/10, pl aenzi, reign. katika aenzi ya Victoria during the reign of Victoria.

kiti cha aenzi noun 7/8, pl viti vya aenzi, throne.

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, accident. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, bad luck. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, calamity. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, catastrophe. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, damage. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, danger. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, disaster. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, horror. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, injury. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, injustice. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, menace. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, misfortune. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, mishap. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, peril. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, terror. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afa noun 5/6, pl maafa, threat. [more commonly pl.: maafa.]

afadhali adjective, better. ni afadhali kusafiri kuliko kukaa. It is better to travel than to stay.. [Cf. fadhili / also: afdhali, afudhali.]

afadhali adjective, preferable.

afadhali adverb, particularly.

afadhali adverb, preferably.

afadhali adverb, rather.

afande noun 9/10an, pl afande, effendi (title of rank used by soldiers and police). "Askari!" Yohana aliita. "Afande!" [Ng] "Soldier!" Yohana called. "Effendi!". (< Turkish). [mil.]

afdhali adjective, better. ni afdhali kusafiri kuliko kukaa. It is better to travel than to stay.. [Cf. fadhili / also: afadhali, afudhali.]

afdhali adjective, preferable.

afdhali adverb, particularly.

afdhali adverb, preferably.

afdhali adverb, rather.

afendi noun 9/10an, pl afendi, effendi (Turkish title of rank). (< Turk). [mil.]

afia noun 9/10, pl afia, health. bora afia The main thing is health. [also: afya.]

afia noun 9/10, pl afia, strength. afia yake si nzuri her strength is not good.

afia noun 9/10, pl afia, vigor. hana afia nzuri he does not have good vigor.

-afikana verb associative, agree together.

-afikana verb associative, come to an agreement. (< -afiki).

-afikana verb associative, compromise. (< -afiki).

-afikana verb associative, make a contract. (< -afiki).

-afikana verb associative, be reconciled.

-afikana verb associative, make a settlement.

-afikana verb associative, come to an understanding.

-afikanisha verb causative, appease.

-afikanisha verb causative, conciliate.

-afikanisha verb causative, reconcile.

-afikanisha verb causative, satisfy. (< -afika).

afike verb conjugated, arrive (subjunctive). Mpeleke afike mahali pa usalama na ujuzi Lead her to arrive at a place of safety and knowledge.

-afiki verb, agree (with). wanatikisa vichwa vyao katika kuafiki [Muk] They are shaking their heads in agreement.. (< Arabic).

-afiki verb, appease.

-afiki verb, assent.

-afiki verb, correspond.

-afiki verb, fit.

-afiki verb, be fitting.

-afiki verb, be the same as.

-afiki verb, satisfy.

-afiki verb, come to an agreement. [usually ass.: '-afikana.]

-afiki verb, make a settlement. [usually ass.: '-afikana.]

-afiki verb, be reconciled. [usually ass.: '-afikana.]

-afikiana verb associative, agree together. akimtazama msichana huyo ambaye alikuwa akiafikiana naye katika kioo [Mt] then she gazed at the girl who she had agreed with in the mirror. (< Arabic).

-afikiana verb associative, come to an agreement. (< afiki v).

-afikiana verb associative, compromise. (< afiki v).

-afikiana verb associative, make a contract. (< afiki v).

-afikiana verb associative, be reconciled. (< afiki v).

-afikiana verb associative, make a settlement. (< Arabic).

-afikiana verb associative, come to an understanding. Kama hutaki kuafikiana nami nitatumia madaraka yangu [Chacha, Masomo 383] If you don't want to come to an understanding with me I will use my authority .. (< afiki v).

afikiano noun 5/6, pl maafikiano, agreement. (< afiki v). [usually plural 'maafikiano'.]

afikiano noun 5/6, pl maafikiano, compromise. (< afiki v). [usually plural 'maafikiano'.]

afikiano noun 5/6, pl maafikiano, pact. (< afiki v). [usually plural 'maafikiano'.]

afikiano noun 5/6, pl maafikiano, settlement. (< afiki v). [usually plural 'maafikiano'.]

afikiano noun 5/6, pl maafikiano, contract. [usually plural 'maafikiano'.]

afikiano noun 5/6, pl maafikiano, treaty. [usually plural 'maafikiano'.]

afikiano noun 5/6, pl maafikiano, mutual understanding. [usually plural 'maafikiano'.]

afiriti noun 9/10an, pl afiriti, evil genius. basi tokeni wewe na huyo afiriti mwenzako [Moh] then leave, you and your evil genius companion. (< Arabic).

afiriti noun 9/10an, pl afiriti, wicked person. basi tokeni wewe na huyo afiriti mwenzako [Moh] then leave, you and your wicked partner. (< Arabic).

afisa noun 5/6an, pl maafisa, military officer. (< Eng). [mil.]

afisa noun 5/6an, pl maafisa, officer. siku hiyo hiyo alikuja afisa mmoja Mzungu [Ng]; On that very day a European officer came. (< Eng.).

afisa noun 5/6an, pl maafisa, official. Maafisa ya kilimo [Masomo 154] agricultural officers. (< Eng). [also: ofisa.]

afisi noun 9/10, pl afisi, bureau. (< Eng).

afisi noun 9/10, pl afisi, department. (< Eng).

afisi noun 9/10, pl afisi, office. (< Eng). [also: ofisi.]

afisi noun 9/10, pl afisi, (government) institution. (< Eng).

afiuni noun 9/10, pl afiuni, opium. [also: afyuni / syn.: kasumba.]

Afrika noun 16, Africa.

Afrika ya kaskazini noun 16, North Africa.

Afrika ya Kati noun 16, Central Africa.

Afrika ya Katikati noun 16, Central Africa.

Afrika ya kusini noun 16, South Africa.

Afrika ya magharibi noun 16, West Africa.

Afrika ya Mashariki noun 16, East Africa.

afrikanaizesheni noun 9, Africanization. (< Eng).

afriti noun 9/10an, pl afriti, devil.

afriti noun 9/10an, pl afriti, evil genius. (< Arabic).

afriti noun 9/10an, pl afriti, malicious person.

afriti noun 9/10an, pl afriti, evil spirit.

afriti noun 9/10an, pl afriti, wicked person.

-afu verb, cure.

-afu verb, defend.

-afu verb, deliver from calamity.

-afu verb, forgive. [also: '-afua.]

-afu verb, free.

-afu verb, guard.

-afu verb, heal.

-afu verb, help.

-afu verb, liberate.

-afu verb, pardon.

-afu verb, protect.

-afu verb, release.

-afu verb, save.

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, defense.

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, deliverance from calamity.

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, flower of the wild jasmine. [Cf. mwafu.]

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, jasmine blossoms (wild). Hupamba nyota na mbingu, na mawaridi na afu [Shaaban Robert, "Rangi Zetu" 2 i] He ornaments the stars and the heavens, roses and jasmine.

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, liberation.

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, protection.

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, redemption.

afu noun 9/10, pl afu, salvation.

-afua verb, cure. (< afu V).

-afua verb, defend.

-afua verb, deliver from calamity. (< afu V).

-afua verb, forgive. [also: '-afu.]

-afua verb, free.

-afua verb, guard.

-afua verb, heal.

-afua verb, liberate.

-afua verb, pardon. (< afu V).

-afua verb, protect.

-afua verb, release.

-afua verb, save. (< afu V).

afua noun 9/10, pl afua, defense.

afua noun 9/10, pl afua, liberation.

afua noun 9/10, pl afua, protection.

afua noun 9/10, pl afua, redemption.

afua noun 9/10, pl afua, salvation.

afudhali adjective, better. ni afudhali kusafiri kuliko kukaa. It is better to travel than to stay.. [Cf. fadhili / also: afadhali, afdhali.]

afudhali adverb, particularly.

afudhali adverb, preferably.

afudhali adverb, rather.

likizo ya afueni noun 9/10, pl likizo za afueni, convalescent leave.

-afya verb, put on oath. (< -apa).

-afya verb, sneeze.

afya noun 9/10, pl afya, health. bora ~, hana ~ nzuri or ~ yake si nzuri The main thing is health, He is not in good health. (< also: afia).

afya noun 9/10, pl afya, strength.

afya noun 9/10, pl afya, vigor.

Afya phrase, good health.

afya phrase, response to a sneeze.

afyuni noun 9/10, pl afyuni, opium. [also: afiuni / syn: kasumba.]

This page is Copyright 1995-2004 Yale Program in African Languages
Questions about words, phrases, or the Swahili language? Please post them in the discussion forum, where they will be answered quickly by Swahili speakers and scholars from around the world!
©1994 - ©2004, Yale Program in African Languages, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8206, USA
swahili at yale dot edu