SELECTED      KISWAHILI      I D I O M S / SAYINGS

                                                                                                        Edited by bill mackenzie

 

KUACHA  -  TO LEAVE ALONE

ACHA KUFANYA UPUZI – STOP DOING STUPID THINGS

KUKU AMEACHA WATOTO WAKE – THE HEN HAS DESERTED, NEGLECTED HER CHICKS

KUMWACHA HURU – TO FREE

ACHA – STOP

AMEACHA MKEWE – HE HAS SEPARATED (DIED) FROM HIS WIFE

 

KUAMKA  -  TO ARISE 

KUAMKIA MAMA – TO GREET MOTHER / FORMAL MORNING GREETING

KUAMKIA WANAOHUDHURIA – TO GREET THOSE WHO HAVE GATHERED

KUAMKIA JUMAMOSI – DAWN ON SATURDAY

 

KUANDIKA  -  TO WRITE

KUANDIKA MEZA – TO SET A TABLE

KUANDIKA WATU WA KAZI – TO REGISTER WORKERS

KUANDIKA PICHA – TO DRAW A PICTURE

 

KUBISHA  -  TO STRIKE, KNOCK, BEAT

KUBISHA CHOMBO – TO STEER TO WINDWARD

KUFANYA UBISHI – TO JOKE AROUND

 

KUCHEZA  -  TO PLAY

KUCHEZA BURE – TO WASTE TIME

SAA INACHEZA VIZURI – THE WATCH IS WORKING WELL

KUCHEZA GWARIDE – TO DRILL IN FORMATION

HESI INACHEZA – THE SCREW IS LOOSE

 

CHINI  -  DOWN

MIGUU CHINI – FEET ON THE GROUND / BARE-FOOTED / ON FOOT

NYUMBA YA CHINI – GROUND FLOOR

CHINI KWA CHINI – UNDER GROUND, WATER / DEEP / DOWN BELOW / SECRETIVE

ANGUKA CHINI – FALL DOWN / FALL FROM GRACE

YUKO CHINI – HE IS DOWNSTAIRS / UNDERNEATH / INFERIOR / LOW RANK

LALA CHINI / KULALA KIFUDIFUDI  – LAY DOWN / LIE ON THE GROUND / TO LIE FACEDOWN

CHINI YA HIMAYA – UNDER THE PROTECTION

 

KUCHONGA  -  TO CUT, SHAPE

KUCHONGA (UNDA) NGARAWA/MTUMBWI/MEZA – TO BUILD A CANOE/TABLE

KUCHONGA BOTITI – TO TRIM A POLE

KUCHONGA KALAMU – TO SHARPEN A PENCIL

KUCHONGA MANENO – TO CONSTRUCT, MODIFY A STORY

KUCHONGA SANAMU - DRAWING, PICTURE, STATUE

 

KUCHUKUA – TO CARRY

ANACHUKUA WAZEE – HE IS CARING FOR THE ELDERLY

KUCHUKUA SIKU NYINYI – TO TAKE MANY DAYS

NGUO ZINAKUCHUKUA – THE CLOTHES SUIT YOU

 

KU(W)ENDA  -  TO GO

KWENDA POGO – TO BE CROOKED

KWENDA MBWEU – TO BELCH

KWENDA KWIKWI – TO HAVE HICCUPS

KWENDA TATA / PECHA - TO TODDLE / STAGGER

KWENDA CHAFYA – TO SNEEZE

KWENDA KAPA – WITHOUT SCORING

KWENDA MRAMA – TO LIST ON ONE SIDE

KWENDA MWAYO – YAWN

MWENDA WAZIMU / PEKEE / NGUU – MAD, INSANE PERSON / LONER / IN DESPAIR

MAJI YAENDA LETWA – THE WATER IS GOING TO BE BROUGHT

WATU WALIKWENDA KUITWA – THE PEOPLE WERE CALLED

 

-ENYE – HAVING, POSSESSING

-ENYE MALI – WEALTHY

-ENYE MAWE – STONY

-ENYE WATU WENGI – POPULOUS

-ENYE MIMBA – PREGNANT

-ENYE ENZI – ALL-POWERFUL

MWENYE KUTAWALA – RULER

PENYE MWITU – PLACE OF FOREST

PENYE UREMBO – POSSESSING OF BEAUTY

KWENYE IJUMAA – ON SATURDAY

MWENYEAMANI – A PEACEFUL PERSON

MWENYEJI – OWNER, INHABITANT

KASHA LENYEWE – THE BOX ITSELF

WEWE MWENYEWE – YOU YOURSELF

ALIJIUMIZA MWENYEWE – HE HURT HIMSELF

 

KUFA  - TO  DIE, LOSE STRENGTH, COME TO AN END

……..KUFA KUPONA – ……COME WHAT MAY

KUFA MAJI/NJAA/BARIDI/MARADHI – TO DROWN/STARVE/FREEZE/PESTILENCE

KUFA MOYO –LOSE HOPE / SHOCKED

KUFA KIKONDOO –TO BEAR MEEKLY, WITHOUT GRUMBLING

KUFA KUCHEKA – TO LAUGH LOUDLY OR EXCESSIVELY

KUFA JUU YAKE – DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HER

NJIA/SAA IMEKUFA – THE PATH IS DISUSED/THE WATCH HAS STOPPED

MKONO UMEKUFA – THE ARM IS NUMB

DESTURI INAKUFA – THE CUSTOM IS DISAPPEARING

KUFIA BARA/BAHARI/JUA – TO DIE UP-COUNTRY/AT SEA/SUNSTROKE

MAJI MAFU – NEAP TIDE

 

KUFANYA  -  TO  MAKE, TO DO

KUFANYA WAZIMU – TO BE CRAZY / TO GO MAD

KUFANYA AKILI – TO ACT WISELY

KUFANYA UPUMBAVU – TO ACT FOOLISHLY

KUFANYA NONGWA – TO GET SOMEONE ELSE IN TROUBLE OUT OF SPITE

KUFANYA UFA KWA UKUTA – TO FORM A CRACK IN A WALL

KUFANYA USAHA – TO FORM PUSS

KUFANYA KUTU – TO FORM RUST

KUFANYA TASHTITI – TO MAKE A FOOL OF SOMEONE

KUFANYA TUMBO – TO DEVELOP A PAUNCH

KUFANYA MZAHA  – TO PLAY A JOKE ON SOMEONE / TO USE TRICKERY

KUFANYA CHUKI – TO BECOME SPITEFUL OR BITTER

KUFANYA KISASI – TO RESOLVE TO TAKE REVENGE

KUFANYA HISANI – TO DO A GOOD TURN

KUFANYA KARAMU – TO HOLD A FEAST, CELEBRATION

KUFANYA INDA / HARUSI / FURAHA – TO ANNOY / WED / REJOICE

KUFANYA MVI, UPARA – TO GREY, BALD

KUFANYA KIBYONGO – TO DEVELOP A HUNCHBACK

KUFANYA WASIWASI – TO BE SUSPICIOUS

KUFANYA SHAKA – TO BE DOUBTFUL

KUFANYA RABSHA, MATATA, GHASIA – TO CREATE A NUISANCE

KUFANYA DRONGI – TO DRAW OR SKETCH

KUFANYA MALI – TO AMASS WEALTH

KUFANYA SHAURI – TO PLAN, DEAL

KUFANYA BIASHARA – TO TRADE

KUFANYIKIWA – TO PROSPER

FANYA VYO VYOTE – TO ACT AT RANDOM

FANYA AENDE – MAKE HIM GO

FANYA FURAHA / HOFU / FAHARI / UGONJWA – TO MAKE HAPPY / FEARFUL / GIVE AIRS / SICK

 

KUFUA  -  TO BEAT, STRIKE

KUFUA NAZI – TO DEHUSK A COCONUT

KUFUA CHUMA / FEDHA/JEMBE – TO WORK IRON/SILVER/HOE

KUFUA NGUO – TO WASH CLOTHES

MFULULIZO WA MASOMO – THE COMPLETE SET OF LESSONS

 

KUFUNGA / KUFUNGUA – TO FASTEN, BIND, CLOSE / UNFASTEN, UNBIND, OPEN

KUFUNGA SAFARI/ VITA –TO READY OR PACK UP FOR A TRIP/WAR

KUFUNGA NDOA – TO BECOME ENGAGED

KUFUNGA CHOO – TO BE CONSTIPATED

KUFUNGA SAUMU – TO OBSERVE A FAST

KUFUNGA HESABU – TO LIQUIDATE

KUFUNGA MABAO – TO SCORE GOALS

MVUA INAFUNGA - RAIN HAS SETTLED IN

FUNGA BIASHARA, SHAURI – TO CONCLUDE A DEAL / TO RESOLVE A PLAN

KUJIFUNGA – DEVOTE ONESELF, GET ONESELF INTO A FIX, AVOID SEX, FORCE INDUCE

KIFUNGO CHA DINI – FORCE, TIES WHICH HOLD THE RELIGION TOGETHER

FUNGUA MIMBA – GIVE BIRTH TO FIRST CHILD

KUFUNGUA HIJA – TO RECOGNIZE AND READ OUT WORDS

KUFUNGUA KINYWA – FIRST DAY’S MEAL

 

KUINGIA TO ENTER, GO INTO

KUINGIA BARIDI / HOFU / HUZUNI – TO BE COLD / AFRAID / SORROWFUL

KUINGIA KUTU – TO RUST

KUINGILIZA KAZINI – TO INSTALL IN OFFICE

MWINGILIZA – AMAN WHO INHERITS HIS BROTHER’S WIDOW

KITU KINGINE – ANOTHER THING

WAO WENGINE – THOSE OTHERS

VITU VINGENEVYO – OTHER THINGS

 

JICHO, MACHO  - EYE, EYES

KUFUMBA JICHO – TO TURN A BLIND EYE / TO REST / TO NAP

KUFUMBA NA KUFUMBUA – TO CLOSE AND TO OPEN / IN AN INSTANT / ALL OF A SUDDEN

KUPIGA KIJICHO, KUMWONEA JICHO – TO CAST AN EVIL EYE

KUTUMBUA MACHO – TO OPEN EYES WIDELY / STARE

MACHO MABAYA, NG’ARIZA JICHO – TO LOOK ANGRY, SHOW DISAPPROVAL / GLARE

MACHO YA VIKOMBE – LARGE EYES / SURPRISED

MACHO YA CHAWA – SMALL EYES / SHREWD

MACHO YA UONGO – EYES OF LIES / LOOK GUILTY

MACHO KAMA PAKA – CAT’S EYES / GREEN / CLEVER / SUPERIOR EYESIGHT / MISCHIEVIOUS / A FORM OF INSULT / EVIL

FINYA JICHO – SQUINT

KAZA JICHO – STARE

TUPA JICHO – GLANCE

KONYEZA /PEPESA JICHO – WINK / BLINK

REMBUA MACHO – SHOW THE WHITES OF THE EYES

VUA MACHO – LOOK UP

KUTOKUWA NA JICHO LA KUTAZAMA – FEELING ASHAMED OR BECAUSE OF ACTIONS CAUSES SOMEONE ELSE TO BE ASHAMED TO LOOK AT

KUFA JICHO - NO LONGER PLEASING (PHYSICALLY) TO THE EYE

KUTOKA MACHONI – NO LONGER A PLEASURE TO LOOK AT BECAUSE OF ACTIONS

YU MACHO, ANA MACHO, KIMACHO, KAA MACHO – BE VIGILANT, AWAKE

JICHO LA MAJI – SPRING

JICHO LA TUMBA – NEWLY OPENED BUD OF A FLOWER

KUFANYA KIJICHO, ANA KIJICHO ROHONI – TO LOOK JEALOUSLY

 

JUU  -  UP, ABOVE

NI JUU YAKO – IT IS UP TO YOU / YOUR RESPONSIBILITY / RESPONSIBILITY

JUU KWA JUU – HIGH UP / UPPERMOST / HIGHER AND HIGHER

KUZAA JUU KWA JUU - TO GIVE BIRTH IN QUICK SUCCESSION

JUU YA – BEYOND, ON TOP, IN ADDITION TO, BESIDES ALL THIS, CONCERNING, MORE THAN, ABOUT, AGAINST

PANDA JUU – TO MOUNT

JUUJUU – UNREACHABLE, HIGHEST, EXCITED

MAMBO YA JUUJUU – GOSSIP, INSIGNIFICANT, MUNDANE, FOOLISH CHATTER

 ALIYE JUU NI JUU – A GREAT PERSON IS OUT OF REACH

NI JUU YA MFALME KUTAWALA – IT IS THE KING’S RIGHT TO RULE

HUNA NGUVU JUU YANGU – YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ME

KUTAZAMA KIJUUJUU – TO TAKE IN THE WHOLE PICTURE

 

KUKATA  -  TO CUT, REDUCE

KUKATA MAJI -  TO SAIL SWIFTLY

KUKATA NGUO/ TIKITI – TO BUY OR ORDER CLOTHES / TICKET

KUKATA NOTISI / KUKATIWA NOTISI – TO FILE A SUIT / TO BE SUMMONED

KUKATA JONGOO KWA MENO – TO DO SOMETHING UNDER GREAT HARDSHIP WITHOUT COMPLAINING

KUKATA SHAURI, MANENO – TO DECIDE

KUKATA MZIZI WA FITINA – TO SETTLE THE ROOT OF THE NUISANCE

KUKATA NJIA – TO CROSS THE ROAD

KUKATA TAMAA – TO DESPAIR

MANENO YAKAMKATA INI – THE WORDS HIT HIM IN THE HEART

KUKATA MATE (ULIMI) – TO FLABBERGAST

KUKATA KAULI – TO BECOME DEATHLY SPEECHLESS

KUKATA URAFIKI – TO SEVER A FRIENDSHIP

KUKATA MAJI – GO UPSTREAM

KUKATA HUKUMU – JUDGE, SENTENCE

KUKATA KIU – QUENCH THIRST

KUKATA HAMU – SATISFY SEXUAL APPETITE

KUSI IMEKATIKA – THE SOUTH WIND HAS ENDED

 

KICHWA  -  HEAD

KUVIMBA KICHWA – TO BE HAUGHTY

KICHWA WAZI – BARE HEAD

NINA KICHWA – I HAVE A HEADACHE

KUFANYA KICHWA – TO BE HEADSTRONG

PATA KICHWA – BE PROUD

KICHWA KICHWA – TOPSY- TURVY

KICHWANGOMBA – SOMERSAULT

KICHWA YA KAMPUNI – LEADER, SOURCE OF THE COMPANY

KICHWA KIKUBWA – LARGE HEAD / CONCEITED / OBSTINACY / ARRORANT

KICHWA (KI)NGUMU – TO BE OBSTINATE, DULL, STUBBORN

KICHWA (KI)MAJI – TO BE STUPID, FORGETFUL, IMPAIRED

KICHWA CHA FIGILI – HEAD OF RADISHES

KUMPA KICHWA – TO NOD / SHOW RECOGNITION / PAMPER / DOFF A CAP/ RESPECT

KICHWA MCHUNGU – TO BE OBSTINATE

 

KUIVA  TO RIPEN

NYAMA IMEIVA – THE MEAT IS COOKED

JIPU LIMEIVA – THE BOIL HAS COME TO A HEAD

KUKIMBIA – TO RUN

KUKIMBILIZA MANENO – TALK FAST OR RECKLESSLY

KUKIMBILIZA JIPU – TO OPEN AN ABCESS TOO SOON

KUKIMBILIZA UDONGO / KAZI – WORK CLAY QUICKLY / HASTEN THE WORK

KUKIMBIZA ROHO – TO SAVE THE SOUL

KUMKIMBIZA MTOTO ASIJE AKAUAWA – TO SAVE THE CHILD FROM BEING KILLED

KUJIKIMBIZA – TO HIDE AWAY

 

KULA  -  TO EAT

KULA CHUMVI – LIVE TO AN OLD AGE

KULA HASARA – SUSTAIN A LOSS

KULA UKIWEKA – SPEND AND SAVE

KULA KIVULI – BREACH TRUST

KULA KIAPO – TAKE AN OATH

KULA RIBA – PRACTICE USURY

KULA MAVI – SPOIL A CHILD OR BE

TULISHA MAVI – TO OPPRESS

KULA MORI – TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

KULA FEDHA – REQUIRE MONEY

LA – NO

KUTU INAKULA, INGIA CHUMA – THE IRON IS RUSTING

MAGURUDUMU YANALANA – THE WHEELS ARE WEARING EACH OTHER OUT

KULISHA KINU MIWA – TO FEED THE SUGAR CANE INTO THE MILL

 

MKONO  -  HAND

MKONO MREFU – THEIF

MKONO MWEPESI – PRONE TO HIT

MKONO MMOJA – COOPERATE / TOGETHER

KUMPA MKONO – GIVE A HAND / ASSIST / GREET

KUWACHA MKONO – DESERT / STOP HELPING

KWA MKONO – DONE BY, WITH, FOR, OF HAND

MKONO KWA MKONO – COOPERATIVELY / HAND TO HAND TRANSACTION

MKONO MZURI – NICE HAND / DEXTERITY / COORDINATION

MKONO WA MSIBA – CONDOLENCES

TUPA MKONO – TAKEN LEAVE, DIED

MKONO WA KUUME (KULIA), MKONO WA KUSHOTO – RIGHT, LEFT HAND

TIA MKONO – TO SIGN(A DOCUMENT)

MKONO WA TEMBO/ MGOMBA – ELEPHANT’S TRUNK / BANANA STALK

MKONO WA SUFURIA – PAN HANDLE

MKONO WA MTO – TRIBUTARY

 

MOJA  -  ONE

MOJA MOJA – ONE AT A TIME

NI MAMOJA KWANGU – TO ME IT IS ALL THE SAME

MOJA KWA MOJA – ONE TO ONE / STRAIGHT AHEAD / ONE AFTER THE OTHER

MOYO MMOJA, HALI MOJA – HARMONY / TOGETHERNESS

NAMNA MOJA – SIMILAR TO

WATU WAMOJA – SIMILAR, ALIKE PEOPLE

VITU VIMOJA – SEPARATE, SINGLE THINGS

PAMOJA – TOGETHER IN SAMEPLACE

UMOJA – UNITY

 

MOTO  -  FIRE, HOT

MOTO MMOJA – ONE FIRE / ALL OVER THE PLACE 

UMOTOMOTO / VIMOTOMOTO – HOT HOT / SOMETHING STARTLING, VERY MUCH, ENERGETIC

YU MOTO – HE IS HOT / ANGRY, ILL-TEMPERED

MOTO WA KIFUU – THE HEAT OF A COCONUT SHELL / SHORT LIVED AFFAIR

HAWAPALIANA MOTO – THEY DO NOT SHARE HEAT / THEY ARE MORTAL ENEMIES

PASHA MOTO – TO HEAT SOMETHING / BECOME HEATED, EXCITED

PATA, OTA MOTO – RECEIVE WARMTH

KUWA MOTO – LOOK VERY GOOD, WARM, ENERGETIC

KUCHOMA MOTO – TO BURN

MOYO - HEART  

KUVUNJIKA MOYO – TO BREAK THE HEART / DISHEARTENED

KUFA MOYO – TO KILL THE HEART / DISAPPOINTED

HANA MOYO – WITHOUT HEART / TIMID, TOO CAUTIOUS, COWARDLY

MOYO DHAIFU – WEAK, INFIRM HEART / WEAK MINDED

MOYO MZURI – GOOD HEART / KIND

MOYO MKUBWA – BIG HEART / GENEROUS

MOYO MWEUSI – BLACK HEART / EVIL

MOYO MGUMU – HARD HEART / MEAN

KUTOKA MOYO – CEASE TO BE INTERESTED

JIPA MOYO – TAKE HEART

TIA MOYO – ENCOURAGE

SHUKA, LEGEA MOYO – BE DEPRESSED

MOYO MCHACHE – FAINT HEARTED

SHUPAZA MOYO – HARDEN THE HEART

MOYO WA JIPE – CORE OF THE SORE

YA MOYO – VOLUNTARY

KWA MOYO – FROM MEMORY

KIMOYOMOYO – OF THE HEART

KUNG’OA – TO UPROOT

KUNG’OA HEMA – STRIKE A TENT

KUFARIKI DUNIA – TO DIE

AMEKULA CHUMVI NYINGI – HE HAS LIVED LONG

MSHAHARA WA KUTWA – A DAYS WAGES

HAIDHURU – IT DOESN’T MATTER

KUMWEZA, PIGA MAKOFI – TO BOX HIS EARS

NIMEKULA FADHILI YAO – I AM IN THEIR DEBT

 

(KU)NYA – DISCHARGE, RAIN

KUNYA MAVI/DAMU/MVUA – PASS FAECES/BLOOD/RAIN

KUNYUA – DRINK/ABSORB

KUNYESHA MVUA/MTOTO – TO RAIN/ATTEND TO A CHILD AT STOOL

KINYESI – EXCRETUM

KINYEVU – HUMIDITY,DAMPNESS

 

(KU)ONA  -  TO SEE

KUONA BARIDI / USINGIZI /NJAA / VIBAYA / RAHA / UCHOYO / HURUMA / HAYA – TO FEEL COLD / SLEEPY / HUNGRY / ILL / GOOD, HAPPY / STINGY / PITY / SHY

KUONA CHOVYO (UBAHILI), MAYA - TO BE JEALOUSE

HAONI HAIKII JUU YAKE – HE IS VERY IN LOVE WITH HER

KUONA KERO – TO BE DISGUSTED

KUONA FAHARI – TO BE PROUD

KUONA KIU / NJAA – TO BE THIRSTY / HUNGRY

KUONA FEDHA – TO BE DISGUSTED

KUONA AIBU – TO BE ASHAMED OF ONESELF

KUONA KISHINDO – TO HEAR A SOUND, SHOCK

KUONA HARUFU – TO SMELL A SMELL

KUONA UTAMU – TO TASTE THE SWEETNESS

KUONA UGUMU – TO FEEL THE HARDNESS, RIGIDITY

KUONA TAABU / FURAHA / MASHAKA – TO FEEL DISTRESS / HAPPINESS/ DOUBT

KUONANA – FACE TO FACE

KITAMBAA KINAONA – THE CLOTH IS TRANSPARENT

KUMWONEA – TO TREAT BADLY, BULLY

ONEWA – TO BE BULLIED

KUJIONA – TO BE CONCEITED

 

KUOTA  -   TO GROW

KUOTA JINO – TO CUT A TOOTH

KUOTA JUA (MOTO) – TO BASK IN THE SUN / TO FEEL THE HEAT

KUOTA MBAWA - TO BE ARROGANT, CONCEITED

KUOTA NDOTO – TO DREAM

KUOTA UKUNGU – TO GO MOULDY

 

KUPA  -  TO GIVE, BESTOW 

KUPA MIKOBA – TO HAND OVER RESPONSIBILITY

KUPA MAPANA, MBELE, UWANJA / SAUTI – TO AUTHORIZE/ SPEAK

KUPA USO – TO TREAT FAVOURABLY

KUPA NJIA – TO DIRECT TO CORRECT PATH

KUPA MGONGO – TO GO AGAINST, RESIST

KUPA KISOGO - TO TURN YOUR BACK ON

KUPA RADHI – TO GIVE YOUR BLESSING

KUPA POLE – TO EXPRESS SYMPATHY

KUPA MKONO – CONGRATULATE

KUPA SALAMU – GREET

JIPA UJINGA – PLAY THE FOOL

JIPA MOYO – TAKE HEART

JIPA UBWANA – PLAY THE BOSS

 

KUPANDA  -  TO CLIMB, RIDE

KUPANDA WAZIMU – TO GO MAD

KUPANDA BEI – TO RAISE THE PRICE

KUPANDA KICHWA – TO BECOME BIG-HEADED

KUPANDA MOTI – TO BE EMOTIONALLY AROUSED

KUPANDA MWAMBA – TO GO AGROUND IN A VESSEL, TO LOSE IN BUSINESS

KUPANDA PEPO – TO BE POSSESSED

KUPANDISHA BENDERA – TO HOIST A FLAG

 

KUPIGA  - TO HIT, STRIKE

KUPIGA SIMU / PASI / SALAMU / RANDA – TO PHONE / IRON / GREET / PLANE

KUPIGA MAYOWE / MBIZI / HODI – TO SHOUT / DIVE / ASK TO ENTER

KUPIGA MZINGA – TO FIRE A GUN

KUPIGA MAKOFI – TO CLAP HANDS, APPLAUD

KUPIGA MIAYO / MDOMO / CHAFYA – TO YAWN / GOSSIP, BITE / SNEEZE

KUPIGA RAMLI, BAO – TO CONSULT A DIVINING BOARD

KUPIGA CHUKU / UNYUZI, MLUZI, MBINJA, KITHEMBE – TO EXAGGERATE / WHISTLE / LISP

KUPIGA KIPENGA, FILIMBI – TO BLOW A WHISTLE

KUPIGA BARUGUMU – TO SOUND A CONCH

KUPIGA KILEMBA – TO WEAR A TURBAN

KUPIGA MOYO KONDE – TO DETERMINE TO DO AT ANY COST, TAKE COURAGE

KUPIGA KAFI / MAKASIA – TO PADDLE, ROW A CANOE / BOAT

KUPIGA UPONDO – TO MOVE A VESSEL WITH A POLE

KUPIGWA NA BUMBUWASI – TO BE DUMBFOUNDED

KUPIGA BANDI / KURA / PICHA – TO STITCH / VOTE / PHOTOGRAPH

KUPIGA TANZI, FUNDO – TO TIE A KNOT, LOOP

KUPIGA KISHINDO MOYONI – TO HAVE A FAST HEARTBEAT

KUPIGA NGOZI – TO SCOLD SEVERELY

KUPIGA MBIO / BISMILLAHI – TO RUN / PRAY

KUPIGA PANDE – TO TURN AGAINST, OUTCAST

KUPIGA SUMILE – TO WARN WITH A SHOUT

KUPIGA FAT-HA – TO RECITE SURAT AL-FATIHAB

KUPIGA MBIU – TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT

KUPIGA MAJI – TO DRINK ALCHOHOL

KUPIGA BUSU / DRONGI / TEKE – TO KISS / DRAW / KICK SOMEONE

KUPIGA MKASI – TO RELIEVE OF DUTIES FROM THE SERVICE

KUPIGA KIJEMBE – TO ALLUDE TO

KUPIGA KITANA – TO COMB HAIR

KUPIGA MSWAKI – TO BRUSH TEETH

KUPIGA CHAPA / SINDANO / MAGOTI / MOTO / REDIO – TO PRINT / INOCULATE / KNEEL / SET FIRE TO/ TO TURN ON THE RADIO

KUPIGA KINANDA – TO PLAY THE MOUTH ORGAN, PIANO

KUPIGA MSTARI – TO DRAW OR FORM A LINE

KUPIGA BOMBA – TO WORK A PUMP

KUPIGA KENGELE - TO RING A BELL

KUPIGA BANDI / PONTA - TO HEM / STITCH

KUPIGA MWENDO – TO BEAT IN TIME WITH THE MUSIC

KUPIGA KELELE – TO SHOUT OR MAKE MUCH NOISE

KUPIGA MAKUU, UBWANA – TO PLAY THE GRANDEE, BOSS

KUPIGA UMERIDADI, NGUO – TO SHOW OFF CLOTHES

KUPIGA KIBURI, PUA – TO SHOW CONCEIT, TURN UP THE NOSE

KUPIGA UMEME / UVIVU – LIGHTENING STRIKE/ TO WASTE TIME

KUPIGA MOYO KONDE – TO TAKE COURAGE

KUPIGA MABAWA /MIKONO / FATIHA / MAFUNGU / HEMA – TO FLAP WINGS / TO GESTICULATE / PERFORM A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY / DIVIDE INTO LOTS / TO PITCH A TENT

KUPIGA MARUFUKU /SHABAHA / SHAURI / VITA – PUBLICLY FORBID / TAKE AIM / TAKE COUNCIL / DECLARE, ENGAGE IN WAR

KUPIGA KIAPO – TO ADMINISTER AN OATH

KUPIGA NGUMI, KONDE – TO PUNCH

KUPIGA KIKUMBO – TO SHOVE ASIDE

LUJIKUNYATA KWA BARIDI – TO DOUBLE UP FROM THE COLD

KULIPIZA KISASI – TO TAKE VENGEANCE ON

KUNJA USO – TO FROWN

USO KWA USO – PHYSICALLY CONFRONT

 

KUSHIKA  -  TO GRAB, HOLD

KUSHIKA SIKIO – TO REPRIMAND

KUSHIKA HAKA – TO OBLIGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING

KUSHIKA TAMA – TO REST THE HEAD ON THE PALM OF THE HAND

SHIKAMUU – RESPECTFUL SALUTATION

SHIKA ADABU – BEHAVE

KUSHIKA NJIA – TO FOLLOW THE WAY (PATH)

KUSHIKA MIKO – TO OBSERVE THE TABOO, TO LIVE BY A DIET

KUSHIKA KASI – TO INTENSIFY

KUSHIKWA NA NJAA / UGONJWA / HOMA / MAFUA – TO BE HUNGRY / SICK / FEVERISH / CATCH A COLD

KUSHIKA AMRI – TO OBEY THE ORDER

KUSHIKA LAKO – TO MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

KUSHIKA BEI – TO BARGAIN

MVUA IMESHIKA – THE RAIN HAS SET IN

PATA SHIKA – STRENUOUS

KUTAKA – TO WANT

INATAKA KUNYA MVUA – IT IS GOING TO RAIN

KUTAKA RADHI – ASK FOR A PARDON

MVUA INAANGUKA RASHARASHA – IT IS RAINING HEAVILY

 

KUTIA – TO PLACE

KUTIA CHUMVI, KUPIGA CHUKU – TO EXAGGERATE

KUTIA UFUNGUO – TO OPEN THE LOCK, TO WIND A CLOCK

KUTIA MAKALI – TO SHARPEN

 

KUTUNGA  -  TO FORM, PUT TOGETHER

KUTUNGA USINGIZI – TO GET SOME SLEEP

KUTUNGA SINDANO, USEJI (USHANGA), SAMAKI – TO THREAD A NEEDLE, BEADS, FISH

KUTUNGA USAHA – TO SUPPURATE

KUTUNGA HADITHI, UONGO, NYIMBO – TO MAKE UP A STORY, LIE, SONGS

KUTUNGA SHABAHA – TO TAKE AIM

KUTUNGA NA KUTUNGUA – TO PONDER

KUTUNGUA USINGIZI – TO GET SOME SLEEP

KUTUNGA MAYAI – THE EGGS HAVE SET OR FORMED

KUTUNGA MTAMA – THE SETTING OF MILLET

KUTUNGA MIMBA – TO CONCEIVE

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KUTUPA MTOTO / JICHO – ABANDON A CHILD / CAST A GLANCE

SAUTI IMEMKAUKA – HE IS HOARSE

MWENYE MATEGE – BOW-LEGGED

MKAA JIKONI – ONE WHO STAYS AT HOME

SINA HALI – I AM IN A BAD WAY

KUNUKA / KUNUKIA – TO STINK / TO SMELL NICE

KUSHIRIKI ULEVI – TO BE A CONFIRMED DRUNK

KUUZA REJAREJA / JUMLA – TO SELL RETAIL / WHOLESALE

KUWA NA ROHO – TO BE GREEDY

KURUDI MTOTO – TO PUNISH A CHILD

NGUO IMERUDI – THE CLOTH HAS SHRUNK

KUTANDIKA KITANDA / PUNDA – TO MAKE THE BED / TO HARNESS A DONKEY

KUTOKA DAMU – TO BLEED

KUTOZA KODI – TO TAX

KUPAAZA SAUTI – TO SPEAK LOUDLY, RAISE THE VOICE

KUTUA MZIGO / TANGA – TO UNLOAD / LOWER A SAIL

KUTWEKA TANGA – TO HOIST A SAIL

MWESI UMEPATWA – THE MOON IS ECLIPSED

UPEPO WA MACHO – THE HORIZON

KUPUNGA UPEPO – TO BREATHE IN THE AIR, GO UP FOR AIR

KUKAA KIUNGANI – TO LIVE IN THE SUBURBS

KUFUTA UPANGA – TO DRAW A SWORD

KUFUTIKA (CHOMOA) UPANGA – TO SHEATH A SWORD

UPANGA WA SURUALI – CREASE OF THE TROUSERS

AMEVIA – HE IS STUNTED

NI WA MIRABA MINNE – HE IS THICK-SET

KUJIVUNA – TO BOAST

KUVUNJA SHILINGI – TO CHANGE A SHILLING

KUVUNJA BARAZA – TO CLOSE A MEETING

KUVUNJIKA MOYO – TO BE DISHEARTENED

NAMWIA, NAMDAI – HE OWES ME MONEY

ANANIWIA, ANANIDAI – I OWE HIM MONEY

KUWEKA AKIBA – TO CREATE A SAVINGS

KUZIMIA ROHO – TO FAINT

KUJIZUIA – TO CONTROL ONESELF

KUONA KIZUNGUZUNGU – TO FEEL GIDDY,DIZZY

KUTOA UTUMWANI – TO EMANCIPATE

MTOTO WA WATU – WELL-BORN, WELL CONNECTED

KULAZA MALAZI MEMA – REST IN PEACE

KULAZWA HOSPITALI – TO BE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL

KUPOKELEWA MIKONO MIWILI – TO BE RECEIVED WITH OPEN ARMS

KUPONEA CHUPU CHUPU – TO MAKE A NARROW ESCAPE

KUVISHA KILEMBA CHA UKUKU, KUMPAKA MAFUTA – TO FLATTER

KULIMILIKI – TO EXERCISE SELF CONTROL

KUHOJI MTU – TO CROSS-EXAMINE A PERSON

YU MAJI – TO BE FINANCIALLY LOW OR PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED(IDIOT)

KUSHUSHA PUMZI – TO SIGH

HIARI YAKO – AS YOU LIKE

KAZI YA HIARI - VOLUNTARY WORK

ANA INDA – SPITEFULLY DENIES OTHERS FROM SOMETHING HE HAS BUT DOES NOT USE HIMSELF

ANADAIWA NYWELE (KOPE) SI ZAKE – HE IS UP TO HIS EYES IN DEBT

KUJIKONDESHA – TO WORRY A HEAD COLD

SIWEZI MAFUA – I HAVE A CHEST COLD

KUFUJA MALI – TO SQUANDER WEALTH

KUFUTA MAKAMASI / KUPENGA MAKAMASI / KUVUTA MAKAMASI – TO WIPE THE NOSE / TO BLOW THE NOSE / TO SNIFFLE

KUKABA ROHO – TO THROTTLE

KUCHUNGULIA KABURINI – TO BE NEAR DEATH

SIWEZI KAMASI – I HAVE A HEAD COLD

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USING ANIMALS TO DESCRIBE PEOPLE’S CHARACTERISTICS 

BATA (GOOSE, DUCK) – FLATFOOTED

MBUZI (GOAT) – USELESS, SIMPLETON

PUNDA (DONKEY) – UNGRATEFUL

SIMBA (LION) – BOLD, FEARLESS

NGURUWE (PIG) – FILTHY, UNCLEAN

MBWA (DOG) – UNCLEAN, DESPICABLE

PAPA (SHARK) – GREEDY

JOGOO (ROOSTER) – LECHER

NGE (SCORPION) – TREACHEROUS

KONDOO (SHEEP) – STUPID

KIMA (MONKEY) – HALF WITTED

SUNGURA (RABBIT) – CUNNING

MCHWA (WHITE ANT) – WISE, SHREWD

KUNGURU (CROW) – OVERCAUTIOUS, COWARD

NGAMIA / KORONGO (CAMEL/CRANE) – VERY TALL

NYOKA (SNAKE) – DEADLY ENEMY

POPO (BAT) – HYPOCRITE

PANYA WA NYUMBA (RAT) – DESTRUCTIVE

NG’OMBE (COW) – CARELESS, INDISCREET

TEMBO (ELEPHANT) – BIG

KINYONGA (CHAMELION) – UNPREDICTABLE

TAUSI, KIBIBI (PEACOCK) – BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

CHAGO (CRAB) – FAST WALKER