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A 
-a of
-a baridi cold
-a bure free
-a haki right
-a hatari dangerous
-a kawaida regular, usual
-a kienyeji native, indigenous
-a kigeni alien, foreign, strange
-a kike female, feminine
-a kisasa modern
-a kiume male, masculine
-a kufaa convenient
-a kulia (on the) right
-a kumi tenth
-a kupendeza pleasant, agreable
-a kushoto (on the) left
-a kutosha sufficient, enough
-a kwanza first
-a kweli true
-a lazima necessary, must
-a moto hot
-a mwisho last
-a nane eighth
-a nne fourth
-a pili second
-a porini savage, wild
-a saba seventh
-a siri secret
-a sita sixth
-a tano fifth
-a tatu third
-a tisa ninth
-a utulivu quiet, calm
-a zamani old, ancient
abiria passenger
-abudu to worship, adore
-acha to cease, allow, leave, let go, abandon
-achana to leave each other
-achia to leave to / for
ada fee
adabu good manners
adhabu punishment, penalty
-adhibu to punish
adhuhuri twelve o'clock, noon, midday
adui enemy
afadhali better
afisa, (ma-) officer, civil servant
afisi office
Afrika Africa
afya health
-aga to say farewell, say good bye
-agana to promise
agano promise
-agiza to command, order
Agosti August
-agua to foretell
aha ! no !
ahadi promise
-aibisha to do something shameful
aibu shame
aina kind, sort
ajabu marvel, wonder
ajali accident
ajili (kwa ajili ya) reason
-ajiri to employ, hire
-aka to build things using stones
-ake his, hers, its
akiba economy, saving
akili intelligence
akina people of a certain sort
-ako your, yours
ala word of surprise
ala, (nyala / maala) sheath
alama sign, mark, spot, speckle
alasiri afternoon
Alhamisi Thursday
-alika to invite
-alika to make a loud clap or snap
ama or
amani peace
-amba to slander
amba- that, who, which
-ambia to say, tell
-ambiana to tell each other
-ambua to peel
-ambukiza to infect
-amini to believe
-aminifu honnest, faithful
-amka to wake up, awake, rise up
-amkia to greet
-amkiana to greet each other
amri order
-amsha to wake somebody
-amua to settle dispute, stop a quarrel
-amuka to rise up, wake up
-amuru to order, command
anasa wealth
-andalia to make smth ready
-andamana to follow each other, manifest
-andika to write
-andikia to write to / for
-andikiana to write each other
-andikwa to be written
anga light
anga up in the sky
-angalia to look, look at
-angamia to be destroyed
-angavu brilliant
-angaza to flash, shine, to be light
-angu my, mine
-anguka to fall down, fall over
-angusha to make smth fall, throw in wrestling
-anika to put smth to dry in the sun
-anua to take smth out of the sun
anwani address
-anza to start, begin
-anzia to start at some place
-anzwa to be started
-ao their, theirs
-apa to swear
apiza curse, abuse
Aprili April
ardhi earth, soil, land
arobaini forty
arusi marriage, wedding
asali honey
asante / ahsante thank you, thanks
asanteni ! thank you (plural)
asili origin
askari soldier
askari kanzu policeman in uniform
askari koti plain cloth police
asubuhi morning
asubuhi njema ! have a good morning !
ati ! say !
au or
aya paragraph
-azima to borrow, lend
azimio, (ma-) declaration, aim, plan
-azimu to propose
B 
baada (ya) after
baadaye afterwards
baba dad, father
-babaika to be confused
babu grandfather
-babuka to burn (slight, sitting by fire)
badala instead of
-badili to change, exchange
-badilika to be changed
-badiliwa to be changed
bado not yet
bado kidogo in a little while
bahari sea, ocean
bahasha envelope
bahati chance, luck
-bahatisha try one's luck
baina (ya) between, among
baiskeli bicycle
baka ringworm
-baki to stay, remain
bakora walking stick
bakshishi bakshish
bakuli basin, deep round dish
bali but rather
balozi, (ma-) administrator, ambassador
banda, (ma-) big shed
bandari port, harbour
-bandika to stick, glue
-banduka to unstick
bangili bracelet
-banika to roast
bao, (ma-) goal (at soccer)
bao, (ma-) plank, board, board game
bara, ma- land, continent
barabara road
barabara very well, just as it should be done
barafu ice
baraka blessing
baraza verandah
baraza, (ma-) big meeting
baridi cold, cold weather
-bariki to bless
barua letter
baruti gunpowder
basi and so
basi, (ma-) bus
bastola pistol
bata duck
bata maji water fowl
bati, (ma-) corrugated iron
batili invalid
bawa, (ma-) wing
-baya bad
-beba to carry on the back
bega, (ma-) shoulder
behewa, (ma-) carriage or car of a train
bei price
-bembeleza to caress, entreat
bendera flag
bendi band, group of musicians
benki bank
bia beer
biashara trade
bibi grandmother
bibi, (ma-) lady, (ladies)
-bichi row, unripe, uncooked
-bidi to be made to do something
bidii effort
bila without
bilauri glass
bilingani aubergine, egg plant
binadamu human being
binamu cousin
-bingirika to roll
birika tea pot
-bishana to argue
-bishana to quarrel with each other
-bivu ripe
bizari seeds of spices, curry powder
blanketi, (ma-) blanket
boga, (ma-) pumpkin
-bomoa to knock down, break down
bonde valley
bonge, (ma-) clod, ball of something
bora excellent, better
-bovu bad, spoiled, rotten
budi way to escape
buibui spider
buluu blue colour
bundi owl
bunduki rifle, gun
bunge parliament
buni coffee berry
bure useless, free, in vain
buri obstinacy
-burudisha to cool, feel good again
busara wisdom
bustani garden
buu maggot
bwana arusi groom
bwana, (ma-) sir, master, (gentlemen)
-bwata to babble
bwawa swamp, pool
-bweka to bark
C 
-cha to rise (sun)
-chacha to turn sour, go bad
-chache a few, not many
-chafu dirty
-chafua to make dirty, soil
-chafya to sneeze
chagua choose
-chagulia to choose for
-chaguliwa to be chosen
chai tea
chaki chalk
chakula, (vy-) food
chama, (vy-) party, association, club
chambo bait
-chambua to pick out, sort
-chana comb
chandalua, (vy-) mosquito net
-changa to collect something together
-changa young, green
-changamsha to make someone happy
-changanya to interlace, mix
-changanyika mixed (become --)
-chanja to gather (firewood)
chanuo big comb made of wood
chapa brand, print
chapu chapu / chap chap quickly, fast
chatu python
chawa louse, (lice)
cheche spark
-chefuka to cause a feeling of nausea
-cheka to laugh
-chekecha to sift (solids)
-chekesha to make laugh
-chelewa to delay, be late
chemchemi spring of water, waterhole
chemka to boil
-chemsha to make something boil
cheo, (vy-) rank
cherehani sewing machine
cheti, (vy-) certificate
-cheza to play, dance
-chezwa to be played
chifu, (ma-) chief (of tribe)
chikichi palm-nut
-chimba to dig
-chimbua to dig something up
chini down, underneath
-chinja to kill, sacrifice
-chipuka to sprout
-chochea to incite, prod
-choka tired (be --, become --)
chokaa lime
-chokesha to tire someone
-chokonoa to prod
-chokoza to tease, bother
-choma to burn, roast, singe
-choma to poke in, stab, prick, stick
chombo, (vy-) utensil, household apparatus
-chomeka be burnt
-chomoa to pull out
-chomoka to come out (of thing poked in)
-chonga to sharpen (point)
-chongea to slander
choo, (vy-) w.c.
-chora to draw
choroko small green bean
-chota to scoop up (water), take a little, pick up
choyo greed, greediness
chozi, (ma-) tear (from eye)
chubwi sound of smth when it falls into water
-chuchumaa to crouch
chui leopard
-chuja to filter, sift, strain (liquids)
chuki bad temper
-chukia to hate, take offense
-chukua to take
-chukulia to take for / to
-chuma to pluck, gather
chuma, (vy-) iron
chumba, (vy-) room
chumvi salt
-chuna to skin
-chunga to keep, watch (animals)
-chungu bitter
chungu, (vy-) cooking-pot
-chungulia to look at something very carefully
chungwa, (ma-) orange
chuo kikuu university
chuo, (vy-) institute
chupa jar, bottle
chupi panties
chura, (vy-) frog
-chutama to crouch
-chwa to set (sun), get dark
D 
dada sister
daftari register, exercise book
dafu, (ma-) coconut
dagaa sardine
-dai to claim
daima constantly, always
-daka to catch
dakika minute
dalili sign
damu blood
-danganya to deceive, cheat
daraja, (ma-) bridge
darasa, (ma-) class, classroom
dari ceiling
darubini microscope, telescope
dau, (ma-) dhow (boat)
dawa medicine
dawati writing desk
dazani dozen
debe, (ma-) tin of one gallon
dedede sound of someone hitting a drum
dengu lentils
deni, (ma-) debt
dereva, (ma-) driver
Desemba December
deski desk
desturi custom, usage
dhahabu gold
dhahiri clear, plain
dhambi sin
-dhani to think
dharau scorn, sligh
-dharau to despise
-dharaulia to feel scorn for
dini religion
dirisha, (ma-) window
dobi, (ma-) man whose trade is to wash clothes
-dogo small, little
dole gumba thumb
-dondoka to drip
donge clot, lump
-donoa to peck at something
duara wheel
dudu, (ma-) big insect
duka, (ma-) shop
duma cheetah
dume male animal
dunia world
E 
eka acre
-ekundu red
-elea float
-elea to be clear for
-elekea to go towards, point to
-eleleza to explain thoroughly
-elewa to understand
-eleza to explain
elfu mille
-elimisha to educate
elimu education, learning
-ema good
-embamba thin, narrow
embe, (ma-) mango
-enda to go, go away
-endelea to go ahead
-endesha to drive
-enea to spread out
eneo, (ma-) area, surface
-eneza to spread, extend
-enye with
-enyewe himself, itself, the very (thing)
-epa to avoid, dodge, evade
-epesi quick, light
-erevu cunning
-erevuka to become clever
eti that (namely)
-etu our, ours
-eupe white, light
-eusi black, dark
-ezeka to thatch
F 
-fa to die
-fa njaa to starve
-faa to suit, be of use
-fagia to sweep
fagio, (ma-) broom
-fahamisha to inform, let know
-fahamu to understand
fahari glory, pride
faida profit
-faidia to profit to
faini fine
-fanana to look like someone else
-fanya to do
-fanya kazi to work
-fanyia to do for
-fanyika to be able to be done
-fanyikiwa to prosper
-fanyiza to make do
-fanywa to be done
farasi horse
-faulu to succeed, pass
Februari Februari
fedha money, silver
fee (inanuka fee) how something bad smells
-ficha to hide
-fichwa to be hidden
figa, (ma-) cooking stone (one of the three)
figo, (ma-) kidney
-fika to arrive
-fikia to reach
fikira thought
-fikiri to think
-fikisha to make reach
filimbi whistle
fimbo stick
-finyanga to mould pottery
fisi hyena
fitina dispute
fofofo (alikufa fofofo) how someone lies when dead
forodha customs
-fua nguo to wash clothes
-fuata to follow
-fuatana to follow each other
fuawe anvil
-fufua to revive
fuga to raise tame animals
fuko mole
-fukuta to blow bellows
-fukuza to chase, fire
fulana sweater
fulani someone
-fuma to weave, knit, plait
-fumba to close, shut
-fumbua to open
-fumua to unknot
fundi, (ma-) craftsman
-fundisha to teach
fundisho, (ma-) teaching
fundo, (ma-) knot
-funga to fasten, tie up, shut, wrap up
-funga to fast
-funga fundo to knot, tie a knot
-fungana to link together
-fungia to close for / with
-fungika to be closed
-fungisha to make close
fungo genet
fungu, (ma-) piece, part, share
-fungua to open, untie
-fungua to break the fast
-funguka to be opened, untied
-funguliwa to be opened
-fungwa to be closed, be imprisoned
-funika to cover, stop up
-funua to uncover
-funza to teach
-fupi short
-fupika make short
-fura swell
furaha joy
-furahi to be happy, be pleased, rejoice
-furahisha to rejoice
-furika to overflow, boil over
-furisha to inundate, cause to overflow
-futa to wipe, wipe up
futi foot (measure)
-fyeka to cut down grass and bushes
G 
galoni gallon
gamba scale of fish, bark of tree
-ganda to coagulate
ganda, (ma-) skin, peel (of fruit)
-gandamana stick to sth.
gani ? which ? what kind ? what sort ?
gari, (ma-) car, vehicule
gauni, (ma-) dress
-gawa (-nya) to divide up
gazeti, (ma-) newspaper
-geni foreign, strange
gereji, (ma-) garage
gereza prison, jail
-geua to change
-geuka to change, turn around
-geuza to change
ghafula suddenly
ghala store-room, store-house
ghali dear, expensive
gharama cost
gharika flood
ghasia Confusion, bustle, crowding
ghorofa upper part of a house, upstairs
giza, (ma-) darkness
godoro, (ma-) mattress
gogo, (ma-) log
goli goal
golikipa goalkeeper
gololi marble
-goma to go on strike
-gomba to quarrel
-gombana to quarrel with each other
-gonga to knock, hit
-gongana to knock against each other
gongo cudgel
goti, (ma-) knee
gozi skin (of animal)
gugu, (ma-) weed
-guguna to gnaw
gumba thumb
-gumia to bark
-gumu hard, strong
-guna to grumble
gundi glue
-gundua to startle, take by surprise
gunia, (ma-) bag, sack of jute
guru sound made when drinking water
gurudumu, (ma-) wheel
-gusa to touch
gwaride, (ma-) parade
H 
haba little
habari news
habari ? what's new ?
habari gani ? how are you ?
habari yako ? how are you ?
habari zako ? how are you ?
hadithi story
hadithia tell a story
hafifu weak, useless
hai alive
haidhuru it doesn't matter
haja need
haki justice
hakika truth, for certain
-hakikisha to get certain of
halafu then, afterwards
halali pure, legitimate
hali condition
halisi exactly, real
halmashauri instance, committee
hama move one's residence
-hamia to emigrate
-hamisha to make someone move to somewhere
hamjambo ? how are you ? (plur)
hamjambo nyumbani ? how is the family ?
hamna shida no problem
hamsini fifty
hamu desire
hao those, those ones
hapa here
hapana no
hapo there
hapo kale long time ago
harag(w)e, (ma-) bean
haraka hurry, in a hurry
-harakisha to hurry, be quick
Harambee ! let's pull together ! (Kenya)
haramu forbidden
-haribika to be ruined, be destroyed, go bad
-haribu to ruin, spoil, destroy
harufu smell
harusi / arusi wedding
hasa exactly, just right
hasara loss
hasi castrate
hasira anger
hata even
hata kidogo not even
hatari danger
hatimaye finally
hatua step
hatujambo ! we are well !
hawa these, these ones
haya these
haya modesty
haya ! O.K. !
hayo those, those ones
hebu ! say !
hekima respect, wisdom
hela money
hela coin, money
hema tent
herufi letter (alphabet)
hesabu counting, arithmetic
-hesabu to count, calculate
heshima respect
-heshimiwa to become honored
-heshimu to honor, respect
hewa air, atmosphere
hiari choice
hicho that, that one
-hifadhi protect
hii this, this one, these, these ones
hiki this, this one
hila trick, bad trick
hili this, this one
hilo that, that one
-himiza to hurry something or someone
hirizi charm
historia history
-hitaji to need
-hitimu to complete (education)
hivi this way
hivi these, these ones
hivi sasa at once , immediately
hivyo that way
hivyo those, those ones
hiyo that, that one, those, those ones
hizi these, these ones
hizo those, those ones
hodari brave, intelligent
hodi ! may i come in ?
hofu fear
homa fever
hongo tribute
honi horn
hospitali hospital
hoteli hotel, restaurant
hotuba speech
-hudhuria to attend
huduma service, help
huenda perhaps
hujambo ? how are you ?
huko there
huku around here
huku while
humo in there
humu in here
huo that, that one
huru free
huruma pity, sympathy
-hurumia to feel pity for
-husu to concern
-hutubia to speak to a group of people
huu this, this one
huwa usually, it is customary
huyo that, that one
huyu this, this one
huzuni sadness
-huzunia to feel sadness for
huzunika be very sad
I 
-iba to steal
ibadi adoration
-ibwa to be stolen
idadi number
idara department
-iga to imitate, mimic
i it is (class 9), they are (class 4)
-igiza to act (as in a play)
ijapokuwa even if
Ijumaa Friday
ikiwa if
ila except
ile this, this one, these, these ones
ili so that
imani feath
imara strong
-imarika to be firm, become strong
-imba to sing
-imbia to sing to / for someone
-inama to bow, bend down
-inamia to bow to someone
-inamisha to make something bend down
inchi inch
ingawa although
-ingi much, many
-ingia to enter, go in
-ingilia to go in for, pry into
-ingine other
-ingiza to introduce
ini, (ma-) liver
injini engine
-inua to lift, pull up
-inuka to rise up
inzi fly
-isha to finish
ishara omen, sign
-ishi to live, stay, dwell
ishirini twenty
-ita to call
-itika to answer (to a call)
-itwa to be called, to be named
-iva to get ripe, be cooked
J 
-ja to come
-jaa to fill up, be full
jahazi, (ma-) ship, dhow
jalala rubbish heap
jamaa relatives, members of family
jamani form of address to a group of people
-jamba to break wind with noise
jambo ! hello ! hi !
jambo, (ma-) affair, matter
jamhuri republic
jamii group of people or things
jana yesterday
jani, (ma-) leaf, (leaves)
-janja sly, deceitful, cunning
Januari January
jaribio, (ma-) trial
-jaribisha to try
-jaribu to try
jasho perspiration, sweat
-jaza to fill
je ? / -je ? how ? well ?
jela prison
jembe, (ma-) hoe
jeneza bedstead for carrying a corpse to burial
-jenga to build
-jengea ua to fence in
jengo, (ma-) building
jeraha, (ma-) wound
jeshi, (ma-) army
-jibia to answer to
-jibiana to answer each other
-jibika to be answered
-jibiwa to be answered
jibu, (ma-) answer
-jibu to answer
-jiburudisha to refresh oneself
jicho, (ma-) eye
-jidai to proclaim oneself
-jifanya to pretend
-jificha to hide oneself
-jifunza to learn
-jigonga to knock oneself
-jikinga to protect oneself
jiko, (meko) kitchen, stove
jina, (ma-) name
jini spirit, genie, fairy
jino, (meno) tooth, (teeth)
jinsi sort, kind, method
-jinyoosha to straighten oneself
jiografia geography
-jiona to be proud of oneself, be conceited
jioni evening, in the evening
-jipamba to adorn oneself
jipu, (ma-) boil (n.)
jirani, (ma-) neighbour
-jisifu to brag, boast
-jitahidi to try hard
-jitazama to look at oneself
-jitegemea to rely on oneself, be autonomous
-jitenga to withdraw oneself, move out of the way
-jitengenezea to repair smth by yourself
jiti, (ma-) big tree
-jitolea to volonteer
jitu, (ma-) giant
-jiua to commit suicide
-jiuliza to ask oneself
-jiuzulu to abdicate, resign from office
jiwe, (mawe) stone
jogoo, (ma-) cock
joka, (ma-) big snake
jongoo, (ma-) millipede
joto, (ma-) heat
-jua know
jua (kali) sunshine
jua, (ma-) sun
-juana to know each other
jukwaa (ma-) raised platform
Julai July
-julikana to be known
-julisha to inform
-juliwa to be known
juma (ma-) week
Jumamosi Saturday
Jumanne Tuesday
Jumapili Sunday
Jumatano Wednesday
Jumatatu Monday
jumba, (ma-) large house or building
jumbe, (ma-) headman, chief
Juni June
juni, (ma-) big bird
-juta to be sorry, regret
juu on top
juu (ya) on, above
juzi day before yesterday
juzi juzi a few days ago, formerly
K 
kaa crab
-kaa to dwell, remain, sit
kaa , (ma-) ember, charcoal
-kaanga to fry
-kaba to choke, squeeze
kabati cupboard
kabila, (ma-) tribe
kabisa quiet, altogether, completely
kabla before
kaburi, (ma-) grave
kadha wa kadha a few, some
kadhalika and so on, in the same way
kadiri how mush / how many of smth
-kagua to inspect, examine, look at carefully
kahawa coffee
kaka brother
kaki khaki, kind of cloth
kalamu pen, pencil
kale a long time ago
kalenda calendar
-kali fierce, cruel, sharp
kama like, if
kama kawaida as usual
-kamata to catch, seize, catch hold of, grasp
-kamatwa to be caught
kamba cord, rope, string
kambi camp
kamili complete, exact
-kamilika to be completed, achieved
-kamilisha to finish
kampuni company
-kamua to milk, squeeze, wring
kamusi dictionary
kamwe not at all, not once, never
-kana to deny
-kanda to knead
-kandamiza press
-kandika to daub, plaster
kando edge, side
kando (ya) along
kanga fowl, guinea fowl
kanga piece of cloth (for women)
kaniki dark blue cloth
kanuni rule, principle
-kanyaga to tread,step on smth
kanzu dress (for men)
kaptula shorts
kapu, (ma-) large basket
karabai pressure lamp
karamu party, feast
karanga groundnut, peanut
karani, (ma-) clerk, employee
karata playing card
karatasi paper
-karibia be near, come near to
karibu almost
karibu ! welcome !
karibu (na) next, near, close to
karibuni ! welcome all !
karne century
kasa less, take away
kasi Much, very much
kasia paddle
-kasirika become angry
-kasirisha make someone angry
kaskazi small rain season
kaskazini north
kasoro less, take away
kasuku parrot
kata ladle, slice
-kata to break, cut
-kataa to refuse, say no
-katakata cut smth into little pieces
-kataliwa to be refused
katani sisal
-kataza to refuse, forbid
kati (ya) between, in the middle of
kati kati in the middle
katika in, inside, on
-katika to snap, be cut
katikati (ya) among
kauka dry up
kauri cowry
-kavu dry
kawa, (ma-) dish cover
-kawia to take a long time, be late
kazi work
-ke female
keki cake
kelele noise
-kemea to scold
kenge monitor lizard
kengele bell
-kenua to show the teeth
kesho tomorrow
kesho kutwa day after tomorrow
kete cowry
-keti to be sitting
ki it is (class 7)
kiangazi hot dry season
kiapo oath
kiarabu arabic
kiaskari soldier like
kiatu, (vi-) shoe
kiazi kikuu yam
kiazi, (vi-) Potatoe,sweet potatoe
kibaba, (vi-) measure
kibanda, (vi-) hut
kibao, (vi-) board
kibarua, (vi-) day laborer
kiberiti, (vi-) match, matchbox
kiboko, (vi-) hippopotamus
kibuyu, (vi-) calebash, gourd
kichaka, (vi-) bush country, thicket
kicheko, (vi-) laughter
kichuguu antheap
kichwa, (vi-) head
kidari, (vi-) breastbone
kidevu, (vi-) chin
kidiri squirrel
kidogo little, a little
kidokezi, (vi-) secret words, secret sign
kidole, (vi-) finger
kidonda, (vi-) sore, wound
kidonge, (vi-) pill
kienyeji local
kifaa, (vi-) useful thing
kifagio, (vi-) broom, brush
kifaranga, (vi-) chick, baby bird
kifaransa French
kifaru, (vi-) rhinoceros
kifo, (vi-) death
kifua, (vi-) chest
kifudifudi the way someone is lying face down
kifungu, (vi-) little pile of smth, parentheses
kifungua mimba first born
kifuniko, (vi-) stopper
kifurushi, (vi-) little bag or bundle, parcel
kiganja, (vi-) palm of the hand
kigoda, (vi-) stool
kihindi Indian (language)
kiingereza English (language)
kijana, (vi-) young boy or girl, youth
kijani green
kijiji, (vi-) village
kijiko, (vi-) spoon
kijiti, (vi-) stick
kijito, (vi-) stream
kijitu, (vi-) dwarf
kijiwe, (vi-) pebble
kikapu, (vi-) basket
kiko, (vi-) pipe
kikohozi cough
kikoi, (vi-) loin cloth
kikombe, (vi-) cup
kikongo, (vi-) tendril
kikosi, (vi-) group of soldiers
kikundi, (vi-) group of people or animals
kikwazo, (vi-) stumbling block
kila every
kila siku every day
kilabu, (vi-) club
kile that, that one
kilele, (vi-) peak of a mountain
kilemba, (vi-) turban
kilima, (vi-) hill
kilindi deep water
kilo kilo
kilo kilo, kilogram
kilometa kilometer
kima kind of monkey
-kimbia to run, run away
-kimbilia to run towards / after
-kimbiza to make someone run away
kimbunga cyclone, hurricane
kimetameta sparkle, shining
kimya quietness, silence
kina kind of peopele
kinanda, (vi-) piano
kindi squirrel
-kinga to put across
-kingama to lie across
kinu, (vi-) mortar for pounding
kinyama animal like
kinyonga, (vi-) chameleon
kinyozi, (vi-) barber
kinyume opposite
kinywa, (vi-) mouth
kiongozi, (vi-) leader
kioo, (vi-) miror
kiota nest
kipande, (vi-) piece, splinter
kipendo, (vi-) mark of affection
kipepeo, (vi-) butterfly
kipimo, (vi-) measure
kipindi, (vi-) period of time
kipini, (vi-) handle
kipofu, (vi-) blind person
kipumbavu like an idiot
kipupue cold season
kiraka, (vi-) patch
kireno Portuguese (language)
-kiri admit, confess
kiroboto, (vi-) flea
kisa story
kisahani, (vi-) saucer
kisanduku, (vi-) little box
kisasi, (vi-) revenge
kisha and then
kishamba like a peasant
kishenzi like a sauvage
kisiki,(vi-) stump of tree
kisima, (vi-) well, waterhole
kisingino, (vi-) heel
kisiwa, (vi-) island, isle
kisogo, (vi-) nape of neck, occiput
kisu, (vi-) knife, (knives)
kiswahili Swahili (language)
kitabu, (vi-) book
kitako on your bottom
kitambaa, (vi-) piece of cloth
kitambo kidogo in a little while
kitana, (vi-) comb
kitanda, (vi-) bed
kitanzi, (vi-) loop
kitawi frond
kitendawili, (vi-) riddle
kiti, (vi-) chair
kitoto like a child
kitoto, (vi-) little child
kitovu navel, umbilical cord
kitu, (vi-) thing
kitumbua, (vi-) fritter (food cooked in a frying pan)
kitunguu, (vi-) onion
kituo, (vi-) place to stop, station
kiu thirst
kiumbe, (vi-) creature
kiume like a boy or man
kiungo, (vi-) articulation
kiungulia heartburn
kiuno, (vi-) buttock, hip, waist
kivimbe bump
kivuko crossing place
kivuli, (vi-) shadow
kiwanda, (vi-) factory
kiwanja, (vi-) plot of land, piece of ground
kiwavi, (vi-) caterpillar
kiwele udder
kiwete, (vi-) lame person
kiwiko elbow
kizazi, (vi-) birth
kizibo, (vi-) cork
kiziwi, (vi-) deaf person
kizungu like a white man
kizunguzungu, (vi-) giddiness
-ko is there, are there
kobe, (ma-) tortoise
kodi tribute, taxes
-kodi to rent
kofi, (ma-) flat part of a hand
kofia hat
kogo occiput
-kohoa to cough
kohozi phlegm
-kojoa to urinate
kokwa nut, nut of oil-palm
koleo, (ma-) plier
-koma stop
-komba to lick food with finger
kombe, (ma-) large cup, curved dish
-konda to get thin, emaciated, (become --)
kondoo sheep
konokono snail
-konyeza to wink
koo gullet, throat
kope eyelashes
-kopesha to lend
kopo, (ma-) loan
kopo, (ma-) tin
koroboi small lamp
-korofi sauvage, brutal
-koroga stir
-koroma to snore, snort
korongo stork
-kosa to lack, make a mistake
kosa, (ma-) mistake
-kosana to quarrel
kosea mistake (make a --)
kosekana to become lacking
koti, (ma-) coat
kovu scar
-kua to grow, grow up, become aged
-kubali to agree, assent
-kubalika to be agreed
-kubaliwa to be permitted
-kubwa adult, big, mature
kufuli padlock
kuku chicken
kule over there
kulia right (hand)
-kulia to eat
kuliko than
kuma female genitals
kumbe ! word of surprise
kumbikumbi rain ant
-kumbuka to remember
kumbusha to make someone remember
kumi ten
-kuna to scratch
kundi, (ma-) group
kunguni bug
kunguru, (ma-) crow
kuni firewood
-kunja bend, fold, twist, wind round
-kunja to fold
-kunjua to unfold
-kunywea to drink
kupe tick
kuputu sound that a horse's hoofs make
-kusanya to assemble, gather up
kushoto left (hand)
kusi dry season
kusini south
kusudi so that
kusudi, (ma-) aim
-kuta to find, meet
-kutana to assemble, meet
kuti, (ma-) palm
kutoka from
kutu rust
-kuu adult, principal
-kuukuu to be used up, old
kuwa that (namely)
kuwa be
kuwa na have
-kuza to make smth grow bigger
kwa by, for, with, through
kwa bahati luckily
kwa ghafula suddenly
kwa haraka quickly
kwa heri ! good bye !
kwa heri ya kuonana ! see you soon !
kwa herini ! good bye all !
kwa hiyo therefore, so
kwa kawaida usually
kwa kifupi in brief
kwa kusudi voluntarily
kwa kutwa daily
kwa kweli really
kwa nini ? why ?
kwa sababu gani ? for what reason ?
kwa sababu hii then
kwa sauti loudly
kwa siri secretly
-kwaa to knock your foot against smth
kwale partridge
-kwama to be jammed
kwamba that (namely)
kwanga rock-rabbit
kwanza first, firstly
kwapa armpit
kweli true
kwikwi hiccup
L 
-la to eat
la ! no !
labda maybe, perhaps
laini soft, smooth
-lainisha to make smooth
laki a hundred thousand
-laki to go to meet someone
lakini but
-lala to lie down, sleep
lala salama ! sleep well !
-lamba to lick
lami tar
lawama reproach, blame
-laza to make someone lie down
lazi sleeping place
lazima must
-lazimu to be made to do
-lea to bring up, look after (child)
-legea to be loosened
-legeza to loosen
-lelea to bring up for
-lemaa to be mutilated
lengo, (ma-) aim
leo today
-leta to bring
-letea to bring to / for
-letwa to be brought
-levya to intoxicate
-lewa to get drunk, become intoxicated
li it is (class 5)
-lia to cry, wail, crow
-lika to be eatable
likizo holiday
lile that, that one
-lima to cultivate, dig land
limau, (ma-) lemon
-limwa to be cultivated
-linda to protect, watch over
-lingana to become equal
-linganisha to compare
lini ? when ?
-lipa to pay
lipu plaster
-lipwa to be paid
-lisha to feed
lita litre
livu leave, holiday
-liwa to be eaten
loo ! word of surprise
lori, (ma-) lorry
-lowa to soak, become wet
-loweka to soak
lugha language
lulu pearl
M 
m you are (plur)
maafa misfortune
maana reason, cause
maandamano procession
maarifa knowledge, news
macheo dawn
Machi March
machozi tears
machujo dregs
madaraka responsibilities
madhumuni aim
madini metal
madoadoa small dots
maelezo explanation
maendeleo development, progress
mafuta oil, cooking oil, paraffin
magamba fishscale
magendo smuggling
magharibi west
magugu weeds
mahala / mahali place
mahali pa instead of
mahari bride price
mahindi maize seeds
maili mile (measure)
maisha life
maiti corps, body
majani grass
maji water
majimaji damp, a little wet
majira space of time
majivu ashes
majivuno boasting
makamasi nasal mucus
makao place where people stay
makasi scissors
makende testicles
makini (kwa --) carefully
makosa errors
makubaliano agreement
makuti palms
malaika angel
mali fortune, wealth
malipo payment
-maliza finish
malkia queen
mama mother
mamba crocodile
mambo peg
manati catapult
manjano yellow
manyonya feathers
manyoya fur
maombi prayers
maonyesho show
maovu anything bad or wicked
mapacha twins
mapatano agreement
mapema early
mapenzi love, desire
mapesa small change
mapumbu testicles
mara time
mara kwa mara from time to time
mara moja immediately
mara nyingi often
marafiki cercle of friends
marahaba ! thank you !
marehemu defunct person, the late
marimba hand-piano, marimba, xylophone
markiti market (in zanzibar)
marufuku interdiction
masalkheri ! good night !
masamaki school of fish
mashariki east
mashindano competition
mashine machine
mashua boat
masika rain season
masimba herd of lions
masizi soot
maskini poor person
masurufu provisions
matandiko bedding
matata problems
matatizo problems
mate spittle
matokeo results
matope mud
matusi insults
maumivu pain, ache, hurt
mavi excreta, dung
mavuno harvesting
mazao crop
maziko burial
mazishi funeral
maziwa milk
mazungumzo talk
mbaazi peas
mbalamwezi moonlight
mbali (ya) far, far from
mbali mbali different
mbegu seed
mbeko / mbeleko piece of cloth for carrying a baby
mbele front
mbele (ya) before, in front of
mbili / -wili two
mbilikimo pygmy
mbingu sky
mbizi diving into water
mbolea manure
Mboga vegetable
mbogo buffalo
mboni pupil of eye
mbono / mbarika castor-oil plant
mboo penis
mbu mosquito
mbuga grassland, savannah
mbung'o tse-tse fly
mbuni, (mi-) coffee tree
mbuyu, (mi-) baobab
mbuzi goat
mbwa dog
mbwa mwitu wolf, wild dog
mbweha jackal
mchana day (vs. night)
mchanga, (mi-) sand
mchawi, (wa-) witch
mchele, (mi-) husked rice
mchezaji, (wa-) player
mchezo, (mi-) game
mchi pestle
mchicha spinach
mchikichi oil-palm
mchikichi palm-tree
mchinjaji, (wa-) butcher
mchoro, (mi-) drawing
mchungaji, (wa-) shepherd
mchungwa, mi- orange tree
mchuzi, (mi-) broth, gravy
mchwa termite
mdomo, (mi-) lip
mdudu, (wa-) insect
mea, (mi-) sprout
meko the three stones used for cooking
meli steamer, ship
mende cockroach
-menya pare down
-meremeta twinkle, sparkle, shine
meza table
-meza swallow
mfano, (mi-) example
mfanya kazi, (wa-) worker
mfaransa, (wa-) French (person)
mfu, (wa-) dead person
mfuko, (mi-) bag, pocket
mfululizo, (mi-) in succession
mfungwa, (wa-) captive, prisoner
mfuniko, (mi-) stopper
mfupa, (mi-) bone
mganga, (wa-) witch-doctor
mgeni, (wa-) stranger, guest
mgiriki, (wa-) Greek (person)
mgomba, (mi-) banana tree
mgomvi, (wa-) quarrelsome person
mgongo back, rear
mgonjwa, (wa-) sick person, patient
mguu, (mi-) foot, leg
mhindi, (wa-) indian (person)
mia hundred
milele for ever
milioni million
mimba fetus, pregnancy
mimi i, me
-mimina pour
-minya squeeze
miongoni mwa among
mita metre
mjeremani, (wa-) german (person)
mji, (mi-) town
mjinga, (wa-) idiot, fool
mjomba, (wa-) uncle (maternal)
mjukuu, (wa-) grandchild
mjusi lizard
mkaa charcoal
mkanda, (mi-) strap
mkataba, (mi-) contrat
mkate, (mi-) bread
mke, (wa-) wife
mkeka, (mi-) mat
mkenya, (wa-) Kenyan (person)
mkia, (mi-) tail
mkindu, (mi-) palm-tree
mkoba, (mi-) bag
mkojo urine
mkoloni, (wa-) colonial (person)
mkongwe, (wa-) old person
mkono, (mi-) arm, forearm, hand, handle
mkristo, (wa-) Christian (person)
mkuki, (mi-) spear
mkulima, (wa-) farmer
mkundu anus
mkunga eel
mkurugenzi, (wa-) director
mkutano, (mi-) meeting
mkuyu, (mi-) fig-tree
mlafi, (wa-) glutton
mlango, (mi-) door
mle there inside
mlemavu, (wa-) lame (person)
mlevi, (wa-) drunk
mlezi, (wa-) nurse
mlima, (mi-) mountain
mlimaji, (wa-) farmer
mlinzi, (wa-) gardian, protector
mluzi whistling
mmasai, (wa-) Masai
mmea, (mi-) plant
mnara, (mi-) minaret, tower
mnazi, (mi-) coconut tree
mno too much
mnofu, (mi-) flesh, meat without bones
mnunuzi, (wa-) customer
mnyama, (wa-) animal
-mo is / are there inside
moja one
-moja one
moja moja one by one
momonyoka be broken off
moshi, (mi-) smoke
moto, (mi-) fire
motokaa automobile, car
moyo, (mi-) heart
mpaka, (mi-) boundary
mpamba, (mi-) cotton plant
mpango, (mi-) plan, project
mpatano, (mi-) agreemnt
mpelelezi, (wa-) investigator
mpendwa, (wa-) loved being
mpenzi, (wa-) darling, lover
mpingo, (mi-) ebony tree
mpini, (mi-) pestle
mpira (wa miguu) football
mpira, (mi-) ball, tube
mpishi, (wa-) cook
mpumbavu, (wa-) stupid person
mpunga, (mi-) rice
mpwa, (wa-) nephew, niece
mpwito throb
mraba, (mi-) square
mrembo, (wa-) girl who looks pretty
msaada, (mi-) help
msafara, (mi-) caravan
msafiri, (wa-) traveler
msaidizi, (wa-) help, second
msalani in the lavatory
msamiati, (mi-) vocabulary
msasa, (mi-) plant or shrub with rough leaves
msemaji, (wa-) speaker
msemo, (mi-) saying
mshahara, (mi-) salary
mshale, (mi-) arrow
mshipa, (mi-) vein
mshipi, (mi-) belt
mshoni, (wa-) taylor
msichana, (wa-) young girl
msikiti, (mi-) mosque
msimamizi, (wa-) manager, overseer
msingi, (mi-) foundation
msitu, (mi-) forest
msomo, (mi-) lesson
msozi, (mi-) sun-bird
mstari, (mi-) line
msumari, mi- nail
msumeno, (mi-) saw
mswaki, (mi-) toothbrush
mtaa, (mi-) quarter, part of a town
mtaalamu, (wa-) learned person, expert, professor
mtalii, (wa-) tourist
mtama, (mi-) sorghum, millet, eleusine
mtambo, (mi-) machine
mtanzania, (wa-) Tanzanian (person)
mtawala, (wa-) gouvernor
mtazamji, (wa-) spectator
mtego, (mi-) trap
mtelemko, (mi-) slope
mtemi, (wa-) chief
mti, (mi-) tree
mtihani, (mi-) examination
mto, (mi) pillow
mto, (mi-) river
mtondo within three days
mtondo goo the fourth day
mtoto, (wa-) child
mtu, (wa-) person, (people)
mtukufu, wa- exalted person
mtulivu, wa- quiet person
mtumba, (mi-) bundle, parcel
mtumbwi, (mi-) boat, canoe
mtume, (wa-) messenger
mtumishi, (wa-) servant
mtumwa, (wa-) slave
mtungi, (mi-) pot (water)
mtungi, (mi-) jug, clay pitcher
mtunza, (wa-) care giver, baby sitter
muda time
muda gani ? how long ?
muhimu important
muhindi, (mi-) corn, maize
muhogo, (mi-) cassava
-mulika to shine
mume, (wa-) husband
mundu, (mi-) sickle
Mungu God
muwa, (mi-) sugar cane
muziki music
mvi hair (grey)
mvinyo wine
mviringo, (mi-) circle
mvivu, (wa-) lazy person
mvua rain
mvulana, (wa-) young man
mvuo bellows
mvuvi, (wa-) fisherman
mwafrika, (wa-) African (person)
-mwaga to pour
-mwagika to be poured
mwaka, (mi-) year
mwali girl at puberty, bride
mwaliko, (mi-) loud snap / clap
mwalimu, (wa-) teacher
mwamba rock (flat)
mwaminifu, (wa-) believer, faithful
mwana kondoo lamb
mwana, (wa-) child, son, daughter
mwanachama, (w-) member, partisan
mwanadamu, (wa-) human being
mwanafunzi, (wa-) pupil, student
mwanamke, (wa-) woman
mwananchi, (w-) citizen
mwanaserere, (wa-) doll
mwanasheria, (wa-) lawyer
mwanaume, (wa-) man
mwandazi, (wa-) confectioner, caterer
mwanga, (mi-) light
mwangavu, (wa-) intelligent person
mwanzi, (mi-) bamboo
mwanzo, (mi-) beginning
mwarabu, (wa-) Arab (person)
mwashi, (wa-) masson
mwasia, (wa-) Asian (person)
mwavuli, (mi-) umbrella
mwayo, (mi-) yawn
mwembe, (mi-) mango tree
mwembe, mi- manguier
mwendeshaji, (w-) conducteur
mwendo, (mi-) journey, movement
mwenge torch
mwenyeji, (w-) inhabitant, villager
mwenyekiti, (w-) chairman
mwenyewe owner
mwenyewe self
mwenyezi Mungu Lord God
mwenzi, (w-) companion, friend
mwewe hawk
mwezi ujao next month
mwezi uliopita last month
mwezi, (mi-) moon, month
mwiba, (mi-) thorn
mwiko, (mi-) spoon, trowel
mwili, (mi-) body
mwimbaji, (wa-) singer
mwindaji, (wa-) hunter
mwingereza, (wa-) English (person)
mwisho, (mi-) end, in the end, finaly
mwishowe in the end
mwislamu, (wa-) Muslim, Moslem (person)
mwitalia, (wa-) Italian (person)
mwito, (mi-) call
mwizi, (wezi) thief
mwongo, (wa-) liar
mwota ndoto, (wa-) dreamer
mwumiko, (mi-) cupping-horn
mwungwana, (wa-) gentleman
mwuzaji, (wa-) seller
mzanzibari, (wa-) Zanzibarian (person)
mzazi, (wa-) parent
mzee, (wa-) old person
mzigo, (mi-) load
mzimu, (mi-) ghost, spirit
mzinga, (mi-) beehive
mzinga, (mi-) cannon
mzingi, (mi-) weaver-bird
mzizi, (mi-) root
mzoga, (mi-) corpse
mzungu, (wa-) white man
N 
na and, with
naam ! yes ?
nafaka grain
nafasi space, time
nakala copy
namba / nambari number
namna kind, sort
nanasi, (ma-) pineapple
-nane eight
nani ? who ?
nasibu chance, lottery
-nawa to wash one's hands
nazi coconut
ncha point, tip of something
nchi country
ndama calf
ndani (ya) inside
ndege bird
ndege plane
ndevu beard
ndi- this is indeed
ndimu lime
ndiyo yes, that is so
ndizi banana
ndoa marriage, wedding
ndoana hook (for fish)
ndoo bucket, pall
ndoto dream
ndovu elephant
ndugu brother, comrade
neema grace
nenda ! go !
-nene big
-nenepa to become fat
neno, (ma-) word
-ng'aa to be shining
ngalawa outrigger canoe
-ngali still
ng'ambo (ya) on the other side, foreign country
ngamia camel
ngano wheat
ngao shield
-ngapi ? how many ?
-ngara to glitter
ngawa civet-cat
ngazi ladder
nge scorpion
ngiri warthog
-ng'oa uproot
-ngoja to wait
-ngojana to wait for each other
-ng'oka to be uprooted
-ng'olewa to be uprooted
ngoma dance, drum
ng'ombe cow, cattle
ngozi leather
ngumi fist
nguo cloth
-nguruma to growl, roar (eg. lion)
ngurumo thunder
nguruwe pig
nguruwe cochon
nguruwe pig
nguvu strength, force
nguzo pillar, post, column
ni is, are, am
ni mzima i'm well
nia intention, aim
-ning'inia to swing
nini what ?
ninyi you (plur)
njaa famine, hunger
nje (ya) outside
njema ! well !
njia road, path, way
njia panda fork in a road
njiwa pigeon
njugu groundnut
-nne four
-noa to sharpen (edge), whet
-nono big, fat (animal)
noti note
Novemba November
nta wax
-nuka to smell bad
-nukia to smell good
nundu hump
nung'unika grumble
nungunungu porcupine
-nunua to buy
nuru light
-nusa to smell smth
nusu half
nusura almost
-nya defecate
-nyakua to snatch
nyama meat
nyamaza to be quiet, remain silent
-nyang'anya to steal, cheat
nyani ape, monkey
nyanya grandmother
nyanya tomato
-nyanyua to lift, pull up
nyasi grass
nyati buffalo
-nyauka to wither
-nyemelea to stalk
nyenje beetle
nyerere wire
-nyesha to rain
-nyima to be mean
-nyoa to shave
nyoka snake
-nyonga to twist the nake of an animal
nyongo bile, gall-bladder
-nyonya to suck out, suck (in mouth)
nyonyo castor-oil bean
-nyooka to become straight
-nyoosha to straighten
nyota star
nyuki bee
nyuma back, rear, behind
nyumba house
nyundo hammer
nyungunyungu worm
-nyunyizia to sprinkle
-nywa drink
-nyweka to be drinkable
nywele hair
-nywewa to be drunk
nzi fly
nzige locust
nzuri ! well !
O 
-o -ote any at all
-oa to marry (a wife)
-oga to take a bath, wash oneself
-ogelea to swim
-ogopa to fear, be afraid
-ogopesha to frighten
oili engine oil
-oka to bake in ashes
-okoa to redeem, save someone
-okota to pick up
Oktoba October
-olewa to be married (by a husband)
-omba to ask for, beg
-omboleza to cry, wail
-ona to see, find
-onana to see each other
-ondoa to take smth away, dislodge, remove
-ondoka to leave, go away, begin a trip
-ondolea to remove to / for
-ondolewa to be removed
-onea to bully, illtreat, harass
-onekana to be visible
-ongea to chat
-ongea to talk
-ongeza to add to
-ongeza to increase
-ongezeka to be increased
-ongopa to tell lies
-ongoza to steer, lead the way
-onwa to be seen
-onya to warn
-onyesha to show
orodha list
-ororo / nyororo smooth, soft
-osha to wash smth
-ota to dream
-ota to grow, sprout
-ota to warm (on fire)
-ote all, whole
-ovu bad
ovyo any way
ovyo ovyo baddly
-oza to become rotten, be spoiled
-ozesha to rot, ferment
P 
-pa to give
paa impala, antelope, buck
paa roof
-paa to go up
-paaza to make smth go up
-pagawa become mad
pahali place
paja, (ma-) thigh
paka cat
-paka to apply, spread, paint
paka shume wild cat
pakacha, (ma-) little basket
-pakana to border on
-pakia to pack
-pakua to dish up food
pale there
pale pale at this very moment
-palilia to weed
pamba cotton
-pambanua to differentiate
pambazuko dawn, light of morning
pambo, (ma-) decoration
pamoja together
-pana large
pancha puncture
-panda to ascend, go up, climb up
-panda to plant, sow
-panga to arrange, plan
-panga to rent
panga, (ma-) cutlass, matchet
pango cave, hole
-pangusa to wipe, rub off, sweep, dust
panya rat, mouse
panzi grasshoper
papa shark
papai, (ma-) pawpaw, papaya
-papasa to stroke, touch gently with the hand
papasi, (ma-) tick
papo hapo immediately
-parua to scrape
-pasa to be convenient
-pasua to split, saw, cut open, chop up, tear
pasuka to burst open, crack, become split
-pata to get, obtain
-pata mimba to become pregnant
-patana to agree together
patasi chisel
-patia to obtain for
-patikana to be obtainable
-patwa to be obtained
-payuka to babble
pazia, (ma-) curtain
peke / pekee being alone
peke yake by oneself, alone
-pekecha to rub fire with firestick
-peleka to send, carry away
-pelekea to send smth to someone
pelele rock-rabbit
-peleleza to spy
pembe horn, tusk
pembe corner
-pembea to swing
-penda to like, love
-pendana to love each other
-pendea to love for
-pendelea to have a special liking
-pendeleza to cause to favour
-pendewa to be loved for
-pendeza to please
-pendezeka to be pleasant
-pendwa to be loved
-penga to blow nose
pengine maybe, perhaps
-pepea to wave in the air
-pepeta to winnow
pepo spirit
pera, (ma-) guava
peremende sweets
pesa money
pete ring
petroli petrol
-pewa to be given
-pi ? which ?
pia top (i.e. toy)
pia also, too
picha photo, picture
-piga to hit, shoot at
-piga bao to divine
-piga kelele to cry out, make a noise
-piga kite to groan
-piga kura to vote
-piga mabawa to flap wings
-piga magoti to kneel
-piga makofi to clap hands
-piga mluzi to whistle
-piga mwayo to yawn
-piga ngoma to beat drum
-piga pasi to iron
-piga picha to take a photo
-piga vigelegele to ululate
-pigana to fight
-pigania to fight for smth
-pigia to hit for
-pigika to be hit
-pigisha to make hit
pigo, (ma-) knock
-pigwa to be hit
-pika to cook, boil
pikipiki moto
-pikwa to be cooked
pili / piri puff-adder
pili the second one
pilipili pepper
-pima to measure
-pinda to become bent, become crooked
-pinda to hem, wind round
pindi coil
-pindua to alter, change, turn
-pinduka to be overturned, changed
-pinga to contradict
pipa, (ma-) drum
-pita to pass
-pitia to pass through
-pitisha to make pass
-po (ipo, zipo, wapo, etc.) is there, are there
-poa to become cold, cool down
-poa to get well
pofu eland
-pokea to take, receive
-pokelea to receive for
pole ! sorry
pole pole slowly
polisi, (ma-) police policeman
pombe local beer
-pona to get well, be cured
-ponya to cure someone
popo bat
pori, (ma-) bush, savannah, grassland
posho portion
posta post office
-potea to disappear, get lost
-poteza to lose, cause to get lost
povu foam, froth
pua nose
-pukuchua to thresh corn
-pukuta to shake off
-puliza to blow
-pulizia to blow on smth or into smth
pumba chaff
-pumua to breathe
pumzi breath
-pumzika to rest
punda donkey
punda milia zebra
punde a little (time)
-punga to swing, sway
-pungua to become few
-punguka to be reduced
-punguza to reduce
pwani shore of the sea
-pya new
R 
raba rubber
radhi pardon, blessing
radi clap of thunder
rafiki, (ma-) friend
raha joy
rahisi cheap,easy
raia citizen
rais, (ma-) president
ramani map, plan
-ramba / -lamba to lick, lick up
-randa to gambol
rangi color
rasmi official
ratili pound (measure)
redio radio
-refu long, high
-refuka to become deep, become long
rehema mercy, pity
reli rail
rifarii referee
rika age group
rinda, (ma-) dress, skirt
ripoti report
risasi lead, bullet
-rithi to inherit
riziki provisions
riziki means of subsistence
robo quart
-roga to bewitch
roho soul
-rudi come back, go back, return
-rudia to return for / to
-rudiana to come back to each other
-rudisha to give back
ruhusa permission
-ruhusu to give permission
-ruka to fly, jump, jump over
rula ruler
-runda to heap up
rundo heap
rungu, (ma-) big stick, with a knob at the end
-rusha to make smth jump
S 
saa watch, clock, hour
saa ngapi ? what time is it ?
saba seven
sababu reason
sabini seventy
sabuni soap
-sadiki to believe
safari journey
safari njema ! have a good journey !
safi clean
-safiri to travel
-safisha clean
safu line of objects
-saga to grind
sahani plate
-sahau to forget
-sahaulia to forget to
-sahaulika to be forgotten
-sahauliwa to be forgotten
sahihi correct
-saidia to help
-saidiana to help each other
sakafu floor
sala prayer
salaam greetings
salama ! hello ! fine !
-sali to pray
-salia to be left over
-salimia to say hello to
-salimu to greet
saluti salute
-samaheka to be forgiven
samaki fish
-sambaa to sprawl, spread
sambamba to be side by side
-sambaza to scatter, spread
-samehe to forgive
-samehea to forgive to
-sameheana to forgive each other
-samehewa to be forgiven
samli ghee
sana very, very much
sanaa art, handicraft
sanamu statue
sanduku, (ma-) box
sarafu coin
sarufi grammar
sasa now
sasa hivi at once, immediately
sauti voice
sawa equal
sawa sawa the same
-sawazisha to put in order
sayansi science
sayari planet
sebule hall, entrance
sehemu part, piece
sekondari secondary
-sema to say, speak; slander
semezana talk to each other about smth
senene grasshopper
sentensi sentence
senti cent
Septemba September
seremala, (ma-) carpenter
serikali government
shaba copper
shairi, (ma-) poetry
shamba, (ma-) farm
-shambuliwa to be attacked
-shangaa to admire, be surprised
shangazi aunt (paternal)
-shangilia to sing, shout out of joy
sharti, (ma-) obligation
shati, (ma-) shirt
shauri, (ma-) advice, plan
shavu, (ma-) cheek
-shawishi to entice
shemeji brother-in-law, sister-in-law
sherehe rejoicings
-sherehekea to rejoice
sheria law
shetani, (ma-) devil
-shiba to be satiated
shida trouble, difficulty
-shika to hold
-shikamana to stick to smth
shikamoo ! my respects !
-shikana to hold on to each other
shilingi shilling
shimo, (ma-) hole, pit
-shinda to spend the time away
-shinda to overcome, surpass, be difficult for
-shindana to compete
-shindilia to ram in
-shindwa to fail
shingo neck
-shirikiana to cooperate
shoka, (ma-) axe
-shona to sew
shtaka, (ma-) accusation
-shtaki to accuse
-shtua to startle
-shtuka to be startled
shughuli affair, occupation
-shughulika to be busy
-shuhudia to witness
shujaa, (ma-) hero
-shuka to descend, come down
shuka, (ma-) bed sheet
shukrani thanks
-shukuru to thank
shule school
-shupavu brave, firm
-shutumika to be insulted
-shutumu to insult, abuse
shwari calm, smooth
si is not, are not
siafu ant (brown)
siagi butter, margarine
sifa praises
-sifu to praise, admire
sigara cigarette
-sihi to ask, beg
sijambo ! I'm fine !
siki vinegar
-sikia to hear
-sikika to be heard
-sikiliza to listen
sikio, (ma-) ear
-sikitika to be sorry
-sikiza to make someone hear smth
siku day (24 hours)
sikukuu holiday
sikuzote everyday
silaha arm, weapon
-simama to stand, stop
-simamisha to stop smth
simba lion
-simika to stick into ground
simile move out of the way please !
simu telephone
-simulia to narrate
sindano injection, needle
-sindikiza to accompany
sinema cinema
-sinzia to be sleepy
siri secret
sisi we, us
sisimizi small ant
sita six
-sita to hang back, be undecided
-sitawi to flourish, prosper, develop
sitini sixty
siyo no
skauti, (ma-) scout
skuli school
soda soda, sweet drink
-sogea to move closer to smth
soko, (ma-) market
-sokota to twist (rope)
soksi sock
-soma to read
-somea to read for / to
-somesha to teach someone
somo, (ma-) lesson
-somwa to be read
-songa to press together
-songea to move
soni shame
-staajabu to be very surprised
-stahili to be worthy of smth
stakabadhi receipt
starehe ! to be at ease !
stesheni station
subalkheri ! good morning !
subira patience
-subiri to wait
sufuria cooking pan
-sugua to rub
-suka to plait (hair, mat)
sukari sugar
-sukuma to push
-sukumana to push each other
-sumbua to bother someone
sumu poison
sungura hare, rabbit
supu soup, sauce
sura face, appearance
suruali trousers
swala antelope
swali, (ma-) question
sweta sweater, jersey
T 
taa lamp
taabu trouble
taarifa report, bulletin
tabia condition
tabibu doctor
tafadhali please
-tafuna to chew
-tafuta to seek, search for
-taga to lay eggs
-tagaa to straddle
tai vulture, eagle
tai tie
taifa, (ma-) nation, country
tajiri, (ma-) rich
-tajirika to become rich
-taka to want
-takata to be very clean and bright
takataka refuse, rubbish
-takiwa to be wanted
-tamani to desire
-tambaa to crawl
-tambua to recognize
-tamka to pronounce
-tamu delicious, sweet
-tandaza to spread smth out
-tandika to spread out smth
tandu centipede
tang' sound of a coin when it falls
tanga, (ma-) sail
-tangaza to proclaim, announce
tangazo, (ma-) notice, announcement
tangu since
-tangulia to precede, go first, lead the way
tano five
-tanua to open smth wide
Tanzania Tanzanie
-tapakaa to spread out all over
-tapika to vomit
tapwi sound of smth when it falls in the mud
taratibu slowly, steadily
tarehe date
tasa barren woman
-tata to tangle, confuse
-tatanisha to interlace
tatizo, (ma-) trouble
tatu three
-tatua to tear, tear off
taulo towel
-tawala to rule over
tawi, (ma-) branch
taya jaw
tayari ready
-tayarisha to prepare
-tazama to look, look at, face towards
-tega to set trap
-tegemea to depend on smth else
-tegua to take out of trap
teka pillage, looting
-teka to take water from somewhere
teke, (ma-) kick
tele abundant, a lot of
televisheni television
-teleza to make smth fall, slip
-tema to spit
-tema to cut smth up
-tembea to travel, walk, wander about
-tembeza to walk someone
tembo elephant
tena again
-tenda to act, do smth
tende date (fruit)
-tendea to treat well
-tenga to separate
-tenganisha to separate
tengemaa to become level
-tengeneza to repair
-teseka to afflict, cause trouble
teso, (ma-) suffering, pain, adversity
tete, (ma-) reed
-tetea to speak for someone
-tetema to shiver
-tetemeka to tremble, shake
tezo adze
thamani value
thelathini thirty
theluji snow
themanini eighty
thumuni eighth
thumuni fifty cent coin
-tia to put
-tia sahihi to sign
tiara kite
tiba cure
-tibu to cure (an invalid)
-tii to obey
-tikisa to make smth move or shake
-tikisika to move, shake
-tilia to put smth in
-timia to be finished
timu team
-tiririka to flow
-tiririka to move along like water
tisa nine
-tisha to frighten
tisini ninety
titi, (ma-) breast
-toa to remove, hand over
-toa hongo to pay tribute
-toa mwiba to extract a thorn
-toba to repent
-toboa to pierce
tochi torch
tofali, (ma-) brick
tofauti difference
togwa drink
-toka to come from
-toka jasho to perspire
-toka nje to go out, come out
-tolewa to be removed
-tomba to copulate
-tona to fall drop by drop
tone, (ma-) drop
-tonesha to hurt (a sore)
-toroka to escape
-tosha to be sufficient, be enough
-tosheka to be sufficient
-tota to sink, drown
tu only
tu we are
-tua to put down
-tubu to repent
-tukana to abuse
-tukana to rumble
-tukia to happen
-tukuka to be estimated
-tulia to be quiet
-tuliza to calm someone down, pacify
-tuma to send, employ
-tumaini to hope
tumbaku tobacco (leaf)
tumbili monkey
tumbo, (ma-) stomach, abdomen, belly
-tumia to use
-tumika to be used
-tumikia to serve
-tumwa to be used
tunda, (ma-) fruit
-tundika to hang up
tundu, (ma-) hole ( in wall)
tungule tomato (in zanzibar)
-tunza to support
-tupa to throw
-tupa mke to desert wife
-tupia to throw to, throw smth at someone
-tupu empty, naked
tuta, (ma-) mound of earth for planting
tutaonana ! see you again !
-twanga to pound, beat
twiga girafe
-twika to put up (a load on s.o.)
U 
u you are, it is
u hali gani ? how is your health ?
u mzima ? are you well ?
ua fence
-ua to kill
ua, (ma-) flower
ua, (nyua) courtyard
-uana to kill each other
-uawa to be killed
ubaguzi segregation
ubaguzi wa rangi discrimination, racism
ubahili stinginess
ubao, (bao) board
ubavu, (mbavu) rib
ubawa wing
ubaya badness
ubishi quarrel
uboho bone marrow
ubongo brain
ubovu rottenness
ubwabwa gruel, rice soup
uchache scarcity
uchafu dirt
uchaguzi election
uchawi witchcraft
uchoyo greed, greediness
uchumi economy of a country
uchungu painful hurt, being bitter
udelele / udende sticky saliva
udevu, (ndevu) hair of beard, beard
-udhika to take offence
udogo smallness
udongo soil
udongo ulaya cement
udongo wa mfinyanzi clay
ufa, (nyufa) crack
ufagio, (fagio) broom
ufalme kingdom
Ufaransa France
ufito (fito) long thin stick
ufuko shore of the sea
ufundi skill
ufunguo, (funguo) key
ufupi shortness
ugali maize meal
Uganda Uganda
ugeni abroad
ugomvi, (magomvi) quarrel
ugonjwa, (magonjwa) illness
-ugua become ill, get sick, feel bad
Uhabeshi Ethiopia
uhai life, being alive
uharibifu destruction
Uhindi India
uhuru freedom, liberty
Uingereza England
ujamaa kinship, community
ujana youth
ujanja cunning
ujenzi, (majenzi) building smth
Ujerumani Germany
uji porridge
ujinga stupidity
ujuzi skill, wisdom, knowledge
ukali acidity, fierceness
ukanda, (kanda) belt
ukarimu generosity
uke wenza polygamy
uki honey
ukili, (kili) narrow strip of leaf for weaving mats
ukindu, (kindu) palm-frond used for making baskets
ukingo, (kingo) edge of a river
ukoko hard crust of rice
ukoma leprosy
ukono tendril
ukoo, (koo) clan, family
ukosefu lack
ukubwa bigness
ukucha, (kucha) fingernail, claw
ukulima farming
ukumbusho souvenir, remembrance
ukunde (kunde) kind of bean
ukungu fog, mist, rain mist
ukuni, (kuni) fire wood
ukurasa, (kurasa) page
ukuta, (kuta) wall
ukwato, (kwato) hoof
ulaya europe
ule that, that one
ulezi millet, eleusine, sorghum
ulimbo birdlime
ulimi, (ndimi) tongue
ulimwengu world
-uliza ask
uma bee-sting
-uma bite, sting, hurt
uma, (nyuma) fork
umande dew
umaskini poverty
-umba create
umbali distance
-ume male
umeme lightning, electricity
-umia to be painful
-umika to bleed by cupping
umiko cupping-horn
-umiza to cause pain
umoja unity
umri age
umuhimu importance
-umuka to boil over, froth over
-umwa to suffer, have pain
undugu brotherhood, sisterhood
unga flour
-unga to join by tying
-ungana to join together
ungo, (maungo) joint
-ungua to be burnt, be singed
Unguja Zanzibar island
-unguza to singe
unono comfort
unyasi, (nyasi) leaf of grass
unyayo footprint
unyimi stinginess
unyoya, (manyoya) feather
unyusi eyebrow
unywele, (nywele) cheveux
unywele, (nywele) hair
uongo lie
upa(r)a baldness
upakaji spreading colour with a brush
upana width
upande, (pande) side
upanga, (panga) machete, bush-knife
upele itch (craw-craw)
upendano mutual love
upendeleo inclination, favoritism
upendo love
upepo, (pepo) wind, evil spirits
upesi quickly
upinde bow
upole quietness
upumbavu stupidity
upungufu rarefaction
upya again
uraia citizenship
urefu height, length
Ureno Portugal
Urusi Rusia
usafi cleanliness
usaha pus
usahaulifu forgetfulness
usalama peace
usawa equality
useremala carpentry
ushanga, (shanga) bead
ushi, (nyushi) eyebrow
ushinde defeat
ushirika cooperative
ushonaji sewing
ushuru tax, customs duty
ushuzi wind per anum
usiku night
usiku mwema ! good night !
usingizi sleep, sleepiness
uso, (nyuso) face
ustaarabu civilization
ustadi being skilful
usukuma pays sukuma
uta, (nyuta) bow
utaa platform
utajiri riches
utambi, (tambi) wick
utambuzi wisdom
utamu flavor (pleasant)
utando spider's web
ute sticky saliva
utelezi slipperiness
uti shaft, arrowshaft
uti wa mgongo backbone
utoto childhood
utulivu calm, tranquility
utumbo intestines
utumwa slavery
uuguzi being a nurse
uvimbe swelling
uvivu lazyness
uvumbi, (vumbi) grain of dust, dust
uvumbuzi exploration, discovering places
uvundo smell
uwayo footprint, sole of foot
uwezo ability, capability
uwizi theft
uyoga mushroom
-uza to sell
uzee old age
uzi, (nyuzi) thread, string
uzima life
uzito weight
uzuri beauty
V 
-vaa to wear, put on clothes
-valisha to dress
vazi, (ma-) garment, clothes
vema well
vi they are
viazi ulaya potatoes
vibaya badly
vifaa equipment
vigumu difficult
vile those ones over there
vile in that way
vile vile also
-vimba to swell
vingine in another way
vita war
vivi hivi so so
-vivu lazy
vivyo the same way
vivyo hivyo exactly the same
vizuri well
-vua to take off clothes, undress
-vua to fish
-vuja to leak
-vuka to cross river
-vuka be taken off (clothes)
-vuma to roar, buzz, groal
vumbi, (ma-) dust
-vumilia to go on doing smth, stand, bear
-vuna to harvest
-vundika to ripen artificially
-vunja to break, smash
-vunjika to be broken
-vuruga to stir up
-vusha to make smth or s.o. go across
-vuta to pull, smoke tobacco
-vutia to be interested, attracted
W 
-wa to be, become
wajibu duty
-waka to burn, be lit
wakati gani ? what time ?
wakati, (nyakati) time, moment
wala or
wale those ones over there
wali cooked rice
-wamba to peg out
wano shaft, arrowshaft
wao they, them
wapi ? where?
wari yard (measure)
-washa to itch, kindle, light (fire), sting, smart
wasiwasi doubt
wavu, (nyavu) net
wayo, (nyayo) mark of a foot / hoof / paw on the ground
-waza to think
wazi open, easy to see
wazimu madness
waziri, (ma-) minister
wazo, (ma-) thought
-weka to put away, store away
-weka sambamba to put side by side
-wekwa to be put
wema kindness
wembe, (nyembe) razor blade
weupe whiteness
weusi blackness
wewe you (sg)
-weza to be able
-wezekana to be possible, be able to be done
-wezesha to allow
-wika to crow like a cock
wiki week
wiki ijayo next week
wiki iliyopita last week
wilaya district
-wili two
-wima to being straight up and down
wimbi, (mawimbi) wave of water
wimbo, (nyimbo) song
-winda to hunt
-windwa be hunted
wingi plenty
wingu, (mawingu) cloud
wino ink
wivu jealousy
-wivu jealous
wizara ministry
woga fear
wokovu redemption
Y 
yadi yard (measure)
yai, (ma-) egg
yale those ones over there
yaya ayah, baby sitter
yeye he, she, him , her
yule that one over there
-yumba to sway, wave to and fro
ya they are
yaani that is, in other words
ye yote anybody at all
yowe, (ma-) scream (of help)
Z 
-zaa to bear, have a baby, have fruit
zaidi more
-zalia to give a child to
-zaliana to reproduce
-zalisha to deliver a woman
-zaliwa to be born
-zalwa to be born
-zama to sink
zamani olden times
zamani za kale a long time ago
zao, (ma-) crop
zawadi gift
-zee old, aged
-zeeka to get old
zeze kind of banjo
zi they are
-ziba to stop a bottle, cork
-zibua to uncork
-zidi to grow bigger, be more and more
zii ! down !
-zika to bury
zile these ones, those ones
-zima whole, adult, mature
-zima to extinguish, put out a fire, switch off
-zimika to be extinguished
zimwi ogre
-zingira to surround
-zito heavy
ziwa breast
ziwa, (ma-) lake
zizi cattle-pen
zizi, (ma-) pen, enclosure, coral
-zoea to get used
zoezi, (ma-) exercise
-zuia to hamper, obstruct, prevent, forbid
-zuka to appear suddenly
-zunguka to surround
-zungumza to speak
zungumzo, (ma-) conversation
-zuri good, beautiful, pretty
-zurura to wander arround
zzz sound of a bee when it flies