Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash
In this post, we’ll learn vocabulary and expressions that will let you talk about familia family.
Una familia kubwa? Do you have a big family?
Let’s start with some basic expressions: mama mother; baba father; kaka brother; dada sister; binti daughter; bin son, wazazi parents; watoto children.
- Nina familia kubwa/ndogo.
I have a big/small family. - Mama yangu ni daktari. Baba yangu ni mwalimu.
My mother is a doctor. My father is a teacher.
- Una kaka au dada?
Do you have brothers or sisters? - Nina dada mkubwa na kaka mdogo mmoja.
I have one older sister and one younger brother. - Nina kaka watatu.
I have three brothers. - Nina dada wawili.
I have two sisters. - Mimi ni mtoto wa pekee.
I am an only child. - Una watoto wowote?
Do you have any children? - Tuna bin na binti.
We have a son and a daughter. - Nani mkubwa/mdogo kwa familia yako?
Who is the oldest/youngest in your family?
Huyu ni shangazi yangu. This is my aunt.
Now let’s look at some vocabulary for extended family: jamaa relatives; mababu na mabibi grandparents; nyanya/bibi grandmother; babu grandfather; mjukuu wa kiume grandson; mjukuu wa kike granddaughter; shangazi aunt; mjomba uncle; binamu cousin; mpwa niece; mpwa nephew.
- Je, unawaona jamaa zako mara ngapi?
How often do you see your relatives? - Mababu na mabibi wako wanaishi wapi?
Where do your grandparents live? - Nyanya yangu bado anafanya kazi, lakini babu amestaafu.
My grandmother is still working, but my grandfather is retired. - Tuko na wajukuu watatu: mjukuu wa kiume mmoja na wa kike wawili.
We have three grandchildren: one grandson and two granddaughters. - Shangazi yangu na mjomba wanaishi karibu na nyumba yetu.
My aunt and uncle live near our house. - Nina binamu wengi.
I have a lot of cousins. - Mpwa wangu ameanza chuo kikuu.
My niece just started university. - Nina wapwa wanne.
I have four nephews.
Tuna mtoto. We have a baby.
Now let’s look at some vocabulary related to family: bibi wife; mume husband; rafiki wa kiume boyfriend; rafiki wa kike girlfriend; mtoto baby; mja mzito pregnant; kuasili to adopt; kuolewa to get married; kupata talaka to get divorced; bila mchumba single/unmarried; kuzaliwa to be born; kufa to die; hai alive; baba wa kambo stepfather; mama wa kambo stepmother; bin wa kambo stepson; binti wa kambo stepdaughter.
- Je, umeolewa au hujaolewa?
Are you married or single? - Mke/mumeo anafanya kazi gani?
What does your wife/husband do for a living? - Uliolewa lini?
When did you get married? - Tumeoana kwa miaka ishirini. Maadhimisho ya harusi yetu ni wikendi hii.
We’ve been married for twenty years. Our wedding anniversary is this weekend. - Bibi yangu ni mjamzito. Tunapata mtoto katika miezi miwili.
My wife is pregnant. We’re having a baby in two months. - Jina la mpenzi wako wa kiume/mpenzi wako wa kike ni nani?
What is your boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s name? - Wazazi wangu wametalakiana.
My parents are divorced. - Tutaasilia mtoto
We’re going to adopt a child. - Niliasiliwa.
I was adopted. - Bin/binti yako alizaliwa lini?
When was your son/daughter born? - Nyanya yangu yuko hai, lakini babu yangu amekufa.
My grandmother is alive, but my grandfather is dead. - Nina uhusiano mzuri na baba yangu wa kambo/mama wa kambo.
I have a good relationship with my stepfather/stepmother. - Binti yangu wa kambo/bin wa kambo anaishi nasi.
My stepdaughter/stepson lives with us. - Familia yangu ina mbwa na paka.
My family has a dog and a cat.
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