It’s msimu wa baridi (winter) in the northern hemisphere, which means that in many places kuna baridi nyingi (it’s very cold). Probably not so cold in Kenya or Tanzania, but even so, in this post we’ll learn some Swahili vocabulary for talking about cold winter weather in other places.
Kuna baridi nje! It’s Cold Outside!
Let’s start with some basic expressions that will help you talk about cold winter weather.
- Kuna baridi.
It’s cold. - Kuna baridi ya kugandisha!
It’s freezing! - Kuna theluji.
It’s snowing.
- Kuna mvua ya barafu.
It’s sleeting. - Kuna baridi na upepo.
It’s cold and windy. - Theluji inapendeza.
The snow is beautiful. - Tunaenda kuwa na dhoruba ya theluji wiki hii.
We’re going to have a blizzard this week. - Ziwa limeganda.
The lake is frozen. - Theluji inayeyuka.
The snow is melting. - Ninatetemeka.
I’m shivering!
Ninapenda msimu wa baridi. I Love the Winter.
Not everyone hates the snow. If you’re a kid, or a kid at heart, you may enjoy some fun winter activities.
- Ninapenda theluji.
I love the snow. - Wacha tutengeneze theluji mtu.
Let’s make a snowman. - Ninaenda kuteleza juu ya theluji wikendi.
I’m going skiing this weekend. - Twende kuteleza.
Let’s go sledding. - Twende kuteleza kwenye barafu.
Let’s go ice skating. - Ninapenda kuteleza kwenye theluji na ubao wa kuteleza.
I like snowboarding. - Wacha tupigane na mipira ya theluji.
Let’s have a snowball fight! - Watoto wanatengeneza ngome ya theluji.
The kids are building a snow fort.
Nachukia msimu wa baridi. I Hate the Winter.
Of course, winter isn’t all fun and games.
- Nachukia theluji.
I hate the snow. - Lazima nipakue njia ya kuendesha gari.
I have to shovel the driveway. - Njia zina barafu na ni hatari.
The roads are icy and dangerous. - Niliteleza kwenye njia ya kando ya barabara.
I slipped on the sidewalk. - Sipendi hali ya hewa ya baridi!
I don’t like cold weather! - Nimekosa jua.
I miss the sun. - Hali ya hewa ya baridi inahuzunisha.
Winter weather is depressing.
Mavazi ya baridi: Winter Clothes
If you have to go outside, you need to dress appropriately. You’ll probably wear: koti la baridi (a winter coat), kofia (a hat), skafu (a scarf), glovu (gloves, mittens), buti (boots).
- Ninahitaji kofia na glovu leo.
I need a hat and gloves today. - Koti hili halina joto jingi.
This coat isn’t heavy enough! - Una buti zisizoingiwa na maji?
Do you have waterproof boots? - Ninavaa sweta na koti.
I’m wearing a sweater and a coat.
Jioni tulivu za starehe: Cozy, Quiet Evenings
But inside, you can still feel joto na starehe (warm and cozy). You can sit next to moto (a fire), and maybe enjoy kikombe cha chai (a cup of tea) or better yet, kikombe cha chokoleti moto (a cup of hot chocolate). Just get blanketi (a blanket), maybe kitabu kizuri (a good book), and you’re ready to make the most out of siku za baridi na usiku mrefu (the cold days and long nights). It’s only a few more months until the spring!
- Nyumba ina joto na starehe.
It’s warm and cozy in the house. - Wacha tuwashe moto kwenye mahali pa moto.
Let’s make a fire in the fireplace. - Wacha tunywe chokoleti moto mbele ya moto.
Let’s have hot chocolate in front of the fire. - Ninapata joto karibu na moto.
I’m warming up next to the fire. - Una blanketi?
Do you have a blanket? - Mimi huenda kitandani mapema msimu wa baridi.
I go to bed early in the winter.
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