Image by Ilse Orsel from Pixabay
In this post we’ll learn basic Swahili vocabulary related to the human body.
Uso wangu: My Face
Let’s start at the top, with words related to the head and face: kichwa head, uso face, jicho/macho eye/ eyes, nyusi za jicho/ nyusi za macho eye brow/ eye brows, kope za macho eye lashes, pua nose, mdomo mouth, jino/ meno tooth/ teeth, mdomo/ midomo lip/ lips, sikio/ masikio ear/ ears, shavu/ mashavu cheek/ cheeks, paji la uso forehead, kidevu chin, shingo neck, nywele hair, masharubu mustache, ndevu beard.
- Nina macho ya kahawia/samawati/kijani.
I have brown/blue/green eyes. - Usile mdomo ukiwa wazi!
Don’t eat with your mouth open! - Ninasugua meno.
I’m brushing my teeth.
- (Yeye) Ana masikio makubwa.
He has big ears. - (Yeye) Ana pua ndogo.
She has a small nose. - Sina ndevu, ila nina masharubu.
I don’t have a beard, but I have a mustache. - (Yeye) Ana nywele ndefu.
She has very long hair. - Shingo langu linauma.
My neck hurts.
Mikono: Arms and Hands
Now let’s look at vocabulary related to everything from your arms to your finger tips: mkono/ mikono arm/ arms; hand/ hands, kidole/ vidole finger/ fingers, kisigudi elbow, kiwiko wrist, kucha za mikono finger nails, ngozi skin.
- (Yeye) Ana mikono mikubwa.
He has big arms. - Unatumia mkono wako wa kushoto au kulia kuandika?
Do you write with your left hand or your right hand? - Watoto huweka vidole vya mkono mdomoni kila mara.
Children always put their fingers in their mouths. - Yeye huuma kucha zake za mkono.
He bites his finger nails. - Ana ngozi nyeusi/nyeupe.
She has dark/light skin. - Oh! Nimejiumiza kisigino.
Ouch! I hurt my elbow.
Mgongo wangu unauma! My back hurts!
Now let’s look at: kifua chest, titi/ matiti breast/ breasts, bega/mabega shoulder/ shoulders, kiuno waist, mgongo back, tumbo belly, makalio butt.
- Ana kifua cha misuli.
He has a muscular chest. - Ataenda kuangaliwa titi kesho.
She’s getting a breast examination tomorrow. - Ana mgongo mchungu.
She has a sore back. - Mshipi huo ni mdogo sana kwa kiuno changu.
That belt is too small for my waist. - Ninahitaji kupunguza kula. Tumbo langu linakuwa kubwa!
I need to eat less. My belly is getting big! - Ana mabega yenye nguvu.
He has strong shoulders. - Oh! Nimeanguka na makalio!
Ouch! I fell on my butt!
Miguu mirefu: Long Legs
Now let’s look at vocabulary related to your legs and feet. mguu/ miguu leg/ legs, paja/ mapaja thigh/ thighs, nyonga hip/ hips, goti/ magoti knee/ knees, guu/ miguu foot/ feet, kifundo cha mguu/ vifundo vya miguu ankle/ ankles, kidole cha mguu/ vidole vya mguu toe/ toes.
- Ana miguu mirefu.
She has long legs. - Nyonga zangu ni kubwa kwa longi hii.
My thighs are too big for these pants! - Majeraha ya goti ni chungu.
Knee injuries are painful. - Nilijipinda kifundo cha mguu.
I twisted my ankle. - Miguu yake ni midogo sana.
Her feet are very small. - Nilijiumiza kidole cha mguu.
I hurt my toe.
Sehemu za mwili za ndani: Internal Organs
Now let’s look at some basic vocabulary for internal organs: moyo heart, pafu/ mapafu lung/ lungs, akili brain, koo throat, tumbo stomach, matumbo intestines, ini liver, figo kidney, damu blood, vena vein, ateri artery, mfupa bone, msuli muscle, neva nerves.
- Moyo hupiga damu kupitia kwa ateri na vena.
The heart pumps blood through arteries and veins. - Mapafu yetu hujaa hewa tunapopumua.
Our lungs fill with air when breathe. - Akili na neva ni sehemu ya mfumo wa neva.
The brain and nerves are part of the nervous system. - Nina njaa/Nimeshiba.
My stomach is empty/full. - Anahitaji kupandikiza figo.
She needs a kidney transplant. - Ini lake halina afya kwa kuwa analewa sana.
His liver is not healthy because he drinks too much. - Tunahitaji kalisi kujenga mifupa.
We need calcium for our bones. - Matumbo ni sehemu ya mfumo wa tumbo.
The intestines are part of the digestive system. - Misuli yangu ya miguu ni chungu baada ya kukimbia.
My leg muscles are sore after I run.
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