Language/Swahili-individual-language/Vocabulary/Plants-and-Vegetation
As a Swahili teacher, I believe learning the vocabulary of plants and vegetation is essential for a complete understanding of the Swahili language, culture, and environment. With this lesson, you will learn essential Swahili vocabulary for fruits, trees, and herbs.
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Counting and Numbers & Seasons.
Fruits
Fruits are an essential part of African culture and cuisine, and the Swahili language has its unique names for these delicious treats. Here are some of the most commonly used Swahili vocabulary words for fruits:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mfaranga | m-fa-RAH-nga | Pineapple |
| Pera | PE-ra | Pear |
| Parachichi | pa-ra-CHI-chi | Avocado |
| Nanasi | NA-na-see | Pineapple |
| Tofaa | to-FA-a | Apple |
| Chungwa | choon-gwah | Orange |
- Pineapples are called "nanasi" in Swahili. They are very delicious and juicy.
- The Swahili word for mango is "embe". The fruit is best when it's ripe and soft.
Trees
East Africa is home to various beautiful and useful trees, and Swahili has unique words for these trees. Here are some common Swahili names for trees:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mti wa tende | m-TEE-wa-TEN-de | Date tree |
| Mti wa miembe | m-TEE-wa-mee-EM-be | Mango tree |
| Mti wa mwarobaini | m-TEE-wa-mwa-ro-ba-e-nee | Neem tree |
| Mti wa papai | m-TEE-wa-pa-PAI | Papaya tree |
| Miti ya mnazi | mee-TEE-ya-mna-ZI | Coconut trees |
- Baobab tree is called "mkuyu" in Swahili, it's a massive tree with a broad trunk that can store lots of water.
- The Swahili name for the bamboo tree is "bendera" and is commonly used for making furniture and chopping sticks.
Herbs
Swahili cuisine uses many herbs, and knowing their names can be of great value. Here are some common herb names in Swahili:
| Swahili (individual language) | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Binzari | beez-NA-ree | Cumin |
| Dania | DA-nya | Coriander |
| Majani ya mchicha | ma-JA-nee-ya-mchi-cha | Spinach leaves |
| Pilipili hoho | pee-lee-PEE-lee-ho-ho | Bell pepper |
| Tangawizi | tan-ga-WEE-zee | Ginger |
- The herb thyme is called "mchicha" in Swahili and is used in many dishes, including soups and stews.
- The Swahili word for garlic is "kitunguu saumu" and is used in many African dishes to add flavor.
With these essential vocabulary words, you are now better equipped to have conversations about fruits, trees, and herbs in Swahili with the locals. Keep practicing and using these terms to build your fluency in the Swahili language!
Other Lessons
- Means of Transport
- Vegetables
- Nature
- Months of the Year
- Weather and Climate
- Seasons
- Suits of a deck of cards
- Mammal
- City
- Greetings and Farewells