mũthaka
The Kikuyu word for beautiful is mũthaka.
The word mũthaka is used to describe both beautiful women and handsome men.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is mũthaka.
Did you know?
- The word mũthaka can be used as a proper name for people, turning an adjective for 'beautiful' into a lifelong identity.
- When describing a beautiful landscape or object, Kikuyu speakers may use different terms than mũthaka, as the latter is more strongly tied to the beauty of people.
- The prefix 'mũ-' in mũthaka functions as a noun class marker, meaning the word itself changes its shape depending on whether you are talking about a person or an abstract quality.
Examples in context
- Mũthaka mũno.Very beautiful.
- Nĩ mũthaka mũno.She is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Nyambura and Njoroge are admiring a newborn baby.
- NyamburaRora mwana ũyũ, nĩ mũthaka!Look at this baby, he is beautiful!
- NjorogeĨĩ, arĩ mũthaka ta maceke.Yes, he is as beautiful as a flower.
- NyamburaAigana na maitũ wake.He looks like his mother.
- NjorogeNa nĩ ũndũ ũyo arĩ mũthaka.And that is why he is beautiful.
