baiskeli
The Swahili word for bike is baiskeli.
Baiskeli refers specifically to a bicycle. If you are referring to a motorbike instead, you should use the word pikipiki. To express the action of riding a bike, use the verb phrase kuendesha baiskeli.
Meaning: bicycle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word baiskeli is a loanword derived from the English word 'bicycle'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun baiskeli belongs to the JI-NI noun class, which means it does not change its form to indicate pluralization in standard Swahili.
Did you know?
- In Swahili, the verb kuendesha used for riding a baiskeli also means 'to drive' a car or 'to manage' a business.
- In Swahili, a motorbike is called a pikipiki, a word that actually mimics the rhythmic, repetitive sound of an engine.
- The spelling of baiskeli was specifically altered from the English 'bicycle' to ensure it could be pronounced easily using Swahili vowel rules.
Examples in context
- Mwendesha baiskeli alimsema Louie.The bike ride told on Louie.This sentence shows how to use baiskeli in the context of a person riding.Tatoeba #10807342 by ecorralest101, translation #29583 by LittleBoy
- Mpito wa baiskeli iliporomoka huko Rio.A bike path collapsed in Rio.This sentence shows how to use baiskeli when referring to a bike path.Tatoeba #10874863 by ecorralest101, translation #5085375 by Hybrid
- Kuendesha baiskeli ambayo haina breki ni jambo la kijinga kufanya.Riding a bike that doesn't have brakes is a pretty stupid thing to do.This sentence shows how to use baiskeli when discussing the safety of riding.Tatoeba #10853319 by ecorralest101, translation #2763358 by CK
- Ninaenda kwa duka la baiskeli.I'm going to the bike shop.
- Ninatembea kila siku kwa baiskeli.I ride a bike every day.
- Nitakwenda shambani kwa pikipiki.I will go to the farm by bike.
- Nimeipa pikipiki yangu kwa rafiki yangu.I loaned my bike to my friend.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Bakari are talking in a village near a park.
- AishaJe, una baiskeli mpya?Do you have a new bike?
- BakariNdiyo, nimenunua baiskeli hii leo.Yes, I bought this bike today.
- AishaBaiskeli yako ni nzuri sana.Your bike is very beautiful.
- BakariAsante, Aisha.Thank you, Aisha.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry baiskeli, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
