kaka
The Swahili word for bro is kaka.
kaka refers to a male comrade, a friend or someone who shares one's ideals. While it is a common way to refer to a close male friend colloquially, it is also the standard term for a brother.
Meaning: male comrade or friend, one who shares one’s ideals (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word kaka literally means brother.
Which one should you use?
kaka is used to denote a biological brother or to imply a close, brotherly bond with a friend. In contrast, ndugu is a more general term used to mean a relative, kinsman or a fellow comrade.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my bro' or 'my brother', place the possessive word yangu after the noun kaka, forming the phrase kaka yangu.
Did you know?
- While kaka means 'brother', the word ndugu can be used as a political term to mean 'comrade' in the spirit of socialist Ujamaa, which was a central pillar of early Tanzanian nation-building.
- In Swahili culture, using kaka to address an older man you are not related to is a sign of respect, similar to saying 'elder brother' in many Asian cultures.
- In some East African contexts, calling a stranger kaka is a strategic way to establish an immediate bond of trust or kinship to make a request or negotiate a price.
Examples in context
- Ninakula na kaka yangu.I am eating with my bro.This sentence shows how to use kaka to refer to your brother or bro.Tatoeba #10842847 by ecorralest101, translation #1747341 by belgavox
- Hey kaka, tunakutana kesho kwenye mpira wa miguu?Hey bro, are we meeting tomorrow at the football match?
- Huyu ni kaka yangu wa karibu.This is my close bro.
- Kaka, unanisaidia sana.Bro, you help me a lot.
Example conversation
Zuwena greets Juma on the street.
- ZuwenaMambo, kaka!Hi, bro!
- JumaPoa sana, Zuwena.Very cool, Zuwena.
- ZuwenaUnaenda wapi sasa hivi?Where are you going right now?
- JumaNaenda nyumbani kupumzika.I am going home to rest.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kaka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
