kiti
/ˈki.ti/
The Swahili word for chair is kiti.
Meaning: furniture (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'this chair', you add the demonstrative hiki after the noun to form kiti hiki. The plural form of kiti is viti.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of kiti is /ˈki.ti/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Swahili political contexts, the phrase kiti cha enzi literally means 'chair of power' and refers to a throne or the seat of government.
- In some coastal Swahili-speaking areas, the term for a chair can be influenced by Arabic loanwords, reflecting the historical maritime trade.
- Because kiti belongs to a specific noun class, any adjective you use to describe it, like 'big' or 'red', must also change its prefix to match.
Examples in context
- Hakuna kitu chini ya kiti.There's nothing under the chair.This sentence is useful for describing the area under a kiti.Tatoeba #10881314 by ecorralest101, translation #6029652 by CK
- Mke akasimama kutoka kwa kiti chake. Kisha akatazama mlango.The wife stood up from her chair. She then looked at the door.This sentence shows someone standing up from a kiti.Tatoeba #10831248 by ecorralest101, translation #596276 by Scott
- Je, ungenifanyia fadhili kwa kusongesha kiti kwenye kona ili niweze kufagia sakafu?Would you do me a favor by moving that chair over to the corner so that I can sweep the floor?This sentence illustrates a request involving moving a kiti.Tatoeba #10818465 by ecorralest101, translation #268099 by shekitten
- Ninahitaji kiti.I need a chair.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Bakari are setting up a room for a guest.
- AishaBakari, unahitaji kiti cha ziada?Bakari, do you need an extra chair?
- BakariNdiyo, Aisha, tafadhali leta kiti.Yes, Aisha, please bring a chair.
- AishaHiki hapa ni kiti cha mbao.Here is a wooden chair.
- BakariAsante sana kwa kiti hiki.Thank you very much for this chair.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chair” translations and entries kiti, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
