kikombe
The English word "cup" is translated into Swahili as kikombe.
kikombe is used to refer to a physical drinking vessel used for liquids.
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
Which one should you use?
While kikombe refers to a physical drinking vessel, the related form kombe is used specifically to refer to a trophy or a championship cup.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of kikombe is vikombe.
Did you know?
- In East African culture, offering a kikombe of tea or coffee is a primary gesture of hospitality. It is often considered impolite to refuse a first kikombe when visiting someone's home.
- The word kikombe uses the 'ki-class' prefix, which in Swahili is often used to denote a smaller version of an object. This indicates that a kikombe is conceptually a 'small vessel' compared to larger containers.
- The word kikombe is built using a system of noun classes where the prefix and the root work together to define the word's category. This structure is a fundamental part of the Bantu language family architecture.
Examples in context
- Je, ungependa kikombe kingine cha kahawa?Would you like another cup of coffee?This sentence is useful for practicing how to offer another kikombe of coffee.Tatoeba #3175799 by ecorralest101, translation #62256 by CK
- Kikombe cha dhahabu kilipewa mshindi wa mechi ya fainali.The gold cup was given to the winner of the final match.This sentence shows how kikombe can refer to a trophy or championship cup.Tatoeba #10815739 by ecorralest101, translation #238554 by CM
- Kwa kiamsha kinywa, Sandra alikuwa na kipande cha mkate na kikombe cha kahawa.For breakfast, Sandra had a slice of bread and a cup of coffee.This sentence demonstrates using kikombe when describing a breakfast consisting of coffee.Tatoeba #10874805 by ecorralest101, translation #5068916 by AlanF_US
- Ninahitaji kikombe cha chai, tafadhali.I need a cup of tea, please.
- Tafadhali nipe kikombe cha maji.Please give me a cup of water.
- Kuna kombe la soda mezani.There's a cup of soda on the table.
- Nipe kombe lako, tafadhali.Give me your cup, please.
Example conversation
Bakari is serving tea to Fatuma in their living room.
- FatumaBakari, tafadhali leta kikombe cha chai.Bakari, please bring a cup of tea.
- BakariHaya, hapa kuna kikombe chako.Okay, here is your cup.
- FatumaAsante sana, chai inanukia vizuri.Thank you very much, the tea smells good.
- BakariKaribu, ufurahie kikombe chako.You're welcome, enjoy your cup.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cup” translations and entries kikombe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
