tembo
In Swahili, the word for elephant is tembo. If unsure, use tembo. Wiktionary also lists ndovu.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swahili |
|---|
| tembo |
| ndovu |
Both tembo and ndovu are used to refer to the mammal known as an elephant.
Which one should you use?
Tembo is the more common, everyday term used in standard spoken Swahili. In contrast, ndovu is often used in more formal, literary or classical contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
tembo is an invariant noun in the N-class. This means the word itself does not change its form to indicate plurality. Instead, plurality is shown by the noun class prefix of the accompanying article or adjective.
Did you know?
- In some East African contexts, the word tembo is used as a metaphor for a powerful political leader or a 'big man' who dominates a room.
- The word tembo can be used in Swahili idioms to describe someone with a very thick skin or someone who is stubbornly unyielding.
- The two different words for elephant, tembo and ndovu, actually stem from two completely different ancient Proto-Bantu roots.
Examples in context
- Tembo wa Kiafrika ana masikio makubwa kuliko tembo wa Asia.The African elephant has bigger ears than the Asian elephant.This sentence is useful for comparing the ear size of the African elephant with the Asian elephant using tembo.Tatoeba #10842284 by ecorralest101, translation #1578624 by CM
- Tumeshuhudia tembo wakipita karibu na kambi yetu.We have witnessed elephants passing by our camp.
- Katika historia ya Afrika, ndovu wamekuwa ishara ya nguvu na uongozi.In African history, elephants have been a symbol of strength and leadership.
- Tulitembelea hifadhi ya wanyama na kukutana na tembo kwa mara ya kwanza.We visited the wildlife park and encountered elephants for the first time.
- Tembo anapenda kula nyasi.An elephant likes to eat grass.
- Tutaona tembo kwenye mbuga hii.We will see an elephant in this park.
Example conversation
Zuwena and Juma are watching a wildlife documentary on television.
- ZuwenaAngalia, tembo mkubwa anakuja!Look, a big elephant is coming!
- JumaNi mnyama mkubwa sana.It is a very large animal.
- ZuwenaTembo huyu ana meno mirefu.This elephant has long tusks.
- JumaNi kweli, anaonekana kuwa hodari.It is true, he looks powerful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries tembo, ndovu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ndovu, tembo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
