kijani
The English word "green" is translated into Swahili as kijani. Wiktionary also lists chanikiwiti.
Meaning: having green as its colour (adj)
Ways to say it
| Swahili |
|---|
| kijani |
| chanikiwiti |
The primary way to refer to the color green is through the phrase rangi ya kijani, which translates to the color green. To describe something that is in its freshest and most vibrant state, you can use the phrase kijani kibichi.
Did you know?
- The word kijani is literally the word for 'leaf' with a prefix added to it. This means the Swahili language defines the color green by the most common object of that color in nature.
- The term kijani kibichi is often used to describe food that is not just green, but also unripe or raw.
- In Swahili, the word kijani comes from the root jani, meaning 'leaf'. This is a common pattern in many Bantu languages where colors are derived from natural objects.
Examples in context
- Millie ana macho ya kijani.Millie has green eyes.This sentence shows how to use kijani to describe eye color.Tatoeba #3173254 by ecorralest101, translation #3173252 by CN
- Mawazo ya kijani yasiyokamili yanalala hoi.Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.This sentence uses kijani within a famous linguistic example.Tatoeba #719099 by Vortarulo, translation #702472 by mailohilohi
- Subiri kwa alama ya kijani kabla ya kuanza kuvuka.Wait for the green signal before starting to cross.This sentence demonstrates using kijani to describe a signal or indicator.Tatoeba #10830627 by ecorralest101, translation #464318 by lukaszpp
- Ninapenda kijani kibichi cha majani.I love the fresh green of leaves.
- Tunda la embe linakuwa kijani kabla halijakomaa.The mango fruit becomes green before it ripens.
- Tutaenda kwenye bustani yenye nyasi zenye rangi ya kijani.We will go to a garden with green grass.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zuwena and Juma are choosing a new shirt at a shop.
- ZuwenaJe, unapenda shati hili la kijani?Do you like this green shirt?
- JumaNdiyo, rangi ya kijani inanipendeza.Yes, the green color suits me.
- ZuwenaJuma, hili ni shati jema sana.Juma, this is a very good shirt.
- JumaAsante, nitalinunua.Thanks, I will buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “green” translations and entries kijani, chanikiwiti, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kijani, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
