Roho Mtakatifu
The Swahili phrase for "holy spirit" is Roho Mtakatifu.
In a Christian context, this phrase refers to the person of the Holy Trinity.
Meaning: Christian: person of the Holy Trinity (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Roho, meaning "spirit" and Mtakatifu, meaning "holy".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Swahili, the adjective Mtakatifu follows the noun Roho to form the phrase.
Did you know?
- In some Swahili idioms, the phrase kukata roho literally means 'to cut the spirit' but is used as a common euphemism for 'to die'.
- The word roho is a loanword from the Arabic word rūḥ, reflecting the deep historical influence of Arab traders and scholars on the Swahili coast.
- Depending on the region, roho might be used in traditional African spiritual contexts to refer to ancestral spirits, not just the Christian Roho Mtakatifu.
Examples in context
- Roho Mtakatifu ametuongoza katika maisha yetu.The Holy Spirit has guided us in our lives.
- Ninahitaji kujazwa na Roho Takatifu.I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Roho amekuwa akiongoza hatua zangu.The Spirit has been guiding my steps.
- Roho Mtakatifu anatubariki.The Holy Spirit blesses us.
- Tunamtukuza Roho Mtakatifu leo.We glorify the Holy Spirit today.
- Ninasali kwa Roho Mtakatifu.I pray to the Holy Spirit.
Example conversation
Bakari and Zuwena are praying together in a church.
- BakariZuwena, tuombe Roho Mtakatifu.Zuwena, let us pray to the Holy Spirit.
- ZuwenaNdiyo, Bakari, niko tayari.Yes, Bakari, I am ready.
- BakariRoho Mtakatifu atutie nguvu.May the Holy Spirit give us strength.
- ZuwenaAmina, Roho Mtakatifu atatusaidia.Amen, the Holy Spirit will help us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “holy spirit” translations and entries Roho Mtakatifu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mtakatifu, roho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
