muda mrefu
The English phrase "long time" is translated into Swahili as muda mrefu.
It is also used as part of a greeting between two people who have not been in contact for a long period.
Meaning: used as part of greeting of two people who have not been in contact for a long time (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of muda meaning "time" and mrefu meaning "long".
Which one should you use?
The phrase Zamani sana should be used instead if you mean "very long ago".
Did you know?
- A greeting like muda mrefu is often followed by habari za siku nyingi, which literally means 'news of many days'.
- The word muda is a direct loanword from the Arabic term mudda, which refers to a period or duration.
- In Swahili, mrefu literally means 'tall' when describing people, but 'long' when describing muda.
Examples in context
- Tumejuana kwa muda mrefu.We've known each other for a long time.This sentence is useful for expressing how long you have known someone.Tatoeba #10845152 by ecorralest101, translation #1893596 by CK
- Nimetaka kuwa mchoraji kwa muda mrefu.I've wanted to be a painter for a long time.This sentence is useful for describing a long-held desire.Tatoeba #10896213 by ecorralest101, translation #7714854 by CK
- Inachukua muda mrefu na kugharimu pesa nyingi kujaza tanki lile kwa mafuta.It takes a long time, and a lot of money, to fill that tank with gas.This sentence is useful for describing how long a specific task takes.Tatoeba #10863962 by ecorralest101, translation #3698331 by AlanF_US
- Nimekuwa hapa muda mrefuI have been here for a long time
- Nimekuwa nikisubiri kwa muda mrefuI have been waiting for a long time
- Nimekungoja kwa muda mrefu sanaI have been waiting for you for a very long time
- Nimefanya kazi hii kwa miezi mingiI have been doing this job for many months
- Tulikutana zamani sanaWe met a long time ago
- Muziki huo umekuwa maarufu kwa muda mrefuThat music has been popular for a long time
- Tumefanya kazi pamoja kwa miezi mingiWe have been working together for many months
- Sikukuu hii tunakutana na marafiki wa zamani sanaOn this holiday, we are meeting very old friends
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two former classmates run into each other at a market.
- SaidHabari Aisha, muda mrefu sana!Hello Aisha, long time no see!
- AishaSaid! Ni kweli, muda mrefu sana.Said! It's true, it has been a long time.
- SaidUmekuwa wapi mradi huu wote?Where have you been all this time?
- AishaNilikuwa ninasoma chuo kikuu.I was studying at the university.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries muda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
