upendo
/uˈpɛ.ⁿdɔ/
The English phrase love is translated into Swahili as upendo.
Upendo is a noun that refers to the concept or the feeling of strong affection. If you wish to express the action of loving or liking someone or something, you should use the related verb kupenda.
Meaning: strong affection (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use upendo when you are referring to love as a noun. Use the verb kupenda when you want to express the act of loving.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun mpendwa is the singular form used to refer to a beloved person. The word Nampenda is a conjugated form of the verb kupenda, meaning to love.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /uˈpɛ.ⁿdɔ/.
Did you know?
- The verb kupenda can be used in a request to mean 'would like', such as asking for a drink, making it essential for polite social interaction.
- Because Swahili is a Bantu language, the noun upendo belongs to a specific noun class (Class 11) used for abstract concepts and qualities.
- In Swahili poetry and song, upendo is often paired with terms for 'peace' and 'unity' to describe a communal bond rather than just a romantic one.
Examples in context
- Upendo utawafanya wanaume kuthubutu kufa kwa wapendwa wao.Love will make men dare to die for their beloved.This sentence demonstrates the use of upendo in a context about courage and devotion.Tatoeba #10896001 by ecorralest101, translation #7547790 by Hybrid
- Nimeamua kushikamana na upendo. Chuki ni mzigo mzito sana kubeba.I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.This sentence shows how to use upendo when discussing a personal decision to choose love over hate.Tatoeba #10886904 by ecorralest101, translation #6484097 by LeeSooHa
- Hakuna kinachompa msanii nguvu nyingi kama ufahamu kwamba kuna mtu angalau mmoja anayeona uumbaji wake kwa upendo mkubwa.Nothing gives an artist as much strength as the knowledge that there is at least one person who views his creation with great love.This sentence uses upendo to describe the way an artist's work is viewed by others.Tatoeba #10853451 by ecorralest101, translation #2799087 by AlanF_US
- Ninakupenda sanaI love you very much
- Nimechanganyikiwa na mahaba yakoI am overwhelmed with your love
- Mapenzi yameunda ulimwenguLove has shaped the world
- Nampenda sana mama yanguI love my mother very much
- Penzi lako ni kubwa moyoni mwanguYour love is big in my heart
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Bakari and Aisha are discussing their feelings for their community.
- BakariUpendo ni muhimu sana katika jamii yetu.Love is very important in our community.
- AishaNi kweli, Bakari, upendo huleta amani.It's true, Bakari, love brings peace.
- BakariTunapaswa kuonyesha upendo kwa kila mtu.We should show love to everyone.
- AishaNakubaliana nawe kabisa.I completely agree with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “love” translations and entries upendo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
