mwezi
/ˈmʷɛ.zi/
The Swahili word for moon is mwezi.
mwezi refers to the natural satellite of planet Earth or the specific name of the Earth's moon. In a formal context, the phrase Nuru ya Mwezi is used to mean moonlight.
Meaning: the natural satellite of planet Earth (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word mwezi is also the Swahili word for month. When referring to multiple months, use the plural form miezi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmʷɛ.zi/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The term mwezi is inherited from the Proto-Bantu root *mʊ̀jédì, meaning the word's origin predates the formation of the Swahili language itself.
- In many Swahili-speaking cultures, the appearance of a new mwezi is a traditional signal for the start of new lunar months and various religious observances.
- While mwezi is the standard term, Swahili poetic traditions often use metaphors involving the moon to describe beauty or longing in love songs.
Examples in context
- Ni kama kutembea kwenye mwezi.It's just like walking on the moon.This sentence is useful for comparing an experience to walking on the mwezi.Tatoeba #10807467 by ecorralest101, translation #32321 by CK
- Mnamo 1963, Amerika na Umoja wa Kisovieti zilianza mbio ili kuona ni nani anayeweza kuweka mtu kwenye Mwezi kwanza.In 1963, the United States and the Soviet Union started a race to see who could put a man on the Moon first.This sentence uses mwezi in the context of the space race to the Moon.Tatoeba #10868800 by ecorralest101, translation #3958003 by Hybrid
- Mwezi umetokeaThe moon has risen
- Naweza kuona kwa nuru ya mweziI can see by the moonlight
- Mwezi unaangaza sana usiku leo.The moon is shining very brightly tonight.
Example conversation
Two friends are sitting outside at night looking at the sky.
- BakariAngalia, mwezi ni mrembo sana.Look, the moon is very beautiful.
- ZuwenaNi kweli, Bakari, unavutia sana.It is true, Bakari, it is very captivating.
- BakariZuwena, unaona mwezi upande wa kule?Zuwena, do you see the moon over there?
- ZuwenaNdiyo, ninaona mwezi mkubwa.Yes, I see the big moon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “moon” translations and entries mwezi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mwezi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
