mtoto wangu
The English phrase 'my baby' is translated into Swahili as mtoto wangu.
The phrase is used to refer to one's own young child and can be used informally to express endearment towards your baby.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mtoto, meaning child and wangu, meaning my.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural to mean 'my babies' or 'my children', the noun mtoto changes to watoto while the possessive wangu remains the same, resulting in watoto wangu.
Did you know?
- In romantic contexts, modern urban Swahili speakers sometimes use mtoto to refer to a girlfriend or boyfriend, similar to the English slang 'baby'.
- Swahili uses a system of noun classes rather than gender, meaning mtoto wangu is identical whether the baby is a boy or a girl.
- In some social settings, using mtoto wangu to refer to someone who is actually an adult could be seen as patronizing or an assertion of power/age dominance.
Examples in context
- Nampenda sana mtoto wangu.I love my baby very much.
- Nina furaha kuwa na mwana wangu.I'm happy to have my baby.
- Mtoto wangu ni mzuri sana!My baby is so cute!
- Mtoto wangu amelala.My baby is sleeping.
- Mtoto wangu anacheza.My baby is playing.
Example conversation
Aisha and Bakari are talking about their children at a park.
- AishaMtoto wangu anafurahi sana hapa.My baby is very happy here.
- BakariNi kweli, mtoto wako ni mcheshi.It is true, your baby is cheerful.
- AishaAsante, mtoto wangu anapenda michezo.Thank you, my baby loves games.
- BakariHiyo ni nzuri sana.That is very good.
