hakuna kitu
hakuna kitu is the Swahili way to say nothing.
hakuna kitu is used to express the non-existence of something. It is often translated as 'there is nothing' because it functions as an existential statement rather than a simple pronoun.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hakuna, which means 'there is no' or 'there are no' and kitu, which means 'a thing'.
Which one should you use?
While hakuna kitu means 'there is nothing', the word kitu on its own simply means 'a thing'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Tanzania, you may commonly hear Hakuna shida to mean 'No problem'. In Kenya, speakers sometimes use Hakuna tatizo to mean 'No problem'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word hakuna is the existential negative form used to indicate that something does not exist.
Did you know?
- The word hakuna became globally famous through the song 'Hakuna Matata', where matata means 'troubles' or 'problems'.
- In some contexts, saying hakuna kitu can be used as a humble response to a compliment, similar to saying 'it is nothing' in English.
- The word hakuna is actually a tiny sentence hidden in a single word, combining the negative prefix 'ha-' with the verb 'kuwa na' which means 'to have'.
Examples in context
- Hakuna kitu chini ya kiti.There's nothing under the chair.This sentence shows how to use hakuna kitu to describe the absence of an object under furniture.Tatoeba #10881314 by ecorralest101, translation #6029652 by CK
- Peter na Emma ni marafiki tu. Hakuna kitu kati yake naye.Peter and Emma are just friends. There's nothing between him and her.This sentence uses hakuna kitu to clarify the nature of a relationship between two people.Tatoeba #10835325 by ecorralest101, translation #886222 by DJ_Saidez
- Hakuna kitu kinachoweza kusafiri kwa kasi kuliko kasi ya taa kwenye utupu.Nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.This sentence uses hakuna kitu as the subject in a scientific context.Tatoeba #10853190 by ecorralest101, translation #2735268 by catcher
- Hakuna kituThere is nothing
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Said are looking inside an empty refrigerator.
- AishaSaid, kuna chakula chochote hapa?Said, is there any food here?
- SaidHapana, hakuna kitu ndani ya jokofu.No, there is nothing inside the refrigerator.
- AishaTutaenda dukani sasa hivi.We will go to the shop right now.
- SaidSawa, mimi pia nina njaa.Okay, I am also hungry.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hakuna, kitu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
