chungwa
/ˈtʃu.ᵑɡʷɑ/
The Swahili word for the fruit orange is chungwa.
The word chungwa refers specifically to the fruit. You may also encounter the related form machungwa, which is used to describe the color orange, meaning having the color of an orange fruit.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
chungwa refers to a single orange, while machungwa is used as an adjective to describe the color orange.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun chungwa is singular. To refer to multiple oranges, use the plural form machungwa.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable: /ˈtʃu.ᵑɡʷɑ/.
Did you know?
- In some coastal regions of East Africa, speakers may use loanwords from Arabic or Persian instead of chungwa to specify certain citrus varieties.
- Market vendors often shout machungwa in the plural form to attract customers by implying abundance and variety.
- The term chungwa is a relatively modern addition to the language compared to ancient Bantu roots, having arrived alongside citrus-bearing trees via trade.
Examples in context
- Ninapenda rangi ya chungwa.I like the color orange.
- Tuna machungwa mazuri sana hapa.We have very nice oranges here.
- Leo nimevaa fulana ya chungwa.Today, I'm wearing an orange t-shirt.
- Ninataka kula chungwa.I want to eat an orange.
- Chungwa hili ni tamu sana.This orange is very sweet.
- Je, una chungwa?Do you have an orange?
Example conversation
Zuwena and Said are in a kitchen together.
- ZuwenaSaid, unahitaji chungwa?Said, do you need an orange?
- SaidNdiyo, nina njaa sana.Yes, I am very hungry.
- ZuwenaChukua chungwa hili.Take this orange.
- SaidAsante sana, Zuwena.Thank you very much, Zuwena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “orange” translations and entries chungwa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
