kojoa
To pee in Swahili is to kojoa.
The verb kojoa is used to express the action of urinating. If you need to refer to the liquid itself, the related noun is mkojo.
Meaning: urinate (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Kenya, the form kukojoa is widely used in both formal and informal settings. In Tanzania, kutenda haja ndogo is preferred in more formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb kojoa is in the infinitive form, which is used to express the concept of the action.
Did you know?
- The word kojoa is inherited from Proto-Bantu, the ancient ancestral language spoken thousands of years ago across Central and Southern Africa.
- Instead of using the verb, people often use the euphemism kutenda haja ndogo, which literally translates to 'to perform a small need'.
- The phrase kutenda haja is used as a general umbrella term for using the restroom regardless of which biological function is occurring.
Examples in context
- Nataka kwenda kojoa.I want to go pee.
- Mtoto anataka kojoa sasa.The child wants to pee now.
- Nenda kojoa kabla ya safari.Go pee before the trip.
Example conversation
Fatuma and Omari are preparing for a long car journey.
- FatumaOmari, unahitaji kwenda kojoa?Omari, do you need to go pee?
- OmariHapana, sitaki kwenda kojoa sasa.No, I do not want to go pee now.
- FatumaNi vizuri ukojoe sasa.It is good if you pee now.
- OmariSawa, nitakwenda kojoa haraka.Okay, I will go pee quickly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kojoa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
