mwana mfalme
The Swahili word for prince is mwana mfalme.
mwana mfalme refers to a son or a male-line grandson of a reigning monarch.
Meaning: son or male-line grandson of a reigning monarch (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mwana (child or offspring) and mfalme (king).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun phrase mwana mfalme is used to mean both the singular 'prince' and the indefinite 'a prince'.
Did you know?
- The word mwana is gender-neutral and can refer to a son, a daughter, or any child regardless of sex.
- The term mfalme for king was influenced by historical trade and interactions with Arab and Persian cultures along the Swahili coast.
- In Swahili, the word for child mwana is also used to name various types of fish and animals, treating them as 'offspring' of the species.
Examples in context
- Mwana mfalme anatembea na askari.The prince is walking with soldiers.
- Mwana mfalme huyo ni mrefu sana.That prince is very tall.
- Je, mwana mfalme anakuja leo?Is the prince coming today?
Example conversation
Neema and Bakari are discussing a news report about royalty.
- NeemaJe, umeona picha ya mwana mfalme?Have you seen the photo of the prince?
- BakariNdiyo, anaonekana kuwa na busara.Yes, he looks wise.
- NeemaAnatamani kuwa mfalme siku moja.He wishes to be king one day.
- BakariKila mwana mfalme anataka hivyo.Every prince wants that.
