pilipili hoho
The Swahili phrase for red pepper is pilipili hoho.
The term refers to a red colored pepper.
Meaning: red colored pepper (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term Pilipili Hoho Nyekundu specifically identifies a red bell pepper.
Did you know?
- In Swahili, the term pilipili can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is particularly sharp-tongued or caustic in their speech.
- The word pilipili was borrowed from the Persian word 'pilpil', which originally came from the Sanskrit word 'pippali' meaning 'long pepper'.
- When ordering food in Tanzania or Kenya, asking for pilipili usually implies you want a spicy condiment, not a fresh vegetable like hoho.
Examples in context
- Nipe tafadhali pilipili hoho nyekundu.Please give me some red bell pepper.
- Pilipili hoho nyekundu ni nzuri.The red pepper is good.
- Ninahitaji pilipili hoho nyekundu kwa saladi.I need red pepper for the salad.
- Je, una pilipili hoho nyekundu?Do you have red pepper?
Example conversation
Neema and Omari are shopping for vegetables at a market.
- NeemaOmari, unayo pilipili hoho nyekundu?Omari, do you have red pepper?
- OmariNdiyo Neema, nina pilipili hoho nyekundu hapa.Yes Neema, I have red pepper here.
- NeemaNipe mbili, tafadhali.Give me two, please.
- OmariHaya, chukua hizi.Okay, take these.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red pepper” translations and entries pilipili hoho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pilipili, CC BY-SA 4.0.
