tajiri
The Swahili word for rich is tajiri.
The word tajiri functions as both an adjective meaning "rich" and as a noun meaning "a rich person" or "a wealthy person". To express the concept of being even richer, you can use the comparative form tajiri zaidi.
Meaning: having wealth (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word maskini is the antonym, meaning "poor".
When do people say it?
The phrase Tunakula life is used to express the idea of "living the life."
Did you know?
- The word tajiri is actually a loanword from Arabic, specifically from the word tājir, which originally meant 'merchant' or 'trader'.
- In some East African contexts, describing someone as tajiri can be seen as an invitation for that person to provide hospitality or financial help to others.
- The antonym maskini is not only used to describe someone who is poor but is also commonly used as an exclamation of pity, similar to saying 'poor thing' in English.
Examples in context
- Tajiri mmoja kutoka Boston amenunua nyumba karibu na nyumba yangu.aSome rich guy from Boston just bought the house next to mine.This sentence uses tajiri to describe a rich person from Boston.Tatoeba #10855756 by ecorralest101, translation #3024036 by CK
- Hii sinema ni kuhusu binti maskini aliyekosewa kufananishwa na binti wa tajiri katika mkanganyiko uliofuatia ajali ya treni.This movie is about a poor girl who gets mistaken for the daughter of a rich man in the confusion following a train crash.This sentence uses tajiri to refer to a rich man.Tatoeba #10827336 by ecorralest101, translation #413518 by Scott
- Maisha yakiwa rahisi sana kwetu, lazima tuwe waangalifu au labda hatutakuwa tayari kukabili mapigo ambayo hujia kila mtu, tajiri au maskini.When life is too easy for us, we must beware or we may not be ready to meet the blows which sooner or later come to everyone, rich or poor.This sentence uses tajiri to contrast the rich with the poor.Tatoeba #10891381 by ecorralest101, translation #6916632 by Adelpa
- Ali ni tajiri sanaAli is very rich.
- Yule mtu ni mtajiriThat person is a rich person.
- Mwenye utajiri huyo ni mfanyabiashara maarufuThat person with richness is a famous entrepreneur.
- Wale vijana wanakula lifeThose young people are rich and living the good life.
- Sisi ni watoto wa tajiriWe are children of a rich person.
- Simba ni timu tajiri zaidi nchiniSimba is the richest team in the country.
Example conversation
Zuwena and Omari are discussing a local businessman.
- ZuwenaJe, Omari, unamjua huyo tajiri?Omari, do you know that rich man?
- OmariNdiyo, yeye ni tajiri sana.Yes, he is very rich.
- ZuwenaYeye ana maisha ya kustaajabisha.He has an amazing life.
- OmariNi kweli, tajiri huyo ana kila kitu.It is true, that rich man has everything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rich” translations and entries tajiri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tajiri, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
