kifalme
In Swahili, royal is translated as kifalme.
The term kifalme is used as an adjective to describe things that are royal or pertaining to royalty.
Meaning: of or relating to a monarch or his family (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed using the prefix ki-, which is used for class 11/14 to denote the quality or nature of something, turning the noun mfalme (king) into the adjective kifalme.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In coastal regions such as Mombasa and Zanzibar, the term kiungwana can be used to refer to someone embodying grace, nobility and high social standing. In mainland Tanzania, the term mtukufu is sometimes used to convey the meaning of royal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective kifalme is invariant, meaning it does not change its form to agree with the noun it modifies regarding noun class or number.
Did you know?
- The word kifalme is derived from the noun mfalme, which shares a common root with the Arabic word for king, 'malik'.
- In coastal Swahili culture, 'nobility' is often linked to being 'civilized' or 'refined', a concept captured by the word kiungwana.
- In mainland Tanzania, the formal way to approach the idea of royalty is through the title mtukufu, which emphasizes glory rather than just lineage.
Examples in context
- Kasri la kifalme lilijengwa juu ya kilima.The royal palace was built on a hill.This sentence shows how to describe a royal palace.Tatoeba #10807129 by ecorralest101, translation #25649 by CK
- Kurasa mbili za gazeti zilitengewa habari ya talaka ya kifalme.Two whole pages of the newspaper were devoted to the news of the royal divorce.This sentence illustrates the use of the term in a news context regarding a royal divorce.Tatoeba #10818543 by ecorralest101, translation #269375 by CM
- Tuma farasi wa kifalme na barua hii iliyotiwa muhuri kutoka kwa mfalme.Dispatch a royal rider with this sealed letter from the king.This sentence shows the term used to describe a royal rider.Tatoeba #10891834 by ecorralest101, translation #7030922 by Eccles17
- Kiongozi wetu wa kifalme anazingatiwa kama shujaa wa taifa.Our royal leader is regarded as a national hero.
Example conversation
Zuwena and Juma are discussing a historical documentary they watched.
- ZuwenaJe, ulijaribu kutazama filamu ya kifalme jana?Did you try to watch the royal film yesterday?
- JumaNdiyo, ilikuwa ya kuvutia sana.Yes, it was very interesting.
- ZuwenaJuma, mimi nilipenda sana mavazi ya kifalme.Juma, I really loved the royal clothing.
- JumaKweli, yalikuwa na rangi nzuri sana.True, they had very beautiful colors.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
