shule
/ˈʃu.lɛ/class ix
The Swahili word for school is shule.
shule refers to an institution dedicated to teaching and learning. It can also be used as a verb to mean to educate, teach or train.
Meaning: an institution dedicated to teaching and learning (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Ugandan Swahili, the term skuli is more prevalent in informal speech.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
shule belongs to noun class 9/10. This means the word does not change its form when moving from singular to plural. The plural is also shule.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈʃu.lɛ/.
Did you know?
- The root of shule can be traced back to the Ancient Greek word skholḗ, which originally meant 'leisure' or 'spare time'.
- Despite the similarity to the English 'school', shule is not borrowed from English but from German.
- The history of shule reflects the colonial influence of Germany in East Africa, specifically during the period of German East Africa.
Examples in context
- Je, natukikutana baada ya shule?How about we meet up after school?This sentence shows how to use shule when talking about meeting after school.Tatoeba #10893894 by ecorralest101, translation #7356858 by Hybrid
- Bwana Hunt ni mkuu wa shule yetu.Mr Hunt is principal of our school.This sentence uses shule to identify someone as a school principal.Tatoeba #10809192 by ecorralest101, translation #34941 by AlanF_US
- Ana umri wa kutosha kwenda shule.He's old enough to go to school.This sentence uses shule to describe being old enough to attend school.Tatoeba #10845141 by ecorralest101, translation #1891661 by CK
- Nimeenda shuleni.I went to school.
- Anaenda shule kila siku.He goes to school every day.
- Ninafurahia kwenda shuleni.I enjoy going to school.
- Skuli inaanza saa tatu asubuhi.School starts at 9 o'clock in the morning.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about where to meet.
- ZuwenaJe, unakwenda shule leo?Are you going to school today?
- SaidNdiyo, ninaenda shule asubuhi.Yes, I am going to school in the morning.
- ZuwenaShule yetu ni kubwa sana.Our school is very large.
- SaidNi kweli, mimi naipenda shule hii.It is true, I love this school.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “school” translations and entries shule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries shule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
