mwembamba
The Swahili word for slim is mwembamba.
The adjective mwembamba is used to describe someone who is slender or thin. It can be used to describe both males and females.
Meaning: slender (adj)
Which one should you use?
If you want to describe someone as being extremely slim, you can use the informal phrase mwembamba kupindukia.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form mwembamba uses the singular noun class prefix mw-. To refer to the concept of slenderness or thinness itself, you use the noun form wembamba.
Did you know?
- The word kupindukia in the phrase mwembamba kupindukia shares a root with the verb 'to overturn'. To be 'extremely slim' is linguistically framed as having 'overturned' the normal limit of thinness.
- If you want to describe a slim person as being 'too thin' in a way that suggests they are sickly, you might use the word mnyonge instead. While mwembamba is purely descriptive, mnyonge carries a heavy connotation of being weak or powerless.
- In certain Swahili-speaking coastal regions, describing someone as mwembamba can be a subtle way to compliment their elegance. In these cultures, a slender frame is often associated with grace and sophistication.
Examples in context
- Kuna nafasi ndogo ya kubaki mwembamba, isipokuwa umeshikamana na kujinyima vyakula vingine.There's little chance of keeping slim, unless you stick to a diet.This sentence shows how to use mwembamba when talking about maintaining a slim figure.Tatoeba #10811124 by ecorralest101, translation #41234 by CM
- Yule mwanamke ni mwembamba.That woman is slim.
- Mwanaume huyo ni mwembamba sana.That man is very slim.
- Wote wanahisi yeye ni mwembamba.Everyone feels that she is slim.
- Huyo demu ni mwembamba kupindukia!That girl is extremely slim!
- Huyu jamaa ni njiti sana.This guy is very slim.
- Mtoto huyu ni mwembamba sana.This child is very slim.
- Yeye ni mwanamume mwembamba.He is a slim man.
Example conversation
Neema and Omari are discussing a new neighbor.
- NeemaJe, umemuona yule jirani mpya?Have you seen that new neighbor?
- OmariNdiyo, yeye ni mwembamba sana.Yes, he is very slim.
- NeemaNi mrefu pia, sivyo?He is also tall, right?
- OmariKweli, ana mwonekano mzuri.True, he has a good look.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
