theluji
class 10, class 9
Snow in Swahili is theluji.
theluji refers to the crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation, as well as the accumulation of these flakes on the ground.
Meaning: partly frozen, crystalline state of water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation in flakes, falling of such flakes, accumulation of them as a white layer (noun)
Which one should you use?
While theluji is the standard term for snow, the word barafu generally refers to ice, though it is sometimes used metaphorically to describe snow in informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
theluji belongs to noun classes 9 and 10.
Did you know?
- The word theluji is actually a plural form borrowed from Arabic, representing the plural of the word for 'snow'.
- Since most Swahili speakers live in tropical climates where it never snows, theluji is often used in literature to symbolize purity or an alien, otherworldly environment.
- The Arabic origin of theluji connects the Swahili language to a vast historical network of maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.
Examples in context
- Theluji inaweza kutokea leo jioni.It might snow this evening.This sentence shows how to express the possibility of snow occurring in the evening using theluji.Tatoeba #10831493 by ecorralest101, translation #662696 by bluepie88
- Mashamba yalifunikwa na theluji nzito.The fields lay covered with deep snow.This sentence describes fields being covered by heavy snow using theluji.Tatoeba #10825293 by ecorralest101, translation #324110 by Dreamk33
- Kisiwa hufunikwa na barafu na theluji wakati wa baridi.The island is covered with ice and snow during the winter.This sentence illustrates how an island might be covered by both ice and snow using theluji.Tatoeba #10811325 by ecorralest101, translation #44734 by CK
- Rafiki yangu aliona barafu leo asubuhi.My friend saw snow this morning.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juma and Aisha are looking at photos from a trip to a cold country.
- JumaTazama, kuna theluji nyingi hapa!Look, there is a lot of snow here!
- AishaNi nzuri sana, sijawahi kuona theluji.It is very beautiful, I have never seen snow.
- JumaIlikuwa ya baridi sana wakati huo.It was very cold at that time.
- AishaNingependa kugusa theluji siku moja.I would like to touch snow one day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snow” translations and entries theluji, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries theluji, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
