How to Say "Something" in Swahili

kitu

/ˈki.tu/

Something in Swahili is kitu.

kitu is used to refer to an unspecified object.

Meaning: unspecified object (pron)

How does it change in a sentence?

The plural form of kitu is vitu (things). If you wish to refer to a certain thing or something specific, you can use the phrase kitu fulani.

The pronunciation of kitu is /ˈki.tu/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

In certain contexts, calling a person a kitu is highly offensive because it strips them of their humanity by referring to them as a 'thing'.
While 'something' in English is quite vague, using kitu fulani in Swahili can sometimes add a layer of suspicion or mystery to a conversation.
The word kitu is derived from the Proto-Bantu root *kɪ̀ntʊ̀, meaning it shares a deep ancestral link with words for 'thing' in hundreds of other languages across Central and Southern Africa.

Njoo, wacha tule kitu!
C'mon, let's eat something!
This sentence shows how to use kitu when suggesting eating something.
Tatoeba #10872469 by ecorralest101, translation #4597976 by Ricardo14
Nataka kitu cha kuandikia.
I want something with which to write.
This sentence uses kitu to express a desire for a writing implement.
Tatoeba #10804800 by ecorralest101, translation #25084 by CM
Hicho sio kitu najua kufanya.
That isn't something I know how to do.
This sentence demonstrates using kitu to refer to a task or an object of knowledge.
Tatoeba #10889606 by ecorralest101, translation #6849367 by CK
16 more sentences on Tatoeba

Said and Fatuma are looking for an item in the kitchen.

Sources

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