nguvu
The Swahili word for strength is nguvu.
nguvu is a broad term used to describe various types of strength. It can refer to physical strength, mechanical force, electrical power and energy, as well as metaphorical concepts like strength of character or willpower.
Meaning: quality of being strong (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
nguvu is an invariant noun, which means it does not change its form to indicate whether it is singular or plural. If you want to express the idea of 'much strength' or 'a lot of power', you use the adjective nyingi after the noun, forming the phrase nguvu nyingi.
Did you know?
- While nguvu describes power, the phrase kuwa na nguvu can also mean 'to be healthy' or 'to have recovered' from an illness.
- While 'nguvu' can mean physical power, in certain coastal contexts, it is also used to describe the 'strength' or intensity of a scent or a smell.
- The word nguvu is inherited from Proto-Bantu, the ancient ancestor language spoken by thousands of ethnic groups across Central and Southern Africa.
Examples in context
- Waya hii ina nguvu kubwa.This cable has a tremendous strength.This example shows how to describe the strength of a cable using nguvu.Tatoeba #10866416 by ecorralest101, translation #3877523 by Amastan
- Ishara inasimamia nguvu na uadilifu.This symbol stands for strength and integrity.This sentence demonstrates using nguvu to represent a concept alongside integrity.Tatoeba #10813624 by ecorralest101, translation #61012 by CM
- Tunakosa mabawa, lakini bado tuna nguvu ya kutosha kuanguka.We lack wings, but we still have enough strength to fall.This example illustrates using nguvu to describe having sufficient capacity or power.Tatoeba #10853603 by ecorralest101, translation #2838081 by ramen
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Said and Aisha are talking about a workout at the gym.
- SaidAisha, una nguvu nyingi leo!Aisha, you have a lot of strength today!
- AishaAsante, Said. Nimekuwa nikifanya mazoezi.Thanks, Said. I have been exercising.
- SaidNguvu yako inashangaza kweli.Your strength is truly amazing.
- AishaNashukuru kwa maneno yako.I appreciate your words.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “strength” translations and entries nguvu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nguvu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
