chai
class 9
chai is the Swahili word for tea.
The word chai refers to the drink made from the leaves of the tea plant.
Meaning: drink made from leaves of tea plant (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
chai belongs to the N-class (class 9/10). In common usage, the word does not change its form to indicate plurality. While some dialects may use the prefix ma- to form machai, this is rare when referring to the drink.
Did you know?
- In East Africa, chai can be used as a euphemism for a bribe. An official might ask for chai to speed up a bureaucratic process.
- The word chai actually traces its roots back to Persian, not to the indigenous Bantu languages of East Africa.
- The gesture of offering chai is a primary marker of hospitality in Swahili culture. Refusing it can sometimes be seen as a slight to the host's generosity.
Examples in context
- Nilipewa chaguo la chai au kahawa.I was offered the choice of tea or coffee.This sentence shows how to express being offered a choice between chai and coffee.Tatoeba #10815866 by ecorralest101, translation #240962 by jakov
- Chai haitoshi.There is not enough tea.This sentence illustrates how to state that there is not enough chai.Tatoeba #3385301 by ecorralest101, translation #3385275 by Jesse
- Napenda kunywa chai.I like to drink tea.This sentence demonstrates how to say you like to drink chai.Tatoeba #13483310 by ecorralest101, translation #9673407 by Adelpa
- Naomba kikombe cha chai, tafadhali.I would like a cup of tea, please.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omari and Zuwena are having breakfast at home.
- OmariJe, unataka chai leo?Do you want tea today?
- ZuwenaNdiyo, naomba chai ya maziwa.Yes, I would like milk tea.
- OmariHaya, mimi nitakutengenezea chai.Okay, I will make you tea.
- ZuwenaAsante sana, Omari.Thank you very much, Omari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tea” translations and entries chai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
