tatu
/ˈtɑ.tu/
The Swahili word for the cardinal number three is tatu.
tatu is used to represent the number three, whether as a cardinal number or to refer to the digit/figure 3.
Meaning: cardinal number 3 (num)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈtɑ.tu/.
Did you know?
- In Swahili, the phrase tatu tatu is used to describe something that happens in intervals of three or in groups of three.
- The word tatu descends from the Proto-Bantu root *-tátʊ̀, meaning it shares a common ancestor with number words in hundreds of other languages across Central and Southern Africa.
- The number tatu belongs to a class of Swahili words that do not change their form based on the noun class of the object being counted.
Examples in context
- Miezi tatu baadaye, tulikuwa tumeoana.Three months later, we were married.This sentence shows how to use tatu when referring to a period of time.Tatoeba #10896633 by ecorralest101, translation #7812844 by CK
- Kasri liko maili tatu kaskazini mwa mji.The castle stands three miles north of the town.This sentence illustrates the use of tatu with a measurement of distance.Tatoeba #10811432 by ecorralest101, translation #46217 by CM
- Dan alianguka chini na akavunja mbavu tatu.Dan fell to the ground and broke three ribs.This sentence demonstrates using tatu to count body parts.Tatoeba #10868684 by ecorralest101, translation #3930824 by Amastan
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Omari are buying fruit at a market.
- AishaNataka maembe tatu, tafadhali.I want three mangoes, please.
- OmariSawa, Aisha. Je, unataka kitu kingine?Okay, Aisha. Do you want anything else?
- AishaNahitaji ndizi tatu pia.I need three bananas too.
- OmariHapa viko vyote, Omari ameshakukutumia.Here they all are, Omari has already sent them to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “three” translations and entries tatu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tatu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
