kichokonoo
The English word "toothpick" is kichokonoo in Swahili. Wiktionary also lists kimbaka.
Meaning: stick for removing food residue from the area between the teeth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swahili |
|---|
| kichokonoo |
| kimbaka |
A toothpick is a small stick used for removing food residue from the area between the teeth.
Did you know?
- The word kichokonoo can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is constantly 'poking' or annoying others with small, persistent comments.
- In many Swahili-speaking cultures, using a toothpick in public can be seen as slightly impolite or even uncouth if not done subtly.
- In a traditional context, before modern toothpicks, people used small twigs from the Neem tree to achieve the same result.
Examples in context
- Nipe kijiti cha meno, tafadhali!Give me a toothpick, please!
Example conversation
Neema and Said are finishing a meal at a restaurant.
- NeemaSaid, unaweza kunipatia kichokonoo?Said, can you give me a toothpick?
- SaidNdiyo, niko nayo hapa.Yes, I have one here.
- NeemaAsante sana, rafiki yangu.Thank you very much, my friend.
- SaidKaribu sana, Neema.You're very welcome, Neema.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toothpick” translations and entries kichokonoo, kimbaka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
