usafiri
The English word "transport" translates to Swahili as usafiri.
usafiri is used to refer to the act of transporting, travel or movement.
Meaning: act of transporting (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the verb safiri, which means to travel.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Kenya, usafiri is the commonly used word to refer to transport.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun usafiri belongs to the 'u-' noun class, which is typically used for abstract concepts or inanimate objects. In common usage, this word does not have a plural form.
Did you know?
- The term safari originally referred to any journey, not just a wildlife expedition in the wild.
- The root of usafiri is an Arabic loanword, sāfara, which means 'to travel'.
- The concept of usafiri is deeply tied to the history of trade caravans that linked the coast to the interior of Africa.
Examples in context
- Nataka kujua kuhusu usafirishaji wa ummaI want to know about public transport
- Wananunua meli mpya kwa ajili ya kusafirisha mizigoThey are buying a new ship for transporting cargo
- Nimechoka na usafiri wa mabasiI am tired of bus transport
- Ninahitaji njia ya usafirishaji kwenda jijini.I need a mode of transport to go to the city.
- Usafiri wa umma ni mzuri katika miji mikubwa.Public transport is good in big cities.
- Usafiri wa treni ni wa haraka.Train transport is fast.
- Tunahitaji usafiri wa maji hapa.We need water transport here.
- Gharama ya usafiri imepanda.The cost of transport has risen.
Example conversation
Zuwena and Omari are discussing how to get to a meeting.
- ZuwenaOmari, tutatumia usafiri gani leo?Omari, what transport will we use today?
- OmariTunaweza kutumia basi.We can use the bus.
- ZuwenaUsafiri wa basi ni rahisi sana.Bus transport is very easy.
- OmariNdiyo, twende sasa.Yes, let's go now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry usafiri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries usafiri, CC BY-SA 4.0.
