ya kipekee
The Swahili phrase for "unique" is ya kipekee.
The term kipekee can be used both to mean 'one of a kind' and to mean 'exceptional' or 'special' in a positive sense.
Meaning: one of a kind (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective kipekee is derived from the noun upekee, which means uniqueness.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because Swahili uses a noun class system, the particle preceding kipekee must match the noun's prefix. For example, if you are describing a masculine noun in class 1, such as mtu (person), use wa kipekee.
Did you know?
- The root of kipekee is the verb kupeka, which means 'to single out' or 'to separate'.
- While ya kipekee means 'unique', the root word pekee is also used as a standalone adverb to mean 'only'. For example, Mimi pekee means 'only me'.
- While ya kipekee means unique, the phrase mmoja tu literally means 'one only' and is frequently used in casual speech to describe a unique item.
Examples in context
- Mbinu yake ilikuwa ya kipekee na ya kushangaza mno.His technique was unique and absolutely amazing.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a technique using ya kipekee.Tatoeba #10820925 by ecorralest101, translation #285868 by CK
- Mzalendo huyu ni mwanamuziki wa kipekee.This patriot is a unique musician.
- Chuo hiki kina mfumo tofauti wa kufundisha.This college has a unique teaching system.
- Sifa yake ni ya kipekee sana.Her quality is very unique.
Example conversation
Juma and Neema are discussing a piece of art.
- JumaJe, unapenda mchoro huu?Do you like this painting?
- NeemaNdiyo, rangi yake ni ya kipekee.Yes, its color is unique.
- JumaNi kweli, ni kitu cha ajabu.True, it is a wonderful thing.
- NeemaSijawahi kuona kitu kama hiki.I have never seen anything like this.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
