vizuri sana
The Swahili phrase for "very good" is vizuri sana.
vizuri sana is used to describe something of high quality or a task that has been performed in a satisfactory manner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of vizuri, meaning "well" or "good" and sana, meaning "very".
Which one should you use?
While vizuri sana describes how an action is performed, you should use nzuri when you want to describe a person or an object, such as a good house.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In coastal regions like Zanzibar or Mombasa, the phrase Poa kabisa is used to mean "totally cool".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word vizuri is an adverb used to describe how an action is performed, whereas nzuri is the adjective used to describe a noun.
Did you know?
- The distinction between vizuri and nzuri is based on the Bantu noun class system, where the word for 'good' must change its prefix to match the object being described.
- Depending on the tone, vizuri sana can be used sarcastically to mean 'oh, great' when something has actually gone wrong.
- The word sana is actually a linguistic traveler from Arabic, having entered Swahili through centuries of trade along the Indian Ocean coast.
Examples in context
- Nzuri sana. Asante.Very good. Thank you.
- Umefanya vizuri sana!You have done very well!
- Yeye anafanya vizuri sana.He performs very well.
Example conversation
Neema is showing Said a drawing she made.
- NeemaSaid, tazama picha yangu.Said, look at my picture.
- SaidImechorwa vizuri sana, Neema.It is drawn very well, Neema.
- NeemaAsante, nimefanya kazi kwa bidii.Thank you, I worked hard.
- SaidNi kazi nzuri kweli.It is truly a good piece of work.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
