shujaa
The Swahili word for warrior is shujaa.
shujaa refers to a person actively engaged in battle, conflict or warfare. Beyond the literal sense of a warrior, it is also commonly used to mean a hero or a brave person in general contexts.
Meaning: person actively engaged in battle, conflict or warfare (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of shujaa is mashujaa.
Did you know?
- The word shujaa is borrowed from the Arabic word šujāʕ, meaning brave or courageous.
- While shujaa refers to a warrior or hero, the word shujaa is also used in modern Swahili to describe a 'champion' in sports or competitions.
- While shujaa is the general term, Swahili has specific words for different types of fighters, such as askari for a professional soldier.
Examples in context
- Shujaa amekufia wewe, binti yangu mrembo.The warrior has died for you, my sweet princess.Tatoeba #10838221 by ecorralest101, translation #1252052 by satsu
- Shujaa anayeleta ushindiA warrior who brings victory
- Mtu mwenye moyo wa shujaaA person with a warrior's heart
- Ujasiri wake kama shujaa uliwavutia wengiHis courage as a warrior impressed many
- Alijulikana kama mgambo hodariHe was known as a mighty warrior
- Wajua kuwa yeye ni mgambo mwenye uzoefu mkubwaYou know he is an experienced warrior
- Shujaa huyo alipigana kwa ujasiri.That warrior fought with bravery.
- Wanatafuta shujaa wa kumlinda mfalme.They are looking for a warrior to protect the king.
Example conversation
A village elder is telling a young man about his ancestors.
- NeemaBakari, babu yako alikuwa shujaa mkubwa.Bakari, your grandfather was a great warrior.
- BakariJe, alishinda vita vingi?Did he win many battles?
- NeemaNdiyo, alikuwa shujaa asiyekuwa na uoga.Yes, he was a warrior who had no fear.
- BakariNitafuata nyayo za shujaa huyo.I will follow the footsteps of that warrior.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry shujaa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries shujaa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
