vizuri sana
vizuri sana is the Swahili way to say well done.
vizuri sana serves two purposes: it can be used as an exclamation of praise to say well done, or it can function as an adverb meaning very well within a sentence.
Meaning: exclamation of praise (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of vizuri, which means well or good and sana, which means very or much.
Which one should you use?
While vizuri sana specifically means very well, you may encounter the colloquial alternative safi sana, which is commonly used to mean excellent or great job.
How does it change in a sentence?
The component vizuri is an adverb used to describe how an action is performed or to express that something is good.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'well done' for both cooking and praise, using vizuri sana for a medium-rare steak would be quite confusing to a Swahili speaker.
- If you want to praise someone's work in a trendy or street-smart way, you might swap vizuri sana for safi sana, which literally translates to 'very clean'.
- The word sana is a linguistic traveler, having been borrowed from Arabic rather than being of indigenous Bantu origin.
Examples in context
- Hongera sana kwa ushindi wako katika mashindano ya kucheza!Congratulations on your victory in the dance competition!
- Umefanya kazi vizuri sana.You have done the work very well.
- Vizuri sana, endelea hivi!Very well done, keep it up!
Example conversation
Aisha is praising Bakari for his presentation at work.
- AishaBakari, uliwasilisha vizuri sana.Bakari, you presented very well.
- BakariAsante sana, Aisha.Thank you very much, Aisha.
- AishaVizuri sana, kila mtu alifurahia.Very well done, everyone enjoyed it.
- BakariNimefurahi kusikia hivyo.I am happy to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
