nyeupe
The Swahili word for white is nyeupe.
nyeupe is used to refer to the color white. If you wish to refer to the color white specifically as a noun phrase, use rangi nyeupe. Additionally, the suffix -eupe can be used as an adjective meaning bright and colourless.
Meaning: color (noun)
Which one should you use?
While nyeupe is the standard form for the color, the form mweupe is used specifically when describing a person or an animal in the M/WA (class 1/2) noun class.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, nyeupe must agree with the noun it modifies according to Swahili noun class agreement. For living beings like people or animals in the M/WA class, use the specific form mweupe.
Did you know?
- In some coastal Swahili dialects, the term mweupe can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is naive or 'blank' in experience.
- The word rangi used in rangi nyeupe comes from the word for 'dye' or 'paint'. Literally, 'white color' is phrased as 'white dye'.
- The root -eupe does not just mean 'white' but is often used to describe anything 'bright' or 'clear'. In some contexts, it can describe a light that is dazzling rather than a specific pigment.
Examples in context
- Maafisa wa jeshi la wanamaji huvalia sare nyeupe.Officers of the navy wear white uniforms.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe white uniforms in a military context using nyeupe.Tatoeba #10833092 by ecorralest101, translation #681553 by Source_VOA
- Bendera ya Brazil ina rangi nne: kijani, manjano, bluu na nyeupe.The flag of Brazil has four colors: green, yellow, blue and white.This sentence shows how to list white as one of several colors in a description using nyeupe.Tatoeba #10886556 by ecorralest101, translation #6360717 by RudeGuyGames
- Alifunga zawadi hiyo kwenye karatasi nyeupe na kuweka upinde mkubwa nyekundu juu.She wrapped the gift in white tissue paper and put a big red bow on top.This sentence demonstrates the use of nyeupe when describing the color of paper.Tatoeba #10831369 by ecorralest101, translation #628069 by darinmex
- Ankara yake ina rangi ya kuvutia nyeupe.Her dress has an attractive white color.
- Farasi wangu ana manyoya nyeupe kama theluji.My horse has white fur like snow.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aisha and Said are discussing paint colors for a room.
- AishaJe, unapenda rangi nyeupe hapa?Do you like white color here?
- SaidHapana, nadhani ni mwangaza sana.No, I think it is too bright.
- AishaBasi tutumie rangi nyingine badala ya nyeupe.Then let's use another color instead of white.
- SaidNdiyo, rangi ya bluu itapendeza zaidi.Yes, the color blue will look better.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
