mzungu
/m̩ˈzu.ᵑɡu/
The Swahili phrase for white person is mzungu.
Mzungu is used to refer to a person with light skin, typically of European descent. You may also use more descriptive phrases such as Mwanaume mweupe to refer specifically to a white man or Mwanamke mweupe to refer to a white woman.
What does it mean word for word?
The word mzungu is derived from the verb kuzunguka, which means to wander or roam around, literally meaning a person who wanders or roams.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word follows the M-/Wa- noun class pattern for people. The singular form is mzungu and the plural form is wazungu, where the prefix changes from m- to wa-.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /m̩ˈzu.ᵑɡu/.
Did you know?
- In some East African contexts, mzungu can be used as a descriptor for anyone who possesses great wealth or high social status, even if they are not white.
- The word mzungu is an adaptation of a Proto-Bantu root *mʊ̀díʊ́ngʊ̀, showing that the linguistic seed for the term existed long before modern colonial encounters.
- The word mzungu is generally used as a neutral descriptor and does not carry the same negative connotations as some racial slurs in English.
Examples in context
- Watu wengi hapa ni wazungu.Many people here are white.
- Mwanaume mweupe anapenda kusafiri.The white man likes to travel.
- Mwanamke mweupe ni mwalimu.The white woman is a teacher.
- Mzungu huyu anaishi karibu nasi.This white person lives close to us.
- Mweupe huyu ni rafiki yangu.This white person is my friend.
- Mzungu anakuja hapa.A white person is coming here.
- Mzungu yule anasoma kitabu.That white person is reading a book.
Example conversation
Aisha and Omari are people-watching at a cafe.
- AishaJe, mzungu yule ni rafiki yako?Is that white person your friend?
- OmariHapana, yeye ni mgeni tu.No, he is just a visitor.
- AishaAnaonekana mzungu mwenye busara.He looks like a wise white person.
- OmariNdiyo, mzungu huyo ni mwalimu.Yes, that white person is a teacher.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mzungu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mzungu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
