المعنى
Switching off a light.
خلفية ثقافية
In Tanzania, 'Luku' is the pre-paid electricity system. People are very diligent about 'kuzima taa' because every minute of light costs money directly from their balance. In urban Kenya, 'Zima stima' is a very common alternative to 'Zima taa', reflecting the use of the Sheng/English word for electricity. In the narrow streets of Stone Town, 'zima taa' might still refer to kerosene lamps in some traditional settings or during the frequent power cuts. In areas without electricity, 'zima taa' almost always refers to a 'koroboi' (small kerosene lamp) or a candle, and it is a signal that the day's work is truly over.
Politeness counts
Always add 'tafadhali' when asking someone to 'zima taa' to sound more natural and respectful.
Avoid 'Funga'
Never use 'funga' for lights. It's the most common beginner mistake and sounds very odd to native speakers.
المعنى
Switching off a light.
Politeness counts
Always add 'tafadhali' when asking someone to 'zima taa' to sound more natural and respectful.
Avoid 'Funga'
Never use 'funga' for lights. It's the most common beginner mistake and sounds very odd to native speakers.
The 'Stima' alternative
In Kenya, using 'Zima stima' will make you sound much more like a local in casual settings.
Energy Awareness
Being the one who remembers to 'zima taa' is seen as a sign of a well-raised and responsible person in many Swahili households.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct verb to tell someone to turn off the light.
Tafadhali _______ taa.
'Zima' is the correct verb for turning off lights. 'Funga' means close, 'washa' means turn on, and 'fungua' means open.
Which sentence means 'I turned off the lights'?
Choose the correct past tense sentence:
'Nili-' is the past tense prefix. 'Nina-' is present, 'Nita-' is future, and 'Nime-' is perfect.
Match the Swahili phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these common light-related phrases.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Je, umezima taa? B: Hapana, bado _________.
The negative perfect 'sijazima' (I haven't turned off) correctly answers the question 'Umezima?' (Have you turned off?).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are leaving a room and want to be responsible. What do you do?
Turning off the light is the standard responsible action when leaving a room.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Things you can 'Zima'
Devices
- • Taa (Light)
- • Simu (Phone)
- • Kompyuta (Computer)
- • Redio (Radio)
Heat/Fire
- • Moto (Fire)
- • Mshumaa (Candle)
- • Jiko (Stove)
Zima vs. Washa
بنك التمارين
5 تمارينTafadhali _______ taa.
'Zima' is the correct verb for turning off lights. 'Funga' means close, 'washa' means turn on, and 'fungua' means open.
Choose the correct past tense sentence:
'Nili-' is the past tense prefix. 'Nina-' is present, 'Nita-' is future, and 'Nime-' is perfect.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
These are the standard translations for these common light-related phrases.
A: Je, umezima taa? B: Hapana, bado _________.
The negative perfect 'sijazima' (I haven't turned off) correctly answers the question 'Umezima?' (Have you turned off?).
You are leaving a room and want to be responsible. What do you do?
Turning off the light is the standard responsible action when leaving a room.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
الأسئلة الشائعة
14 أسئلةYes, 'zima simu' is the standard way to say 'turn off the phone'.
It is both! 'Zima taa' can mean 'turn off the light' or 'turn off the lights'.
The opposite is 'washa taa' (turn on the light).
Yes, as an adjective with a prefix (e.g., 'mzima'), it means healthy or whole. As a verb, it means extinguish.
No, 'zima moto' is specifically for putting out a fire.
You say 'Taa imezimika' or 'Taa imezimwa'.
On its own, it's a direct command. Use 'tafadhali' to be polite.
Use 'punguza mwanga' (reduce the light).
'Stima' is slang for electricity (from 'steam' engines). It's very common in Kenya.
Yes, 'zima kompyuta' is correct.
'Taa' is the lamp/bulb; 'mwangaza' is the light/glow it produces.
Use the plural imperative: 'Zimeni taa!'
It means 'to be extinguished' or 'to go out' (stative form).
The verb 'zimia' means to faint, which is related to the idea of 'going out'.
عبارات ذات صلة
Washa taa
contrastTurn on the light
Zima stima
similarTurn off the electricity
Punguza mwanga
specialized formDim the lights
Zima moto
builds onExtinguish a fire
Taa imezimika
similarThe light has gone out
Giza totoro
builds onPitch darkness
