Bedeutung
Stopping from speaking.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Silence is often preferred over unnecessary talk. There is a saying 'Maneno mengi hayajazi kibaba' (Many words don't fill a measure), emphasizing that action is better than talk. In Nairobi, 'Funga mdomo' is often replaced by 'Ziba' or 'Piga lock'. It's used aggressively in traffic or in 'matatus' (public buses). In schools, 'Funga mdomo' is a standard command from teachers. It is not considered rude from a teacher to a student, but the reverse is a major offense. During Ramadan, 'kufunga' (to close/fast) is a holy act. While 'kufunga mdomo' usually means silence, it can metaphorically refer to the fast of the tongue—avoiding gossip while fasting.
Watch your tone
If said loudly, it is an insult. If whispered, it is a request for a secret.
Use with 'wako'
Adding 'wako' (your) makes it more specific: 'Funga mdomo wako!'
Bedeutung
Stopping from speaking.
Watch your tone
If said loudly, it is an insult. If whispered, it is a request for a secret.
Use with 'wako'
Adding 'wako' (your) makes it more specific: 'Funga mdomo wako!'
Silence is Golden
In many East African cultures, knowing when to 'funga mdomo' is a sign of maturity.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the command.
Tafadhali, _______ mdomo wako!
'Funga' means close, which is the correct verb for this idiom.
Which sentence is the plural form of 'Funga mdomo'?
How do you tell a group of people to be quiet?
In the plural, the verb takes the '-eni' suffix and 'mdomo' becomes 'midomo'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are telling a friend to keep a secret about a party.
This specifically addresses the secret-keeping sense of the idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
Baba: 'Watoto, kelele ni nyingi!' Watoto: 'Samahani baba, tuta_______.'
The children are promising to be quiet in response to their father's complaint about noise.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Politeness Levels
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenTafadhali, _______ mdomo wako!
'Funga' means close, which is the correct verb for this idiom.
How do you tell a group of people to be quiet?
In the plural, the verb takes the '-eni' suffix and 'mdomo' becomes 'midomo'.
Situation: You are telling a friend to keep a secret about a party.
This specifically addresses the secret-keeping sense of the idiom.
Baba: 'Watoto, kelele ni nyingi!' Watoto: 'Samahani baba, tuta_______.'
The children are promising to be quiet in response to their father's complaint about noise.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenYes, it can be just as rude. Use it only with friends or people younger than you.
No, for fasting use 'Nimefunga'. 'Funga mdomo' only refers to speaking.
The plural is 'midomo'.
Say 'Tafadhali, nyamaza' or 'Naomba utulie'.
Yes, it is very commonly used in the context of secrets.
Yes, 'Piga lock' or 'Ziba' are common in Sheng.
No, it is too informal. Use 'Naomba tusikilizane' (Let's listen to each other).
It means 'mouth' or 'lip'.
That is the plural form used when speaking to more than one person.
Yes, but it is much more formal and poetic.
Yes, it works for pets too!
Yes, it often refers to suppressing the media or opposition.
Very often! Many Bongo Flava songs use it in the context of haters or gossip.
The opposite is 'Fungua mdomo' (Open your mouth/Speak up).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kunyamaza
synonymTo be quiet
Kupiga kimya
similarTo go silent
Kufumba kinywa
similarTo close the mouth
Kufungua mdomo
contrastTo open the mouth / To start speaking
Kanyaga mkia
specialized formTo step on the tail
