Bedeutung
Being a cruel person.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Tanzania, sharing is a social requirement. 'Roho mbaya' is often used to shame those who have plenty but refuse to share with their community. In Nairobi, 'roho mbaya' is frequently used to describe 'gatekeepers' in the music or tech industry who don't want to see others succeed. There is a spiritual dimension here; 'roho mbaya' is sometimes linked to 'husuda' (evil envy) which can lead to bad luck for the victim. In Eastern DRC, where Swahili is spoken, 'roho mbaya' is a common theme in rumba lyrics, often describing a lover who has betrayed the singer.
Use it for 'Haters'
If someone is hating on your new shoes or your good grades, 'roho mbaya' is the perfect word to describe them.
It's a strong word
Calling someone 'mwenye roho mbaya' to their face is a major insult. Use it carefully!
Bedeutung
Being a cruel person.
Use it for 'Haters'
If someone is hating on your new shoes or your good grades, 'roho mbaya' is the perfect word to describe them.
It's a strong word
Calling someone 'mwenye roho mbaya' to their face is a major insult. Use it carefully!
The 'Sana' boost
Adding 'sana' (very) at the end makes it much more dramatic: 'Ana roho mbaya saaaaana!'
The opposite
To compliment someone, use 'Roho nzuri' (Good soul) or 'Roho safi' (Clean soul).
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Yule mtu hataki kusaidia maskini, ana roho ______.
The context of not helping the poor implies a 'bad soul' (roho mbaya).
Which of these is a common slang variation of 'roho mbaya'?
Musa ana roho ya ______.
'Roho ya korosho' is a popular way to say someone is mean or 'twisted'.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
Someone laughs when you drop your phone and it breaks.
Laughing at someone else's misfortune is a classic sign of 'roho mbaya'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Juma amekataa kunipa maji. B: Pole, Juma ______.
Refusing to give water (a basic need) is considered 'roho mbaya' in Swahili culture.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Roho Mbaya vs. Hasira
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenYule mtu hataki kusaidia maskini, ana roho ______.
The context of not helping the poor implies a 'bad soul' (roho mbaya).
Musa ana roho ya ______.
'Roho ya korosho' is a popular way to say someone is mean or 'twisted'.
Someone laughs when you drop your phone and it breaks.
Laughing at someone else's misfortune is a classic sign of 'roho mbaya'.
A: Juma amekataa kunipa maji. B: Pole, Juma ______.
Refusing to give water (a basic need) is considered 'roho mbaya' in Swahili culture.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenNo, it's not a swear word, but it is a very harsh character judgment.
Yes, if a dog bites people for no reason, you can say 'Mbwa huyu ana roho mbaya'.
The plural is also 'roho mbaya'. For example: 'Watu hawa wana roho mbaya'.
You say 'Ana roho mbaya kwangu'.
Not really, but you could say 'Hana ukarimu' (He lacks generosity) to be less direct.
It can, but usually it just means they are very unkind or selfish.
No, it's too informal and personal for a professional interview.
It's a slang version of 'roho mbaya'. Cashews are curved/twisted, like the person's character.
Yes, it is equally common in both countries.
Yes, if they are being very mean to other children, parents might use this to correct them.
The opposite is 'roho nzuri' or 'roho safi'.
Sometimes. In some contexts, a 'roho mbaya' is believed to be the source of 'macho mabaya' (evil eye).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mchoyo
similarA stingy/selfish person
Mkatili
similarA cruel/violent person
Roho safi
contrastA clean/kind soul
Roho ya dhahabu
contrastA heart of gold
Hasidi
specialized formAn envious person
