When you're talking about "mkono" in Swahili, at a B1 level, it's good to know some common phrases. For example, if you say "Ninakupigia mkono," it means "I am waving to you." It's more than just a hand; it's also the arm. You might hear "Ana mkono mrefu," which literally means "He/she has a long hand/arm," but often implies someone has influence or power. Understanding these nuances helps you use "mkono" more naturally in conversations.
When you're discussing anatomy in Swahili, mkono is the word you need for 'hand' or 'arm.' It's a versatile term. You might use it to talk about shaking someone's hand (kupeana mikono) or to describe someone's strong arms (ana mikono yenye nguvu). Remember that in Swahili, singular nouns like mkono take the 'm-mi' noun class prefix, so the plural form is mikono. Pay attention to how the context helps you distinguish between 'hand' and 'arm.'
When talking about body parts, Swahili often uses the word 'mkono' to mean both 'hand' and 'arm'. You won't find a separate word just for 'hand' like in English. It's similar to how 'mguu' covers both 'leg' and 'foot'.
The specific meaning of 'mkono' usually becomes clear from the context of the sentence.
Wusstest du?
The root '-kono' is found in many Bantu languages with similar meanings for 'hand' or 'arm'.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing the 'o' at the end as a long 'o' instead of a short, almost 'uh' sound.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Nina mikono miwili.
I have two hands.
Anakula kwa mkono wa kulia.
He eats with his right hand.
Nawa mikono yako kabla ya kula.
Wash your hands before eating.
Alinipa mkono.
He shook my hand.
Inua mkono wako ukijua jibu.
Raise your hand if you know the answer.
Ana mkono mrefu.
He has a long arm.
Weka mikono yako chini.
Put your hands down.
Mkono wake unauma.
His arm hurts.
Alikuja na mikono wazi.
He came empty-handed (with open hands).
Tumia mikono miwili kubeba.
Use two hands to carry.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
"mikono mitupu"
empty-handed
Alirudi nyumbani mikono mitupu. (He returned home empty-handed.)
neutral"toa mkono"
to offer help, to give a hand
Naomba unitoe mkono na kazi hii. (Please give me a hand with this work.)
neutral"kata mkono"
to stop someone from doing something, literally 'cut the hand'
Nilimkata mkono asichukue pesa. (I stopped him from taking the money.)
neutral"kwa mkono wa kuume"
with the right hand (often implying support or favor)
Alifanya hivyo kwa mkono wa kuume. (He did it with the right hand/he supported it.)
neutral"kunawa mikono"
to wash hands (can imply disassociation or taking no responsibility)
Mimi ninanawa mikono na jambo hilo. (I wash my hands of that matter.)
neutral"kuweka mkono"
to put a hand on (can mean to get involved, to steal)
Usiweke mkono wako kwenye vitu vyangu. (Don't put your hand on my things/don't steal my things.)
neutral"mikono miwili"
both hands (often implies eagerness or willingness)
Alikubali kusaidia kwa mikono miwili. (He agreed to help with both hands/eagerly.)
neutral"mkono wa sheria"
the hand of the law
Mkono wa sheria ni mrefu. (The hand of the law is long.)
formal"tia mkono"
to sign, to put one's hand to something (in agreement)
Tia mkono hapa. (Sign here.)
neutral"mkono mgumu"
a hard hand (implying strictness, harshness)
Mwalimu ana mkono mgumu. (The teacher has a hard hand/is strict.)
neutralWortherkunft
Bantu
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: hand, arm
Niger-CongoKultureller Kontext
In Swahili culture, greetings often involve shaking hands, and the way one shakes hands can convey respect or familiarity. The phrase 'toa mkono' (give hand) is a common way to invite someone to shake hands. Additionally, 'mkono' can also refer to a 'branch' of a tree, showcasing the practical and observant nature of the language.
Teste dich selbst 18 Fragen
Write a short sentence saying 'My hand is small.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mkono wangu ni mdogo.
Translate 'She has two arms' into Swahili.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ana mikono miwili.
Write a sentence in Swahili saying 'This arm is strong.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mkono huu una nguvu.
How many big hands does Asha have?
Read this passage:
Jina langu ni Asha. Mimi nina mkono mmoja mkubwa na mkono mmoja mdogo. Ninafanya kazi na mikono yangu.
How many big hands does Asha have?
Asha says 'mkono mmoja mkubwa' which means 'one big hand'.
Asha says 'mkono mmoja mkubwa' which means 'one big hand'.
What is the child doing with their hand?
Read this passage:
Mtoto ana mkono safi. Anacheza na toy yake. Mkono wake una furaha.
What is the child doing with their hand?
The passage says 'Anacheza na toy yake', which means 'He/She is playing with his/her toy'.
The passage says 'Anacheza na toy yake', which means 'He/She is playing with his/her toy'.
What is the speaker asking for?
Read this passage:
Tafadhali nipa mkono wako. Ninahitaji msaada. Mikono yetu inaweza kufanya kazi pamoja.
What is the speaker asking for?
The speaker says 'Ninahitaji msaada', meaning 'I need help'.
The speaker says 'Ninahitaji msaada', meaning 'I need help'.
The correct order is 'Mkono wangu unauma' which means 'My arm hurts.' In Swahili, the possessive usually comes after the noun.
The correct order is 'Mkono wake ni mrefu' which means 'His/Her arm is long.' The possessive adjective 'yake' (his/her) follows the noun 'mkono'.
The correct order is 'Alimpa mkono kwa salamu' which means 'He/She shook hands with him/her (gave a hand for greeting).' 'Kumpa mkono' is a common phrase for shaking hands.
The speaker is greeting a friend.
The letter was received with a specific hand.
The child held their mother's hand tightly.
Read this aloud:
Unaweza kunyosha mkono wako ili kunisaidia?
Focus: mkono
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Mkono wa bandia ulimsaidia sana katika shughuli zake za kila siku.
Focus: bandia
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Read this aloud:
Wanafunzi waliinua mikono yao kujibu swali la mwalimu.
Focus: mikono
Du hast gesagt:
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/ 18 correct
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