When you're just starting out in Swahili, 'mwaka' is a really useful word to know. It means 'year.' You'll hear it a lot when people are talking about ages, dates, or how long something has been happening. It's a foundational word for building your understanding of time in Swahili.
Because it's an A1 level word, focus on recognizing it and using it in simple sentences. Don't worry too much about complex grammar around it just yet. Just get comfortable with 'mwaka' meaning 'year.'
When talking about mwaka (year) in Swahili, you'll often hear it with numbers. For example, mwaka mmoja means one year, and miaka miwili means two years. Notice how mwaka changes to miaka for plural. You can also use it with time phrases like mwaka jana (last year) or mwaka huu (this year). It's a fundamental word for discussing periods of time.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Mwaka huu nimejifunza mambo mengi mapya kuhusu utamaduni wa Kiafrika.
This year I have learned many new things about African culture.
Mwaka ujao tutasafiri kwenda nchi tofauti barani Ulaya.
Next year we will travel to different countries in Europe.
Katika mwaka wa 2020, dunia ilikabiliwa na changamoto kubwa kutokana na janga la COVID-19.
In the year 2020, the world faced great challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mwaka jana nilimaliza masomo yangu ya chuo kikuu na kuanza kutafuta kazi.
Last year I finished my university studies and started looking for a job.
Kila mwaka, familia yetu huadhimisha sikukuu ya Krismasi kwa shangwe kubwa.
Every year, our family celebrates Christmas with great joy.
Mwaka wa fedha huisha mwezi Juni na mpya huanza Julai.
The fiscal year ends in June and a new one begins in July.
Ameishi nchini Marekani kwa miaka kumi na sasa anarudi nyumbani.
He has lived in the United States for ten years and is now returning home.
Plural of mwaka (year) is miaka (years).
Mwaka wa shule kwa watoto wadogo una michezo na nyimbo nyingi.
The school year for young children has many games and songs.
Grammatikmuster
Satzmuster
Mwaka huu ni mzuri.
This year is good.
Mwaka uliopita tulitembelea Nairobi.
Last year we visited Nairobi.
Mwaka ujao tutasafiri.
Next year we will travel.
Nina umri wa miaka thelathini.
I am thirty years old.
Ana miaka miwili.
He/She is two years old.
Ni mwaka gani?
What year is it?
Kila mwaka tunasherehekea Krismasi.
Every year we celebrate Christmas.
Mwaka mpya unaanza hivi karibuni.
The new year starts soon.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenThe word for 'year' in Swahili is mwaka.
Swahili nouns don't have grammatical gender like masculine or feminine. Instead, they belong to noun classes. Mwaka is in the M-MI noun class.
You can say:
- Mwaka huu. (This year.)
- Mwaka ujao. (Next year.)
- Mwaka jana. (Last year.)
The plural of mwaka is miaka. For example, miaka mingi (many years).
You'd use miaka (the plural form). For example, Ana miaka thelathini. (He/She is thirty years old.)
Yes, it can. You can say mwaka wa shule (school year) or mwaka wa masomo (academic year).
Yes. Mwaka means 'year'. Kizazi means 'generation'.
You say Mwaka Mpya Njema or sometimes just Mwaka Mpya.
Mwaka huu means 'this year'. 'Huu' is the demonstrative for nouns in the M-MI class.
Absolutely!
- Mwaka mzima (the whole year)
- Mwishoni mwa mwaka (at the end of the year)
- Kila mwaka (every year)
Teste dich selbst 24 Fragen
Write a short sentence saying 'Happy new year' in Swahili.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mwaka mpya heri.
Write a sentence using 'mwaka' to say 'This year is good'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mwaka huu ni mzuri.
Write a sentence asking 'Which year is it?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ni mwaka gani?
Mwezi gani mwaka mpya unaanza?
Read this passage:
Mwaka mpya unaanza mwezi Januari. Watu wengi huweka malengo mapya kila mwaka.
Mwezi gani mwaka mpya unaanza?
The passage states 'Mwaka mpya unaanza mwezi Januari.' (The new year starts in January).
The passage states 'Mwaka mpya unaanza mwezi Januari.' (The new year starts in January).
Mwandishi ameishi hapa kwa muda gani?
Read this passage:
Ninaishi hapa kwa miaka miwili. Mwaka uliopita nilisafiri sana.
Mwandishi ameishi hapa kwa muda gani?
The passage says 'Ninaishi hapa kwa miaka miwili.' (I have lived here for two years).
The passage says 'Ninaishi hapa kwa miaka miwili.' (I have lived here for two years).
Mwandishi anatumaini nini kwa mwaka ujao?
Read this passage:
Mwaka huu kuna sherehe kubwa. Natumai mwaka ujao utakuwa mzuri zaidi.
Mwandishi anatumaini nini kwa mwaka ujao?
The passage states 'Natumai mwaka ujao utakuwa mzuri zaidi.' (I hope next year will be better).
The passage states 'Natumai mwaka ujao utakuwa mzuri zaidi.' (I hope next year will be better).
This means 'Happy New Year' or 'May the new year go well.'
This means 'This is a good year.'
This means 'I live here for one year.'
This year I have a plan to travel a lot.
Last year we learned a lot about the history of our country.
Every year she visits her family in the village.
Read this aloud:
Mwaka ujao nitapanda miti mingi.
Focus: mwaka ujao
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Ni mwaka gani umezaliwa?
Focus: ni mwaka gani
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Mwaka mpya unaanza kwa furaha.
Focus: mwaka mpya
Du hast gesagt:
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Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about your plans for the coming year. Use 'mwaka' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mwaka huu nina mpango wa kusafiri kwenda Kilimanjaro. Pia, nataka kujifunza kupika vyakula vipya. Nitajitahidi sana kufikia malengo yangu mwaka huu.
Describe a significant event that happened last year in your life. Use 'mwaka uliopita' (last year).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mwaka uliopita nilihama nyumba na kuanza kazi mpya. Lilikuwa tukio muhimu sana kwangu kwa sababu nilijifunza mambo mengi mapya. Nakumbuka nilifurahia mabadiliko hayo.
Imagine you are talking to a friend about future events. Write three sentences using 'mwaka ujao' (next year) and describe what you hope to achieve.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mwaka ujao natumaini nitafaulu mitihani yangu yote. Pia, nataka kuanzisha biashara yangu ndogo. Malengo yangu ni makubwa, lakini nina uhakika nitayafikia.
Familia inafanya nini kila mwaka?
Read this passage:
Kila mwaka, familia yetu huenda likizo pwani. Mwaka huu, tunapanga kwenda Zanzibar. Watoto wanapenda sana kucheza baharini. Tunatumai mwaka huu utakuwa mzuri na wenye furaha.
Familia inafanya nini kila mwaka?
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema 'Kila mwaka, familia yetu huenda likizo pwani.'
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema 'Kila mwaka, familia yetu huenda likizo pwani.'
Nini kilichotokea kwa kampuni mwaka huu?
Read this passage:
Kampuni yetu imepata faida kubwa mwaka huu. Tumeweza kuajiri wafanyakazi wapya na kupanua shughuli zetu. Tunatumai mwaka ujao tutaendelea kukua na kufanikiwa zaidi.
Nini kilichotokea kwa kampuni mwaka huu?
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema 'Kampuni yetu imepata faida kubwa mwaka huu.'
Sentensi ya kwanza inasema 'Kampuni yetu imepata faida kubwa mwaka huu.'
Nini mpango wa mwandishi kwa mwaka huu kuhusiana na maua?
Read this passage:
Mimi hupanda maua bustanini kila mwaka. Mwaka uliopita, maua yangu yalikuwa mazuri sana. Mwaka huu, nimepanga kupanda aina mpya za maua. Ni jambo zuri sana kuona bustani ikiwa na maua yenye rangi tofauti.
Nini mpango wa mwandishi kwa mwaka huu kuhusiana na maua?
Sentensi ya tatu inasema 'Mwaka huu, nimepanga kupanda aina mpya za maua.'
Sentensi ya tatu inasema 'Mwaka huu, nimepanga kupanda aina mpya za maua.'
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