Significado
Cleaning the floor with water and soap.
Contexto cultural
In many Tanzanian homes, 'kupiga deki' is traditionally done using a piece of old clothing (kitambaa) and bending over, rather than using a long-handled mop. This is seen as a more thorough way to clean. In urban Kenyan settings, 'kupiga deki' is a standard part of the 'Saturday morning cleaning' ritual, often accompanied by loud music and opening all the windows. Due to the humid coastal climate, 'kupiga deki' is essential to keep tiled floors cool and free from salt air residue. It is often done twice a day. The maritime influence is strongest here. Elders might still tell stories of how their ancestors 'alipiga deki' on dhows (traditional boats).
The 'Piga' Power
Mastering 'piga' is a shortcut to Swahili fluency. It's used for mopping, calling, ironing, and even playing music!
Don't just 'wash'
Avoid saying 'kuosha sakafu'. While understandable, it sounds like you're washing the floor like a car, which is weird.
Significado
Cleaning the floor with water and soap.
The 'Piga' Power
Mastering 'piga' is a shortcut to Swahili fluency. It's used for mopping, calling, ironing, and even playing music!
Don't just 'wash'
Avoid saying 'kuosha sakafu'. While understandable, it sounds like you're washing the floor like a car, which is weird.
Hospitality Hint
If you want to impress a Swahili host, offer to 'piga deki'. It's a sign of great respect and helpfulness.
Shorten it
Use 'kudeki' when talking to friends to sound more like a local from Dar es Salaam.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase for mopping.
Mama anataka ______ deki sebuleni.
'Kupiga' is the correct verb to pair with 'deki'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am mopping'?
Choose the best option:
'Ninapiga deki' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Match the action to the correct Swahili phrase.
Action: Cleaning the floor with a wet cloth and soap.
Kufagia is sweeping, and Kupiga simu is making a phone call.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Sakafu ni chafu sana! B: Sawa, nitachukua maji na ______.
If the floor is dirty and you have water, you will mop (piga deki).
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Household Chores with 'Kupiga'
Cleaning
- • Kupiga deki (Mopping)
- • Kupiga msasa (Polishing)
Clothes
- • Kupiga pasi (Ironing)
- • Kupiga mswaki (Brushing teeth)
Communication
- • Kupiga simu (Calling)
- • Kupiga chapa (Printing)
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMama anataka ______ deki sebuleni.
'Kupiga' is the correct verb to pair with 'deki'.
Choose the best option:
'Ninapiga deki' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Action: Cleaning the floor with a wet cloth and soap.
Kufagia is sweeping, and Kupiga simu is making a phone call.
A: Sakafu ni chafu sana! B: Sawa, nitachukua maji na ______.
If the floor is dirty and you have water, you will mop (piga deki).
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, for carpets you would use 'kufuta' or 'kusafisha zulia'. 'Deki' implies a hard surface like tiles, wood, or cement.
Literally yes, but in idioms like this, it just means 'to perform an action'.
It depends on the tone. As an instruction, it's neutral. As a command to a peer, it might be bossy.
A mop is often called 'dekio' or simply 'mop'. A cloth is 'kitambaa'.
You say 'Nimeshamaliza kupiga deki'.
Usually, no. You'd just say 'kusafisha ndani ya gari'.
It's informal/colloquial, very common in urban areas but not used in formal writing.
Swahili uses 'piga' for actions that involve force or tools. 'Fanya' (to do) is too general here.
Yes, especially in modern urban households and professional cleaning services.
Yes, 'ya nguvu' implies a deep clean or heavy scrubbing.
Frases relacionadas
Kufagia
similarTo sweep
Kupiga msasa
builds onTo sand or polish
Kusafisha
synonymTo clean (general)
Kupiga simu
similarTo make a phone call
Kupiga pasi
similarTo iron clothes
