Significado
Settling a bill or cost.
Contexto cultural
The phrase 'Lipa na M-Pesa' is ubiquitous. Kenya is a global leader in mobile money, and you can pay for everything from a newspaper to a car using your phone. In Tanzanian markets, 'lipa pesa' is often preceded by a friendly negotiation. It's common to ask 'Punguza bei' (reduce the price) before agreeing to pay. There is a strong emphasis on politeness. Using 'Tafadhali' (Please) when saying you want to pay is highly appreciated. Young people in cities like Nairobi might use 'chapaa' or 'ganji' instead of 'pesa', but 'lipa' remains the standard verb.
Keep it Simple
At a shop, you can just say 'Lipa?' with a rising intonation to ask if you should pay now.
No 'for'
Never say 'Lipa kwa pesa'. It sounds like you are paying using money as a tool to pay for something else.
Significado
Settling a bill or cost.
Keep it Simple
At a shop, you can just say 'Lipa?' with a rising intonation to ask if you should pay now.
No 'for'
Never say 'Lipa kwa pesa'. It sounds like you are paying using money as a tool to pay for something else.
M-Pesa is King
If you are in Kenya, always check if you can 'Lipa na M-Pesa' before reaching for your wallet.
The Passive Voice
Use 'Nitalipwa' (I will be paid) when talking about your salary to sound more like a native speaker.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
Mimi nataka ____ pesa sasa.
'Lipa' is the verb for 'pay'. The sentence means 'I want to pay money now'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I paid the money yesterday'?
'Nililipa' is the past tense (li), and 'jana' means yesterday.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a shopkeeper.
Muuzaji: Bei ni shilingi mia tano. Mteja: Sawa, ____.
The customer is agreeing to the price and stating they will pay.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are at a restaurant and want the bill.
This is the polite and standard way to request to pay in a restaurant.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Lipa vs. Lipia
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosMimi nataka ____ pesa sasa.
'Lipa' is the verb for 'pay'. The sentence means 'I want to pay money now'.
How do you say 'I paid the money yesterday'?
'Nililipa' is the past tense (li), and 'jana' means yesterday.
Muuzaji: Bei ni shilingi mia tano. Mteja: Sawa, ____.
The customer is agreeing to the price and stating they will pay.
Situation: You are at a restaurant and want the bill.
This is the polite and standard way to request to pay in a restaurant.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is neutral. To make it more polite, add 'Tafadhali' (Please) at the beginning or 'Naomba' (I pray/request).
Yes, but you must use the object marker. 'Nilimlipa' means 'I paid him/her'.
'Pesa' is more common in daily life. 'Fedha' is more formal and often used in banking or government contexts.
You say 'Sina pesa za kulipa'.
No. For 'pay attention', Swahili uses 'sikiliza kwa makini' or 'tega sikio'.
Technically yes, but the specific word for a bribe is 'rushwa'. People might say 'toa kitu kidogo' (give a little something) instead.
Say 'Nilipe wapi?' or 'Ninalipa wapi?'.
It means 'Pay a debt'.
It is both. 'Pesa moja' (one cent/money) or 'Pesa nyingi' (much money).
Yes, that means 'Pay by card'.
Frases relacionadas
Toa pesa
similarTo give money / withdraw money
Badili pesa
similarTo change money (currency exchange)
Weka pesa
similarTo deposit money
Dai pesa
contrastTo demand money / claim a debt
Pata pesa
builds onTo get/earn money
