Significado
Shouting or being loud.
Contexto cultural
In Tanzanian schools, 'Kimya!' (Silence!) is often followed by 'Usipige kelele!'. It is a core part of classroom discipline. In the 'Gengetone' music scene in Nairobi, 'Piga kelele' is a standard call-and-response to energize the youth at events. In traditional Swahili weddings (harusi), women 'piga vigelegele' (ululate), which is a specific, joyful type of 'kelele'. Matatus (minibuses) are known for 'kupiga kelele' through loud music and touts shouting for passengers. It's the 'sound of the city'.
The 'Piga' Secret
Remember that 'piga' is the Swiss Army knife of Swahili verbs. If an action involves force or starting something, 'piga' is likely involved.
Tone Matters
Saying 'Acha kupiga kelele!' sharply can be very rude. Use a softer tone or add 'tafadhali' (please) to be polite.
Significado
Shouting or being loud.
The 'Piga' Secret
Remember that 'piga' is the Swiss Army knife of Swahili verbs. If an action involves force or starting something, 'piga' is likely involved.
Tone Matters
Saying 'Acha kupiga kelele!' sharply can be very rude. Use a softer tone or add 'tafadhali' (please) to be polite.
Concert Etiquette
If you are at a Kenyan or Tanzanian concert and the artist shouts 'Piga kelele!', don't just stand there—shout! It's the expected response.
Ululation
If you hear a high-pitched 'le-le-le-le' sound at a wedding, that's 'vigelegele', a specific cultural form of 'piga kelele'.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase for 'making noise'.
Watoto wengi ______ kelele uwanjani.
In Swahili, the correct collocation is 'piga kelele'. 'Wanafanya' is a common mistake based on English.
Fill in the missing word to tell someone not to make noise.
Usipige ______, ninasoma.
'Kelele' is the specific word for noise/disturbance in this context.
Complete the dialogue between a teacher and students.
Mwalimu: 'Wanafunzi, mbona mnapiga kelele?' Wanafunzi: 'Samahani mwalimu, ______.'
The students are apologizing and promising not to make noise again ('tena').
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would a singer say 'Pigeni kelele!'?
In a concert setting, 'Pigeni kelele!' means 'Make some noise!' to show excitement.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Kelele vs. Sauti
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosWatoto wengi ______ kelele uwanjani.
In Swahili, the correct collocation is 'piga kelele'. 'Wanafanya' is a common mistake based on English.
Usipige ______, ninasoma.
'Kelele' is the specific word for noise/disturbance in this context.
Mwalimu: 'Wanafunzi, mbona mnapiga kelele?' Wanafunzi: 'Samahani mwalimu, ______.'
The students are apologizing and promising not to make noise again ('tena').
When would a singer say 'Pigeni kelele!'?
In a concert setting, 'Pigeni kelele!' means 'Make some noise!' to show excitement.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo! While it often means 'disturbing noise', at concerts or sports events, it means 'cheer' or 'make some noise' in a positive way.
It's grammatically understandable but sounds very 'foreign'. Stick to 'piga kelele' to sound like a native speaker.
The plural is 'makelele'. You can say 'piga makelele' to emphasize a lot of different noises happening at once.
Use the applicative form: 'Nipigie kelele' (Shout for/at me) or 'Ananipigia kelele' (He is shouting at me).
Yes, you can say 'Tafadhali, naomba utulivu' (Please, I ask for calmness/quiet).
Yes, in a political or social context, it means to raise your voice against something.
Literally yes, but idiomatically it's used for taking photos, making calls, ironing clothes, and more.
'Kelele' is noise/disturbance. 'Sauti' is voice/sound/volume. You want 'sauti' for music, but you complain about 'kelele'.
Yes, 'Gari linapiga kelele' means the car is making a loud, perhaps broken, noise.
No, it is standard Swahili, though it is used frequently in informal settings.
Frases relacionadas
Piga yowe
similarTo scream for help
Piga vigelegele
specialized formTo ululate
Acha fujo
similarStop the chaos/commotion
Nyamaza
contrastBe quiet / Shut up
Sema kwa sauti
builds onSpeak loudly
