Signification
Jumping into water.
Contexte culturel
In Zanzibar, diving is a way of life. The 'Zanzibar Butterfly' is a famous local diving style where young men jump from the Forodhani Gardens sea wall with artistic flair. Traditional pearl diving (kupiga mbizi ya lulu) was a major economic activity before the advent of cultured pearls. It required immense lung capacity. In modern cities, 'kupiga mbizi' is the standard way to describe someone who has 'ghosted' a social group or a debt collector. Poets often use 'mbizi' to describe searching for truth or deep meaning in life, comparing the world to a vast ocean.
Master the 'Piga'
Learn 'piga' with other nouns like 'simu' (phone) and 'picha' (photo) to quickly expand your Swahili vocabulary.
Don't use for drowning
Never use 'kupiga mbizi' if someone is in trouble in the water. Use 'Anazama!' (He is sinking/drowning).
Signification
Jumping into water.
Master the 'Piga'
Learn 'piga' with other nouns like 'simu' (phone) and 'picha' (photo) to quickly expand your Swahili vocabulary.
Don't use for drowning
Never use 'kupiga mbizi' if someone is in trouble in the water. Use 'Anazama!' (He is sinking/drowning).
Zanzibar Slang
In Zanzibar, you might hear 'piga mchapuko' for a very fast dive.
Teste-toi
Jaza pengo kwa kutumia neno sahihi.
Juma anapenda ______ mbizi kwenye bwawa la kuogelea.
Katika Kiswahili, tunasema 'kupiga mbizi', si 'kufanya mbizi'.
Chagua maana ya sentensi hii: 'Mbona umepiga mbizi?'
Mbona umepiga mbizi?
Hii ni maana ya sitiari (figurative) ya kupiga mbizi.
Kamilisha mazungumzo haya.
A: Rafiki yako yuko wapi? B: Sijui, tangu jana ______.
Tunatumia 'amepiga mbizi' kusema mtu hapatikani.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Diving vs. Sinking
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesJuma anapenda ______ mbizi kwenye bwawa la kuogelea.
Katika Kiswahili, tunasema 'kupiga mbizi', si 'kufanya mbizi'.
Mbona umepiga mbizi?
Hii ni maana ya sitiari (figurative) ya kupiga mbizi.
A: Rafiki yako yuko wapi? B: Sijui, tangu jana ______.
Tunatumia 'amepiga mbizi' kusema mtu hapatikani.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but usually 'kupiga mbizi' refers to the initial jump. For the act of being underwater with tanks, 'kupiga mbizi na mitungi' is used.
No, 'mbizi' is a noun. 'Kupiga' is the verb. You cannot say 'Ninambizi'.
You say 'Mimi ni mpiga mbizi'.
It's informal and slightly teasing. Between friends, it's fine. To a boss, it's rude.
Literally, 'kuibuka' (to emerge/surface). Figuratively, 'kupatikana' (to be available).
Yes, especially dolphins (poboo) and whales (nyangumi).
No, 'kuruka' is to jump. 'Kupiga mbizi' is specifically jumping into water headfirst.
Yes, 'kupiga mbizi kwenye vitabu' is a common metaphorical use for studying hard.
The verb changes (wanapiga), but 'mbizi' stays the same.
'Mbizi' is the act; 'mzamaji' is the person (diver).
Expressions liées
Kuzama
similarTo sink or drown
Kujitosa
builds onTo throw oneself in
Kuogelea
similarTo swim
Kupiga mbizi ya nyuma
specialized formBackflip dive
Kupotea
synonymTo get lost
