Signification
Experiencing cold temperature.
Contexte culturel
In Dar es Salaam, 'baridi' is often used to describe the relief of a breeze after a hot day, but also as a warning during the rainy season. In places like Limuru or Eldoret, 'pata baridi' is a serious daily reality. People wear 'shukas' or heavy sweaters almost year-round. Serving cold food (unless it's fruit or juice) is often seen as a sign of poor hospitality. 'Pata baridi' is a common reason to send food back to the kitchen. Many East Africans believe that 'pata baridi' (getting cold) directly causes stomach aches or malaria (though scientifically incorrect, the linguistic association remains).
The 'Sikia' Alternative
If you forget 'pata', use 'sikia' (to hear/feel). It's equally understood and very natural.
Don't use 'Ni'
Never say 'Mimi ni baridi'. It's the most common beginner mistake and sounds very strange to native speakers.
Signification
Experiencing cold temperature.
The 'Sikia' Alternative
If you forget 'pata', use 'sikia' (to hear/feel). It's equally understood and very natural.
Don't use 'Ni'
Never say 'Mimi ni baridi'. It's the most common beginner mistake and sounds very strange to native speakers.
Politeness
If you are a guest and you 'pata baridi', it's polite to ask for a 'shuka' (blanket) rather than complaining about the cold directly.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct subject prefix for 'I am getting cold'.
____napata baridi.
'Ni-' is the subject prefix for 'I' in Swahili.
How do you say 'The tea is getting cold'?
Chagua jibu sahihi:
Chai is in the I-class, so the prefix is 'i-'.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Situation: You are outside and it starts to rain.
You are expressing your own feeling of cold due to the rain.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Je, unapata baridi? B: Ndiyo, ____.
The speaker must respond in the first person (Ni-).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices____napata baridi.
'Ni-' is the subject prefix for 'I' in Swahili.
Chagua jibu sahihi:
Chai is in the I-class, so the prefix is 'i-'.
Situation: You are outside and it starts to rain.
You are expressing your own feeling of cold due to the rain.
A: Je, unapata baridi? B: Ndiyo, ____.
The speaker must respond in the first person (Ni-).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, you can say 'Kinywaji kimepata baridi' to mean the drink has become cold.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
'Pata' implies getting/receiving the cold, while 'sikia' implies feeling it. They are 90% interchangeable.
Use the intensifier 'sana': 'Ninapata baridi sana.'
No, it just means you feel the temperature. If you are sick, say 'Nina mafua'.
Expressions liées
Sikia baridi
similarTo feel cold
Baridi kali
specialized formExtreme cold
Pata joto
contrastTo get warm
Mafua
similarA cold (illness)
Kiyoyozi
builds onAir conditioner
