Signification
The act of fishing in water bodies.
Contexte culturel
In Zanzibar, fishing is often done using 'Ngalawa' (outrigger canoes). The catch is sold at the Forodhani Gardens or local markets immediately after the boats arrive. Fishing for Nile Perch (Mbuta) and Tilapia (Sato) is a massive industry. It has its own songs and traditions related to the lake's spirits. Fish is the primary protein. 'Samaki wa kupaka' is a famous dish where the fish is grilled and covered in a spicy coconut sauce. Many Swahili proverbs use fishing as a metaphor for patience and skill.
The Undressing Trap
Always say 'samaki'. If you just say 'Ninavua', people will look at you strangely because you just said 'I am undressing'.
Animate Agreement
Remember that fish are 'alive' in Swahili grammar. Use 'wengi' (many) and 'mkubwa' (big) with 'A-WA' class agreements.
Signification
The act of fishing in water bodies.
The Undressing Trap
Always say 'samaki'. If you just say 'Ninavua', people will look at you strangely because you just said 'I am undressing'.
Animate Agreement
Remember that fish are 'alive' in Swahili grammar. Use 'wengi' (many) and 'mkubwa' (big) with 'A-WA' class agreements.
Market Etiquette
When asking if a fish is fresh, ask 'Alivuliwa leo?' (Was it caught today?) rather than just 'Ni mbichi?' (Is it raw?).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'vua'.
Jana, mimi ______ samaki watatu mtoni.
'Jana' means yesterday, so we need the past tense prefix '-li-'.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural Swahili sentence:
Option 1 means 'undressing', option 3 uses 'hunt' (wrong for fish), and option 4 means 'reading fish'.
Match the Swahili word to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the core forms of the 'vua' word family.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Je, unataka ______ samaki leo? B: Hapana, nimechoka.
After 'unataka' (you want), we use the infinitive 'kuvua'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Fishing Tools
Tools
- • Mshipi (Line)
- • Nyavu (Net)
- • Ngalawa (Boat)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJana, mimi ______ samaki watatu mtoni.
'Jana' means yesterday, so we need the past tense prefix '-li-'.
Select the natural Swahili sentence:
Option 1 means 'undressing', option 3 uses 'hunt' (wrong for fish), and option 4 means 'reading fish'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the core forms of the 'vua' word family.
A: Je, unataka ______ samaki leo? B: Hapana, nimechoka.
After 'unataka' (you want), we use the infinitive 'kuvua'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'vua' is used for most sea creatures like 'vua kamba' (fish for prawns/lobsters).
It is both! 'Samaki mmoja' (one fish) and 'Samaki kumi' (ten fish).
'Vua' is the act of fishing; 'kamata' is the act of catching/grabbing.
No, for fruit use 'chuma'.
It is more of a livelihood, but sport fishing is growing in tourist areas like Watamu and Zanzibar.
You can say 'mshipi' (line) or 'fito ya kuvulia'.
Yes, as mentioned, it means 'to undress' or 'to take off' (like shoes).
The passive is 'vuliwa' (to be caught/fished).
Yes, it comes from the Arabic 'samak'.
Ninaenda kuvua samaki.
Expressions liées
Mvuvi
similarFisherman
Uvuvi
builds onFishing / Fishery
Kukamata samaki
synonymTo catch fish
Mshipi
specialized formFishing line
Nyavu
specialized formFishing net
