A1 Expression محايد

Funga mlango

Close the door

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A fundamental Swahili command used to ask someone to close a door or entrance for privacy, safety, or temperature control.

  • Means: 'Close the door'—the most common way to request an entrance be shut.
  • Used in: Homes, offices, public transport (matatus), and shops daily.
  • Don't confuse: 'Funga' (close) with 'Fungua' (open)—they sound very similar to beginners!
🚪 (Door) + 🔒 (Action) = 🏠 (Privacy/Security)

Explanation at your level:

In A1, 'Funga mlango' is a simple command. 'Funga' means close, and 'mlango' means door. You use it to tell someone to shut the door. It is very useful at home or in a car. Remember to say 'Tafadhali' to be polite.
At the A2 level, you learn to change the verb for more people. Use 'Fungeni mlango' for a group. You also learn the opposite, 'Fungua mlango' (open the door). You can start using simple reasons like 'Funga mlango kwa sababu kuna baridi' (Close the door because it is cold).
Intermediate learners use the subjunctive 'ufunge' for polite requests. You might say, 'Ningependa ufunge mlango' (I would like you to close the door). You also recognize the M-/Mi- noun class, knowing that 'milango' is the plural for doors. You start to see 'funga' in other contexts like 'funga safari' (start a journey).
Upper-intermediate students understand the nuances between 'funga' (close/lock) and 'shindika' (shut but not lock). You can use the phrase in business contexts, such as 'kufunga mlango wa biashara' (closing the business for the day or permanently). You are comfortable with object infixes like 'aufunge' (that he/she closes it).
Advanced learners explore the metaphorical and idiomatic extensions of 'funga'. You analyze how 'funga' acts as a root for 'kifungo' (imprisonment) or 'mfungo' (fasting). You can discuss the cultural significance of the 'Zanzibar Door' and use 'funga mlango' in political or social commentary regarding borders or exclusion.
At mastery, you appreciate the Proto-Bantu etymology of *-funga* and its cognitive mapping from 'binding' to 'closing'. You can navigate the most formal registers of the Swahili Academy (BAKITA) and understand archaic poetic uses where 'funga mlango' might represent the end of a life or an era, utilizing the full range of Swahili's agglutinative morphology.

المعنى

Asking to shut the entrance.

🌍

خلفية ثقافية

Zanzibar is famous for its intricate doors. Closing a door here is often seen as a way to protect the 'Heshima' (honor) of the household. Leaving a door open is a sign of 'Karibu' (welcome). Closing it during the day might prompt neighbors to ask if everyone is okay. In the fast-paced city, 'Funga mlango' is often said quickly in public transport where safety from snatch-and-grab theft is a concern. In rural areas, closing the door at night is essential to keep out wild animals or livestock.

💡

Politeness counts

Always add 'Tafadhali' at the end to sound like a local who has 'adabu' (manners).

⚠️

The 'NG' sound

Make sure to pronounce the 'g' in 'funga'. It's a hard 'g' sound.

المعنى

Asking to shut the entrance.

💡

Politeness counts

Always add 'Tafadhali' at the end to sound like a local who has 'adabu' (manners).

⚠️

The 'NG' sound

Make sure to pronounce the 'g' in 'funga'. It's a hard 'g' sound.

🎯

Plurality

If you are in a room with many people, use 'Fungeni' to include everyone in the command.

اختبر نفسك

Fill in the missing word to complete the command.

Tafadhali ______ mlango.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: funga

'Funga' is the correct verb for closing.

How do you tell a group of people to close the door?

Addressing many people:

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: Fungeni mlango

The suffix '-eni' is used for plural imperatives.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Kuna baridi sana hapa ndani. B: Samahani, nita____ mlango sasa hivi.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: funga

If it is cold (baridi), you should close (funga) the door.

Match the phrase to the level of politeness.

1. Funga mlango! 2. Naomba ufunge mlango.

✓ صحيح! ✗ ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة: 1-Informal, 2-Formal

'Naomba' adds a layer of formal request.

🎉 النتيجة: /4

وسائل تعلم بصرية

Types of Entrances

🏠

Home

  • • Mlango
  • • Dirisha
🛣️

Street

  • • Lango (Gate)
  • • Duka (Shop)

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

By itself, it can be. Adding 'Tafadhali' makes it perfectly polite.

'Funga' means to close or lock. 'Shindika' means to push it shut but not necessarily latch it.

Yes! 'Funga dirisha' is the correct way to say close the window.

You say 'Mlango umefungwa'.

You can still use 'Funga mlango', but 'Piga kufuli' (hit the lock) is more specific.

Yes, 'mlango wa gari' is the standard term.

They are telling the person near the door to slide it shut so the vehicle can move safely.

Yes, 'kufunga' is the verb for religious fasting, especially during Ramadan.

Use the prepositional form: 'Nifungie mlango'.

The plural is 'milango'.

عبارات ذات صلة

🔗

Fungua mlango

contrast

Open the door

🔗

Funga safari

builds on

To start a journey

🔗

Funga ndoa

specialized form

To get married

🔗

Funga mdomo

similar

Shut your mouth

🔗

Shindika mlango

similar

Shut the door partially

أين تستخدمها

🏠

Leaving the house

Baba: Juma, funga mlango vizuri!

Juma: Sawa Baba, nimefunga.

neutral
🚕

In a taxi/Uber

Dereva: Tafadhali funga mlango kwa nguvu.

Abiria: Haya, samahani.

neutral
💼

At the office

Bosi: Naomba ufunge mlango, tuna kikao.

Katibu: Bila shaka, nitafanya hivyo.

formal
🚐

Public Transport (Matatu)

Utingo: Oya! Funga mlango hiyo!

Abiria: Tayari kiongozi.

informal
⛈️

During a storm

Mke: Mvua inakuja, funga milango yote!

Mume: Nimeshafunga ya jikoni pia.

neutral
🏪

Closing a shop

Mteja: Habari, bado mko wazi?

Muuzaji: Samahani, tunafunga mlango sasa hivi.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of your 'Finger'—don't get your finger caught when you FUNGA the door!

Visual Association

Imagine a heavy, beautifully carved wooden Zanzibar door being tied shut with a thick rope. The rope represents the 'binding' nature of the word 'funga'.

Rhyme

Funga mlango, epuka kishindo (Close the door, avoid the bang).

Story

You are in a house in Lamu. A strong wind starts blowing from the ocean. Your friend yells 'Funga!' because the 'Mlango' is banging. You grab the handle and 'funga' it tight to stay warm.

Word Web

Fungua (Open)Mlango (Door)Kufuli (Lock)Ufunguo (Key)Baridi (Cold)Usalama (Security)Nyumbani (At home)

تحدٍّ

Every time you leave a room today, say 'Ninafunga mlango' (I am closing the door) out loud.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Cierra la puerta

Swahili verbs change significantly for plural imperatives (Fungeni).

French high

Ferme la porte

French requires the article 'la', whereas Swahili 'mlango' contains its own class identity.

German moderate

Schließ die Tür

Swahili doesn't use separable verbs; the action is contained in the single word 'Funga'.

Japanese low

ドアを閉めて (Doa o shimete)

The Swahili imperative is much more direct than the Japanese '-te' form request.

Arabic moderate

أغلق الباب (Aghliq al-bab)

Arabic uses a root-based system (G-L-Q) for 'close', while Swahili uses Bantu agglutination.

Chinese high

关门 (Guānmén)

Chinese uses tones to distinguish meaning, which Swahili does not have.

Korean moderate

문 닫아 (Mun dada)

Korean has complex honorific levels that change the verb ending much more than Swahili.

Portuguese high

Feche a porta

The pronunciation of 'Funga' is much more phonetic and consistent than Portuguese vowels.

Easily Confused

Funga mlango مقابل Fungua mlango

The words 'Funga' and 'Fungua' differ by only one syllable but mean opposite things.

Remember: 'Fungua' is longer, like the action of opening up.

Funga mlango مقابل Funga mdomo

Learners might think 'funga' always refers to doors.

Mdomo is mouth. Use it only when someone is talking too much!

الأسئلة الشائعة (10)

By itself, it can be. Adding 'Tafadhali' makes it perfectly polite.

'Funga' means to close or lock. 'Shindika' means to push it shut but not necessarily latch it.

Yes! 'Funga dirisha' is the correct way to say close the window.

You say 'Mlango umefungwa'.

You can still use 'Funga mlango', but 'Piga kufuli' (hit the lock) is more specific.

Yes, 'mlango wa gari' is the standard term.

They are telling the person near the door to slide it shut so the vehicle can move safely.

Yes, 'kufunga' is the verb for religious fasting, especially during Ramadan.

Use the prepositional form: 'Nifungie mlango'.

The plural is 'milango'.

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