Signification
Being drunk (slangy idiom).
Contexte culturel
In Dar es Salaam, 'kuvaa miwani' is often part of a broader set of 'Bongo' slang. It's used to show you are part of the city's fast-paced life. In Nairobi, this phrase is frequently mixed with English. You might hear 'Amevaa miwani glasses,' which is redundant but common in Sheng. In more conservative areas like Lamu or Zanzibar, this slang is less common and might be seen as 'kihuni' (thuggish/rude). Standard Swahili is preferred. Song lyrics use this to bypass censorship. Radio stations might ban songs that explicitly promote 'ulevi' (drunkenness), but 'miwani' often slips through.
Use the '-me-' tense
Always use 'amevaa' to describe someone who is currently drunk. 'Anavaa' sounds like they are in the process of putting on glasses.
Know your audience
This is street talk. Using it with your Swahili father-in-law might result in a very long, stern lecture.
Signification
Being drunk (slangy idiom).
Use the '-me-' tense
Always use 'amevaa' to describe someone who is currently drunk. 'Anavaa' sounds like they are in the process of putting on glasses.
Know your audience
This is street talk. Using it with your Swahili father-in-law might result in a very long, stern lecture.
Add 'mikali'
To sound like a local, add 'mikali' (sharp/strong) to emphasize how drunk the person is.
Sheng vs. Swahili
In Tanzania, this is seen as 'Swahili slang', while in Kenya, it's considered 'Sheng'. Both will understand you perfectly.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'kuvaa' for the current state.
Juma amekunywa bia nyingi, sasa hivi ________ miwani.
We use the '-me-' tense to describe the current state of being drunk.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'kuvaa miwani'?
Where can you say 'Mwalimu amevaa miwani' to mean he is drunk?
This is slang and should only be used in informal settings.
Match the Swahili phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Understanding the variations is key to B1 mastery.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural slang.
A: 'Mbona unatembea vibaya?' B: 'Samahani, jana usiku ________.'
The speaker is explaining their hangover/staggering by saying they got drunk last night.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Kuvaa Miwani'
Safe
- • Parties
- • Friends
- • Bars
Unsafe
- • Office
- • Church
- • With Parents
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJuma amekunywa bia nyingi, sasa hivi ________ miwani.
We use the '-me-' tense to describe the current state of being drunk.
Where can you say 'Mwalimu amevaa miwani' to mean he is drunk?
This is slang and should only be used in informal settings.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Understanding the variations is key to B1 mastery.
A: 'Mbona unatembea vibaya?' B: 'Samahani, jana usiku ________.'
The speaker is explaining their hangover/staggering by saying they got drunk last night.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
6 questionsIt can! If you are at an optician, it's literal. If you are at a bar, it's 99% likely to be the idiom.
It's cheeky and informal, but not necessarily a 'bad word'. However, it's disrespectful to use about elders.
Usually, it's specific to alcohol. For drugs, other terms like 'kupagawa' or 'kushika' are more common.
Miwani is already plural. You don't need to change it if multiple people are drunk: 'Wamevaa miwani'.
No, idioms for drunkenness are almost always informal. The formal way is just to say 'amelewa'.
Yes, occasionally it's used to describe that 'heavy-eyed' look of exhaustion, but people might still think you've been drinking!
Expressions liées
Kupiga mtungi
synonymTo drink heavily
Kuwa maji
similarTo be 'water' (very drunk)
Kuwaka
similarTo be 'lit' or 'burning'
Kutoa lock
builds onTo have a 'morning after' drink
