Signification
Reporting illness.
Contexte culturel
In Tanzania, reporting illness is often met with 'Pole sana' (Very sorry). It's common to visit sick friends in the hospital or at home, bringing fruits like oranges (machungwa). In urban Kenya, 'Ninaumwa' might be mixed with English in Sheng. A person might say 'Ninaumwa, niko down,' combining the traditional verb with English slang. Zanzibari culture is very polite. When saying 'Ninaumwa,' one might use more indirect language first, like 'Sijambo, lakini kidogo...' (I am fine, but a little...). In the diaspora, 'Ninaumwa' remains a key phrase for maintaining community ties. WhatsApp groups often use it to request prayers or support for community members.
Body Parts
Learn 5 body parts (kichwa, tumbo, mgongo, meno, koo) to use with this phrase immediately.
The 'W' is Key
Don't forget the 'w'. 'Ninauma' means you are biting something!
Signification
Reporting illness.
Body Parts
Learn 5 body parts (kichwa, tumbo, mgongo, meno, koo) to use with this phrase immediately.
The 'W' is Key
Don't forget the 'w'. 'Ninauma' means you are biting something!
The 'Pole' Rule
Always say 'Pole' when someone tells you they are 'umwa'. It's the most important social rule in East Africa.
Past Tense
To say 'I was sick,' use 'Nilikuwa ninaumwa'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing prefix to say 'I am sick'.
___naumwa leo.
'Ni-' is the subject prefix for 'I' in Swahili.
How do you say 'I have a headache'?
Select the correct sentence:
The body part follows the verb directly without prepositions.
Match the Swahili phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
Matching subject prefixes and body parts/symptoms.
Complete the dialogue at the doctor's office.
Daktari: Unajisikiaje leo? Mgonjwa: ___________.
The patient should describe their symptom (I have a chest pain).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Sickness vs Injury
Banque d exercices
4 exercices___naumwa leo.
'Ni-' is the subject prefix for 'I' in Swahili.
Select the correct sentence:
The body part follows the verb directly without prepositions.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching subject prefixes and body parts/symptoms.
Daktari: Unajisikiaje leo? Mgonjwa: ___________.
The patient should describe their symptom (I have a chest pain).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is the standard and perfectly polite way to describe symptoms to a professional.
Yes, you can say 'Ninaumwa akili' (I am mentally unwell), though it's often used for serious conditions.
'Ninaumwa' is general and common; 'Naugua' is formal and often implies a long-term disease.
Use 'Ninaumwa mafua'.
No, the 'Ni-' in 'Ninaumwa' already means 'I'. Adding 'Mimi' is for emphasis only.
Yes, 'Mbwa wangu anaumwa' means 'My dog is sick'.
Say 'Ninaendelea vizuri' or 'Nimepata nafuu'.
Metaphorically, yes: 'Ninaumwa moyo' (My heart hurts/is sick).
You can add 'kidogo' (a little): 'Ninaumwa kichwa kidogo'.
Grammatically yes, but no one thinks of biting when they hear it; they just think of sickness.
Expressions liées
Nimeumia
similarI am injured
Naugua
specialized formI am suffering from a disease
Sijisikii vizuri
synonymI don't feel well
Nina maumivu
builds onI have pains
Pole
contrastSorry / My sympathies
