Significado
To drink alcohol excessively.
Contexto cultural
In Dar es Salaam, 'kupiga maji' is often associated with 'Bongo Flava' music culture. It's a sign of 'ujanja' (street-smartness) to know these idioms. Due to strong Islamic influences, drinking is more discreet. You might hear 'kupiga maji' used as a genuine code word to avoid using the word 'pombe' (alcohol) in public. In Nairobi, you might hear 'kupiga maji' mixed with English or other local languages. It’s part of the 'sherehe' (party) lifestyle that is very popular on social media. In villages, people might use more traditional terms like 'kunywa kienyeji' (drinking local brew), but 'kupiga maji' is recognized as the 'cool' city way to say it.
Context is King
Only use this with people you would actually go to a bar with. It's a 'peer-to-peer' phrase.
Religious Sensitivity
Be very careful using this in strictly religious areas like Stone Town, Zanzibar. It can be seen as disrespectful.
Significado
To drink alcohol excessively.
Context is King
Only use this with people you would actually go to a bar with. It's a 'peer-to-peer' phrase.
Religious Sensitivity
Be very careful using this in strictly religious areas like Stone Town, Zanzibar. It can be seen as disrespectful.
The 'Sana' Rule
Adding 'sana' (a lot) or 'kweli' (truly) after the phrase makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'piga' in the past tense.
Jana usiku, vijana walikuwa klabuni na wali____ maji sana.
The sentence refers to 'jana usiku' (last night), so the past tense 'walipiga' (they hit/drank) is required.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct context for 'kupiga maji':
The idiom 'kupiga maji' refers to social drinking at a bar, not washing clothes or quenching thirst.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
Situation: You are at a loud birthday party and see everyone with beers.
In a party context with alcohol, 'kupiga maji' is the most natural idiomatic description.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Mbona Juma hawezi kuamka leo?' B: 'Kwani hujui? Jana...'
The reason someone can't wake up (likely a hangover) is best explained by 'alipiga maji sana' (he drank heavily).
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosJana usiku, vijana walikuwa klabuni na wali____ maji sana.
The sentence refers to 'jana usiku' (last night), so the past tense 'walipiga' (they hit/drank) is required.
Choose the correct context for 'kupiga maji':
The idiom 'kupiga maji' refers to social drinking at a bar, not washing clothes or quenching thirst.
Situation: You are at a loud birthday party and see everyone with beers.
In a party context with alcohol, 'kupiga maji' is the most natural idiomatic description.
A: 'Mbona Juma hawezi kuamka leo?' B: 'Kwani hujui? Jana...'
The reason someone can't wake up (likely a hangover) is best explained by 'alipiga maji sana' (he drank heavily).
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
6 perguntasYes, in an idiomatic sense. If you mean drinking actual water, you must use 'kunywa maji'.
Yes, it covers all types of alcoholic beverages.
No, it's not a swear word, but it is very informal. It's like saying 'boozing' in English.
You can say 'Nimepiga maji' (I have drunk/I am drunk).
Yes, it is widely understood and used in both countries, as well as Uganda and DRC.
The formal way is 'Kunywa pombe' or 'Kulewa'.
Frases relacionadas
Kupiga mtindi
synonymTo drink alcohol (literally 'to hit buttermilk').
Kulewa chakari
builds onTo be completely drunk.
Kunywa maji
contrastTo drink water.
Kupiga picha
similarTo take a photo.
Kuzama mtungini
specialized formTo go on a drinking binge.
