Understanding 'bei' is fundamental for conducting everyday purchases and discussions about cost in Swahili.
bei 30秒了解
- Use 'bei' to ask or state the cost of items.
- Essential for shopping and transactions in Swahili.
- Often paired with question words like 'ngapi' (how much).
§ What 'Bei' Means
- DEFINITION
- The Swahili word 'bei' (noun) means 'price' in English. It's a fundamental word you'll use constantly in daily interactions, especially when shopping or discussing costs.
Think of 'bei' as the equivalent of 'price tag' or 'cost' in English. When you're in a market, a shop, or even just talking about how much something costs, 'bei' is the word you'll need.
§ When to Use 'Bei'
You'll use 'bei' in various situations. Most commonly, it comes up when you want to know how much something costs, when you're discussing the cost of goods or services, or when you're comparing prices.
- Asking for a Price: This is probably the most frequent use.
- Discussing Costs: When talking about the cost of anything, from food to transport.
- Bargaining: In many Swahili-speaking regions, bargaining is common, and 'bei' is central to this interaction.
- Comparing Value: When you want to say something is cheap or expensive.
Let's look at some practical examples to show you how 'bei' works in sentences.
Je, bei ya chungwa ni ngapi?
Here, 'Je, bei ya chungwa ni ngapi?' translates to 'What is the price of an orange?' (ngapi = how much).
Mwalimu, bei ya kitabu hiki ni shilingi elfu kumi.
This means 'Teacher, the price of this book is ten thousand shillings.' (kitabu = book, shilingi elfu kumi = ten thousand shillings).
Bei ya kahawa ni ghali leo.
Translates to 'The price of coffee is expensive today.' (kahawa = coffee, ghali = expensive, leo = today).
Understanding 'bei' is crucial for basic transactions and conversations in Swahili. Don't be afraid to use it often! The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.
§ Related Vocabulary
While 'bei' is straightforward, it often comes with other related words. Here are a few to get you started:
- Ghali: Expensive. Example: 'Bei ni ghali.' (The price is expensive.)
- Nafuu: Cheap/Affordable. Example: 'Bei ni nafuu.' (The price is cheap.)
- Punguza bei: Reduce the price (to bargain). Example: 'Tafadhali punguza bei.' (Please reduce the price.)
- Shilingi: Shilling (common currency in East Africa). Example: 'Bei ni shilingi mia tano.' (The price is five hundred shillings.)
Practice these words together with 'bei' to build your vocabulary and confidence.
§ Understanding 'Bei' as a Noun
The word 'bei' is a straightforward noun in Swahili. It means 'price'. Simple, right? But even simple words can trip you up if you're not careful. Most mistakes happen when learners try to make 'bei' act like an adjective or a verb, or they confuse its singular and plural forms, which can be a bit unusual compared to other Swahili nouns.
- DEFINITION
- Price (as a noun)
§ Mistake 1: Treating 'Bei' as an Adjective
A common error is trying to use 'bei' to describe something as 'expensive' or 'cheap' directly. In English, we might say "expensive price," but in Swahili, 'bei' is the price itself, not the descriptor. You need separate words for 'expensive' and 'cheap'.
Instead of trying to say *"chai bei sana"* (tea price very), which is incorrect, you would use 'ghali' for expensive and 'rahisi' for cheap.
Chai hii ina bei ghali. (This tea has an expensive price / This tea is expensive.)
Viatu hivi vina bei rahisi. (These shoes have a cheap price / These shoes are cheap.)
§ Mistake 2: Incorrect Pluralization
Unlike many Swahili nouns, 'bei' doesn't change its form for the plural. It remains 'bei' whether you're talking about one price or many prices. This can be confusing because many other nouns follow strict singular/plural prefixes.
Don't try to add prefixes like 'ma-' or 'mi-' to make it plural. It stays 'bei'. The context or accompanying words will tell you if it's singular or plural.
Incorrect: *"mabei"* or *"mibei"*
Correct: "bei" for both singular and plural.
Hii ndiyo bei ya kitabu. (This is the price of the book.)
Wana bei tofauti kwa bidhaa zao. (They have different prices for their products.)
§ Mistake 3: Using 'Bei' as a Verb
Sometimes learners might try to turn 'bei' into a verb, perhaps meaning 'to price' or 'to cost'. This isn't how it works in Swahili. 'Bei' is strictly a noun. To express the idea of costing or pricing, you'll use other verbs or phrases.
For example, to ask "How much does it cost?" you would typically say "Bei gani?" (What price?) or "Inagharimu kiasi gani?" (It costs how much?). The verb 'gharimu' means 'to cost'.
Bei gani ya simu hii? (What is the price of this phone? / How much does this phone cost?)
Je, inagharimu shilingi ngapi? (Does it cost how many shillings? / How many shillings does it cost?)
§ Final Tip: Context is Key
When you're dealing with a word like 'bei' that has some quirks, paying attention to the context of the sentence is super important. The surrounding words and the overall meaning will always guide you to use 'bei' correctly and avoid these common traps. Keep practicing, and you'll get it!
按水平分级的例句
Bei ya kahawa ni ghali sana leo.
The price of coffee is very expensive today.
Use 'ya' to show possession or relationship between nouns.
Naomba kujua bei ya ndizi hizi.
Please, I want to know the price of these bananas.
'Naomba' is a polite way to say 'I ask' or 'please'.
Bei gani hii shati mpya?
What is the price of this new shirt?
'Gani' means 'what kind/which' and can be used to ask about price.
Wamepunguza bei ya vitabu vyote dukani.
They have reduced the price of all books in the shop.
'Wamepunguza' is present perfect tense for 'they have reduced'.
Hii bei ni nzuri, naweza kuinunua.
This price is good, I can buy it.
'Nzuri' means 'good' and agrees with 'bei' (which is in noun class N-).
Je, kuna bei maalum kwa wanafunzi?
Is there a special price for students?
'Je' is a question marker, often used at the beginning of a sentence.
Bei ya sukari imepanda sana mwezi huu.
The price of sugar has risen a lot this month.
'Imepanda' is present perfect tense for 'it has risen'.
Tunatafuta bei nafuu zaidi ya hoteli.
We are looking for a more affordable hotel price.
'Nafuu' means 'cheap' or 'affordable'. The '-fuu' suffix indicates an adjective.
Bei halisi ya bidhaa hii imeongezeka maradufu kutokana na uhaba wa malighafi.
The actual price of this product has doubled due to the scarcity of raw materials.
Serikali imeshauriwa kupunguza bei ya mafuta ili kupunguza mzigo kwa wananchi.
The government has been advised to reduce the price of fuel to lessen the burden on citizens.
Wauzaji wanapaswa kuweka wazi bei za bidhaa zao ili kuepuka malalamiko kutoka kwa wateja.
Sellers should clearly display the prices of their goods to avoid complaints from customers.
Kuna tofauti kubwa ya bei kati ya bidhaa zinazozalishwa ndani na zile zinazoagizwa kutoka nje.
There is a significant price difference between locally produced goods and those imported from abroad.
Licha ya kupanda kwa bei za vyakula, bado kuna baadhi ya wafanyabiashara wanaotaka kuongeza zaidi.
Despite the increase in food prices, there are still some traders who want to raise them further.
Bei ya kubadilisha fedha za kigeni imeshuka sana katika siku za hivi karibuni, na kuathiri biashara.
The foreign exchange rate has dropped significantly recently, affecting businesses.
Ni muhimu kufanya utafiti wa soko ili kujua bei stahiki kabla ya kuweka bidhaa sokoni.
It is important to conduct market research to know the appropriate price before putting a product on the market.
Wakulima wanalalamikia bei duni ya mazao yao, jambo linalowakatisha tamaa kuendelea kulima.
Farmers are complaining about the poor prices for their produce, which discourages them from continuing to farm.
Bei ya bidhaa sokoni imepanda kwa kiasi kikubwa kutokana na uhaba wa mvua.
The price of goods in the market has risen significantly due to the scarcity of rain.
Focus on the use of 'kwa kiasi kikubwa' (significantly/to a large extent) to modify the increase in price.
Tulijadili bei ya ardhi kwa muda mrefu kabla hatujakubaliana kuhusu mauzo.
We discussed the price of land for a long time before agreeing on the sale.
Note the use of 'kwa muda mrefu' (for a long time) and 'kabla hatujakubaliana' (before we agreed).
Serikali inafikiria kuweka bei elekezi kwa bidhaa muhimu ili kuwalinda walaji.
The government is considering setting a guiding price for essential goods to protect consumers.
Observe 'bei elekezi' (guiding price) and 'kuwalinda walaji' (to protect consumers).
Licha ya bei kuwa juu, ubora wa huduma ulikuwa duni kabisa.
Despite the price being high, the quality of service was completely poor.
Here, 'licha ya' (despite) introduces a contrasting idea. 'duni kabisa' means 'completely poor'.
Kuna tofauti kubwa ya bei kati ya wauzaji mbalimbali wa vifaa vya ujenzi.
There is a significant price difference among various sellers of construction materials.
Pay attention to 'tofauti kubwa ya bei' (significant price difference) and 'wauzaji mbalimbali' (various sellers).
Wengi wanalalamika kwamba bei za nauli zimekuwa hazitabiriki na kusababisha usumbufu.
Many are complaining that transport fares have become unpredictable, causing inconvenience.
Notice 'bei za nauli' (transport fares) and 'hazitabiriki' (unpredictable).
Mikataba mipya ya biashara imesaidia kupunguza bei za baadhi ya bidhaa kutoka nje.
New trade agreements have helped reduce the prices of some imported goods.
Consider 'mikataba mipya ya biashara' (new trade agreements) and 'bidhaa kutoka nje' (imported goods).
Uwezo wa kununua bidhaa umepungua kwa kiasi kikubwa kutokana na kupanda kwa bei za maisha.
Purchasing power has significantly decreased due to the rising cost of living.
Focus on 'uwezo wa kununua' (purchasing power) and 'kupanda kwa bei za maisha' (rising cost of living).
习语与表达
"bei ya juu"
expensive / high price
Gari hili lina bei ya juu sana. (This car has a very high price.)
neutral"bei ya chini"
cheap / low price
Vitabu hivi vina bei ya chini. (These books have a low price.)
neutral"bei gani?"
How much?
Kalamu hii ina bei gani? (How much is this pen?)
neutral"bei nafuu"
affordable price
Tunauza nguo kwa bei nafuu. (We sell clothes at an affordable price.)
neutral"bei elekezi"
recommended price
Hii ndio bei elekezi ya bidhaa hii. (This is the recommended price for this product.)
formal"bei ya jumla"
wholesale price
Ukinunua nyingi, utapata bei ya jumla. (If you buy many, you will get the wholesale price.)
neutral"bei ya rejareja"
retail price
Bei ya rejareja ni tofauti na bei ya jumla. (The retail price is different from the wholesale price.)
neutral"kupunguza bei"
to reduce the price / to discount
Je, unaweza kupunguza bei kidogo? (Can you reduce the price a little?)
neutral"kuongeza bei"
to increase the price
Kampuni imeongeza bei ya bidhaa zake. (The company has increased the price of its products.)
neutral"bei ya soko"
market price
Bei ya soko ya mahindi imepanda. (The market price of maize has risen.)
neutral词族
名词
动词
形容词
如何使用
When talking about prices in Swahili, bei is a straightforward word to use. It can refer to the cost of anything from food to services. You'll often hear it in questions like, 'Bei gani?' (How much is the price?).
A common mistake is trying to use 'cost' or 'charge' as separate words. In Swahili, bei covers all these meanings. Don't overcomplicate it by looking for synonyms if you're just talking about how much something is. Also, remember it's a noun, so it will typically be preceded by a demonstrative or a quantifier if you're being specific (e.g., 'Bei hii' - This price, 'Bei nzuri' - A good price).
自我测试 60 个问题
Hoteli hii ina ___ nzuri. (This hotel has a good price.)
The word 'bei' means 'price', which fits the context of a hotel having a 'good price'.
Nataka kujua ___ ya mkate. (I want to know the price of the bread.)
The context implies asking about the cost of an item, so 'bei' (price) is the correct word.
Je, ___ ya viatu hivi ni ghali? (Is the price of these shoes expensive?)
When discussing if something is 'expensive' (ghali), you are referring to its 'price' (bei).
Tafadhali niambie ___ ya tikiti. (Please tell me the price of the ticket.)
To inquire about the cost of a ticket, 'bei' (price) is the appropriate word.
Ninaona ___ nzuri kwenye soko. (I see a good price at the market.)
In a market setting, one would look for a 'good price' (bei nzuri).
Samahani, ___ ya shati hili ni ngapi? (Excuse me, what is the price of this shirt?)
When asking 'how much' (ngapi) an item is, you are asking about its 'price' (bei).
'Bei ni ngapi?' means 'What is the price?' It's a common way to ask for the price of something.
'Hii bei nzuri' means 'This is a good price.' Use this to express satisfaction with a price.
'Bei juu sana' means 'The price is too high.' This is a useful phrase for bargaining or expressing that something is expensive.
This is a common way to ask 'What is the price?' in Swahili.
You're expressing that 'This is a big price' or 'This is expensive'.
This phrase means 'Please reduce this price a little'. Useful for bargaining!
Choose the best translation for: 'Bei ya bidhaa hii ni ghali sana.'
The word 'bei' means price, and 'ghali sana' means very expensive.
Which sentence correctly uses 'bei' to ask about the cost of something?
'Bei gani?' directly translates to 'What price?' and is a common way to ask about the cost.
If someone says, 'Punguza bei kidogo,' what are they asking for?
'Punguza' means to reduce or lower, and 'kidogo' means a little.
In the sentence 'Bei hii ni nzuri,' the speaker is saying the price is bad.
'Nzuri' means good, so 'Bei hii ni nzuri' means 'This price is good.'
You can use 'bei' when discussing the value of something, not just its monetary cost.
While 'bei' primarily refers to monetary cost, it can also be used in a broader sense to discuss the value or worth someone places on something, although less common than monetary cost.
The phrase 'Bei elekezi' refers to a recommended or suggested price.
'Elekezi' means guiding or directing, so 'bei elekezi' literally means a guiding price, which implies a recommended or suggested price.
Listen for what has increased in price this week.
Listen for the question about the price of tickets.
Listen for what the sellers have done to the price of fruits.
Read this aloud:
Bei ya gari hili inakubalika.
Focus: inakubalika
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
Naomba kujua bei ya bidhaa zenu.
Focus: bidhaa
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
Bei ya hoteli hii ni ghali sana kwangu.
Focus: ghali sana
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'The price of the car is high.' We start with the noun 'bei' (price), followed by the possessive 'ya' (of) and 'gari' (car). 'Iko' means 'is/it is' and 'juu' means 'high'.
This sentence means 'That price is fair/okay.' We start with the demonstrative 'hiyo' (that), followed by 'bei' (price), 'ni' (is), and 'sawa' (fair/okay).
This sentence means 'The price of bread has dropped.' We start with 'bei' (price), then 'ya' (of), 'mkate' (bread), and finally 'imeshuka' (has dropped).
The price of goods has increased significantly in the market this week.
I'm asking for the price of tomatoes, please.
Does this price include all taxes?
Read this aloud:
Bei gani?
Focus: Bei gani
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Naomba punguzo la bei.
Focus: Naomba punguzo la bei
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Bei hii ni nzuri sana kwangu.
Focus: Bei hii ni nzuri sana kwangu
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are at a market in Tanzania and want to buy some fruit. Describe how you would ask for the price of different fruits and then negotiate a better price. Use 'bei' in your response.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Katika soko, ningeuliza, 'Huu embe una bei gani?' au 'Bei ya machungwa ni ngapi?' Baada ya kujua bei, ningejaribu kujadili, 'Bei hii ni ghali sana, unaweza kupunguza kidogo?' au 'Tafadhali, punguza bei.'
Imagine you are explaining to a friend from your home country about the concept of 'fixed price' versus 'negotiable price' in Swahili-speaking markets. How would you explain what 'bei' means in both contexts, using examples?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Katika masoko mengi huku, bei siyo mara zote 'fasta'. Kuna 'bei inayoweza kubadilika' ambapo unaweza kujadiliana, na 'bei fasta' kama kwenye maduka makubwa ambapo bei haiwezi kubadilika. Kwa mfano, bei ya nguo sokoni inaweza kubadilika, lakini bei ya maziwa dukani ni fasta.
You are writing a short email to a local shop owner in Swahili, inquiring about the price of a specific item you saw online. How would you phrase your question about the 'bei' of the item?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Habari, Natumai unaendelea vizuri. Nimeona bidhaa fulani mtandaoni na ningependa kujua bei yake. Je, unaweza kuniambia bei ya bidhaa niliyokutumia picha yake? Asante.
Kwa nini mwandishi alipata punguzo kwenye duka la pili?
Read this passage:
Jana nilienda kununua simu mpya. Nilitembelea maduka kadhaa na kuuliza bei. Duka la kwanza lilikataa kujadili bei, wakisema 'bei yetu ni fasta'. Lakini duka la pili lilikuwa tayari kujadiliana na nilifanikiwa kupata punguzo kubwa kwenye bei ya simu.
Kwa nini mwandishi alipata punguzo kwenye duka la pili?
Sentensi 'Lakini duka la pili lilikuwa tayari kujadiliana na nilifanikiwa kupata punguzo kubwa kwenye bei ya simu' inaonyesha kwamba kujadiliana bei kulisababisha punguzo.
Sentensi 'Lakini duka la pili lilikuwa tayari kujadiliana na nilifanikiwa kupata punguzo kubwa kwenye bei ya simu' inaonyesha kwamba kujadiliana bei kulisababisha punguzo.
Kulingana na kifungu hiki, ni nini umuhimu wa kujua bei kabla ya kununua?
Read this passage:
Kupanga bajeti ni muhimu sana kabla ya kufanya manunuzi makubwa. Unapojua bei ya vitu unavyotaka kununua, unaweza kuamua ni kiasi gani cha pesa unachohitaji na kuepuka matumizi mabaya. Bei zinaweza kutofautiana kutoka duka moja hadi jingine.
Kulingana na kifungu hiki, ni nini umuhimu wa kujua bei kabla ya kununua?
Sentensi 'Unapojua bei ya vitu unavyotaka kununua, unaweza kuamua ni kiasi gani cha pesa unachohitaji na kuepuka matumizi mabaya' inafafanua umuhimu wa kujua bei.
Sentensi 'Unapojua bei ya vitu unavyotaka kununua, unaweza kuamua ni kiasi gani cha pesa unachohitaji na kuepuka matumizi mabaya' inafafanua umuhimu wa kujua bei.
Ni nini sababu kuu ya kupanda kwa bei, kulingana na kifungu?
Read this passage:
Bei ya bidhaa nyingi imeongezeka sana mwaka huu kutokana na kupanda kwa gharama za uzalishaji. Hii imesababisha watu wengi kuhangaika kupata mahitaji yao ya msingi. Serikali inajaribu kutafuta njia za kudhibiti bei ili kuwapunguzia wananchi mzigo.
Ni nini sababu kuu ya kupanda kwa bei, kulingana na kifungu?
Sentensi 'Bei ya bidhaa nyingi imeongezeka sana mwaka huu kutokana na kupanda kwa gharama za uzalishaji' inaeleza sababu kuu ya kupanda kwa bei.
Sentensi 'Bei ya bidhaa nyingi imeongezeka sana mwaka huu kutokana na kupanda kwa gharama za uzalishaji' inaeleza sababu kuu ya kupanda kwa bei.
Katika hali ya uchumi tete, serikali ilifanya uamuzi mgumu wa kupandisha ___ ya mafuta ili kudhibiti matumizi yasiyo ya lazima na kujaribu kurekebisha mizania ya kitaifa.
Katika muktadha huu, 'bei' (price) inafaa zaidi kwa kupandisha bei ya mafuta.
Baada ya majadiliano marefu na wauzaji, hatimaye tulikubaliana juu ya ___ inayokubalika kwa pande zote mbili, ikiruhusu biashara kuendelea bila vikwazo.
'Bei' (price) inafaa zaidi katika muktadha wa majadiliano na wauzaji kuhusu gharama za bidhaa au huduma.
Wachambuzi wa soko walitabiri kuwa ___ ya hisa za kampuni hiyo ingeendelea kushuka kutokana na matokeo mabaya ya robo mwaka, na hivyo kuwatia hofu wawekezaji wengi.
'Bei' (price) inatumika hapa kurejelea bei ya hisa, ambayo ni kipengele muhimu katika soko la hisa.
Maneno 'bei nafuu' yanamaanisha kuwa bidhaa ni ghali sana.
Maneno 'bei nafuu' yanamaanisha kuwa bidhaa ni ya bei rahisi au yenye punguzo, si ghali sana.
Katika soko la kimataifa, 'bei tete' inarejelea bei zinazobadilika mara kwa mara na kutokuwa na utulivu.
'Bei tete' inaelezea hali ya bei zinazobadilika haraka na kutokuwa na uhakika, hasa katika masoko ya kimataifa.
Kupanda kwa 'bei elekezi' ya bidhaa kunaashiria kwamba serikali imepunguza udhibiti wa bei.
Kupanda kwa 'bei elekezi' kunaashiria kuwa serikali imeweka bei ya juu zaidi inayoruhusiwa, hivyo kuendelea kudhibiti bei, si kupunguza udhibiti.
The speaker is talking about the cost of a product.
Listen for an agreement on a specific cost.
The question is about the actual cost of land.
Read this aloud:
Tafadhali nieleze jinsi bei inavyoathiri soko la kimataifa.
Focus: bei, inavyoathiri, kimataifa
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Nipigie simu nikujulishe bei elekezi ya bidhaa zote.
Focus: nipigie simu, nikujulishe, bei elekezi
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Je, kuna tofauti kubwa ya bei kati ya wauzaji hawa wawili?
Focus: tofauti, wauzaji, wawili
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Understanding 'bei' is fundamental for conducting everyday purchases and discussions about cost in Swahili.
- Use 'bei' to ask or state the cost of items.
- Essential for shopping and transactions in Swahili.
- Often paired with question words like 'ngapi' (how much).
