Swahili
bongo
BON-go
How to say it
SwahilibongoBON-gosoon
Englishbrainsoon
Frenchcerveausoon
Meaning
(informal) the brain, or by extension a person's good sense and cleverness.
Good to know
in the phrase 'hana bongo' (he has no brain) to call someone foolish; distinct from the slang 'Bongo' meaning Dar es Salaam or Tanzania.
Examples
- Tumia bongo yako kufikiri!Use your brain to think!
- Hana bongo, hata kidogo.He has no sense at all.
- Bongo lake linafanya kazi vizuri.His brain works well.
- Alitatua tatizo lile kwa bongo lake.He solved that problem using his wits.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.