fisi
FEE-see
How to say it
SwahilifisiFEE-seesoon
Englishhyena
Frenchhyène
Meaning
A wild animal of the African plains, like a large dog with a sloping back, that hunts and scavenges, often at night.
Good to know
Plural fisi, with animal agreement: fisi huyu, fisi wengi. In stories the hyena stands for greed, and calling a person fisi means he is greedy.
Examples
- Fisi walisikika wakilia karibu na kijiji usiku.Hyenas were heard howling near the village at night.
- Mchungaji alimfukuza fisi aliyetaka kukamata mbuzi.The herder chased off a hyena that wanted to catch a goat.
- Usiwe fisi, gawana chakula na wenzako.Do not be greedy; share the food with your friends.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.