hela

How to say it

Meaning

Money in everyday speech, especially cash in hand; a more informal word than pesa or fedha.

Good to know

Same form in the plural (n class): hela nyingi, a lot of money. It comes from the German Heller coin, like Kirundi amahera.

Examples

• Sina hela ya kununua chakula leo.I have no money to buy food today.
• Alinipa hela kidogo ya nauli.She gave me a little money for the fare.
• Kazi hii inaleta hela nzuri.This job brings in good money.

The same word in