jini

How to say it

Meaning

a spirit or genie, a supernatural being found chiefly in folk tales.

Good to know

distinguished in folklore from zimwi (an ogre) and shetani (a devil); can be either helpful or frightening.

Examples

• Bibi alisimulia hadithi ya jini mwema.Grandmother told a story about a kind spirit.
• Watoto waliogopa jini aliyekaa msituni.The children were afraid of the spirit living in the forest.
• Je, unaamini kuwepo kwa majini?Do you believe in the existence of spirits?
• Katika hadithi, jini alimpa mvuvi matakwa matatu.In the story, a genie granted the fisherman three wishes.