kiunguana

How to say it

Meaning

the polished speech and manners of a well brought-up, urbane person, especially the refined variety of Swahili spoken along the coast.

Good to know

used to praise someone's cultured, well-mannered way of speaking or behaving, contrasted with coarse or rustic conduct.

Examples

• Anazungumza kwa kiunguana.He speaks with cultivated, well-bred manners.
• Watoto walifundishwa kiunguana tangu wadogo.The children were taught refined manners from a young age.
• Si kiunguana kumkatiza mtu anapoongea.It is not good manners to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
• Bibi yangu alikuwa na kiunguana cha hali ya juu.My grandmother had manners of the highest refinement.