kizungu

How to say it

Meaning

The manner, customs, or language associated with Europeans or Western culture, often used colloquially to mean speaking English or dressing in a Western fashion.

Good to know

Kizungu is built from mzungu (a European or white person) plus the ki- prefix used for languages and manners; it can describe Western-style clothing or behavior, or informally, the English language itself.

Examples

• Anapenda kuvaa kizungu siku za sikukuu.He likes to dress in Western style on holidays.
• Unaweza kuongea kizungu vizuri?Can you speak in the Western style (English) well?
• Vijana wengi siku hizi hawapendi mila, wanapenda kizungu zaidi.Many young people today don't like tradition; they prefer Western ways more.
• Watoto wataanza kuiga kizungu wanapokua.Children will start imitating Western ways as they grow up.