laini
lah-EE-nee
How to say it
Swahililainilah-EE-neesoon
Englishsoft, smooth; SIM card (laini ya simu)soon
Frenchdoux, lisse; carte SIMsoon
Meaning
Soft or smooth to the touch, not hard or rough; as a noun, from English line, it is a phone line or SIM card, the most common use in the news.
Good to know
As an adjective it does not change: ngozi laini, mkate laini. Laini ya simu, plural laini za simu, is a SIM card; kusajili laini is to register a SIM.
Examples
- Mtoto mchanga ana ngozi laini sana.A newborn baby has very soft skin.
- Nimenunua laini mpya ya simu leo.I bought a new SIM card today.
- Kanda unga mpaka uwe laini.Knead the dough until it is smooth.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.