indimi

mashua

mah-SHOO-ah

How to say it

Swahilimashuamah-SHOO-ahsoon
Englishboat (small, rowing or sailing)soon
Frenchbateau, barquesoon

Meaning

A small open boat moved by oars, a sail or a small engine, used for fishing, crossing water or leisure.

Good to know

Plural stays mashua (n class): mashua mbili, two boats. Kusafiri kwa mashua is to travel by boat; a big ship is meli and a dugout canoe is mtumbwi.

Examples

  • Wavuvi walirudi pwani na mashua zao asubuhi.The fishermen came back to shore with their boats in the morning.
  • Tulivuka mto kwa mashua ndogo.We crossed the river in a small boat.
  • Mashua ilipinduka kwa sababu ya mawimbi makubwa.The boat capsized because of big waves.

The same word in

Not yet checked by a native speaker.

Open in the dictionary ›More Swahili words from M ›