Swahili
mitumbwi
mee-TOOM-bwee
How to say it
Swahilimitumbwimee-TOOM-bweesoon
Englishlog canoessoon
Frenchpiroguessoon
Meaning
Log canoes, dugouts without outriggers.
Good to know
Plural of mtumbwi (m-/mi- class); common coastal and lakeside vocabulary.
Examples
- Wavuvi walirudi na mitumbwi yao jioni.The fishermen returned with their canoes in the evening.
- Je, mitumbwi hii inaweza kubeba watu wanne?Can these canoes carry four people?
- Mitumbwi hiyo haikustahimili dhoruba.Those canoes could not withstand the storm.
- Watachonga mitumbwi mipya msimu ujao.They will carve new canoes next season.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.