mswaki

How to say it

Meaning

a toothbrush; traditionally, a chewed twig used to clean the teeth.

Good to know

Traditionally refers to the mswaki twig (from the Salvadora persica tree), still used today alongside modern toothbrushes.

Examples

• Kila asubuhi hutumia mswaki kusafisha meno.Every morning he uses a toothbrush to clean his teeth.
• Je, una mswaki wa ziada?Do you have a spare toothbrush?
• Hakusahau mswaki wake safarini.He did not forget his toothbrush on the trip.
• Mama atanunua mswaki mpya kesho.Mother will buy a new toothbrush tomorrow.