ngwena

How to say it

Meaning

a large aquatic reptile with powerful jaws, the crocodile (a dialectal word; standard Swahili is 'mamba').

Good to know

dial, crocodile. (= mamba.) ni aux. v. be (serving as a copula), yeye ni mgonjwa. He is ill

Examples

• Ngwena alikuwa amejificha ukingoni mwa mto.The crocodile was hiding at the riverbank.
• Wavuvi walikuwa waangalifu kwa ngwena.The fishermen were careful of crocodiles.
• Ngwena mkubwa alimshambulia mnyama aliyekunywa maji.The big crocodile attacked the animal that was drinking water.
• Watoto hawaruhusiwi kuogelea mtoni, kuna ngwena.Children are not allowed to swim in the river, there are crocodiles.

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