indimi

shavu

SHAH-voo

How to say it

SwahilishavuSHAH-voosoon
Englishcheek; (slang) a break, an opportunitysoon
Frenchjoue; (familier) coup de pouce, occasionsoon

Meaning

The soft side of the face below the eye. In Tanzanian entertainment slang, kupewa shavu is to be given a break, such as an invitation to perform.

Good to know

Ji/ma class noun, plural mashavu: shavu la kulia, the right cheek. Kugeuza shavu la pili, to turn the other cheek.

Examples

  • Alimbusu mtoto wake shavuni kwa upendo.She kissed her child lovingly on the cheek.
  • Mashavu yake yalikuwa mekundu kwa baridi.His cheeks were red from the cold.
  • Mwimbaji huyo chipukizi amepata shavu kwenye redio kubwa.That young singer has got a break on a big radio station.

The same word in

Not yet checked by a native speaker.

Open in the dictionary ›More Swahili words from S ›