utani
oo-TAH-nee
How to say it
Swahiliutanioo-TAH-neesoon
Englishjoke, jest, banter; joking relationshipsoon
Meaning
Friendly teasing and jokes between people; also the traditional joking relationship between certain families or ethnic groups.
Good to know
U class noun, no common plural. Kwa utani means jokingly; utani wa jadi is the traditional joking relationship, and mtani is a joking partner.
Examples
- Usichukulie maneno yangu kwa uzito, ilikuwa utani tu.Do not take my words seriously, it was only a joke.
- Marafiki hao hupenda utani wakati wa chakula.Those friends love banter at mealtimes.
- Utani wa jadi husaidia kudumisha amani kati ya makabila.The traditional joking relationship helps keep peace between ethnic groups.
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