Swahili
watani
wa-TAH-nee
How to say it
Swahiliwataniwa-TAH-neesoon
Englishclose friendssoon
Frenchamis intimessoon
Meaning
Close friends or age-mates with whom one shares a joking, familiar relationship, or members of allied clans.
Good to know
plural of mtani (m-/wa- class); refers to the traditional Swahili/Bantu joking-relationship between clans, tribes, or peers.
Examples
- Watani wangu hunitania kila tunapokutana.My close friends tease me every time we meet.
- Si watani wote wanaoruhusiwa kutaniana hadharani.Not all joking-partners are allowed to tease each other in public.
- Je, watani wenu ni kabila gani?Which tribe are your joking-partners from?
- Watani watakutana harusini wiki ijayo.The joking-partners will meet at the wedding next week.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.