Shengwords

Transport

Matatus, boda bodas, fares and getting around.

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  1. Matatu mah-TAH-too

    "Matatu" is Sheng for minibus taxi.

    • Matatu ya mtaani imejaa.The matatu from the hood is full.

  2. Boda BOH-dah

    "Boda" is Sheng for motorcycle taxi.

    • Nitaenda kwa boda, ni haraka.I'll go by motorbike, it's faster.

  3. Nganya NGAH-nyah

    "Nganya" is Sheng for heavily modified (also: loud matatu).

    • Nganya ile inapita na muziki mkubwa.That nganya is passing with loud music.

  4. Stage STAH-geh

    "Stage" is Sheng for matatu stop (also: boarding point).

    • Nikutane kwa stage saa kumi.Meet me at the stage at four.

  5. Dere DEH-reh

    "Dere" is Sheng for driver.

    • Dere anaendesha mbio sana.The driver is going too fast.

  6. Dinga DEE-ngah

    "Dinga" is Sheng for car.

    • Amenunua dinga mpya.He has bought a new car.

  7. Manyanga mah-NYAH-ngah

    "Manyanga" is Sheng for flashy matatu.

    • Napenda kupanda manyanga za Rongai.I like riding the flashy Rongai matatus.

  8. Gari GAH-ree

    "Gari" is Sheng for car.

    • Gari langu limeharibika jana.My car broke down yesterday.

  9. Kukwama koo-KWAH-mah

    "Kukwama" is Sheng for to get stuck (also: to be stranded).

    • Tumekwama foleni tangu saa kumi na moja.We've been stuck in traffic since five.

  10. Jav jahv

    "Jav" is Sheng for matatu.

    • Jav imejaa, tungoje ingine.The matatu is full, let's wait for another.

Quiz: 10 questions

1. What does Matatu mean?

Next: Time