Shengwords

Barabara

bah-rah-BAH-rah /bɑ.ɾɑ.ˈbɑ.ɾɑ/

"Barabara" is Sheng for road (also: street).

Meaning

  1. noun road, street. The road. Also used figuratively: 'mambo ya barabara' means street matters, things only understood by people who live outside.

Examples

  • Barabara iko wazi asubuhi. The road is clear in the morning.
  • Alijifunza mengi kwa barabara. He learned a lot on the streets.
See Barabara used in other entries
  • Barabara ile ni hatari usiku.That road is dangerous at night.From Hatari
  • Endesha mos mos, barabara ni mbaya.Drive slowly, the road is bad.From Mos mos
  • Tunaacha foleni, tutapita barabara ya nyuma.We'll avoid the jam, we'll take the back road.From Foleni

Similar and opposite words

Same meaning

Where it comes from

Swahili 'barabara' (road).

How it was made: Swahili base.

Questions about Barabara

What does Barabara mean in Sheng?

"Barabara" is Sheng for road (also: street). The road. Also used figuratively: 'mambo ya barabara' means street matters, things only understood by people who live outside.

How do you use Barabara in a sentence?

"Barabara iko wazi asubuhi." means "The road is clear in the morning."

How do you pronounce Barabara?

Say it bah-rah-BAH-rah (/bɑ.ɾɑ.ˈbɑ.ɾɑ/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.

Where does the word Barabara come from?

Swahili 'barabara' (road).

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To quote this page: “Barabara.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/barabara (accessed 2026-11-10).