Cheza
CHEH-zah /ˈtʃɛ.zɑ/
"Cheza" is Sheng for to play (also: to hang around, to mess about).
Meaning
- verb to play, to hang around, to mess about. To play a game or sport, and colloquially to waste time or not take something seriously ('usicheze na hii' — don't play with this).
Examples
- Tunacheza mpira jioni. We're playing football in the evening.
- Acha kucheze na pesa zako. Stop messing around with your money.
Similar and opposite words
Phrases with Cheza
Where it comes from
Swahili 'kucheza' (to play).
How it was made: Swahili base.
Questions about Cheza
What does Cheza mean in Sheng?
"Cheza" is Sheng for to play (also: to hang around, to mess about). To play a game or sport, and colloquially to waste time or not take something seriously ('usicheze na hii' — don't play with this).
How do you use Cheza in a sentence?
"Tunacheza mpira jioni." means "We're playing football in the evening."
How do you pronounce Cheza?
Say it CHEH-zah (/ˈtʃɛ.zɑ/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.
Where does the word Cheza come from?
Swahili 'kucheza' (to play).
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To quote this page: “Cheza.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/cheza (accessed 2026-11-10).