Dereva
deh-REH-vah /dɛ.ˈɾɛ.vɑ/
"Dereva" is Sheng for driver.
Meaning
- noun driver. Any driver — matatu, bus, car or truck. Matatu derevas are famous for speed and for arguing with makanga.
Examples
- Dereva alipiga breki ghafla. The driver braked suddenly.
- Dereva, shusha hapa tafadhali. Driver, drop me here please.
Similar and opposite words
Where it comes from
Swahili 'dereva' (driver), from English 'driver'.
How it was made: Swahili base.
Questions about Dereva
What does Dereva mean in Sheng?
"Dereva" is Sheng for driver. Any driver — matatu, bus, car or truck. Matatu derevas are famous for speed and for arguing with makanga.
How do you use Dereva in a sentence?
"Dereva alipiga breki ghafla." means "The driver braked suddenly."
How do you pronounce Dereva?
Say it deh-REH-vah (/dɛ.ˈɾɛ.vɑ/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.
Where does the word Dereva come from?
Swahili 'dereva' (driver), from English 'driver'.
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To quote this page: “Dereva.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/dereva (accessed 2026-11-10).