Shengwords

Kibarua

kee-bah-ROO-ah /ki.bɑ.ˈɾu.ɑ/

"Kibarua" is Sheng for casual job (also: gig, day labour).

Meaning

  1. noun casual job, gig, day labour. A one-off job paid at the end of the day. Kibarua is the backbone word of Nairobi's informal economy.

Examples

  • Nimepata kibarua cha siku tatu. I got a three-day gig.
  • Kibarua ndio kinaleta chakula. Gig work is what brings the food.

Similar and opposite words

Where it comes from

Swahili 'kibarua' (piecework), from 'barua' (letter/order).

How it was made: Swahili base.

Questions about Kibarua

What does Kibarua mean in Sheng?

"Kibarua" is Sheng for casual job (also: gig, day labour). A one-off job paid at the end of the day. Kibarua is the backbone word of Nairobi's informal economy.

How do you use Kibarua in a sentence?

"Nimepata kibarua cha siku tatu." means "I got a three-day gig."

How do you pronounce Kibarua?

Say it kee-bah-ROO-ah (/ki.bɑ.ˈɾu.ɑ/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.

Where does the word Kibarua come from?

Swahili 'kibarua' (piecework), from 'barua' (letter/order).

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