Matatu
mah-TAH-too /mɑ.ˈtɑ.tu/
"Matatu" is Sheng for minibus taxi.
Meaning
- noun minibus taxi. The fourteen-seat (now often larger) shared taxi that moves Nairobi. Matatus are loud, painted, competitive, and the main engine of new Sheng vocabulary.
Examples
- Matatu ya mtaani imejaa. The matatu from the hood is full.
- Nikapande matatu mpaka mjini. I'll take a matatu all the way to town.
See Matatu used in other entries
- Pesa za matatu zimeisha.The matatu fare money is finished.From Pesa
- Ukiiba hapa, mambo ni matatu.If you steal here, there are only three ways it ends.From Mambo ni matatu
- Kuna kasheshe kwa matatu.There's drama in the matatu.From Kasheshe
Similar and opposite words
Where it comes from
Swahili 'matatu' (three) — the original three-coin fare.
How it was made: Swahili base.
Questions about Matatu
What does Matatu mean in Sheng?
"Matatu" is Sheng for minibus taxi. The fourteen-seat (now often larger) shared taxi that moves Nairobi. Matatus are loud, painted, competitive, and the main engine of new Sheng vocabulary.
How do you use Matatu in a sentence?
"Matatu ya mtaani imejaa." means "The matatu from the hood is full."
How do you pronounce Matatu?
Say it mah-TAH-too (/mɑ.ˈtɑ.tu/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.
Where does the word Matatu come from?
Swahili 'matatu' (three) — the original three-coin fare.
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To quote this page: “Matatu.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/matatu (accessed 2026-11-10).