Subiri
soo-BEE-ree /su.ˈbi.ɾi/
"Subiri" is Sheng for to wait (also: patience).
Meaning
- verb to wait, patience. To wait. 'Subiri kidogo' — wait a moment — and 'ngoja' are the two everyday ways to ask for patience.
Examples
- Subiri hapa, narudi dakika moja. Wait here, I'll be back in a minute.
- Tumesubiri matatu kwa muda mrefu. We've waited for the matatu a long time.
Similar and opposite words
Where it comes from
Arabic 'sabr' via Swahili 'kusubiri'.
How it was made: Swahili base.
Questions about Subiri
What does Subiri mean in Sheng?
"Subiri" is Sheng for to wait (also: patience). To wait. 'Subiri kidogo' — wait a moment — and 'ngoja' are the two everyday ways to ask for patience.
How do you use Subiri in a sentence?
"Subiri hapa, narudi dakika moja." means "Wait here, I'll be back in a minute."
How do you pronounce Subiri?
Say it soo-BEE-ree (/su.ˈbi.ɾi/). Sheng is spelled the way it sounds, with stress on the second-to-last syllable.
Where does the word Subiri come from?
Arabic 'sabr' via Swahili 'kusubiri'.
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To quote this page: “Subiri.” Shengwords Sheng Dictionary, updated 2026-11-10. https://shengwords.co.ke/word/subiri (accessed 2026-11-10).