Body Parts

1. Kichwa

   Head

   Usage

   "Maumivu ya kichwa" is a headache

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 (ki-) noun; the plural is "vichwa".

2. Nywele

   Hair

   Usage

   Used at a salon or barber. "Kunyoa nywele" means to cut or shave the hair

   Grammar Note

   Normally used in the plural; a single strand is "unywele".

3. Uso

   Face

   Usage

   For sunburn or skin trouble. The plural is "nyuso"

4. Jicho

   Eye

   Usage

   For both eyes use the plural "macho". "Miwani ya macho" means glasses

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 (ji-) noun whose plural, "macho", changes shape considerably.

5. Sikio

   Ear

   Usage

   Useful for reporting ear trouble after diving off Zanzibar. The plural is "masikio"

6. Pua

   Nose

   Usage

   Dust on a dry-season safari is hard on the nose — use it to report congestion

7. Mdomo

   Mouth / Lip

   Usage

   Covers both the mouth and the lips; the plural "midomo" means the lips. For the inside of the mouth, say "kinywa"

8. Jino

   Tooth

   Usage

   "Maumivu ya jino" is toothache; the dentist is "daktari wa meno"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun; the plural is "meno", which is what dental terms use.

9. Ulimi

   Tongue

   Usage

   For when a doctor asks to see it. The same word also means "language"

10. Shingo

    Neck

    Usage

    The outer neck; the throat inside is a different word, "koo"

11. Koo

    Throat

    Usage

    "Koo linaniuma" means "my throat hurts" — the phrase pharmacies expect

12. Bega

    Shoulder

    Usage

    For both shoulders use the plural "mabega" — useful after carrying a heavy pack

13. Mkono

    Hand / Arm

    Usage

    Swahili does not split hand from arm — both are "mkono"; the palm is "kiganja". In East Africa it is polite to pass things and eat with the right hand

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 (m-) noun; the plural is "mikono".

14. Kifundo cha mkono

    Wrist

    Usage

    Literally "the knot of the arm" — used to point out a sprain or bruise

15. Kidole

    Finger

    Usage

    Covers fingers and toes; a toe is "kidole cha mguu". The plural is "vidole"

16. Ukucha

    Nail

    Usage

    For a broken nail or a visit to a salon. The plural is "kucha"

17. Kifua

    Chest

    Usage

    An emergency word for chest pain. Note that "kifua kikuu" is the separate term for tuberculosis

18. Tumbo

    Stomach / Belly

    Usage

    One word for belly and stomach alike. "Tumbo langu linaniuma" means "my stomach hurts"

19. Mgongo

    Back

    Usage

    For a back sore from long bus rides or rough safari tracks

20. Kiuno

    Waist / Lower back

    Usage

    For lower-back pain, and also when fitting clothes

21. Matako

    Buttocks

    Usage

    For an injection site or after a long bus ride. It is a blunt word, so show the screen rather than saying it aloud

22. Paja

    Thigh

    Usage

    Used to point out a bruise or a sore muscle. The plural is "mapaja"

23. Mguu

    Leg / Foot

    Usage

    Swahili does not split leg from foot — both are "mguu"; the sole is "wayo". The plural is "miguu"

24. Goti

    Knee

    Usage

    Descending Kilimanjaro is where most knees suffer. The plural is "magoti"

25. Kifundo cha mguu

    Ankle

    Usage

    Built exactly like the word for wrist, swapping "mkono" for "mguu". Use it to report a sprain

26. Ngozi

    Skin

    Usage

    For sunburn or insect bites. The same word means "leather", so you will see it on market stalls too

27. Mfupa

    Bone

    Usage

    A fracture is "mfupa umevunjika". The plural is "mifupa"

28. Damu

    Blood

    Usage

    "Kupima damu" is a blood test — the malaria test is the one visitors take most often in East Africa

29. Moyo

    Heart

    Usage

    Covers both the organ and the metaphorical heart. "Ugonjwa wa moyo" means heart disease

30. Utumbo

    Intestine

    Usage

    Built on the same root as "tumbo" (belly) but meaning the intestine itself. The plural "matumbo" is also the word for tripe on a menu

31. Mapafu

    Lungs

    Usage

    Normally used in the plural; the singular is "pafu". It comes up with altitude sickness and breathing problems

32. Ini

    Liver

    Usage

    The liver, used when explaining a condition or a test. The plural "maini" is also liver on a menu

33. Figo

    Kidney

    Usage

    Used when explaining a chronic condition. The form is the same in singular and plural

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