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bwana

Elementary (A2)

IPA: /ˈbʷɑːnə/

KK: /b'wɑ:nə/

noun
Definition

A term used to show respect or authority, often used to address a man in certain African cultures.


Example

The villagers greeted the bwana with great respect.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever met someone who called you bwana?
Sloth B
Yes, I did when I was traveling in Kenya; it felt quite special.
Sloth A
That's interesting! It must be nice to be addressed with such respect.
Sloth B
Definitely! It made my experience there even more memorable.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
master
chief
lord
Antonyms
servant
follower
subordinate
Root Explanation

The word 'bwana' originates from Swahili, meaning 'master' or 'sir'.

Memory Tip

Think of 'bwana' as a respectful term for someone in charge or a leader, which helps you remember that it means 'master'.

Visually Confused Words
bana
wanga
wadna
twana
banya
banga
banda
banca
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