kweli

kweli

Swahili

Etymology

    Derived from Proto-Sabaki *-eli (“true”). Cognate with Ngazidja Comorian kweli.

    Pronunciation

    • (Unguja standard) IPA(key): /ˈkʷɛ.li/
    • Audio (Kenya):(file)

    Noun

    kweli class IX (plural kweli class X)

    1. truth; truthfulness

    Derived terms

    Adjective

    -a kweli (invariable)

    1. true
    2. real (not fake)

    Adverb

    kweli

    1. really; truly

    Derived terms

    Interjection

    kweli

    1. Used to express surprise, doubt, or to seek confirmation: really?

    References

    • Almasi, Oswald; Fallon, Michael David; Nazish, Pardhan Wared (2014), Swahili Grammar for Introductory and Intermediate Levels, Lanham • New York • Oxford: University Press of America, →ISBN, page 372: “Kweli! – When used with an exclamation point, it’s an expression of affirmation similar to the English expression “Truly!” However, when Kweli? is used with a question mark, it expresses disbelief, similar to the English expression “Really?””
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