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noun

bwana

BWAH-nuh

Bwana (noun) means a term meaning "boss" or "important man," used especially in East Africa. Example: “The workers greeted him as "bwana" out of respect.”

noun
1
A term meaning "boss" or "important man," used especially in East Africa.
"The workers greeted him as "bwana" out of respect."

How to use bwana

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA respectful East African term for a boss or important man.

Word forms

bwanas plural

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The workers greeted him as "_____" out of respect.

Etymology

Borrowed from Swahili bwana ("master"), itself from an Arabic word for "our father."

Origin: Arabic

Rhymes for bwana

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bwana” mean?

The word “bwana” means a term meaning "boss" or "important man," used especially in East Africa. In plain terms, a respectful East African term for a boss or important man.

How do you pronounce “bwana”?

“Bwana” is pronounced BWAH-nuh (/ˈbwɑːnə/ in IPA).

How do you use “bwana” in a sentence?

Here is “bwana” used in a sentence: “The workers greeted him as "bwana" out of respect.”

What part of speech is “bwana”?

“Bwana” is a noun.

Where does the word “bwana” come from?

The word “bwana” comes from Arabic. Borrowed from Swahili bwana ("master"), itself from an Arabic word for "our father.".

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