Vocabulary

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Lesson Transcript

Okay. Welcome again. It’s Medina on Swahili top words. Today, we are going to look at something that maybe fun I would say, not for everyone though, but we are going to have fun in this lesson. 10 Phrases for Surviving Back to School. Let us psych up our attitude and let’s get going.
1. Mfuko "backpack"
Huo ni mfuko wangu. "That is my backpack."
Yes, I am ready to go to school. That is my backpack.
2. Mwenzangu darasani "classmate"
Juma ni mwenzangu darasani. "Juma is my classmate."
Did I have Juma as a classmate? Not really but I had many classmates. I can’t remember but I have good memories of all of you. The fun guys, the fun ladies, I miss all of you and my dedication for this lesson to you my classmates.
3. Kazi ya ziada "homework"
Nafanya kazi ya ziada sasa. "I am doing my homework now."
Ask me why? I am late. I am running late. The deadline is in an hour’s time and I have a lot to do. I am hurrying and so nervous. Anyone identifies with my experience? You should get things going early.
4. Mtihani "exam"
Tunafanya mtihani wiki ijayo. "We are sitting for exams next week."
Oh, time is running. Time is running. I feel like I haven’t done enough for that exam. Only if they can suspend it, I’ll be so happy but you know what, I can’t help it but I got to read. I got to read all.
5. Majira ya likizo "summer break"
Majira ya likizo nitapumzika kutoka kwa masomo. "During summer break, I will take a rest from studies."
Anyone as happy as I am, yay! And summer break is even longer. What are you going to do? I am so happy but you know what, don’t forget to get a book and read if it’s a novel or something like that. You know, studies never end but you know, relaxing is the point there. Relax and take advantage of it.
6. Shule "school"
Shule yetu inaitwa Braeburn. "Our school is called Braeburn."
Kind of fancy name, right? Tell me the name of your school. We want to hear it. Some of our school names are in our mother tongues. I’d like to hear those especially. Braeburn is an international school in Nairobi and it stretches to other neighbouring countries like Tanzania. It offers British or international curriculum. You can feel comfortable to visit Braeburn and if you want to relocate to Kenya, why not think about joining Braeburn or something. I mean, it’s a really cool school. Really cool. You can try it and go for a walk. Yeah, you can try an open campus actually just to figure out how the school is. I wish you luck.
7. Soma "to study"
Tunasoma masomo nane kwa siku. "We study eight lessons per day."
Eight lessons per day. Yeah, I know. I have those experiences but now, I only have four lessons and sometimes I am free. I enjoy my world here.
Persevere, soon you'll come on my side!
8. Ni siku ya kwanza ya darasa. "It's the first day of school."
Ni siku ya kwanza ya darasa. "It's the first day of class."
How do you feel on your first day of class? Are you excited to go see your friends, meet your teachers, get in that class? Hmm, the first day of class for me though I don’t remember the feeling. Yeah, usually I am kind of nervous because I am like, oh, those home works are coming back again. No more rest for like three months or so but I am always excited to listen to my teachers and their insights and to have fun with my friends.
9. Tuko katika darasa moja! "We're in the same class!"
How does it feel to meet your long-time friend after so many years in the same class? Perhaps, you had not met for some years and then in the university on your first year, you come and you meet each other. I can’t imagine the excitement but for me, I will be so, so excited. You will notice that in this sentence, there is an interjection mark Tuko katika darasa moja! It’s a surprise. Perhaps meeting someone after a long time, you know. So it comes with that kind of excitement, the interjections like a surprise thing. Actually, I think in this sentence, we tend to express our emotions. So towards the end, you kind of raise your voice a little bit Tuko katika darasa moja! You know, there is some kind of an emphasis towards the end just to show the surprise.
10. Je, unachukua madarasa gani? "What classes are you taking?"
I know sometimes it could be tricky to know what classes you want to take especially when you’re new to these things you know. But I remember my favorite class was a philosophy and psychology. I just liked the insights and the way our teachers will analyze facts. I don’t know whether they are theories, you know. Getting all these things together, it was really fun. What is your favorite subject? Please write to us on your comments. We’d love to hear what you say.

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