bonga
verb
to speak or talk.
Use bonga for informal speaking or conversation. Standard Swahili has a separate word spelled bonga meaning “to bore a hole”; that is not treated as the origin of this Sheng verb.
Forms
- kubonga
- infinitive
- wakibonga
- lyric form · if or when they talk
Lyric usage
Origins
Bonga is recorded as a coined Sheng verb. Its earlier language source has not been traced.
Nathan Oyori Ogechi, On Lexicalization in Sheng (Nordic Journal of African Studies, 2005), printed 351.
Records -bonga as a coined Sheng verb meaning “speak” or “talk” and says its language source is not traceable.
TUKI, Kamusi ya Kiswahili–Kiingereza: bonga (Dar es Salaam: Taasisi ya Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili, University of Dar es Salaam, 2000), entry: bonga.
Records the distinct Standard Swahili homograph meaning “to bore a hole.”
Examples
Anabonga na wasee wake.
They are chatting with their people.
Bonga kidogo, tuko kwa meeting.
Chat a little, we are in a meeting.
Tukae hapa, bonga kidogo.
Let us sit here and chat.
Tunaweza bonga baadaye.
We can chat later.
Usibonga sana kwa call.
Do not talk too much on the call.
Walibonga mpaka usiku.
They talked until night.
Njoo tu bonga kuhusu plan.
Come, let us talk about the plan.
Anapenda bonga na neighbours.
They like chatting with neighbours.
Bonga tu, usiogope.
Just talk, do not be afraid.
