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chapaa

noun

money.

Una chapaa? asks whether someone has money. The cited 2015 study records it in Kenyan youth language.

Origins

The word’s earlier history is still under review.

  1. Annah Kariuki; Fridah Erastus Kanana; Hildah Kebeya, The growth and use of Sheng in advertisements in selected businesses in Kenya (2015), printed 238.

    Research study records chapaa as money in its Kenyan youth-language material; does not establish a borrowing route or current frequency.

Examples

  1. Nina chapaa.

    I have money.

  2. Una chapaa?

    Do you have money?

  3. Sina chapaa.

    I do not have money.

  4. Tunahitaji chapaa.

    We need money.

  5. Nimetuma chapaa.

    I have sent money.

  6. Nimepata chapaa.

    I have received money.

  7. Ninaweka chapaa hapa.

    I am putting money here.

  8. Nitatuma chapaa kesho.

    I will send money tomorrow.

  9. Nahitaji chapaa ya chakula.

    I need money for food.

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