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mokoro

noun

mother.

Mokoro is documented as a Sheng word for one’s mother. The source describes the usage in 2008; this lyric uses it positively in a line about making one’s mother proud.

Lyric usage

Origins

Mokoro comes from Gikuyu mũkũrũ, “old person.” A 2008 study describes how its Sheng meaning narrowed to females, especially mothers.

  1. Peter Githinji, Sexism and (mis)representation of women in Sheng (Journal of African Cultural Studies, 2008), printed 21.

    Identifies mokoro as a Sheng word for mother and traces it to Gikuyu mũkũrũ, with semantic narrowing toward mothers.

Examples

  1. Nilienda kuona mokoro yangu.

    I went to see my mother.

  2. Mokoro yangu ako poa.

    My mother is doing well.

  3. Nilicall mokoro jana.

    I called my mother yesterday.

  4. Mokoro alinifunza hiyo recipe.

    My mother taught me that recipe.

  5. Nitampelekea mokoro shopping.

    I will take the shopping to my mother.

  6. Mokoro alifurahia habari hiyo.

    My mother was happy about that news.

  7. Tuko base na mokoro.

    We are at the hangout with my mother.

  8. Mokoro alinipigia asubuhi.

    My mother called me in the morning.

  9. Nataka kumake mokoro proud.

    I want to make my mother proud.

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