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tenga

noun

a one-thousand-shilling note.

Tenga is recorded for a one-thousand-shilling note among matatu crews in Nakuru, Kenya. This study does not establish usage everywhere today.

Origins

The word’s earlier history is still under review.

  1. Fridah Erastus Kanana and Atemo Christine Ny’onga, Lexical restructuring processes in Sheng among the Matatu crew in Nakuru, Kenya (2019), Nakuru study; discussion and Table 14.

    A one-thousand-shilling note, recorded in Sheng among matatu crews in Nakuru, Kenya.

Examples

  1. Nina tenga hapa.

    I have a one-thousand-shilling note here.

  2. Una tenga?

    Do you have a one-thousand-shilling note?

  3. Nahitaji tenga ya nauli.

    I need a one-thousand-shilling note for the fare.

  4. Nimelipa kwa tenga.

    I have paid with a one-thousand-shilling note.

  5. Nimepata tenga.

    I have found a one-thousand-shilling note.

  6. Nimeweka tenga hapa.

    I have put a one-thousand-shilling note here.

  7. Nipe tenga, tafadhali.

    Give me a one-thousand-shilling note, please.

  8. Chukua tenga.

    Take a one-thousand-shilling note.

  9. Nimeleta tenga.

    I have brought a one-thousand-shilling note.

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