ishi
verb
to live; to be alive.
It can describe living over a period of time.
Origins
Ishi comes from Arabic عَاش (ʿāsha, “to live”), adapted into the everyday Swahili verb for being alive.
Sources3
Edward Steere, A Handbook of the Swahili Language as Spoken at Zanzibar (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1884), PDF page 483.
Uses kuishi in a wish for someone to live long and happily. Historical Zanzibar evidence.
University of Kansas Open Language Resource Center, University of Kansas Kiswahili Glossary (University of Kansas Open Language Resource Center), ishi glossary rows.
Gives -ishi as “to live”.
- ishi (Wiktionary)
States ishi is borrowed from Arabic عَاش (ʿāsha, “to live”).
Examples
Ninaishi Dar es Salaam.
I live in Dar es Salaam.
Anapenda kuishi maisha rahisi.
He likes to live a simple life.
Wanaishi pamoja kwa amani.
They live together peacefully.
Uliishi wapi zamani?
Where did you live before?
Tutajaribu kuishi kwa furaha.
We will try to live happily.
Mzee huyu ameishi miaka mingi.
This elder has lived many years.
Unaishi hapa?
Do you live here?
Samaki huishi majini.
Fish live in water.
Rafiki yangu anaishi Mombasa.
My friend lives in Mombasa.
