lakini

conjunction

But; however; yet.

Use lakini to connect contrasting ideas or add a limit to what you have just said.

Origins

Lakini was already recorded for “but” and “however” in nineteenth-century Swahili. Its earlier borrowing history remains under review.

Sources4

A. C. Madan, Swahili-English Dictionary (1903), lakini, page 218.
Lakini introduces contrast: but, yet or however. Lakini has Arabic origin.
Edward Steere, A Handbook of the Swahili Language as Spoken at Zanzibar (1884), 355.
Lakini was recorded with but/however meaning in 1884.
Cairo Arabic Language Academy, المعجم الوسيط, lakini, page 1.
Arabic لَكِنْ has an adversative function; its omitted written alif remains pronounced.
Open Language Resource Center, University of Kansas, Kiswahili Glossary, Glossary: lakini.
Lakini introduces contrast: but, yet or however.

Ninataka kuja, lakini sina muda.
I want to come, but I have no time.
Chai ni tamu, lakini ni moto sana.
The tea is sweet, but it is very hot.
Hoteli ni nzuri, lakini ni ghali.
The hotel is nice, but expensive.
Nina tiketi, lakini sina pasipoti.
I have a ticket, but I have no passport.
Mvua inanyesha, lakini tutaenda.
It is raining, but we will go.
Alifika mapema, lakini alisubiri.
He arrived early, but he waited.
Ninaelewa kidogo, lakini siwezi kujibu.
I understand a little, but I cannot answer.
Tulitembea sana, lakini hatukuchoka.
We walked a lot, but we did not get tired.
Bei ni nzuri, lakini nahitaji kufikiri.
The price is good, but I need to think.