nafasi
noun
space; room.
Can describe available space, rather than a particular seat.
Origins
Nafasi comes from Arabic نَفَس (nafas, “breath”). The Swahili sense stretched from breath to room and opportunity: breathing room becoming space to act.
Edward Steere, A Handbook of the Swahili Language as Spoken at Zanzibar (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1884), PDF page 386.
Documents physical space or room.
- nafasi (Wiktionary)
States nafasi is borrowed from Arabic نَفَس (nafas, “breath”), citing Baldi, S. (2020), Dictionary of Arabic Loanwords in Swahili, p.292, entry Nr.2772.
Examples
Kuna nafasi?
Is there room?
Hakuna nafasi, matatu imejaa.
No room, the matatu is full.
Nipe nafasi kidogo.
Give me a little room.
Kuna nafasi ya mtu mmoja tu.
There's space for just one person.
Sina nafasi ya begi hili.
I don't have room for this bag.
Sogea, tupate nafasi.
Move over so we can get some room.
Hoteli ina nafasi usiku wa leo?
Does the hotel have room tonight?
Nafasi hii ni yangu.
This spot is mine.
Nitakuwekea nafasi karibu nami.
I'll save you a spot next to me.
