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Glite Dictionary
bwana

bwana

2 9.9
A polite word for a man in charge in East Africa
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : bwana
  • The travelers were excited to explore the wild, with their guide being the friendly bwana of the safari.
  • say, "bwana"
  • call him "bwana"

And if we can do the, we don't have to say bwana.

Examples

  • l tell boys to start dishing now, bwana?

    White Mischief (1987)

  • On one of her t-shirts, she had written, Bwana Asifiwe, God be praised - a popular greeting among Born Again Christians.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Hey, Bwana, why don't you let me lead for a while?

    Six Days Seven Nights (1998)

  • - The boys, bwana... they're gone.

    Watusi (1959)

  • Police were here, bwana.

    The Constant Gardener (2005)

  • Car ready, bwana.

    White Mischief (1987)

  • During the government of the Germans, he went to the house of Bwana Rambrashi, i.e., to look for work.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Bwana Cole is coming.

    Out of Africa (1985)

  • When these participants first returned to school, they greeted their classmates with "Bwana Asifiwe."

    Academic text (2000)

  • As the chief of the village, everyone addressed him as bwana out of respect.

Synonyms

baboo
vsbwana
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A polite title used to address a respected person, like Mr

is similar but used mainly in East Africa and often for men in authority

Surface Forms

bwana singular
bwanas plural

Etymology

Bwana comes from East African Swahili, where bwana means 'master' or 'mister'. It was used as a respectful name for a man in charge and, in colonial times, sometimes for European men, which is why today it can mean a polite 'boss' or 'sir'.