Swahili · Body & Health
mgonjwa
Sick person; sick
Beginnernoun
Definition
An ill person; kuwa mgonjwa means to be sick.
Example
Mimi ni mgonjwa, nitabaki nyumbani.
I am sick, I will stay home.
Etymology
'Mgonjwa' comes from the Bantu root meaning 'sick one,' emphasizing the individual's condition rather than the illness itself. This reflects cultural attitudes towards illness as a community issue.
How & Where It’s Used
'Mgonjwa' is primarily used in informal contexts among friends, families, and in healthcare discussions, being common in both spoken and written Swahili.