Swahili · Family & People
mke
Wife
Beginnernoun
Definition
The woman a man is married to.
Example
Anaishi na mke wake Mombasa.
He lives with his wife in Mombasa.
Etymology
'Mke' comes from the Proto-Bantu word *mke, which means wife. The term has evolved but continues to denote the role of a woman in marriage.
How & Where It’s Used
'Mke' is generally used in both formal and spoken contexts, especially in discussions about familial relationships. It carries cultural significance, especially in wedding ceremonies.
Literary Heritage
The term appears in traditional songs and proverbs depicting the virtues of wives in family life.