ghafi

Swahili

Etymology

Plausibly from Arabic جافِي (jāfī, “harsh, rough, coarse”, chiefly of behaviour, but also of things). This is pronounced /ˈɡaːfi/ in most of Omani and parts of Yemeni Arabic. The Swahili gh would have to be a hyperforeignism.

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɣɑ.fi/, /ˈɡɑ.fi/

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Adjective

ghafi (invariable)

1. valueless, inferior
2. raw, unprocessed

Derived terms

• mafuta ghafi (“crude oil”)
• malighafi (“raw material”)