mtunza

Swahili

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀-

Proto-Sabaki *mu-

Swahili m-

Proto-Bantu *-cùnga

Proto-Sabaki *-cunga

Proto-Bantu *-ia

Proto-Sabaki *-ya

Proto-Sabaki *-cunzya

Swahili -tunza

Swahili mtunza

From m- + -tunza (“to take care of”).

Noun

mtunza class I (plural watunza class II)

1. keeper, carer

Derived terms

• mtunza bustani (“gardener”)
• mtunza wanyama (“zookeeper”)
• mtunza muda (“timekeeper”)