Where does “matatu” come from?
matatu (English) comes from Swahili matatu, from Swahili ma-, from Proto-Bantu mà- — Class 6 noun prefix.
matatu (English): A minivan often used as a share taxi
Definitions
- A minivan often used as a share taxi
Ancestry of “matatu”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Swahili | matatu | matatu |
| 2 | Swahili | ma- | The prefix for noun class 6 denoting liquids |
| 3 | Proto-Bantu | mà- | Class 6 noun prefix |