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

  1. A minivan often used as a share taxi

Ancestry of “matatu”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Swahilimatatumatatu
2Swahilima-The prefix for noun class 6 denoting liquids
3Proto-Bantumà-Class 6 noun prefix
Every word from Proto-Bantu mà- →Every word from Swahili ma- →Every word from Swahili matatu →