uungu (Swahili)
Where does "uungu" come from?
The Swahili word 'uungu,' meaning divinity, is formed by combining the prefix 'u-' with 'mungu,' which refers to a god or deity. The prefix 'u-' functions to turn the base noun into an abstract concept, effectively shifting the meaning from 'god' to the 'state of being God' or 'godhood'.
Full etymology tree
- uungu (Swahili), 'divinity (godhood, state of being God or a god)'
- affix u- (Swahili), '[[Appendix:Swahili_noun_classes#U class|u class_((XI))]] noun prefix, denoting natural objects, extensions, abstract qualities, or collections of small things.'
- derived mungu (Swahili), 'god (deity)'
Ancestors
- u- (Swahili)
- mungu (Swahili)
Updated July 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris