Swahili · Food & Drink
mkate
Bread
Beginnernoun
Definition
A staple food made from flour; chapati is a beloved flatbread.
Example
Ninakula mkate na mayai asubuhi.
I eat bread and eggs in the morning.
Etymology
The word 'mkate' is derived from the root 'kata', which means 'to cut'. It historically refers to the bread made by cutting into dough, and its use has evolved across various dialects in the Bantu language family.
How & Where It’s Used
'Mkate' is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts across East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania. It is widely spoken in daily conversations and is a staple reference in written materials related to food.