mean
gb/mˈin/ us/mˈin/
A2
Kiingereza
~ 2600
Maana
maana 0
Kitenzi
A2
action
1
intend to express
To want to say or show a certain idea.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to mean [something]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mean' with 'say'. 'Mean' is about the intended message, not just the words spoken.
Visawe
intend (Focuses more on the plan or purpose rather than the communication of it.)
Vinyume
miscommunicate (Express something in a way that is misunderstood or incorrect.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
mean well
|mean no harm
|mean exactly
|mean what you say
Mada
communication
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
- What do you mean by that remark?
- He means to finish the project by Friday.
- When I said 'soon', I meant within an hour.
- She means a lot to me.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- I mean we will go now.
- What do you mean by this?
- I did not mean to make you sad.
- He means to call her tonight.
adjective
A2
property
2
unkind or nasty
Not nice; wanting to hurt or upset someone.
Muundo wa matumizi:
a mean [person/remark]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse this with 'average' in math. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Visawe
cruel (Stronger and more deliberate harm than 'mean'.)
Vinyume
kind (Shows care and concern for others instead of causing harm.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
mean comment
|mean streak
|mean look
|mean to someone
Mada
emotions
|behavior
|relationships
Mifano
- That was a mean thing to say.
- She can be really mean when she’s angry.
- Don’t be mean to your little brother.
- He gave me a mean glare.
- They spread mean rumors about her.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- He is a mean boy.
- She said a mean thing.
- Don't be mean to me.
- That was a mean joke.
Kitenzi
B1
state
3
be important or significant
To be important or special to someone.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[something] means [something] to [someone]
Visawe
matter ('Matter' is more general and slightly less emotional.)
Vinyume
be irrelevant (Lacking importance or significance.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
mean a lot
|mean the world
|mean nothing
Mada
emotions
|importance
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- Your friendship means a lot to me.
- Winning this award means everything to her.
- Money means nothing if you’re not happy.
- That gesture really means something.
- This job means stability for my family.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- You mean a lot to me.
- This book means nothing to him.
- Her smile means everything to me.
- This letter means much to us.
Nomino
technical
B2
quantity
4
mathematical average value
A number found by adding up all numbers and dividing by how many there are.
Visawe
average ('Average' is more common in everyday speech; 'mean' is more precise in math.)
Vinyume
extreme value (A value far from the average in a set.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
arithmetic mean
|geometric mean
|calculate the mean
Mada
mathematics
|statistics
|science
|education
Mifano
- The mean of 2, 4, and 6 is 4.
- We calculated the mean score for the class.
- The arithmetic mean is often used in statistics.
- The geometric mean is different from the arithmetic mean.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- The mean of 1 and 3 is 2.
- Find the mean of these numbers.
- We need to get the mean score.
adjective
informal
B2
property
5
very good or skillful (slang)
Very good at something; impressive.
Muundo wa matumizi:
a mean [skill/object]
Visawe
impressive (More formal and does not carry slang tone.)
Vinyume
poor (Lacking skill or quality.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
mean guitar player
|mean cook
Mada
informal language
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Mifano
- He plays a mean guitar.
- She makes a mean cup of coffee.
- That chef can cook a mean steak.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- He makes a mean cake.
- She plays a mean piano.
- They cook a mean soup.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
mean
IPA
GB/mˈin/
US/mˈin/
Silabi na mkazo
mean (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Maumbo ya neno
Adjective
- Base: mean
- Comparative: meaner
- Superlative: meanest
Noun
- Base: mean
- Plural: means
Verb
- Base: mean
- 3rd Person Singular: means
- Present Participle: meaning
- Past: meant
- Past Participle: meant
Familia ya neno
Forms
means
noun
meaning
verb
meant
verb
meaner
adjective
meanest
adjective
Core family
meaningful
adjective B2
Related words
meaningfully
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
meaningless
adjective B2
meaninglessly
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
meaningfulness
noun
meaninglessness
noun
Vidokezo muhimu
- Irregular past: meant Verb
- Irregular past participle: meant Verb
Semi
mean business
1/mˈin bˈɪznɪs/
idiom
be serious and determined
To be serious about what you are doing and want to succeed.
Mifano
- When she picked up the microphone, you could tell she meant business.
- The police are here and they mean business.
mean the world to someone
1/mˈin ðə wˈɚld tə sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
be extremely important emotionally
To be very important and loved by someone.
Mifano
- You mean the world to me.
- Her support during hard times meant the world to him.
mean well
1/mˈin wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
intend to do good
To want to help or do good, even if it does not work out well.
Mifano
- I know he can be annoying, but he means well.
- She meant well when she gave advice, but it upset him.
what it means is...
1/wˈʌt ˈɪt mˈinz ˈɪz |/
fixed phrase
explain meaning of statement
Used before explaining what something just said really means.
Mifano
- What it means is we need more time.
- What it means is that prices will go up.
by no means
1/bˈaɪ nˈoʊ mˈinz/
fixed phrase
formal
not at all; in no way
Not at all; in no way.
Mifano
- It is by no means certain that we will win.
- This is by no means an easy task.
by no means
2/bˈaɪ nˈoʊ mˈinz/
fixed phrase
Definitely not; not at all
Used to say that something is not true at all.
Mifano
- This job is by no means easy.
- He is by no means ready for the exam.