tatizo

Tatizo is a Swahili noun meaning problem, issue, or trouble. It is widely used across Swahili-speaking communities in East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in diaspora communities. The word is used to label a situation that poses a difficulty or obstacle.

In everyday speech, tatizo can refer to practical difficulties (like a broken appliance) or more abstract matters (such as bureaucratic problems or social concerns). Common phrases include "Hakuna tatizo" (No problem), "Kuna tatizo" (There is a problem), and "Tatizo ni nini?" (What is the problem?). The term is versatile and can function as the subject or object in a sentence.

In media and conversation, tatizo often appears in headlines and discussions about challenges or issues, ranging from infrastructure to personal matters. Its colloquial tone makes it a frequent choice in informal speech, while still clear in formal contexts when used with appropriate tone.

Related terms include "shida" (difficulty) and "taabu" (trouble), though tatizo tends to be the most common everyday word for "problem" in Swahili.