watu

Watu is the Swahili word for “people” or “persons.” It is the plural form of mtu, the standard noun for an individual human being. In everyday use, watu can refer to a group of people, a population, or humanity in general, depending on context.

Grammatically, watu belongs to Swahili noun class 2, which is the plural counterpart of class 1 (mtu). In sentences, adjectives and verbs agree with the noun’s number and class. For example, mtu mzuri means “a good person,” and watu wazuri means “good people.” This concord extends to other modifiers and relative clauses.

Usage and nuance are typically neutral. Watu is a common, non-pejorative term used across media, conversation, and literature to refer to groups of people, communities, or crowds, as well as to discuss human societies more broadly. It can appear in phrases such as “watu wa kawaida” (ordinary people) or “maono ya watu” (the people’s views).

In addition to its primary meaning, watu may appear as a proper noun in some contexts, such as in names, titles, or transliterations in non-Swahili settings. However, its core sense remains the general reference to people rather than a specific ethnic group or individual identity.

See also: Swahili language; Bantu languages.