1. Bitter (taste): This is the most common meaning. It refers to something that has a sharp, unpleasant taste, like bitter gourd or dark chocolate.
Example: "Hicho chakula ni chungu sana." (That food is very bitter.)
2. Painful; grievous; sorrowful: This meaning is used to describe a strong feeling of sadness, pain, or grief.
Example: "Moyo wake ulikuwa chungu baada ya kupoteza mtoto wake." (His heart was heavy with sorrow after losing his child.)
3. A large earthenware pot: This meaning is less common but still valid.
Example: "Mama alikuwa ameweka mchele kwenye chungu." (Mother had put rice into the pot.)
4. A type of traditional gourd: This is a more specific meaning, referring to a particular type of gourd used for storing water or other liquids.
Example: "Alienda sokoni kununua chungu la maji." (He went to the market to buy a water gourd.)
To understand the meaning of "chungu" in a particular context, pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall tone of the sentence.