Kirundi
kumama
Word parts: ku-mama
ku-MA-ma
How to say it
Kirundikumamaku-MA-masoon
Englishto hushsoon
Frenchfaire taire d'un gestesoon
Meaning
to signal someone to be silent with a motion or wave of the hand.
Good to know
a nonverbal way of asking for quiet, often used with children or in serious moments.
Examples
- Umwarimu yaramamye abanyeshuri kugira baceceke.The teacher hushed the students with a hand signal.
- Wamumamye ryari kugira aceceke?When did you signal him to be quiet?
- Ntabwo yigeze amama umwana we imbere y'abantu.She never hushed her child in front of people.
- Nimba avuga menshi, tuzomumama.If he talks too much, we will signal him to stop.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.