amara masa

How to say it

Meaning

with nothing to show for one's effort; empty-handed, in vain.

Good to know

idiomatic expression; often follows a verb of leaving or returning.

Examples

• Yagarutse amara masa.He returned empty-handed.
• Wagiye amara masa se?Did you go for nothing?
• Ntabwo nagarutse amara masa.I did not return empty-handed.
• Bazasubira amara masa niba batabikoze.They will return empty-handed if they don't do it.