badala ya
bah-DAH-lah YAH
How to say it
Swahilibadala yabah-DAH-lah YAHsoon
Englishinstead of, rather thansoon
Frenchau lieu de, à la place desoon
Meaning
Says that one thing is done or chosen in place of another.
Good to know
A fixed phrase followed by a noun or an infinitive: badala ya chai, instead of tea; badala ya kulala, instead of sleeping. Badala yake means instead.
Examples
- Alinunua gari jipya badala ya kujenga nyumba.He bought a new car instead of building a house.
- Tumia asali badala ya sukari.Use honey instead of sugar.
- Badala ya kulalamika, tufanye kazi kwa bidii.Instead of complaining, let us work hard.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.