budi
BOO-dee
How to say it
SwahilibudiBOO-dee
Meaning
An old word for a way out or a choice; today it is used only with a negative, as in hatuna budi, we have no choice but, meaning we must.
Good to know
Always negative with na: sina budi, huna budi, hana budi, hatuna budi, hakuna budi, followed by a ku verb: hatuna budi kuondoka, we have no choice but to leave.
Examples
- Hatuna budi kuondoka mapema kabla ya mvua.We have no choice but to leave early before the rain.
- Mwanafunzi hana budi kusoma kwa bidii.A student must study hard.
- Serikali haina budi kuchukua hatua haraka.The government has no choice but to act quickly.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.