fumbo
FOO-mboh
How to say it
SwahilifumboFOO-mbohsoon
Englishmystery, puzzle; riddlesoon
Frenchmystère, énigme; devinettesoon
Meaning
Something hard to understand or explain, or words with a hidden meaning that must be worked out, like a riddle.
Good to know
Ji/ma noun, plural mafumbo; kusema kwa mafumbo, to speak in riddles. To solve it is kufumbua fumbo.
Examples
- Kifo chake bado ni fumbo kwa familia.His death is still a mystery to the family.
- Mzee alipenda kuongea kwa mafumbo.The old man liked to speak in riddles.
- Polisi wamefanikiwa kufumbua fumbo la wizi huo.The police have managed to solve the puzzle of that theft.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.