gumba

How to say it

Meaning

solitary or childless; also used of the thumb or big toe.

Good to know

Chiefly appears in set phrases: kidole gumba ('thumb' or 'big toe') and mtu mgumba ('a childless or solitary person').

Examples

• Alijikata kidole gumba akiwa jikoni.He cut his thumb while in the kitchen.
• Mzee yule ni mgumba, hana watoto.That old man is childless.
• Je, umeumiza kidole gumba chako?Have you hurt your big toe?
• Aliishi maisha ya ugumba, peke yake milimani.He lived a solitary life, alone in the mountains.