jambazi

How to say it

Meaning

an armed robber or gangster who preys on others by force.

Good to know

the dominant modern meaning is violent criminal; an older sense referred merely to a tramp or cheat.

Examples

• Jambazi lilivamia duka usiku.A robber broke into the shop at night.
• Polisi walimkamata jambazi aliyeiba gari.Police arrested the robber who stole the car.
• Je, majambazi walikimbia kwa gari gani?Which car did the robbers flee in?
• Hakutaka kuwa jambazi kama kaka yake.He did not want to become a robber like his brother.