indimi

kanali

kah-NAH-lee

How to say it

Swahilikanalikah-NAH-leesoon
Englishcolonelsoon
Frenchcolonelsoon

Meaning

A senior officer in the army, above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier; often used as a title before a name.

Good to know

Used as a title before names: Kanali Ahmed, Luteni Kanali, lieutenant colonel. Plural makanali; a retired colonel is kanali mstaafu.

Examples

  • Kanali huyo aliongoza kikosi cha askari mia tatu.That colonel led a unit of three hundred soldiers.
  • Msemaji wa jeshi ni Kanali mstaafu wa zamani.The army spokesman is a former retired colonel.
  • Alipandishwa cheo kutoka meja hadi kanali.He was promoted from major to colonel.

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