kisababishi

How to say it

Meaning

Something that causes a disease or condition, such as a germ, a habit or a genetic change. It is a formal word, mostly used in health and science writing.

Good to know

Ki/vi class noun, plural visababishi, from kusababisha, to cause: visababishi vya saratani, causes of cancer. In everyday speech sababu or chanzo is more usual.

Examples

• Uvutaji sigara ni kisababishi kikubwa cha saratani ya mapafu.Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer.
• Madaktari bado wanatafuta kisababishi cha ugonjwa huo.Doctors are still looking for the cause of that disease.
• Visababishi vya shinikizo la damu ni vingi.The causes of high blood pressure are many.