Swahili
kombati
kohm-BAH-tee
How to say it
Swahilikombatikohm-BAH-teesoon
Englishshellfishsoon
Frenchcoquillagesoon
Meaning
a bivalve shellfish, such as an oyster; also used for a flat dish, and for the shoulder-blade or skull bone by resemblance to a shell.
Good to know
kombati ya pwani specifically means oyster; kombati la kichwa means the skull, by analogy with the shell shape.
Examples
- Wavuvi walikusanya kombati baharini.Fishermen gathered shellfish at the sea.
- Alitumia kombati kubeba chakula.He used a shell-shaped dish to carry food.
- Daktari alichunguza kombati la kichwa chake.The doctor examined his skull.
- Je, kombati ya pwani inapatikana wapi?Where can oysters be found?
Not yet checked by a native speaker.