indimi

kuambia

koo-ah-MBEE-ah

How to say it

Swahilikuambiakoo-ah-MBEE-ahsoon
Englishto tell
Frenchdire

Meaning

To say something to a particular person, giving them information, an instruction or a story.

Good to know

Always carries a marker for the person told: nilimwambia, I told him; nitakuambia, I will tell you. Kusema is to say, without naming the listener.

Examples

  • Nilimwambia aje mapema kesho asubuhi.I told him to come early tomorrow morning.
  • Mama aliwaambia watoto hadithi ya sungura.Mother told the children the story of the hare.
  • Nitakuambia ukweli wote kesho.I will tell you the whole truth tomorrow.

The same word in

Forms

ambiwa (passive stem of kuambia: to be told), nawaambia

Not yet checked by a native speaker.

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