kubakiwa na
koo-bah-KEE-wah NAH
How to say it
Swahilikubakiwa nakoo-bah-KEE-wah NAHsoon
Englishto be left withsoon
Frenchse retrouver avec, n’avoir plus quesoon
Meaning
Said of a person or a group that still has only a part of something after the rest has gone or been used.
Good to know
The thing left follows na: kubakiwa na siku mbili, to have two days left. The subject is the owner, not the thing: nimebakiwa na shilingi mia, I am left with a hundred shillings.
Examples
- Baada ya kulipa kodi, alibakiwa na pesa kidogo tu.After paying the rent, he was left with only a little money.
- Timu imebakiwa na mechi mbili kumaliza msimu.The team has two matches left to finish the season.
- Tumebakiwa na dakika kumi kabla ya basi kuondoka.We have ten minutes left before the bus leaves.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.