kubidi
koo-BEE-dee
How to say it
Swahilikubidikoo-BEE-dee
Englishto be necessary, to have to (impersonal)
Frenchfalloir, être nécessaire
Meaning
Used without a real subject to say that something must be done, like English it is necessary or one has to.
Good to know
Always impersonal with i-: inabidi, it is necessary; ilibidi, it was necessary; itabidi, it will be necessary. The person follows as an object or subject of a subjunctive: ilibidi niondoke, I had to leave.
Examples
- Ilibidi niondoke mapema kwa sababu ya mvua.I had to leave early because of the rain.
- Inabidi tufanye kazi kwa bidii zaidi.We have to work harder.
- Itabidi usubiri hadi kesho.You will have to wait until tomorrow.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.