kuchelewa
koo-cheh-LEH-wah
How to say it
Swahilikuchelewakoo-cheh-LEH-wahsoon
Englishto be late, to be delayedsoon
Frenchêtre en retard, tardersoon
Meaning
To arrive or happen after the expected time, or to take longer than planned.
Good to know
Has no object: nimechelewa, I am late. Bila kuchelewa means without delay, and kuchelewesha is to delay something; ucheleweshaji is a delay.
Examples
- Samahani, nimechelewa kwa sababu ya foleni.Sorry, I am late because of the traffic jam.
- Ndege ilichelewa kwa saa mbili.The plane was delayed by two hours.
- Ukichelewa kulipa kodi utatozwa faini.If you are late paying the rent you will be fined.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.