kuchonga

How to say it

Meaning

To shape wood, stone or another hard material by cutting away pieces with a knife or chisel, as the Makonde do in their famous carvings. It is also used for sharpening a pencil or a stick.

Good to know

Takes the material or object as object: kuchonga kinyago, to carve a mask; kuchonga penseli, to sharpen a pencil. A carver is mchongaji. In slang, kuchonga also means to talk a lot.

Examples

• Fundi huyo huchonga vinyago vya mpingo.That craftsman carves ebony masks.
• Alichonga kijiko kutoka kwenye kipande cha mti.He carved a spoon from a piece of wood.
• Mwalimu alitumia kisu kuchonga penseli.The teacher used a knife to sharpen the pencil.