indimi

kuelea

koo-eh-LEH-ah

How to say it

Swahilikueleakoo-eh-LEH-ah
Englishto float; to hover
Frenchflotter; planer

Meaning

To stay on the surface of water without sinking, or to stay up in the air, like clouds, a boat, or someone wearing a life jacket.

Good to know

Used without an object: mashua inaelea, the boat floats. Do not confuse it with kueleza, to explain, or kuelewa, to understand.

Examples

  • Mbao nyepesi huelea juu ya maji.Light wood floats on water.
  • Wavuvi waliona kitu kikielea baharini.The fishermen saw something floating on the sea.
  • Mawingu meupe yalielea angani.White clouds floated in the sky.

The same word in

Forms

elea

Not yet checked by a native speaker.

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