indimi

kujiinua

koo-jee-ee-NOO-ah

How to say it

Swahilikujiinuakoo-jee-ee-NOO-ah
Englishto lift oneself up; to better oneself
Frenchse relever ; progresser

Meaning

To raise one's own body, for example from the ground or a bed, and by extension to improve one's situation by one's own efforts.

Good to know

The reflexive of kuinua, to lift. Common in development talk: kujiinua kiuchumi, to lift oneself up economically.

Examples

  • Mgonjwa alijiinua kitandani kwa shida.The patient lifted himself up in bed with difficulty.
  • Wanawake wameunda vikundi ili kujiinua kiuchumi.The women have formed groups to lift themselves up economically.
  • Alianguka lakini akajiinua haraka.He fell but quickly got himself up.

The same word in

Forms

jiinua

Not yet checked by a native speaker.

Open in the dictionary ›More Swahili words from K ›