kukana
koo-KAH-nah
How to say it
Swahilikukanakoo-KAH-nahsoon
Englishto deny; to disown, to renouncesoon
Frenchnier ; reniersoon
Meaning
To say that something is not true or that one did not do it; also to refuse to recognize a person or a belief as one’s own.
Good to know
Takes its object directly: kukana madai, to deny the claims; kumkana mtoto, to disown a child. Kukanusha is a stronger word for to deny officially.
Examples
- Mshtakiwa alikana mashtaka yote mahakamani.The accused denied all the charges in court.
- Petro alimkana Yesu mara tatu.Peter denied Jesus three times.
- Aliendelea kukana kwamba aliiba pesa hizo.He kept denying that he stole the money.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.