kukataza
koo-kah-TAH-zah
How to say it
Swahilikukatazakoo-kah-TAH-zah
Englishto forbid, to prohibit, to ban
Frenchinterdire, défendre
Meaning
To say firmly that someone must not do something, or to make a rule or law that stops an activity.
Good to know
The person forbidden takes an object marker and the act follows in ku form or the subjunctive: alimkataza kuvuta sigara, he forbade him to smoke. The passive is kukatazwa.
Examples
- Daktari amemkataza kula chumvi nyingi.The doctor has forbidden him to eat much salt.
- Sheria mpya inakataza uvuvi haramu ziwani.The new law bans illegal fishing in the lake.
- Wazazi wetu walitukataza kucheza karibu na mto.Our parents forbade us to play near the river.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.