kukaza
koo-KAH-zah
How to say it
Swahilikukazakoo-KAH-zah
Englishto tighten; to press on, to persevere
Frenchserrer, resserrer; persévérer
Meaning
To make something tight or firm, such as a screw, a rope or a muscle. Figuratively, to press on with effort and not give up; in slang, vyuma vimekaza means times are hard, money is tight.
Good to know
Transitive for tightening: kukaza kamba, to tighten a rope; kukaza mwendo, to speed up. Used alone it means to keep pushing: endelea kukaza, keep at it.
Examples
- Fundi alikaza skrubu za gari.The mechanic tightened the car’s screws.
- Tulikaza mwendo ili tufike kabla ya giza.We sped up so as to arrive before dark.
- Maisha ni magumu lakini lazima tuendelee kukaza.Life is hard but we must keep pressing on.
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Forms
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