indimi

kukosa

koo-KOH-sah

How to say it

Swahilikukosakoo-KOH-sah
Englishto lack, to miss; to fail to get
Frenchmanquer de, rater; ne pas obtenir

Meaning

To be without something needed, to fail to get or hit something, or to miss an event.

Good to know

It takes what is lacking as object: kukosa pesa, to lack money; kukosa usingizi, to be unable to sleep; kukosa basi, to miss the bus. Kukosea is to make a mistake, and kosa is a mistake.

Examples

  • Wengi wamekosa kazi mwaka huu.Many have been out of work this year.
  • Tulikosa basi la asubuhi.We missed the morning bus.
  • Mchezaji alikosa penalti dakika ya mwisho.The player missed a penalty in the last minute.

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