indimi

kulazimika

koo-lah-zee-MEE-kah

How to say it

Swahilikulazimikakoo-lah-zee-MEE-kah
Englishto be forced, to have to
Frenchêtre obligé de, devoir

Meaning

To be made to do something by circumstances or by other people, whether one wants to or not.

Good to know

Followed by an infinitive: alilazimika kuondoka, he had to leave. Stative of kulazimisha, to force; lazima means must.

Examples

  • Tulilazimika kutembea kwa sababu hakukuwa na basi.We had to walk because there was no bus.
  • Kiwanda kimelazimika kupunguza wafanyakazi.The factory has been forced to cut staff.
  • Mechi ililazimika kusimamishwa kwa sababu ya mvua.The match had to be stopped because of rain.

The same word in

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