kulazimu
koo-lah-ZEE-moo
How to say it
Swahilikulazimukoo-lah-ZEE-moo
Englishto compel, to force; to be necessary
Frenchobliger, contraindre; falloir
Meaning
To make someone have to do something, often because of circumstances; ilimlazimu kuondoka means he had to leave.
Good to know
Mostly with the impersonal i and the person as object: ilinilazimu, I had to; inatulazimu, we must. The person or thing forced comes after the verb.
Examples
- Mvua ilitulazimu kuahirisha safari.The rain forced us to put off the trip.
- Ilimlazimu kuuza gari lake ili alipe deni.He had to sell his car to pay the debt.
- Hali hii inatulazimu kubana matumizi.This situation forces us to cut spending.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.