kunyonya

How to say it

Meaning

To draw liquid into the mouth, as a baby does at the breast; also to absorb, and to exploit people by taking their wealth or labor.

Good to know

Mtoto ananyonya, the baby is breastfeeding; the causative kunyonyesha is to breastfeed a baby. Unyonyaji is exploitation; mnyonyaji, an exploiter.

Examples

• Mtoto ananyonya maziwa ya mama yake.The baby is sucking its mother’s milk.
• Wakoloni walinyonya rasilimali za Afrika.The colonialists exploited Africa’s resources.
• Sponji hii inaweza kunyonya maji mengi.This sponge can absorb a lot of water.