kupanua
koo-pah-NOO-ah
How to say it
Swahilikupanuakoo-pah-NOO-ah
Englishto expand, to widen, to broaden
Frenchélargir, agrandir, étendre
Meaning
To make something wider or bigger, such as a road, a business, a service or one’s knowledge.
Good to know
Takes its object directly: kupanua barabara, to widen a road; kupanua biashara, to expand a business. Kupanuka is to become wider, and upanuzi is expansion.
Examples
- Serikali itapanua barabara hii mwaka ujao.The government will widen this road next year.
- Tunataka kupanua biashara yetu hadi Kenya.We want to expand our business to Kenya.
- Kusoma vitabu kunapanua akili.Reading books broadens the mind.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.