kupaswa
koo-PAH-swah
How to say it
Swahilikupaswakoo-PAH-swahsoon
Englishought to, should, to have tosoon
Frenchdevoirsoon
Meaning
Used before another verb to say that something is a duty or the right thing to do, like 'should' or 'ought to'.
Good to know
Almost always conjugated and followed by an infinitive: wanapaswa kujua, they should know. Inapaswa means it is necessary, and kupaswa na means to be bound by (rules).
Examples
- Unapaswa kufika shuleni kabla ya saa mbili.You should get to school before eight o'clock.
- Wazazi wanapaswa kuwasikiliza watoto wao.Parents ought to listen to their children.
- Tulipaswa kuondoka mapema zaidi.We should have left earlier.
The same word in
Forms
Not yet checked by a native speaker.