kupiga chafya
koo-PEE-gah CHAH-fyah
How to say it
Swahilikupiga chafyakoo-PEE-gah CHAH-fyah
Englishto sneeze
Frenchéternuer
Meaning
To blow air out suddenly and noisily through the nose and mouth, as when one has a cold.
Good to know
Built with kupiga, literally to hit, as in other body actions such as kupiga miayo, to yawn. Chafya is the sneeze itself.
Examples
- Vumbi lilimfanya aanze kupiga chafya.The dust made him start sneezing.
- Tumia kitambaa kufunika mdomo ukitaka kupiga chafya.Use a handkerchief to cover your mouth when you need to sneeze.
- Mtoto aliendelea kupiga chafya usiku kucha.The child kept sneezing all night long.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.