indimi

kutambaa

koo-tah-MBAH-ah

How to say it

Swahilikutambaakoo-tah-MBAH-ah
Englishto crawl, to creep
Frenchramper

Meaning

To move along close to the ground on the hands and knees or on the belly, like a baby, a snake or a plant spreading over the soil.

Good to know

Takes no object; kutambaa chini is to crawl on the ground. Of plants it means to spread along the ground: mmea unaotambaa, a creeping plant.

Examples

  • Mtoto ameanza kutambaa akiwa na miezi saba.The baby started crawling at seven months.
  • Nyoka alitambaa chini ya mlango.A snake crawled under the door.
  • Maboga hutambaa ardhini na kuenea shambani.Pumpkins creep along the ground and spread over the field.

The same word in

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