kutanda
koo-TAH-ndah
How to say it
Swahilikutandakoo-TAH-ndah
Englishto spread over, to cover; to hang over
Frenchs’étendre, recouvrir; planer
Meaning
Of clouds, smoke, darkness or a feeling such as fear, to spread out and cover a place.
Good to know
The thing that spreads is the subject: wingu limetanda, a cloud has spread; hofu imetanda, fear has spread. Kutandaza is to spread something out, like a mat.
Examples
- Moshi mzito ulitanda juu ya mji.Thick smoke spread over the town.
- Hofu imetanda kijijini baada ya mauaji hayo.Fear has spread through the village after those killings.
- Mawingu meusi yalitanda angani kabla ya mvua.Dark clouds covered the sky before the rain.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.