kutania
koo-tah-NEE-ah
How to say it
Swahilikutaniakoo-tah-NEE-ah
Englishto joke, to tease
Frenchplaisanter, taquiner
Meaning
To say something not meant seriously in order to amuse, or to make fun of someone in a friendly way. Jina la kutania is a nickname.
Good to know
Used alone or with the person teased as object: alinitania, he teased me; sitanii, I am not joking. Teasing is utani; watani are people allowed by custom to joke with each other.
Examples
- Usinitanie, ninasema ukweli kabisa.Do not tease me, I am telling the whole truth.
- Marafiki walimtania kuhusu nywele zake mpya.His friends teased him about his new haircut.
- Alisema hivyo kwa kutania tu.He only said that as a joke.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.