kutawala
koo-tah-WAH-lah
How to say it
Swahilikutawalakoo-tah-WAH-lah
Englishto rule, to govern; to dominate
Frenchgouverner, régner ; dominer
Meaning
To hold power over a country or a people and govern it; also to control or dominate a situation, a game or a market.
Good to know
Takes a direct object: kutawala nchi, to rule a country. A ruler is mtawala, rule is utawala, and chama tawala is the ruling party.
Examples
- Mfalme huyo alitawala kwa miaka arobaini.That king reigned for forty years.
- Timu ya nyumbani ilitawala mchezo tangu mwanzo.The home team dominated the game from the start.
- Chama hicho kimetawala nchi tangu uhuru.That party has ruled the country since independence.
The same word in
Forms
kutawaliwa (passive of kutawala, to rule)
Not yet checked by a native speaker.