kutesa
koo-TEH-sah
How to say it
Swahilikutesakoo-TEH-sah
Englishto torture, to torment, to persecute
Frenchtorturer, tourmenter, persécuter
Meaning
To cause someone great pain or suffering on purpose, or to make their life hard; in sports and music slang it also means to dominate or be a big hit.
Good to know
The person is the object: kumtesa mfungwa, to torture a prisoner. The passive kuteswa is to be tortured and mateso are suffering.
Examples
- Ni kosa kisheria kutesa mahabusu.It is a crime to torture people in custody.
- Maumivu ya jino yalimtesa usiku mzima.The toothache tormented him all night.
- Wimbo wake mpya unatesa redioni sasa.His new song is a big hit on the radio now.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.