indimi

kuteseka

koo-teh-SEH-kah

How to say it

Swahilikutesekakoo-teh-SEH-kah
Englishto suffertoo SUF-er
Frenchsouffrir

Meaning

To go through pain, hardship or distress for a long time, in body or in mind: from illness, poverty, injustice or cruel treatment.

Good to know

The stative of kutesa, to torment; it takes no object, and the cause follows na or kwa: kuteseka na njaa, to suffer from hunger. Mateso is suffering.

Examples

  • Wakimbizi wengi wanateseka kwa kukosa chakula.Many refugees are suffering for lack of food.
  • Sitaki watoto wangu wateseke kama nilivyoteseka.I do not want my children to suffer as I suffered.
  • Mgonjwa aliteseka kwa maumivu usiku mzima.The patient suffered pain the whole night.

The same word in

Not yet checked by a native speaker.

Open in the dictionary ›More Swahili words from K ›