kutokea ghafla
koo-toh-KEH-ah GHAH-flah
How to say it
Swahilikutokea ghaflakoo-toh-KEH-ah GHAH-flahsoon
Frenchapparaître soudain, surgirsoon
Meaning
To come into view or to happen without any warning, taking people by surprise.
Good to know
Built from kutokea, to appear or happen, and ghafla, suddenly. Said of people, animals and events alike.
Examples
- Nyoka alitokea ghafla katikati ya njia.A snake suddenly appeared in the middle of the path.
- Mvua kubwa ilitokea ghafla tukiwa shambani.Heavy rain came suddenly while we were in the field.
- Mgeni alitokea ghafla usiku wa manane.A visitor turned up out of nowhere in the middle of the night.
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