kuungua
koo-oo-NGOO-ah
How to say it
Swahilikuunguakoo-oo-NGOO-ah
Englishto burn, to get burned
Frenchbrûler, se brûler
Meaning
To be damaged or hurt by fire or heat, said of a house, a car, food or a person's skin; also for food to burn in the pot.
Good to know
Used without an object: nyumba iliungua, the house burned down; aliungua mkono, he burned his hand. To burn something is kuunguza. Do not confuse it with kuugua, to fall ill.
Examples
- Nyumba yao iliungua moto usiku wa kuamkia leo.Their house burned down last night.
- Mtoto aliungua mkono kwa maji ya moto.The child burned his hand with hot water.
- Wali umeungua kwa sababu moto ulikuwa mkali.The rice has burned because the fire was too hot.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.