kuvamia
koo-vah-MEE-ah
How to say it
Swahilikuvamiakoo-vah-MEE-ah
Englishto invade, to attack, to raid; to storm
Frenchenvahir, attaquer, faire irruption
Meaning
To enter a place by force in order to attack, rob or take it over, as an army, thieves or animals do.
Good to know
Takes its object directly: kuvamia nchi, to invade a country; kuvamia nyumba, to break into a house. The passive is kuvamiwa, and uvamizi is an invasion or raid.
Examples
- Majambazi walivamia duka usiku wa manane.Robbers raided the shop in the middle of the night.
- Tembo walivamia mashamba ya wakulima.Elephants invaded the farmers’ fields.
- Jeshi lilivamia nchi jirani mwaka huo.The army invaded the neighboring country that year.
Forms
Not yet checked by a native speaker.