kuvunjavunja
koo-voo-njah-VOO-njah
How to say it
Swahilikuvunjavunjakoo-voo-njah-VOO-njahsoon
Englishto smash to pieces, to break upsoon
Frenchbriser en morceaux, fracassersoon
Meaning
To break something again and again into many small pieces, or to break up something large, such as rocks or a blood clot. Figuratively, to break a big task into small parts.
Good to know
A doubled form of kuvunja, to break; the doubling adds repeated or thorough action. Also written as two words, kuvunja vunja.
Examples
- Mafundi walivunjavunja mawe kwa nyundo.The workmen smashed the stones to pieces with hammers.
- Waandamanaji walivunjavunja vioo vya maduka.The protesters smashed the shop windows.
- Ni vizuri kuvunjavunja kazi kubwa kuwa hatua ndogo.It is good to break a big task into small steps.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.