Swahili
kwama
KWAH-mah
How to say it
SwahilikwamaKWAH-mahsoon
Englishto get stucksoon
Frenchse coincersoon
Meaning
to get stuck, jammed, or stranded, and figuratively, to be in a difficult situation.
Good to know
Used literally for physical objects (a bone stuck in the throat, a boat run aground) and figuratively for being stuck in a problem; the causative kwamua means to loosen or free.
Examples
- Mfupa wa samaki umemkwama kooni.A fishbone is stuck in his throat.
- Gari letu limekwama matopeni.Our car got stuck in the mud.
- Mazungumzo yamekwama tena.The negotiations have stalled again.
- Je, mradi wako umekwama wapi?Where has your project gotten stuck?
Not yet checked by a native speaker.