Swahili
makatara
mah-kah-TAH-rah
How to say it
Swahilimakataramah-kah-TAH-rahsoon
Englishjalopiessoon
Frenchguimbardessoon
Meaning
Old, dilapidated vehicles; the term is also used loosely for a motor bus.
Good to know
plural of katara (ji-/ma- class, no ji- prefix on the singular). Informal, slang.
Examples
- Barabarani kulikuwa na makatara mengi yakiendesha polepole.There were many jalopies driving slowly on the road.
- Je, makatara haya bado yanafanya kazi?Do these jalopies still run?
- Makatara hayakupita ukaguzi wa usalama.The jalopies did not pass the safety inspection.
- Wataondoa makatara barabarani mwezi huu.They will remove the jalopies from the road this month.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.