malighafi
mah-lee-GHAH-fee
How to say it
Swahilimalighafimah-lee-GHAH-fee
Englishraw materials
Frenchmatières premières
Meaning
The natural or basic materials, such as cotton, hides, minerals or crops, that factories turn into finished goods.
Good to know
N class noun used for one kind or many: malighafi za viwanda, raw materials for industry. It is formal and common in economic news.
Examples
- Pamba ni malighafi muhimu kwa viwanda vya nguo.Cotton is an important raw material for textile factories.
- Kiwanda kimesimama kwa kukosa malighafi.The factory has stopped for lack of raw materials.
- Tunauza malighafi nje na kununua bidhaa za bei ghali.We sell raw materials abroad and buy expensive goods.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.