mate

How to say it

Meaning

The watery liquid made in the mouth that helps in chewing and swallowing food. Kumezea mate, to swallow one’s saliva over something, is to covet it.

Good to know

Ma class noun used only in the plural: mate yake, his saliva. Kutema mate is to spit; kumtemea mtu mate, to spit on someone, is a grave insult; kumezea mate is to long for.

Examples

• Ni marufuku kutema mate hadharani.Spitting in public is forbidden.
• Kipimo hiki hutumia mate badala ya damu.This test uses saliva instead of blood.
• Timu nyingi zinammezea mate mshambuliaji huyo.Many teams have their eye on that striker.

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