indimi

mbabe

MBAH-beh

How to say it

SwahilimbabeMBAH-behsoon
Englishtough guy, strongman; bullysoon
Frenchdur à cuire, homme fort; tyransoon

Meaning

A tough, domineering person who uses strength or power to get their way, a bully or strongman. In sports and entertainment it can also praise a hard fighter or team that is hard to beat.

Good to know

M/wa class noun, plural wababe; the quality is ubabe. Often used of leaders or countries seen as bullying others: Tanzania sio mbabe, Tanzania is not a bully.

Examples

  • Usiwe mbabe kwa wadogo zako.Do not be a bully to your younger siblings.
  • Bondia huyo mbabe hajawahi kupoteza pambano.That tough boxer has never lost a fight.
  • Wababe wa soka walipoteza mechi yao ya kwanza.The football heavyweights lost their first match.

Not yet checked by a native speaker.

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