mbona
MBOH-nah
How to say it
SwahilimbonaMBOH-nah
Englishwhy (in surprise or reproach)
Frenchpourquoi (avec surprise ou reproche)
Meaning
A question word asking why, used when the speaker is surprised, puzzled or finds fault.
Good to know
It opens the question and is followed by the verb: mbona umechelewa? why are you late? Kwa nini is the neutral way to ask why.
Examples
- Mbona umechelewa kufika leo?Why are you late getting here today?
- Mbona hukunieleza jambo hili mapema?Why did you not tell me about this earlier?
- Mbona chakula hiki hakina chumvi?Why does this food have no salt?
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.