Swahili
mharabu
mha-RA-bu
How to say it
Swahilimharabumha-RA-busoon
Englishvandalsoon
Frenchvandalesoon
Meaning
one who destroys, spoils, or vandalizes something; a vandal.
Good to know
can also function as an adjective meaning destructive or violent; recalled in the proverb about a bad coconut spoiling the good ones.
Examples
- Yule kijana ni mharabu wa mali za watu.That young man is a destroyer of other people's property.
- Usiwe mharabu; tunza vitu vya wenzako.Don't be destructive; take care of others' belongings.
- Je, mvua kubwa ndiyo mharabu wa mazao yetu?Was the heavy rain what destroyed our crops?
- Kama methali isemavyo, nazi mbovu ni mharabu wa nzima.As the proverb says, a bad coconut spoils the good ones.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.