ombaomba

How to say it

Meaning

A person who habitually begs from others, and figuratively a person, party or country that depends on handouts instead of its own effort. Mashirika ya ombaomba are the mendicant religious orders.

Good to know

N class noun that takes m/wa agreement; the plural is also ombaomba: ombaomba wa mitaani, street beggars. It can sound scornful; mwombaji is more neutral.

Examples

• Ombaomba mzee aliketi mlangoni mwa msikiti.An old beggar sat at the door of the mosque.
• Nchi yenye rasilimali nyingi haipaswi kuwa ombaomba.A country with rich resources should not live on handouts.
• Serikali imeanza mpango wa kuwasaidia ombaomba mjini.The government has started a program to help beggars in town.

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