umma

How to say it

Meaning

All the people of a country or community taken together, as distinct from private persons or the government; in phrases it means public, belonging to everyone.

Good to know

Mostly after ya or za: mali ya umma, public property; taasisi za umma, public institutions; watumishi wa umma, civil servants. Not to be confused with uma, a fork.

Examples

• Barabara hii imejengwa kwa fedha za umma.This road was built with public money.
• Mkutano huo uko wazi kwa umma.The meeting is open to the public.
• Serikali imetoa tangazo kwa umma kuhusu chanjo.The government has issued a notice to the public about vaccination.

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