yowe
YOH-weh
How to say it
SwahiliyoweYOH-weh
Englishcry for help, shout of alarm
Frenchcri d’alarme, appel au secours
Meaning
A loud cry raised to call for help or warn others of danger, such as a thief or an attack; kupiga yowe is to raise the alarm. In bird names it is also a name of the African fish eagle.
Good to know
Ji/ma class noun, plural mayowe, which is common: walipiga mayowe, they screamed. The dictionary’s iowe and kiowe are older forms of this word.
Examples
- Mama alipiga yowe alipomwona mwizi.The mother cried for help when she saw the thief.
- Yowe la mtoto liliwaamsha majirani usiku.The child’s cry woke the neighbors in the night.
- Watu walipiga mayowe wakikimbia moto.People screamed as they ran from the fire.
The same word in
Forms
Not yet checked by a native speaker.