shambulio
The English word 'attack' is translated into Swahili as shambulio.
shambulio is a noun meaning an attempt to cause damage, injury or death. While shambulio is the noun, the action itself is expressed through the verb kushambulia (to attack).
Meaning: attempt to cause damage, injury, or death (noun)
Which one should you use?
To describe the act of attacking one another, the reciprocal verb form shambuliana is used, whereas kushambulia is the standard infinitive verb meaning 'to attack'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Tanzania, the term Shambulizi is used to refer to an attack.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun shambulio belongs to the N class (class 5/6), which is used for many inanimate objects.
Did you know?
- The root of shambulio is related to the word shamba, which means 'farm' or 'plantation'.
- Because Swahili is a Bantu language, the root of shambulio is shared with several other languages across Central and Southern Africa, though the meanings may have diverged.
- Swahili uses 'reciprocal' verb extensions, such as in shambuliana, to show that two parties are attacking each other without needing to use a separate word for 'each other'.
Examples in context
- Walichimba maili ya vichuguu chini ya ardhi kukinga shambulio la adui.They dug miles of underground tunnels to resist the enemy attack.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use shambulio in the context of resisting an enemy attack.Tatoeba #10866487 by ecorralest101, translation #3891779 by Amastan
- Jeshi limefanikiwa kushambulia ngome ya adui.The military has successfully attacked the enemy's stronghold.
- Watu walishuhudia shambulio hilo la kushtukiza.People witnessed the sudden attack.
- Walivamia kijiji na kuiba mifugo.They attacked the village and stole livestock.
- Shambulio la simba lilitisha kijiji kizima.The lion attack terrified the entire village.
- Polisi walizuia shambulio la kigaidi mjini.Police prevented a terrorist attack in the city.
Example conversation
Fatuma and Said are discussing a news report.
- FatumaSaid, ulisikia kuhusu shambulio la leo?Said, did you hear about today's attack?
- SaidNdiyo Fatuma, ni habari mbaya sana.Yes Fatuma, it is very bad news.
- FatumaJe, kuna mtu aliumia katika shambulio hilo?Was anyone injured in that attack?
- SaidInasemekana kuna watu kadhaa waliumia.It is said that several people were injured.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
