Verb intransitive applicative of –aba Verb transitive .

MEANING 1

To be.

Example of use

1.     Ninshi wabela ifi?MEANING: Why are you like this?

2.     Ituka lyabela kunse ya mushi, MEANING: the shop is outside the village.

3.     Eco abela namaka, alalya bwino, MEANING: he or she is strong because he or she takes good.

DERIVATIVE: Mibele.

REFLEXIVE –Ibela.This reflexive-applicative form of –abaconveys the senseof: to be (to exist a se),and therefore can only be applied to God.

Example of use

1.     Ne waibela umwine nine,MEANING:  I am who I am.

2.     -Bela ,MEANING:  In the negative means not to be such bynature, by birth.

Example of use

Taibela, alibukilwane ciwa, MEANING: He or she was not bornthat way; he or she is possessed by the devil.

MEANING 2

To obey

Example of use

Ulebela bakafundisha, MEANING: You must obey your teachers.

MEANING 3

To allow, consent

Example of use

Nga mwambela kutinashite ci, MEANING: If you will allow it, Ishall but this.

MEANING 4

To side with.

Example of use

Wabela wa fyuma,wakanya mulandu, MEANING: You side withthe wealthy and you turn up your nose at the poor.

MEANING 5

To favour, to come up to one’s expectations.

Example of use

1.     Ifintu fyonse filamubela,MEANING: Everything favours him or her

2.     Tacakamubele,MEANING: This does not come up to his or her expectations.

SYNONYM/SIMILARWORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST

-Asukila

MEANING 6

To fit.

Example of use

Ulu lukasa nalubelamu lusapato, MEANING:  This foot fits the shoe.

MEANING 7

To suit.

OTHER RELATED WORDS/USES/SOURCES/FUNCTIONS

PASSIVE: –Belwa(Belelwa), to be obeyed, to be granted (request); to be won (lawsuit); tobe approved.