Verb transitive

MEANING1

To chase away, dismiss,expel

EXAMPLEOF USE

Balimutamfya pa ncito MEANING He was dismissed from work

MEANING 2

To run after, try to catch up with

EXAMPLE OF USE

Ati:Akanama ubusuma! Alakatamfya MEANING He said: what a nice little animal! And he started runningafter it.

SYNONYM/SIMILARWORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST

Butusha

MEANING 3

To pester, (of an animal wanting to mate)

EXAMPLE OF USE

Sawealetamfya imbushi MEANINGThe he-goat ispestering the she-goat

SYNONYM/SIMILARWORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST

Bobwela

OTHER RELATED WORDS/USES/SOURCES/FUNCTIONS

PASSIVE:tamfiwa

APPLICATIVE:tamfisha

 

PROVERBS

1. Uletamfyamumbwe nenseko

Literaltranslation

You are chasing the jackalwhile laughing

Meaning

If you want to dosomething well, you must be serious

Bembameaning

Pakubombaimilimo bwino, kano nauposako amano

 

2.Tatutamfya bakulu; bene baitafya

Literaltranslation

We do not expel elders; they expel themselves

Meaning

It’s more honourable to retire than to be pushed out

 

Bembameaning

Alabane limo calinga umuntu nga amaka nangu amano yakucita cimo yapwa, wemwinewaongoloka ukucila uku kutamfya! Umulimo onsewalinga ukubombwa munshita nokuleka. Nangu icintu cisuma, walinga ukuleka lintu muli umundowe-ndowe nokuilekelawemwine ukucila ukutamfiwa. 

Similarproverb

Akapeshiukuwama ingala, kuimina

3. Batamfya icileya ulubilo:tee cileisa.

Literaltranslation

Theychase the wild animal that is running away but not the one that is coming.

Meaning

Ridiculingsomeone who claims to be brave but in fact is only good for killing dead things

Bembameaning

'Wilafuninaubuta pakalulu'. Ukupilikita mufyabula incito washa imilimo iine iine. Calingaukupoosa amano kufintu fyaciine

 

4. Uletamfya icikosele, washaicinakile.

Literaltranslation

You arehunting what is difficult and ignoring what is easy.

Meaning

Use yourbrain a bit more. You are just making things difficult for yourself

Bembameaning

Ulelingaameenshi na ubungal Tekuti usale icishikulingile ushe ico mulingenenaco. Amatukutuku.