mgombea

Swahili

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀-

Proto-Sabaki *mu-

Swahili m-

Common Bantu *-gòmba?

Proto-Sabaki *-gomba

Swahili gomba

Proto-Bantu *-ɪda

Proto-Sabaki *-ila/*-ela

Swahili -ia

Swahili -gombea

Swahili mgombea

From m- + -gombea (“to compete, to contest”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Noun

mgombea class I (plural wagombea class II)

1. candidate (person running for office in a political contest)
2. contestant