To cause a change or make a difference in the state, behavior, or outcome of something or someone.
Hali ya hewa ya mvua inaathiri mazao ya kilimo.
— The rainy weather affects agricultural crops.
Uchaguzi wa serikali utaathiri maisha ya wananchi kwa miaka mitano ijayo.
— The government election will affect citizens' lives for the next five years.
To influence or have an emotional or mental impact on a person.
Maneno yake yaliniaathiri sana na nikaamua kubadilisha maamuzi yangu.
— His words affected me greatly and I decided to change my decisions.
Matukio ya ajabu yaliyotokea jana yameniathiri kihisia.
— The strange events that happened yesterday affected me emotionally.
To cause something to not function properly or to be hindered due to a certain reason.
Uvumbuzi wa umeme uliaathiri utendaji wa kompyuta yangu.
— The power outage affected the performance of my computer.
Ugonjwa wake unaathiri uwezo wake wa kufanya kazi kwa ufanisi.
— His illness affects his ability to work efficiently.