VI.2. COMMON EXPRESSIONS, PART 2/2.

 

5. USUAL EXPRESSIONS IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS, PART 2/2.

 

The Kikongo expressions presented here are those that can be used in various situations of everyday life.

 

– mu bilumbu biawubi : in this period, in these times, these days

– mu bilumbu bieti kuiza : shortly, coming soon, in the next few days

– mu buankaka : otherwise, on the other hand, in other respects

– mu bukiedika : in truth, in reality, really, definitely, for sure

– mu bungu dia : for, because (of), for the cause of, with a view to, for the purpose of

– mu bungu dia nki ? : why ? for what reason ? for what purpose ?

– mu diambu dia : for, because (of), for the cause of, with a view to, for the purpose of

– mu diambu dia nki ? : why ? for what reason ?

– mu fumbi : in secret, secretly

– mu kati kia : among, in, between, within, inside of

– mu/ga/va kati-kati dia … : in the middle of…, in the centre of …

– mu kedika … : in truth …, truly …, really …, surely …, certainly …

– mu (ki)lumbu ki : on this day, today, to this day

– mu kimona meso : in the open, in broad daylight, in full view of everyone

– mu kimoyo kiandi : during his/her lifetime, in his/her lifetime

– mu kingolo : by force, by coercion, against his will

– mu kinsueki : in camera, behind closed doors, secretly, clandestinely, covertly, on the sly

– mu kolo kiaki/kiawuki : now, nowadays

– mu kolo kiavioka : formerly, in the past

– mu kuma … : since …, because …, about …, because of …

– mu loko : soon, coming soon

– mu lukengezi / lukengizia : in the distance

– mu lukufi : in summary, in brief, in short

– mu luzolo lua : by the will of, according to

– mu luzolo lua Nzambi ya Mpungu Tulendo : according to the will of Almighty God

– mu ma kawidi … : on these words …, after hearing that …

– mu mazimu : late, too late

– mu mbela-mbela : along, in the immediate surroundings, in the immediate vicinity

– mu mo matadidi … : with regard to …, in view of …, according to …

– mu mpatakani’a : between, between two

– mu ndebo : tenderly, with tenderness, seeking to persuade

– mu ndeko : next to, around, at the bend of, on the edge, at the edge

– mu ndengodi : by the sweetness, through gentleness, in grace

– mu nkabu : in a hurry, in haste, hastily, quickly

– mu nkatu : in vain, for nothing

– mu nkavu : half done

– mu nkia diambu ? : why ? for what reason ? for what purpose ?

– mu nkiama ? : why ?

– mu nkielo wa buisi : at dawn, at daybreak, at sunrise

– mu nkumbu ya nsuka : for the last time

– mu nkumbu yi : this time

– mu nsi ya mvimba : throughout the country

– mu nsinsi : below, along, down

– mu ntangu ya : during, at the moment when

– mu ntangu yina : in the meantime, at that moment

– mu ntangu yita/yina kuiza : soon, in the near future, in the future

– mu ntangu zazi : in this period, these days, in this day and age

– mu ntima mosi : conscientiously, wholeheartedly, with good will, in all sincerity

– mu ntualani / mu ntualakani : unintentionally, involuntarily

– mu nzayikusu : openly, publicly, ostensibly

– mu sambuki : safe and sound

– mu sungula : particularly, especially

– mu tandu kia … : during the lifetime of …, during the reign of …, in the period of …

– mu vuanga-vuanga : any way, in disorder, messy

– mu yandi ngieti sila vuvu : I placed all my hopes in him, it is from him that I hope

– mu yututu : without being seen, surreptitiously, unprepared, unawares, unexpectedly

– mu ziku : surely, most certainly, certainly, definitely, positively

– mu zimunina … : later …, thereafter …, afterwards …, finally …

– mu zola : out of love, out of a good heart, voluntarily

– mua bilumbu bilutidi : it’s been a few days, a few days ago

– muana bisalu : servant

– muana bukolo : disobedient child

– muana bulemvo : docile child         

– muana kinsiona : orphan, abandoned child

– muana ndumba : young single woman, young lady

– muana nsusu : gigolo, chick

– muana weno tina katinini : your child really ran away

– muna muisi : at the moment, just now, right now

– muna nsabila nsi : in the open ground, without ridging, earthing up

– mundele ndombe : black man who apes the white man, black outside and white inside, bounty

– muntu na muntu : everyone, every person

– muntu na/ye yandi nsi : to each his own country

– muntu wa (défaut/qualité) : person with (fault/quality)

– muntu wakudila mu kati : person who looks significantly younger than his or her actual age

– muntu wakula ntu : mature man

– mupepe wa Kayini : swirling wind, tornado

– mvu ka/kabu mvu : year after year, every year, annually

– mvu miamingi milutidi : it’s been years, it’s been going on for years, it’s been ages

– mvu mikua wena miawu ? : how old are you ?

– mvu wampa wambote ! : happy new year !

– mvu ye mimvu milutidi : it’s been years, it’s been going on for years, it’s been ages

– mvula yikenkete : the rain has stopped, the sky is clearing, the weather is clearing up

– mvula yita noka : it’s raining

– mvula zikua wena zawu ? : how old are you ?

– na baki / na baki-baki : immediately, right after, right next to / obstinate, stubborn, impertinent

– na balu : on, above, in height, in the air / changing, alternative

– na bambadi : very strong in taste, very strong in smell

– na bangati : very hot, extremely hot

– na banga-banga / na bangi-bangi : hot, stifling, suffocating, distressing, anxious

– na banguluka : light red, tending to turn red

– na bedi-bedi : sickly, usually sick

– na benzakani : weak, weary, exhausted

– na benzengele : noisy, rattling, clicking, clinking, chinking, jingling

– na besi-besi : in crumbs, in small pieces / well crushed, ground

– na beso-beso : broken, in pieces, in crumbs

– na betakani : weak, tired, exhausted

– na bete-bete : liquid, soft, tender

– na bindakani : tangled, confused, entangled

– na bingila-bingila : with haste / in a hurry, quickly

– na bokoto : tough, angry, in a gruff mood

– na bomboto : hard

– na bu : early, at dawn, early in the morning

– na bua : many, a lot, in abundance

– na buetakani : tight, in a hurry

– na bukia : full of, filled with

– na debakani-debakani : soft, supple, flexible, lanky, gangling

– na debe-debe : soft, supple, flexible, bending, folding / weak, unsteady, flickering, staggering

– na de / na dede / na dedede : exact, fair, just, precise, in agreement, in full, suitable

– na dedakani : equal, smooth, etc…

– na demo : hopping, jumping, leaping, bouncing

– na denzongo : bitten

– na diatakani : too full, full to bursting / narrow, in a hurry

– na didi : tough

– na difu-difu : fat, full, swollen when it comes to a person

– na difungu : blunt, worn (out)

– na dikakani : quite full, completely satiated, completely swollen or tense following poisoning

– na dingi-dingi : quietly, very quiet, completely still, in complete silence, in total silence

– na duekoto/duekete : bitten and causing stabbing pain

– na dukusu :  very swollen, large, tense

– na dukutu : full of perfumes, giving off a strong smell / inlaid, encrusted

– na dumvakani : embalmed, smelling, fragrant

– na dumvu : angry

– na dumvungu / na dumvungulu : blunt, worn, obtuse

– na dunga-dunga : uncertain, perplexed

– na dungungu : silent, quiet / sad, simple, stupid, silly

– na dungutu : which rumbles, which booms, which roars / which rolls

– na fiantakani : thin, subsided, sagged, empty

– na fiasakani : very dry, dried up, desiccated, parched

– na fiati-fiati : very narrow, tight together

– na fibakani : elastic

– na fibu : drained, emptied, exhausted (by sucking)

– na fietoko : tightly packed, piled up, crowded

– na fiezo : twisted, by twisting

– na fikuku : secret, passed over in silence

– na fikutu : grabbed by the neck

– na fiodo / na fiodongo : black in color, dark in complexion

– na fio-fioti : very small, very skinny, very thin

– na fiongo-fiongo : dark

– na fionono : pressed, tight

– na fiontakani : stunted, sagging

– na fofokoto : lots of things

– na fokoto : a lot, in quantity

– na fosakani : fragile, brittle

– na fuaba / na fuabia / na fuba : full, full to the edge, full to the brim

– na fuanakani : similar / precise, suitable

– na fuandubulu : searching everywhere ardently

– na fuebele : hungry, empty, subsided, sagging, collapsed

– na fuebo :  tight / elastic, loose, flexible

– na fuede : zealous, diligent, persevering / swollen eyes from crying a lot

– na fuedede / na fuede-fuede : powdered, crumbled, ground, pulverized

– na fuefue : fine, in small pieces, floury, pulverized

– na fuefuele : with swollen eyes from crying a lot

– na fueka : without breathing or saying a word

– na fundungu : blunt

– na kadungu : dry, hard

– na kakamba : dark, gloomy, dim, dull / angry

– na kalakasa : dry, arid, hard / inflexible

– na kalala : dry

– na kalangani : alone, solo

– na kalata : rough, tough, hard

– na kanana : with the intention of

– na kangu : detached, untied, loosened, dissolved

– na kekete … : firmly …, without respite …, without a break …, continuously …, tirelessly …

– na kia : in (a long) line / striped, in lines / correct, straight / round, rounded

– na kiasu : torn

– na kiata / na kiatu : striped, online

– na kibu : cut, detached by splitting

– na kibuku : visible, revealed, stripped, demonstrated

– na kididi : strong, healthy, firm, in balance / lukewarm, hot, soft

– na kidi-kidi : healthy, in good health

– na kidikiti : strong, healthy, in excellent health / prompt, quick, agile

– na kienzele : very clear, pure, luminous, bright, dawn, aurora

– na kienzi / na kienzi-kienzi : clear, transparent, pure, luminous

– na kienzo : waiting for dawn

– na kingutu : quickly

– na (ki)totolo : tasteless, bland / cold

– na (ki)yangu : vigorously

– na koka : in conflict, in permanent war

– na kokoto : hard, tough, leathery, firm, dry

– na kokozi : black

– na kolokoto : hard, thick, firm

– na konio : scratched

– na konzakani : very tired / skinny, thin, miserable, impoverished, poor

– na konzi-konzi : stripped, thinned out of its leaves

– na konzongolo : noisy, in the uproar, in the din, in the racket

– na kosi : dark (sky)

– na kosi-kosi : crushed, ground very fine

– na koyo : curved, bent, folded

– na kuaka-kuaka : with rapidity, with haste, with precipitation, with energy, with force

– na kuakala-kuakala : with rapidity, with haste, with precipitation, with energy, with force

– na kualala : in a gust of wind, passing quickly, passing fast

– na kuamba : in a hurry, in haste

– na kuambadi : very skinny

– na kuasi-kuasi :  very skinny / dirty, grubby, in slovenly outfit

– na kuasu-kuasu : dirty, grubby / with dry skin or not greased with oil

– na kukuku : muddy, soiled, dirty

– na kukulu : heavy

– na kuma-kuma : robust, strong, fit, healthy

– na kunzu-kunzu : slippery, which makes trip up, which makes stumble

– na kunzulu : healthy, strong, firm, hard

– na kunzungulu : noisy, with uproar, with din, in the racket

– na kusakani : which hits or slightly injures

– na laku-laku : with great zeal, very quickly

– na lalangani : very dark, very black, in thick darkness

– na lalungu : dark, obscure

– na lamangani : of dark complexion

– na lambakani : well cooked, well crushed

– na lambu : peaceful, inclined to peace / weak, stupid, tired

– na lambudi : thin, skinny / weary, tired, in a bad mood / silent, peaceful

– na lambudi : bad taste in the mouth, bland, tasteless

– na lasakani : thin, sagging, long and thin

– na lekoto : bright, brilliant, shiny / tastefully

– na lelembe : quiet, calm

– na lema : heavy, ponderous, weighty / inert, difficult

– na lema-lema : quarrelsome, provocative

– na lema-lema : who does everything nonchalantly, who works carelessly

– na lembe-lembe : in the impossibility of, in the inability to

– na lembe-lembe : by persevering in difficulties despite fatigue

– na lemvo-lemvo : fat, clean, good-looking

– na lenge / na lengi : in a dark night, at midnight

– na lenge-lenge / na lentua-lentua : black, dark

– na lengi : in the dark night, at midnight

– na lengisi : thin, fine, tenuous

– na lengo-lengo : even, polished, slippery / smooth, creamy, soft

– na lengua : equal, smooth

– na lengua-lengua : even, level, smooth, polished, without roughness, without scales

– na lento : with a mellow taste, with a good taste

– na lento-lento : sweet, exquisite

– na lenzangani : soft, supple, flexible, weak, without strength

– na leto-leto : having the gift of the gab, speaking without restraint

– na levunga : soft, smoth

– na lezi-lezi : bright, brilliant, with reflections, shiny, dazzling, sparkling, twinkling

– na lo : suddenly, all of a sudden

– na lokoko : silent, quiet

– na lombo-lombo : black, dark, cloudy

– na loti-loti : very burnt

– na lubati : reasonable, cunning, fine

– na lufu : beaten

– na lundu : salient

– na luzi-luzi : all in flames

– na mangala-mangala : frightened, troubled, worried, anxious, fearful

– na mangala-mangala : higgledy-piggledy, tumultuous following fear

– na manga-manga : speckled, variegated, multicoloured, striped, stripy

– na mbandi-mbandi : watertight, without splits or holes/ hitting against, falling to pouring

– na mbienzenge / na mbiese : out of the blue, without preparation, unexpected

– na mbio : suddenly, all at once, together, at the same time / swollen, puffy

– na mbiokoto : protruding

– na mbioloto : very swollen

– na mbiu : by surprise, unexpected

– na mbuo : clapping with a thud, nodding one’s approuval

– na mfiembembe : slimmed, thin, sagging, wrinkled

– na mpa : full of, covered with, sprinkled with

– na mpembe-mpembe : in vain

– na mpenga-mpenga : who looks here and there, who glances from one side to the other

– na mpue : white, very white / done very carefully, excellently / ardent, gluttonous, fond of

– na mpuedi-mpuedi / na mpueki-mpueki : white

– na mpuele-mpuele : clean, pretty, nice, pleasant / shiny, bright

– na mpuendende : white

– na muala : filled, full of

– na nde : full, full to the edge, full to the brim / heavy

– na ndekiba : heavy

– na nengoto : protruding

– na ndende / na ndendiba : heavy, overwhelming, overpowering

– na ngafi : swollen / angry

– na nganianga/nganiania/nganza : red

– na ngonguluka : reddish

– na ngungu : balanced, firm, fast, violent, hasty

– na ngwi/ngwidikiti : firm, strong, healthy, balanced, rooted, able to resist, obstinate, stubborn

– na ngwui : in good form, firmly

– na niemo-niemo : soft, elastic, tender, pressed, good for printing

– na niengete : salient

– na niese / na niese-niese : soft, liquid, greasy, muddy

– na ninga-ninga : mobile, unstable, unsteady, wavering, shaky, shaken, rocked

– na ningi-ningi : narrow, thin

– na nionzakani : thin, skinny

– na niuki-niuki : sweet as sugar

– na niuku-niuku : finely ground, crushed, powdery, dusty, liquid, soft, tender

– na niunga-niunga : tender, liquid, soft, crushed, fine, ground

– na nkanka : tough, leathery

– na nkanzakani : thin, skinny

– na nkuensi-nkuensi : smart, clever, intelligent / (very) close to

– na nse : shiny, sparkling, glittering, twinkling, dazzling

– na nsiemi-nsiemi : harshly, severely / scattered with difficulties

– na nsimba : thin, skinny

– na nsoo buekina : forever, eternally

– na nsui : straight / heavy on the chest

– na nsui-nsui : very straight

– na ntue : white, very light / with sighs

– na ntuintuintui : shiny, brilliant, bright

– na nza : light red, gray red, reddish, brown

– na nzada : jumping, hopping, bouncy

– na nzadi-nzadi : very acute

– na nzele-nzele : sweet, salty

– na nzonzonzo : full to the edge, full to the brim

– na nzua-nzua : by clicking the tongue, by eating quickly

– na nzuidi-nzuidi : mild, sweet

– na nzuinzuinzui : in crowds, in large numbers, very close to each other

– na nzukuba : very heavy / feeling of heavy legs

– na nzuni-nzuni / na nzunia-nzunia : in an unsteady position

– na nzunzu : heavy / awkward, uncomfortable, unpleasant, disagreeable

– na nzunzuba / na nzunzuluka / na nzunzunzu : heavy, very heavy
– na nzuwu : very heavy, massive, bulky

– na patata : dark, obscure, gloomy

– na paya : too full, overflowing

– na pepele-pepele : fluttering

– na piaku-piaku : licked / well flattened

– na pila-pila : easy to sell, lost, wandering, going the wrong way / having been diverted

– na pilata : impenetrable

– na pinda : dark, cloudy, foggy, black

– na piopio : black / thick, dense, bushy

– na pipakani : dark

– na pita-pita : untidy

– na piupiu / na piutu / na piutungu / na piutulu : dark, black

– na pua / na puaka : precise, united, equal / very obviously, very definitely, most certainly

– na puapu : cut, injured

– na pudi-pudi : clean, without dirt

– na pududu : who searches with zeal

– na puputi : full, swollen (belly)

– na sakitika :light

– na sakati : bitter, sour

– na samu : cleared (up), brightened

– na sangi-sangi : mixed

– na sansakani / na sansagani : spread all around, scattered, soiled everywhere

– na sasu-sasu : holed everywhere, full of holes, in rags and tatters

– na satu-satu : acid, sour, bitter

– na savu-savu : light, not heavy / slightly, with a light gait / with zeal

– na sefo : full to the brim, rising to the surface, in a state of floating on the surface

– na seka : on the back

– na seke-seke : feverish, agitated, burning with fever

– na seki-seki : in the moonlight

– na sempekete / na sempele : full of, placed everywhere, put everywhere, filled everywhere

– na sena : fertile

– na senzebele : plain, flat

– na senzele : visible, distinct, clear, extended, wide

– na si / kua si : nothing, empty

– na siatangala : slippery, which makes trip up, which makes stumble

– na siatu-siatu : slippery, pasty

– na sie : thin, skinny / with lightning speed

– na siebakani / na siembangani : crowed together, packed together, stuck to each other

– na siefo : which raises, which lifts up

– na siekete : with harshness, with obstinacy, with insubordination / who braves, who resists

– na siembele : healthy, strong

– na siembete : hard, tough

– na sii : forcefully, sudden, unexpected

– na simbimbi : all wet

– na sululu : of a bitter taste

– na tabangani / na tabani : black, dark

– na tampa-tampa : rotten, giving off a cadaverous smell

– na tandu : thin, skinny

– na tatakana : sobbing his heart out, crying in sobs

– na tendangani : scattered, sown here and there, spread

– na tibi : which grows very high and in mass / which blooms well / which assembles in mass

– na tibi : fat, prosperous

– na tibu / na tibutu : insipid, bland, bad taste

– na tietietie : clear, intelligent (eye)

– (na) tika : almost full, nearly full

– na tikidi : well satisfied, well sated

– na tila : red

– na tiluluka : red, crimson, blood red

– na tindibidi : cold, fresh

– na tindindi : stiff, rigid

– na tinga-tinga / na tingi-tingi : swollen, protruding / fat, corpulent, fleshy

– na tingidi : hanging, pendent, dangling / turning

– na tingini : having a fixed gaze, with wide eyes, with wild eyes, with haggard eyes

– na tolokoso : sounding hollow

– na tontobodi / na tontubudi : wet

– na tontolo : wet, cold and humid, rainy

– na tuba : full to the edge, filled to the brim

– na tunia : blinding white

– na tuntulu : hydropic / stinky, nauseating

– na tutu-tutu : crushed

– na velele : pure, holy, saint

– na velele-velele : floating, undulating with the wind

– na vembua : blond, whitish

– na vesese : all white

– na vie : fresh, vigorous, healthy / safe, certain

– na vilu-vilu : soiled, greased, dirty gray

– na visi-visi : well cooked, well prepared

– na vitu : taken while passing

– na viva / na vivila / na viviku / na vizani : dark, black

– na vizi-vizi / na vizizi : black, shiny, sparkling / polished, smooth

– na vizu-vizu : jumbled, veiled, misty, hazy

– na vobodi : tired out, worn out, collapsed, depressed, hungry

– na vodi-vodi : well, gently, carefully, gingerly, cautiously

– na voo : quiet, calm, peaceful

– na vovi : quiet, peaceful, calm, shaded, refreshing

– na vuangala/vuanzakani : messy, untidy, lying around everywhere / ugly looking, decrepit

– na vuku-vuku : dusty, dirty, filthy, smelly

– na vuma : potbellied

– na vumvutu : (all) wet, damp, humid

– na vuvulu : light, not heavy

– na vuya : with a gray, grayish, dirty gray / mangy, scabby

– na vuya-vuya : carelessly, without care, in a mess

– na walala : at once, immediately, right away

– na walalala : widely open

– na wala-wala : in haste, quickly / clear, shiny, dazzling / thin, transparent, diaphanous

– na yabala : wide, vast / warm, little heated, bland

– na yalangani : wide, vast, extensive

– na yanganga : protruding, swollen belly

– na yangi-yangi : light to carry, easy to grab

– na yawu-yawu : with a rancid taste in the mouth / talkative, not knowing how to keep a secret

– na yawu-yawu : hot, warm, heated

– na yayangi : light, not heavy / alert, brisk, nimble, agile / resolute, determined

– na yayila : protruding / swollen, filled

– na yazi : covered by, covered with

– na yebe-yebe : juvenile, well fed, well nourished / shiny, bright / a little swollen, stiff, thick

– na yebele : hanging

– na yeki-yeki : bright, shiny, sparkling, luminous, radiant

– na yelakani : with precision, similar, in agreement

– na yelele : stingy, greedy, mean / fearful, fleeing / shrewd, cunning, crafty, clever, intelligent

– na yelelele : with muffled steps, silently, with wolf steps, stealthily

– na yelele-yelele-yelele : in silence

– na yemvo-yemvo/yemvua-yemvua : shiny, with shiny body, with flattened hair

– na yendi / yendi wayiza : farewell ! goodbye ! (blessing formula)

– na yengele : large, big

– na yengele-yengele : swollen, protruding, shiny, bright

– na yengi-yengi : dry, dried out

– na yeyedi/yeyeri : rejoicing at the goods we have received

– na yeyeye : going away secretly

– na yikakani : regularly rounded, regularly thick

– na yiku : many, a lot of, in large numbers

– na yodi-yodi : shiny, resplendent

– na yokoso : dried up

– na yomfo / na yomvo : which tickles

– na yondolo : in wet weather, in humid weather, in rainy weather / soaked

– na yongobo : high and large

– na yongoto : which tickles

– na yongo-yongo : very dry

– na yono-yono : very spoiled, rotten, very worn out

– na yudi-yudi : in heaps, in piles, piled up, swollen

– na yuku : used to, accustomed, customary

– na yukungu : very hot, feverish

– na yukusu : very swollen, heavy

– na yuku-yuku / na yukutu-yukutu : very hot, feverish

– na yululu : wet, moist, damp / which lasts a long time / bushy, abundant

– na yumbulu : with lots of desire for something, with a lot of envy for something

– na yumbumbu : very acidic

– na yungu : of a humid weather, of a dew-soaked weather

– na yungulu / na yungu-yungu : precise, resembling, with resemblance

– na yungu-yungu :  not burned at all / a whole, entirely, not fragmented, not broken up

– na yutu : in mass, in crowds

– na yututu : wet, moist, humid, damp / going down to the feet

– na yututu : unexpected, unexpectedly, causing surprise and fear, causing surprise and dread

– na zadu : happy, satisfied, joyful

– na zani/zania / na zani-zani meno : very sharp

– na zelele : full of, overflowing with, covered with / sweaty / with perseverance, with obstinacy

– na zewa-zewa : liquid, soft, porous

– na zibakani : dark

– na ziba-ziba : black, dark

– na zie : surrounded, in circles / getting dizzy, confused, muddled, disturbed, twisted

– na zietele : thin, skinny

– na zietete : hard

– na ziezie : which can be turned

– na ziezo : turning / in a long line

– na zikalakani : very thin, very skinny

– na ziki-ziki / na ziku-ziku : very stingy, who gives nothing

– na ziki-ziki : penetrating like a style, penetrating like a burin, penetrating like an awl

– na ziku : by grimacing, by grimaces, with grimaces

– na zimbakani : being lost, having disappeared

– na zimbiti : fresh, cold, wet, damp, humid

– na ziu : suddenly, abruptly, hastily

– na zonia : wet (with dew)

– na zudi-zudi : smart, clever, fine, subtle, intelligent

– na zuina : red

– na zukutu : acid, sour, tart, acidulous

– na zulu : on the alert, on the qui vive

– naa/nani we kuo ? : who’s there ?

– naa/nani wena kuna ? : who’s there ?

– naa/nani wo ? :  who is this? who is it? who’s there?

– nani kunsansila bana ? : who will take care of my children ? who will raise my children ?

– nate ye … : until …

– nate ye vana vituka bilumbu : until a few days have passed

– nda wenda ! : go ! leave ! go away !

– ndembolo kuami ! : I can’t go on ! I can’t stand it anymore ! I give up ! I will stop here !

– ndiatulu ya mbote ! : good road ! have a good trip ! good journey!

– ndilu za meni lutisa : you’ve crossed the line, you’re going a bit too far, enough is enough

– ndinga’a vata : dialect of the country, dialect of the village, mother tongue

– ndolo/ndolueno kueto ! : let’s go (away)!

– ndolono ! : let’s go !

– ndueki (kuame) ! : I’m coming !

– nga ni yandi ? : would it be him/her ? Is it him/her?

– ngeye i muisi kue ? : where are you from? where do you come from? what is your origin?

– ngeye i nani ? : who are you ? who the hell are you?

– (ngeye mpe diaka,) mbe lutisi ko ! : you’re exaggerating (too)! you’re out of line (too)!

– ngeye muisi kue wena ? : where are you from? where do you come from? what is your origin?

– ngiangalale kuame : I am happy, I am satisfied, I am in joy

– ngiangalale (mono) mvimba : I rejoice with all my heart, I am very satisfied

– ngo ngwani/ngwame !: I refuse ! I say no !

– ngonda ka/kabu ngonda : month after month, every month, monthly

– ngongo’aku ! / eno ! : you refuse! you say no! / you refuse! you say no!

– ngongo’ame/ani ! / eto ! : I refuse ! I say no ! / we refuse! we say no!

– ngongo’andi ! / awu ! : he refuses! he says no! / they refuse! they say no!

– ngulu-ngulu : eyes closed, indiscriminately, blindly, naively

– ngunga yibuidi : the time has come, it is the time

– ni bawu beta nua: they are the ones who are drinking

– ni beto tuna dia : we are the ones who will eat

– ni bo kuandi : it’s like that and no other way ! that’s this way and only this way !

– ni mono/nge/yandi/beto/beno/bawu kibeni : it’s me/you/him/us/you/ themselves

– ni mu diambu dina : that’s why

– ni nkumbu’aku  ya nsuka ! : I want it to be the last time !

– ni nkumbu/nsa ya tatu yi : this is the third time

– ni yandi wena kuenda : it’s he (she) who will leave

– niama ngwaku ! : fuck your mother ! mother’s animality ! devil’s beast !

– nikutondele ! : thank you !

– nitomene kutonda ! : thank you very much !

– nitu ya fionoka : lean body

– nitu za fioti : thin body

– nkadidi kuame ! : I refuse!

– nkatikila ! : really ! for sure !

– nkatu ! : No! Negative!

– nkedi kuame ! : I just turned back ! I just turned around ! I decided to come back !

– nki (diaka) ? : what (again) ? what (else) ? what is it (again)?

– nki diaka ko ! : what else ! what yet ! you can’t stop !

– nki kameni kutela ? : what did he just say to you ? what did he tell you just now ?

– nki nikutelele ? : what did I tell you ?

– nki nimeni kutela ? : what did I just tell you ?

– nki weti sa ? : what are you doing ?

– nkia bungu ? : why ? for what reason ? for which motive ?

– nkia diambu ? : what ? what are you saying ? what (else) do you want ?

– nkia diambu dio dikonduanga nsuka ? : what is this case that never ends?

– nkia diambu dio dilembo manisanga ? : you have to know to end a case !

– nkia kima? : what’s the matter (with you) ? what … ? / which one ? what thing ?

– nkia kima wukunzolele ? : what do you want from me ?

– nkia nsangu ? : how are you? what’s the news? what’s new?

– nkia ntalu ? : how much is that ? how much is it ?

– nkia ntangu tuena ? : what time is it ?

– nkingu ! : extraordinary ! unheard of ! unbelievable ! incredible ! amazing !

– nkinu nke ! : it doesn’t really matter ! it doesn’t matter much ! nothing serious! it’s nothing !

– nkinzi wa mbote ! : happy holiday ! happy party ! happy celebration !

– nkiongo(no) … : it seems that …, whereas …,  when in reality …

– nkitukidi kuami zoba ko : I’m confused, I feel foolish, I feel like an idiot, I’m really stupid

– nkumbu’aku  nani / zina diaku nani ? : what is your name ?

– nkumbu tatu : three times, multiplied by three

– nkumbu ya nsuka : last time

– nkumbu ya ntete : first time

– nsamu wumuangane nza ya mvimba : the news spread everywhere

– nseke beni : a long time ago, very far from

– nsi ya Mputu : Europe poor country in the vision of the inhabitants of the Kongo Kingdom

– nsidi mono kaka: I was left alone, I have no one left

– nsidi vuvu vo … : I hope that …, I dare believe that …

– nsiku mu kota : no entry

– nsongi ya disu : corner of the eye

– nsuka nsuka : at the end of the day, last of all

– nsusu yikokole : the cock crows, the rooster crows

– ntalu kua ? : how much is that ? how much is it ?

– ntama ! : it’s been a long time ! it’s been ages ! a long time ago !

– ntangu’aku yifueni : your time has come

– ntangu ka ntangu : at any time, at all times, at any moment, at every moment

– ntangu ya bakulu : the olden days, the time of the ancestors

– ntangu ya fualama : during the Belgian colonization, at the time of the Flemish

– ntangu yifinamane : the moment is near, the hour is near, the time is near

– ntangu yifueni : it’s time, the time has come

– ntangu za nkaka : sometimes

– ntangu za zonsono : always, all the time

– ntima wa mpembe : pure heart, sincerity, lack of ulterior motive

– ntomene fiawuka ! : thank you very much! I’m very satisfied! I’m very happy! I’m very glad !

– ntu wa mpene : an empty head, an idiot

– nza wiza ! : come here !

– nza ya mvimba : the whole world

– Nzambi ka kusakumuna ! : (may) God bless you !

– nzietolo ya mbote ! : good trip! have a nice trip! good journey! happy pilgrimage! good tour!

– nzila masini : railway, production table of an audiovisual programme

– nzila masuwa : waterway

– nzila ya lukufi : the shortest way, the short cut, the easiest way

– nzila (yi)mosi : together

– sa nsualu ! : hurry (up)!

– sala bonso bumuenene : do what you want, do as you feel, do as you please

– sala makuzolele : do as you please, do as you wish, do as you feel

– sambila lufueti sambila : you must pray, you have to pray, you are obliged to pray

– sangisa-sangisa : sexual practice of multiple partners, licentiousness, sexual swinging

– siata ! : expression of contempt

– siki mpia : never, by no means, in no way, nothing

– sila bo/bobo ! : stop it ! stop there ! that’s enough ! either ! that’s enough ! not another word !

– sila dio vo … : do so that …, do such that …, do in such a way that  …, make sure that …

– simba nzila, wenda ! : go away! get out ! you can go!

– simba-simba yibuidi ! : it’s the great commotion ! it’s the great jolt !

– sisi yibalukidi nefi : there is a turnaround, the situation has been reversed, the wheel has turned

– sumba nzo ya ngeye mosi : buy your own house

– tadi dia lengolengo : polished stone, slippery stone

– tadi dia mfunu : precious stone, gemstone

– tala ga ngenga : look aside, look around you

– tala kuaku ! : look at that ! you saw that ! (you think) you agree with me !

– tandu ka tandu : forever, eternally

– tandu kia lumbu bitatu : in three days

– tandu kiakingi : long (time)

– tandu kikuizanga : from now on, in the future

– ti na kuna nsuka : until the end

– tobola nkosi tobola ngo ! : may you overcome all the dangers that will arise before you !

– toko kueto ! : let’s go (away) !

– tomba kia … : as a result …, finally …, ultimately…, at the end of the day …

– tombula ndinga (‘aku) ! : speak louder ! raise your voice !

– tuala / tuasa ! : give it to me ! give me that ! give me !

– tuatometi wizana : let’s agree, let’s get along before

– tubakangamane mu meso : we keep a watchful eye on everything they do

– tuendi kueto ! : let’s go (away)! let’s get out of here !

– tuka kala : for a long time, for ages

– tuka ntama : for a long time, for ages

– tuka ntama kibeni : for very a long time, for ages

– tuka “X” ti “Y” : from “X” to “Y”

– tulueki ! : we’re coming !

– tumonane kueto ! : I’ll see you around ! see you around !

– tuvi tuaku ! : I said fuck you! fuck you! kiss my ass!

– tuzolasana beto na beto : let us love each other

– va bubu : on the knees

– va/ga fulu kia : instead of, rather than

– va/ga kati : in, within

– va/ga kimosi : together, in unity, hand in hand

– va/ga lukanga : outside, offshore, in public, in the main square of the village

– va mbeleka/mbelesa : near, next to

– va/ku/mu mpenga : next to, close to, towards, alongside, away from, in the immediate vicinity

– va nsanukina ntangu : in the morning, at sunrise

– va ntadisi ya : before, in front of, with regard to, with respect to, towards

– va/vana ntete : first of all, firstly, right at the beginning, very early on, quite in the beginning

– va yungi / va yungila : outside, outdoors, in the open air / publicly, openly

– va yuti / va nziuti : in public, in the open, in broad daylight

– va zimuna : then, in the continuation, in the sequel

– va zimunina … : later …, subsequently …, afterwards …

– vana/gana mpambu’a nzila : at the fork, at the crossroads

– vana vawu : immediately, at once, at that moment

– vituka bilumbu : after a few days

– vo dilendakane mu … : if it is possible to …, if possible

– vo ka boo ko : if not, otherwise, if that is not the case

– vo ka bua ko : if not, otherwise, if that is not the case, if this is not done, if this does not happen

– vo ka buna ko : otherwise, if not, if that is not the case

– wa nzola beni : beloved

– wasa / waseti / wiza : come on ! come here ! hurry over here ! hurry up ! quickly !

– waya ! : lie ! bluff ! nothing at all ! nothing to do !

– wayikidi muntu wan’nene : he became a important person, he became a celebrity

– wazola evo walembo zola … : whether you like it or not …, whether you want it or not …

– widi ! : do you hear (me) ! you heard what I said !

– wiza tuakabula mua mbungu : come have a drink with me

– wizidi bunene/wanene : you’ve gotten fat, you have taken on forms

– wonso wena ye makutu ma zibuka kawa !: a word to a wise is enough !

– wonso wonso muntu : each person, every person, anyone, anybody, any person

– wukisunzula (kuaku) : introduce yourself

– wukiyendila kuaku : you better be already gone

– wumfuila nkenda : have mercy on me

– wumosi kaka wuna : the same one, the one and only

– wumosi mu … : one of the …, one among the …

– wundemvukila ! : excuse me ! I’m sorry ! forgive me !

– wungana kua za yuma : give me only (the equivalent) in (money) cash

– wungiambula kuame (wubayambula kuawu) ! : leave me alone (leave them alone) !

– wunsadisa ! : help me !

– wunsila nlemvo ! : excuse me ! I’m sorry ! I beg your pardon !

– wunu kiawu ki : today, (on/in) this day

– wusosanga mambu, yandi wukangamanga : he who sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind

– wutusonga nzila : show us the way

– ya busi : my sister, dearest sister

– ya fuluka : full, in abundance, plentiful

– ya kanda (baya kanda) : someone from the same family

– ya kusuvula : richly, abundantly

– ya lukakalu : fiercely, harshly, roughly

– ya mona : new

– ya mpa : new

– ya mpangi : my brother/sister, very dear brother/sister

– ya mvimba : all (the), the whole, entire, in totality, in its entirety

– ya nkazi : my brother, dearest brother

– (ya) ntindu na ntindu / (ya) mitindu na mitindu : of all kinds, of all sorts, multitude

– yambula kuaku ! : let it go ! forget it ! you better give up ! you can give up !

– yandi beni/kibeni : himself/herself, himself/herself in person

– yandi buzoba buandi bua saka : he/she is (really) too stupid

– yandi kaka ko : there is really only him/her, surely it is he/she

– yandi (ki)mosi : himself/herself, himself/herself in person

– yandi kuna : here he/she is

– yandi meni nua ko : he/she really drank, he/she is really drunk, it’s sure he just drank

– yandi mosi mpe : him/her too, him/her also, him/her as well

– yandi na yandi : we only see him/her, we only hear him/her

– yandi nsidi mona : I just saw him/her

– yandi wansoni/wawanso/wawonsono : him as a whole, all of him, in his entirety

– ye bonso bobo … : and so on …, etcetera  …

– yi mono ndidingi bio : I’m the one who ate them

– yi mu diambu dina … : this is the reason why …

– yi mu diodio … : that’s why …

– yiza kuaku ! : come here ! you can come !

– yona yona / yona yohaka : one and the other, both

– za/mia/ma mplila mu mpila : of all kinds, various

– zina diaku nani / nkumbu’aku  nani ? : what’s your name?

– zulu dilele nkamba : it’s a night without rain, it’s a peaceful night

– zulu ditelamane nkamba : it’s sunny, the weather is set air, it’s a rain-free weather