VI.1. COMMON EXPRESSIONS, PART 1/2.
The expressions presented in this section are those that can be used at home, with family, between lovers or in all situations of everyday life.
- USUAL EXPRESSIONS IN VISIT TO THE FAMILY OR TO FRIENDS.
– ko ko koo … nani kuna ? … kota ! : toc toc toc … who is here ? …come in !
– kota kuaku ! / koteno kueno ! : come in ! please come in ! you can come in !
– kia mbote kieno ! : hello everybody !
– mbote ! : hello ! good morning ! good afternoon !…
– mbote kua ngeye ! : hello to you !
– mbote yaku/yeno ! : hello to you !
– mbote zeno/zeto ! : hello everybody !
– yambi ! : welcome !
– luiza (kueno) mu yenge ! : welcome !
– ngizulu/ngwizulu mu/za yenge ! : welcome !
– mpila kiese mu ku(lu)mona ! : how nice to see you ! It is a great pleasure to see you !
– yenge kieno !: peace to you ! may peace be with you !
– wena mavimpi (eh) ? : you’re okay ?
– lutomene sikama ? : did you sleep well ? are you well awoken ?
– eh, tutomene sikama bua mbote ! : yes, everything is fine ! yes, we slept very well !
– lusiemi ? : how are you ? are you doing well ? is your health good ?
– lutomene siama ? : are you doing very well ? is your health good ?
– eh, tutomene siama kueto ! : yes, we are doing well ! yes, we’re well !
– eh, tuasiama kueto tuena : yes, we are doing well ! yes, we’re well !
– eh, tuatoma siama kueto tuena : yes, we are doing very well ! yes, it’s going very well !
– eh bue, tomene siama ? : are you doing very well ? is your health good ?
– eh, ntomene siama kuani ! : yes, I am doing very well ! yes, it’s going very well !
– eh, wasiama kuani ngiena ! : yes, I am doing very well ! yes, it’s going very well !
– eh bue, mavimpi (maku) mena malunga ? : how are you ? is your health good ?
– eh/ah bue mavimpi ? : how is your health ? how are you ?
– eh bue (nitu) ? : how are you ? how are you doing ?
– eh, (mua) bubote (kua) ngiena : yes, I’m fine ! yes, I’m going (a little) well!
– beto mua mavimpi tuena : we are doing a little well
– ka ngiena bubote ko : I don’t feel well !
– ka ngiena mavimpi ko : I’m not well
– ka nita mona nitu mavimpi ko ! : I do not feel good !
– nkia mambu ma kuluakisi/kuneti ku ? : what brings you here ? what’s the news ?
– nkia nsangu lwizi kutunatina ? : what brings you here ? what is the purpose of your visit ?
– nkia nsangu wizi kutunatina ? : what brings you here ? what is the purpose of your visit ?
– mvula yeti noka : it’s raining
– mvula tumeni nokina : we just wet in the rain
– lutoma kuiza (kueno) ku nzo’eto : welcome to our house !
– bueyi kuna kua beno ? : how are things going at your house ?
– eh bueyi kuna nzo ? : how are things going at home ?
– ngizulu ya mbote : welcome !
– nkia nsangu ?: how are you ? what are the news ? what’s up ?
– nsangu kani/nkatu ! : things are going well ! no news ! nothing to report !
– tuizidi kulutala : we come to visit you, we come to return your visit
– tuyambidi banzenza ! : we have a visit! we have visitors!
– tuena ye kiese kia kingi mu kulumona diaka : we are very happy to see you again
– ni muana wa mo wena yeto : he is the only child we have
– nki luzolele nua ? : what will you have (to drink) ? what do you want to drink ?
– biele nua wunuanga ? : are you used to have beer ?
– luizeno kueno ku meza : I invite you to the table
– tuendieno/ndolueno ku meza : let’s go to the table
– ndilu ya mbote ! : enjoy your meal ! bon appetit !
– ludieno bua mbote ! : enjoy your meal ! bon appetit !
– lutoma dia kueno ! / tomeno dia ! : eat well ! enjoy this meal !
– yiza/wiza tuakina : come and dance with me
– ngeye weti toma kina : you dance very well
– ntangu ya luvambanu yifueni : it’s time to say goodbye, it’s time for separation
– lusala kia mbote : I say goodbye
– ni lusisidi : I leave you
– nsimbidi nzila, ngiele : I’m going away from it
– nzila yimosi tuizidingi : we came together
– tueka lumbu kia nkaka ! : see you another time ! see you another day ! see you !
– mu malu tueti ko kuendila : we are going there on foot
– mu minkiela tuna ko luakila : we’ll get there by sunrise
– tueti kuluvingila kilumbu kia sabala : we’re waiting for you next Saturday
– mbote zazingi kua Kingandi : hello to So-and-So
– yiza/wiza tuayenda ! : come on we’re going !
– tu lusisidi ! : we are going to leave you !
– tuendi kueto ! : let’s move on !
– tuendi kueto nzila yimosi ! : let’s go together !
– luenda/wenda/yende kia mbote ! : welcome back ! have a good trip ! have a safe trip !
– luenda/wenda mu yenge ! : welcome back ! have a good trip ! have a safe trip ! go in peace !
– (lu)tomeno kuenda ! : have a good return ! have a good trip ! have a safe trip !
– lubavana mbote ! : say them hello ! send them our hello !
– Nzambi ka basakumuna ! : God bless them !
– Nzambi ka lusakumuna ! : God bless you !
– bika lusakumunu lua tata Nzambi’a Mpungu luasikila mu ngeye ! : God bless you !
– ngeye/beno mpe ni bumosi ! : (to) you too ! the same to you !
– ludiata mu yenge ! : have a good return ! have a good trip ! go in peace !
– sala mu yenge ! : goodbye ! stay in peace !
– sala kia mbote ! : goodbye ! bye !
– mvutukulu ya mbote ! : welcome back !
– ndiatulu ya mbote ! : have a good trip! have a good return !
– tutomene/tuatomene luaka kueto ! : we arrived safely ! we arrived well !
– ndekele minu vo si tuamonana diaka : I hope we will see each other again
– kiese kiakingi kiena yami ! : I’m filled with joy ! I’m very happy ! I’m very pleased !
– kiese kiakingi ngienina ! : I’m filled with joy ! I’m very happy ! I’m very pleased !
– yandi ka tukala ku m’mona diaka ko : he will not be seen again
– yoyo eh ! : bye !
- USUAL EXPRESSIONS AT HOME.
– bo badidingi basonga nlembo : those who ate are invited to put their finger up
– bukolo buandi bua yuku : he has always been disobedient, it’s his habit not to obey
– buku dia Leta : identity card, identity document, official paper
– dia tumeni dia : we have just eaten
– dimpa dia kokoto : hard bread, stale bread
– duka/tuka ku mbazi/nganda ! : go out ! go outside !
– duka/tuka kuna ! : get out of there !
– eh wunu nki tuena dia ? : what are we going to eat today ?
– eyu ! / kongo ! : yes ! here ! here I am ! present ! (as an answer to a roll-call)
– finika nzungu ! : cover the pot ! put the lid on the pot !
– gembula/vembula tiya ! : blow on the embers ! stoke the fire !
– ka badianga mantela ko : one don’t eat in a standing position
– katuka kuna ! : get away from it ! move it !
– komba nzo ! : sweep the house !
– kuanga kia yokua : chikwangue cooked under the ashes
– kutula binkuti biaku ! : take off your clothes !
– lambila bebe poto-poto ! : prepare the purée for baby !
– lemisa muinda ! : switch/turn on the lights !
– lemisa (muinda wa) kolema ! : light the Coleman lamp !
– lemisa muinda wa pitiloyi ! : light the oil lamp !
– lemisa tiya : light the fire
– luata binkuti (biaku) ! : dress yourself ! get your clothes on ! put your clothes on !
– luatisa nleke aku binkuti ! : get your little brother/sister dressed !
– lubika lusuku/makelele/mazu ! : stop making noise ! silence ! be quiet !
– ludimba ngunga ya nzo-nzambi : listen to the church bell
– luenda luasakana ku mbazi/nganda : go play outside
– luiza luadia ! : come to eat !
– lulala/lulamba/luleka/luseka bua mbote / mu mbote / bubote ! : Good night ! sleep well !
– lusana nsuki zeno : get your hair combed !
– luteka dia bosi luena kuenda bula bale : eat first and then you will go to football
– luteka nua ti bosi luenda ku kalasi : have tea/breakfast before going to school
– lutoma dia, lutoma yukuta ! : have a good meal and enjoy ! eat well until your fill !
– lutoma/tomeno dimba ! : listen up ! listen carefully ! open your ears wide !
– lutoma lala/lamba/leka/seka ! : Good night ! sleep well !
– lutoma/tomeno longunka bileso bieno : learn your lessons well
– lutoma/tomeno wa ! : listen up ! listen carefully ! keep your ears open !
– lutuala binkuti bieno : bring me your clothes
– luvayika ku suku : leave the bedroom
– luyambula lusuku ! : stop making noise ! be quiet ! stop the noise now ! stop that racket !
– luyambula mazu (meno) ! : stop making noise ! be quiet ! stop the noise now !
– luzibula matu/makutu (meno) ! : open your ears ! listen !
– malavu ma nzenzo : sweet drink
– mama weti lamba madezo : mommy is preparing some beans
– maza ma ndua : drinking water
– maza ma tiya/kiozi : hot/cold water
– mbizi ya yuma : smoked fish, dried fish
– mono eyu ! : here I am ! I’m here !
– moyo wa muasi : empty stomach, hungry stomach
– mpuila malavu yena yami, ndendele baka mua malavu : I’m thirsty, can I have some wine
– mpuila maza yena yami, lendele kungana maza : I’m thirsty, can you give me some water
– mu matadidi kalasi kieno kota-kala luena sala : about your school you will be day pupil
– muana wo bukolo kibeni kena : this child is really disobedient
– nata nleke’aku kuna kalasi : accompany your little brother (sister) to school
– ndungu zi nkeni : dried small pimento
– nguba za kangua : grilled peanuts
– nguba za maza : boiled peanuts
– nguba za nsuesue : freshly harvested peanuts
– nguba za yokua : peanuts cooked under the ashes
– nguba za yuma : dried peanuts
– nsatu ngiena yawu, wungana bidia/madia : I’m hungry, give me somethng to eat
– nsatu yena yami, wungana bidia/madia : I’m hungry, give me somethng to eat
– ntangu ya kuenda lamba/leka/seka yifueni ! : It’s time to go to sleep ! It’s time to go to bed !
– nza wiza ! : come here !
– nzo’eto ya muasi yena : our house remains open, the door of our house is not closed
– nzolele kuenda suba (nsatu ya masuba ngiena yawu) ! : I want to (go) pee !
– nzolele kuenda nena (nsatu ya nena ngiena yawu) ! : I want to poop !
– papa/tata kiti keti/kata yidika : daddy is reparing the chair
– papa/tata weti zenga nzevo : daddy is shaving his beard
– tanda meza ! : set the table !
– tata wutufuemene ngolo kibeni / tata tomene kutufuemina : daddy is very angry with us
– tolo/tulu tuambote ! : Good night ! sleep well !
– tuala/tuasa madia ! : bring me to eat ! bring me some food !
– tula/luata kinkuti ! : dress yourself ! put on a garment ! put on a piece of clothing !
– gayika/vayika/duka/tuka ku mbazi/nganda ! : go out ! go outside !
– gayika/vayika/duka/tuka kuna ! : get out of there !
– vo vuanda weti vuenda, sungamanga : when you sit down, get in the habit of standing straight
– vumbukeno, ntangu ya kalasi yifueni : wake up, it’s time to go to school
– vutukeno ku nzo : come (back) home
– wenda wasana nsuki zaku ! : go comb your hair !
– wenda wasukula binkuti biaku : go do the laundry, go wash your clothes
– wenda wasukula malonga : go do the dishes
– wenda wayamba mama nleke aku : go welcome your maternal aunt ! go kiss your aunt !
– wungimbidila nkunga (umosi) : sing me a song
– wuntela kingana kia ya nsiesie na ya mfulututu : tell me the tale of the hare and the tortle
– wuntudila manteka mu dimpa : put some butter (margarine) on my bread
– yabika madia ! : cover the food !
– yiza/wiza eva/vava ! : come here !
– yiza/wiza kala ku nzo ! : come back home !
– yiza/wiza nsualu ! : come quickly !
– zibika nzo : close the door (of the house)
– zibula nzo : open the door (of the house)
– zima muinda ! : switch/turn off the lights !
– zinga nlele’aku : cover up with your loincloth
- USUAL EXPRESSIONS BETWEEN LOVERS.
– bakala dia ntoko kibeni wena : you are a very handsome man
– buabuingi nikuzodilanga/nikuzolele ! : I love you so much ! I love you very much !
– nitomene kuzola / ntomene kuzola ! : I love you so much ! I love you very much !
– bulutidi buabuingi nikuzodilanga ! : I love you more than anything !
– i kuzolele ! : I love you ! I’m in love with you ! I like you !
– ka wunzolanga ko : you don’t love me
– ki kuzolanga ko ! : I don’t love you ! I’m not in love with you ! I don’t like you !
– kia sabala, ngiena kuiza ye kibuta kiame : Saturday, I will come with my family
– kitoko kiakingi wena : you are very beautiful/pretty
– luvunu luaku lumonekene : your lie is revealed, your lies are discovered
– ma ngeye ye mono mameni/mamanisi : It’s over between you and me
– mama na bana : the mother of my children, an affectionate expression to designate one’s wife
– mambu weti kunsuekila : you are hiding things from me
– mfunu wa kumona ngiena ye wawu : I need to see you
– mono ni ngeye kua nizolanga : I only love you
– mpova zaku sukadi zena : you have sweet words
– mu ntima mosi nikuzolanga : I love you with all my heart
– ngeye ye mono imeni : It’s over between you and me
– ni kuzolele mu nsi’a ntim’ami : I love you from the bottom of my heart
– ni kuzolele mu ntima (wu)mosi : I love you with all my heart
– nkento wa ntoko beni wena : you are a very beautiful woman
– nkento’ame wa nzola beni : my beloved wife, my favorite wife
– nkumisi bibuti biaku mu kitoko kiaku : I pay tribute to your parents for your beauty
– nsatu’aku ngiena yo : I want you, I miss you
– nsatu ya kumona ngiena yawu : I want to see you
– nsevolo yaku niyo nizolanga : I like the way you smile, I love your smile
– ntomene/itomene kuzola ! : I love you very much ! I love you so much !
– nzolele meka ndambulu yaku : I would like to taste your cooking
– nzolele (na/ya)kumona : I want to see you
– nzolele (na/ya)mona kibuta kiaku : I would like/would like to see/meet your family
– nzolele (na/ya)monana na/ye bibuti biaku : I would like to meet your parents
– nzolele tuamonana : I want us to see each other, I want to see you
– nzolele wansevisa : I want you to make me laugh
– nzolele wansansonga makinu maku : I would like you to show me your way of dancing
– nzolele wansansonga nitu’aku : I would like you to show me your body
– nzolele wansansonga nkinunu yaku : I would like you to show me your way of dancing
– nzonzolo/mpovolo yaku ya nitoma zolanga : I really like the way you talk
– tufueti kukimonisa va ntuala babuti baku : we have to go before your parents
– tuka lumbu ki mono ye ngeye tuvambane : from today on you and I are separated
– tuna kuiza kanga lupangu : we will come to officialize our engagement
– wenda wavutukila nkento’aku wa ntama : go find your ex-wife
– wundemvukila ! : forgive me !
– wunsemvila fioti (ko) ! : give me a smile ! smile for me !
– wunsonikina mabanza maku : write me your intentions, write me your feelings
– wuntadisa mua tusevo tuaku ! : let me see your smile ! show me your smile !
– yiza/wiza tuakina makinu ma malembe : come dance a slow dance with me
- USUAL EXPRESSIONS IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS, PART 1/2.
The Kikongo expressions presented here are those that can be used in various situations of everyday life.
– abu mpia! : finished ! quite finished ! completely finished ! end of the discussion !
– ah dia mboko dio ! : oh, what a cretin ! what an idiot ! what idiocy! you stupid !
– ah bweyi / ah weyi / ah bwe (kuandi/kua) ?: what’s new ? what now ?
– antuka : seriously !
– atasio ! : be careful !
– bakala dia mvimba ka dilanga ko : as he is this man never cries
– bana ba kivumu kimosi : children born to the same mother, children from the same womb
– bantu na bantu … : every people …, every nation …
– bawu bana : there they are, those ones
– bawu na bawu : with each other
– bena … : child of …, born in …, originating from …
– bena Kongo : children of Ne Kongo, refers to the people descended from Ne Kongo Nimi
– bena Kongo oye ! : long live the Kongolese !
– beni beni / beni ye beni : incredibly, fabulously
– beno kibeni : yourselves
– beno luena bantu ba nsuka : you are the last ones
– beto bansoni/bawonso(no) : all of us, us all, all together, altogether
– beto eba/baba : here we are
– beto kimosi : ourselves, us in person
– beto ku ngambu, bawu ku ngambu yankaka : us on one side, them on the other
– beto na beto : between us, between ourselves
– bila nki … ? : why…? for what reason…?
– bima (bia)bionso / bima biabio : all (the) things
– bima (bia)bionsono / bima biawonsono : all (the) things
– bisi banda dia … : the inhabitants of the downstream part of…
– bisi londe dia … : the inhabitants of the upstream part of…
– Bisi nsi ya Congo oye ! : long live the Congolese !
– bisi ntandu : people who live upstream, people from the North
– bonga ludia : easy girl, easy prey
– bongele meso muene : you are all witnesses, the evidence is before you
– bonso bonso : so so, anyhow, without discernment
– bonso bu mafueti kadila : as it should be, as it should happen
– bonso buena : like
– bonso buenina : as it should be
– bonso bufueti kala/ba : as it should be, wisely
– bonso kaka bu makadilanga : as usual, as happens in such a case
– bonso kua bu batanga/balelanga/bavovilanga : so to speak, as they say
– bonso n’leki’ame ni kubakilanga : I consider you my little brother (sister)
– bu diakinu vo : since, given that, on the understanding that, it being understood that
– bu diena vo : since, given that, on the understanding that, it being understood that
– bu dienina bonso bobo : since it is so, as it is so, this being given
– bu kamana (verbe) : after he/she finished to (verb), after he/she (verb in the preterite)
– bu kamana kuenda : as soon as he left, after his departure
– bu nata boo / bu ntele boo / bu nimeni ta boo, … : whereupon, … with that, … and now, …
– bu ntele ! : I said !
– bu yamana kuenda : after I left, during my absence
– bua yuku : usual, common, entered into the mores
– buanana ! : Happy New Year !
– buawubu : now, right now
– buisi bukiele : the sun rises, it’s day, it is daylight
– buisi buyididi : the sun is down, it’s night
– buka mona bukakuikila : it’s hard to believe without evidence, you have to see it to believe it
– buku dia leta : identity card
– bulutidi bubote : it would be better
– buna bufueti kala : as appropriate
– bunene ka buena bubole ko ! : being fat doesn’t mean being strong like two !
– bunene ka bunuananga mvita ko ! : being bigger doesn’t mean being stronger in a fight !
– dia kamu !: congratulations ! well done !
– diambu di yayendila kuna : the reason I went there
– diambu dia ngudi … : the essential thing…, the most important .., the bottom of the problem…
– diambu diaku ! / mambu maku ! : too bad for you ! it’s your business !
– diambu diandi ! / mambu mandi ! : too bad for him ! it’s his business !
– diambu dionso mu ntangu’andi : everything in its time
– diambu disundidi/dilutidi mfunu : the most important thing
– disongele vo … : which means …
– djekabo … : so…, that being said…
– … do … : … please…, …I beg you…, …I beg you…, …have kindness…
– dodokolo diaku : I beg your forgiveness, I’m sorry, I beg you (to forgive me)
– ebu menina : it is like this
– eh bosi ngeye ? : (so/and) what about you ?
– eh bue batele ? : what’s new ? what’s being said ?
– eh bue/bueyi (kua/kuandi) ?: how are you ? what’s the news ?
– eh kansi/kaa !: that’s it ! affirmative !
– eh kuma ? : why ? for what reason ?
– eh nge ni nani … ? : who the hell are you ? who are you to … ? who do you think you are?
– eh nki diaka (ko) ? : what now ? what else ?
– eh nki diambu/mambu ? : what’s the matter ? what’s the problem ?
– engwa kua … : watch out for …, woe to …
– fievi / fieyi ? : what?
– fiole-fiole : little by little, bit by bit, gently, carefully / so little, at all least bit, ever so little
– fioleti : near
– fioti- fioti : small, little by little, in small pieces
– fua kampulu/zikulu ! : may they take you away ! let them take you away !
– funda dia matondo ! : many thanks ! thank you so much ! thank you a thousand times !
– ga/va fulu kia : instead of, rather than
– ga/va kibuki : away, out of the way
– ga/va lukufi : nearby, very close, just next door
– ga/va zulu : on, above
– i de / i dede / i dedede : exact, precise, in a similar way, the same way, absolutely the same
– i kuma … : for this …, because of this …, as a consequence…, as a result…, in this way…, thus…
– i ntumbu (verb) : to end up (verb-ing)
– ibobo ! : so be it ! it is so ! it is like that !
– ibonso bobo !: it is so ! that’s the way it is !
– ibuna ! : that’s it ! that’s the way it is ! that’s (exactly) right ! that’s what I mean !
– ibuna kaka ! : that’s the way it is ! that’s the only way !
– idina : that is (the raison) why
– ikele ! : (that’s) right ! it’s okay ! that’s it ! it’s hit ! right in the middle! right in the bull’s-eye !
– ikuma : that is why
– imene / imeni ! : it’s (all) over ! finished ! knock it off !
– inga ! : yes !
– ingeta ! : it’s heard ! so be it ! totally agree ! amen !
– isavo … : which means …, that is to say …
– ka bena ga/gaga/va/vava ko ! : they are not there/here ! they are absent !
– ka beni ko : not much, not enough, fairly, moderately
– ka bila/diambu ko ! : it doesn’t matter !
– ka bua/boo ko ! : it is not like that ! it is not so !
– ka diambu (’andi) ko ! : never mind ! it doesn’t matter ! nothing to say !
– ka diambu beni ko ! : it doesn’t really matter ! nothing serious ! it’s nothing !
– ka diena luve ko kua muntu ka muntu mu … : it is forbidden for anyone to …
– ka diena nkutu luve ko kua … mu … : it is strictly forbidden for … to …
– ka diena nkutu mfunu mosi ko ! : it doesn’t matter at all, it has absolutely no value !
– ka dilendakane (nkutu) ko ! : this/that/it is (really) not possible !
– ka kena ko ! : he/she is not there/here ! he/she is absent !
– ka kia/bia-kala ko ! : it/that doesn’t exist ! it/that did not exist !
– ka kia/bia-teka kala ko ! : it/that never existed ! this never happened ! it hadn’t exist before !
– ka kia/bia-teka nkutu kala ko ! : it/that really never existed ! it/that really never happened !
– ka ki/bi/di-ena boo/buna ko ! : it’s not like that !
– ka ki/bi-ena ko ! : there are none ! there are not any !
– ka ki/bi-kalanga ko ! : it/that doesn’t exist !
– ka kima kuandi ko ! : it doesn’t matter (at all) ! It doesn’t matter now !
– ka kima nkutu ko : absolutely nothing, nothing at all
– ka kuena kuandi kima ko : there is nothing (to report)
– ka kuma ko : nowhere
– ka lekua ko ! : nothing ! nothing at all ! point of … ! nothing to report ! …
– ka lumoni/lumonandi wonga ko ! : don’t be afraid !
– ka makutadidi ko ! : it’s none of your business ! it doesn’t concern you !
– ka mantadidi ko! : it’s none of my business! it doesn’t concern me! I don’t care !
– ka mbembo ko ! : no business ! no palaver ! no talk !
– ka mbembo vo ntulu ko ! : no voice or cough ! it’s the perfect silence !
– ka mena kuandi mfunu ko ! : it doesn’t matter ! they have no value !
– ka mono’angana/i ko ! : it’s not me ! I had nothing to do with it !
– ka mono kuame/kuani ko : it’s not me
– ka mu nganzi ko ! : no hard feelings! no need to get angry!
– ka muntu (mosi) ko : nobody, no one, no person
– ka ngiena kuna ko ! : I will not listen to you ! I don’t care !
– ka ngiena na/ye mambu na muntu ko : I don’t blame anyone, I’m a stranger to any business
– ka ngiena na/ye mfunu’andi ko : I don’t need him
– ka ngiena na/ye wonga ko ! : I am not afraid ! I’m afraid of nothing !
– ka ngiena yo ngindu ko ! : I don’t give a shit/damn! I don’t (really) care! I don’t think about it!
– ka ni bue nasa eh ? : (but) what should I do ? (but) what (else) can I do ?
– ka ni nki kasa eh ? : (but) what did he do ?
– ka nsamu(a/andi) ko ! : it doesn’t matter (at all)! Who cares ! then so be it ! it’s not a big deal !
– ka ntam’andi ko … : not so long ago …, in a short time …
– kaka bonso bu dikadilanga : as usual
– kamba … : it seems that…, it would appear that …, I understand that …
– kanga n’nua (‘aku)! : shut the fuck up ! shut your mouth ! stop talking !
– kani ! : no ! negative !
– kani fioti- fioti ko/kua ! : nothing at all !
– kani kala(ni) kumona (diaka) ko : I won’t have the opportunity to see you anymore
– kani kima ! : nothing ! nothing at all ! nothing to report !
– katuka kuna ! : clear off ! get away from there ! bugger off ! get out of there ! leave there !
– katuka mbadi ! : let it go ! forget it ! truce of jokes ! let’s get back to more serious things !
– kazoko ! : really ! certainly !
– keba (kuaku) !: watch out for yourself ! be careful !
– kedika kikilu : it’s perfectly true, it’s quite true, it’s intirely true, it’s absolutely true / sincerely
– kedika kuandi … : truly…, in truth …, really …, surely …, certainly …
– kena kuma ko : he is not guilty, he is not responsible, he is innocent
– ki kuma … : because …, that’s why …
– ki kuma kadi … : because …
– kia fiotinu : lower
– kia lubanzi : next, at the side
– kia makulu : once and for all, in one go, all at once, immediately
– kia manima : backwards, back, at the tail
– kia mankulu/mankululu : once and for all, in one go, all at once, immediately
– kia mbasa ! : tell me about it ! do tell ! say !
– kia mbombo : fertile, fruitful
– kia mpila yayi ka nateka kia mona ko ! : I’ve never seen anything like it!
– kia mpungumuna : upside down
– kia/ya muasi : open, holed, uncovered
– kia ngoyi/nkoyi ! : see you soon ! see you next time !
– kia nsulumpa : recent, new
– kia sekunda : Monday
– kia tu nki : yes (no) in truth, for sure, without a doubt, in any case, for pity’s sake (yes / no)
– kia tu nki wenda ! : go away (I beg you / I beseech you)!
– kia yuwoni : superior
– kiadi kia saka kiena ! : it is a tremendous sadness ! it is an immeasurable sadness !
– kiadi kibeni ! : it’s regrettable ! it’s sad ! it’s distressing ! It’s really sad !
– kibila mbiki ? : why ?
– kidi mana / mpasi mana : so that
– kidi vo / mpasi vo : for, so that
– kiedika ! / kedika ! : really !
– kiese kia saka kiena ! : It is a tremendous joy ! It is a huge joy ! it is an immeasurable joy !
– kifuafuala kia muntu : insignificant person, impactless person, old-fashioned person
– kikanana kia ntulu : prominent breast, prominent chest
– kikongo kiaku kiambote kiena : you speak Kikongo well, your Kikongo is correct
– kilendi ko ! : I can’t !
– (ki)lumbu kimosi … : one day …
– kima kani/pele : (it ‘s) nothing
– kima kia mfunu : valuable object
– kima kia mpamba : unimportant object
– kima kia n’kaka : something else
– kima kimosi : something
– kima na kima : everything, each thing
– kima nkatu ! : nothing ! nothing to report !
– (ki)salu kia mpunda : unpaid or poorly paid work in relation to what is due
– (ki)salu kiafua ! : nothing to get from it ! it’s pure waste ! no need to insist ! it sucks !
– (ki)salu kitelamane nkamba : work is lacking, we are not working, work is not progressing
– kiyendi-kiyendi : eyes closed, without taking precautions, naively
– kiyenina kia muntu : inconsistent person, a have-you-seen-me
– kizeyi nkutu (kima) ko : I know absolutely nothing about it, I don’t have the slightest idea
– kizidi kia ba bebe : beautiful mug, baby face
– kizidi kia feti : happy mood
– koko simu : (since) always
– koko ya koko : eternity
– kolo yakatuka ku … : it’s been a long time since I left …
– kompani kitunga : gang of criminals, bandits
– kongo ! : yes ! here ! here I am ! present ! (as an answer to a roll-call)
– konso kima : everything
– konso konso kima : anything, any thing, all things
– konso konso kuma : here and there, anywhere, wherever, in any place, in every place
– konso kuma : everywhere
– konso muntu : everyone, every person
– konso ntangu : every time
– koshuna kia muntu : physically imposing person
– koyongo ! : nothing ! none !
– ku banda : downstream
– ku bubu / ku bubudi : in ignorance, in the dark, without knowing
– ku gata/vata tuzingilanga : we live in the village
– ku la kuena : it’s far away
– ku londe : upstream
– ku lubakala : on the right ( side)
– ku lumoso : left, (on/to) the left, (the) left side
– ku manima : behind, backwards
– ku manima ma : after, behind
– ku mavula tuvuandilanga : we live in the city
– ku/va mbela : next to, on the edge of, near, close to
– ku ndembo : with pleasure, with contentment, without boredom or jealousy / gently, peacefully
– ku ndombo : apart, separately, aside, beside
– ku nima ya mua bilumbu bina luta : after a few days, within a few days
– ku nima ya mua ntangu : after a few moments, in a moment, shortly
– ku nkula : at the head, in the lead, in front / by front, from the front
– ku nsi : under, underneath, below
– ku nsielo : next to
– ku nsinsi : next to, in the vicinity of
– ku nsueki : secretly, in secret, on the sly
– ku ntandu : upstream, the north
– ku ntuala : before, in front, ahead, forward, in the front way
– ku nza : outside, on the fringes of, on the edge of
– ku susi : accidentally, possibly, fortuitously
– ku/mu/va yanda : below, further down, in the valley
– ku zimbukula : suddenly
– ku zulu : at the top, to the sky, to heaven
– kua kuo(nsono) : everywhere
– kua nda : far away
– kua/mua/wa nkatu : there is nothing, it’s empty, it’s deserted
– kua nkatu ! : nothing ! none !
– kuati yeka ! : impossible !
– kubu mu kubu : each according to their age
– kuele mvu / kuayele mvu : for eternity, forever
– kuele mvu kuvutukidi mvu : eternally, perpetually, for eternity, forever
– kuele kina kuvutukidi kina : eternally, perpetually, for eternity, forever
– kuena ye nsoni ko eh nge ! : you’re not ashamed of yourself ! you’re not embarrassed!
– kuenda ngieti kuenda : I have to go, I’m about to leave
– kuenda vutuka : round trip
– kueyi weka ? : where are you at ?
– kufua ntangu : lazy, layabout
– kukadi ye wonga ko : don’t be afraid
– (kuma) kuankaka : elsewhere
– kuma kukiele : the day rises, the sun rises, it is daylight
– kuma kuyididi : night has fallen, it is dark, the weather is getting darker, the sky is overcast
– kuma nki ? : why ? for what reason ? for what cause ? for which motive ?
– kumonandi wonga ko : don’t be afraid ! have no fear !
– kumu ye/na kumu : from shore to shore, from one bank to the other
– ku(na) banda : downstream, down
– kuna kua yantikila mambu : at the source of the case, where it all began
– ku(na) londe : upstream, up
– ku(na) mala : in the distance
– kuna mbangala : for a very long time
– kuna ndo yina : for a long time
– kuna nsuka : at the end, ultimately, at the end of the day
– kuna/muna zolela : voluntarily, by free will
– landa kulu kuami : follow my example, follow my dance step, try to dance like me
– landila … : after …, further to …, according to …
– lekela bua mbote ! : good night !
– lubanzi lua lubakala : right side, right flank
– lubanzi lua lumoso : left side, left flank
– lubutuku/mbutuku lua/ya mbote ! : happy birthday !
– lufufunia nkutu … : not a bit…, not a little …, not the slightest…, not the least …
– lukaya lua mbongo : bank note
– lukufi ye … : very close to…, not far from…
– lumbu ka/kabu lumbu : day after day, every day, forever
– lumbu ka lumbu : every day
– lumbu kia mbote ! : have a good day !
– lumbu kia lubutuku/mbutuku kia mbote ! : happy birthday !
– lungonia ! : congratulations!
– lutoma kembila ! : have a great party ! good festivities ! good commemoration !
– luvunu ka mbote ko … ! : without lying … ! honestly … ! lying is not good !
– luvunu luaku (lueno) : you’re lying
– luvunu luawu lumonekene : their lie is revealed, their lie appears in the open
– ma ! : take it !
– ma buidi ! : that’s it, it’s the beginning of hostilities ! the situation is getting worse !
– ma kiedika mena (makieleka mena) : it’s true, it’s the truth
– ma kubebele ! : it’s ruined for you ! it’s fucked up for you ! you’re in trouble !
– ma kulu : all (of them), the whole, in the totality
– ma kulutidi ntu : the level is too high for you
– ma kutadidi ! : it’s your business ! too bad for you ! it’s at your own risk !
– ma mplila mu mpila ngina kulumonisa : I’ll show you all the colors
– ma ngitukulu mena ! : it’s amazing ! it’s wonderful ! it’s extraordinary !
– ma ngitukulu ngieti mona : strange things happen to me, I’m experiencing wonderful things
– ma ngitukulu tuakala monanga : we were living extraordinary moments
– ma ngongolo-ngongolo : without problems, without obstacles, without pitfalls, light heart
– ma nkaka diaka ! : here’s one more thing ! here is something else !
– madezo ma bana : baksheesh, bribe
– mafu ! : I don’t give a damn !
– mafunda ma matondo ! : thousands of thanks! thousands and thousands of thanks!
– maka ma … : others … , various …, miscellaneous …
– malala makua zolele sumba ? : how many oranges do you want to buy ?
– mama mapasa : mother of twins
– ma(ma) ngudi : name given to a mother of twins
– mambu mabuidi : something serious has happened, we have a problem, we got a problem
– mambu makondolo salu : trivialities, unimportant things, unnecessary business
– mambu maku ma nawidi/nameni wa : I heard about you
– mambu masakidi : too many problems, overwhelmed by events
– mambu mpe bua mabuanga ! : it happens ! it can happen ! these are things that happen !
– mambu mpe mamingi tele : you’ve said enough, you’ve said a lot, you’ve talked too much
– masakidi ! : enough is enough ! it goes beyond the limits ! this is way out of line !
– masukidi ! : it’s over ! stop it !
– matondo ma bavana kua mbua : ingratitude, lack of thankfulness
– matondo mamingi/malaka/masakila/beni ! : thank you very much !
– matondo mamingi/malaka/masakila nikuveni : thank you very much
– mawonso mele muna maza : everything is ruined, everything is fucked up, the deal is off
– mayela mani mamanisi : I don’t know what to say to you anymore
– maza ma kitsamukini : the spell is cast, the die is cast
– mbadi : my dear
– mbalu za ntima : conscience, heart of hearts, secret thoughts, intimate conviction
– mbandu ka mbandu : year after year, at each time, from generation to generation
– mbazi mbazi … : one day…, one day or the other…
– mbe … ! : it seems that …! it would seem that …! it is said that …! they say that …!
– mbengi kuami ! : I don’t want to !
– mbo wambambudila : you will remind me
– mbongo za bisengo : coins
– mbongo za makaya : bank notes
– mbongo za nkisi : occult money
– mbongo zikondolo : money is missing, there’s money missing, there is insufficient money
– mbote kua ba nkua yaku ! : say hello to your loved ones (friends, colleagues) !
– mbote ya lukalu : greeting from afar by shaking hand or object, goodbye from afar
– mbunda buzengi ! : a lot of nonsense ! bunch of nonsense ! big mistake ! big stupidity !
– melesi yi bavana kua mbua : ingratitude, lack of thankfulness
– meno mavayika : prominent teeth
– meso ga : impudence, brazenness
– meso kuatu-kuatu : eyes that linger everywhere, sustained curiosity, extreme vigilance
– meso ma mfiela / meso mfielele : small eyes, soft eyes, pretty eyes
– meso mu meso : face to face, facing each other, in private
– mfiawukidi ! : thank you ! I’m satisfied ! I’m happy ! I’m glad !
– mfumu’a lupangu : residential lessor, owner of a residential plot
– mfumu’a ntoto : autochthon, indigenous, authentic child of the country
– mfumu’a nzo : owner of the place of residence, owner of a house
– mfunu waku ngiena wo (wawu) : I need you
– mimvu mikua wena miawu ? : how old are you ?
– moko ma mpamba : empty handed, empty hands
– (mono/meno) eyu ! : here I am !
– mono/meno i muisi Manianga : I am from Manianga! I come from Manianga!
– mono/meno kaka : me alone
– mono/meno beni/kibeni : myself, me in person
– mono/meno ndembolo kuame : I give up, I refuse to continue
– mono/meno veka : myself, me in person, me alone
– mono/meno ye/na yandi ka tuwizananga ko : he (she) and I don’t get along
– mpamba mpamba : no matter how, any way, unnecessarily, with ease, at all winds, carelessly
– mpanzi nsangu : journalist, news broadcaster
– mpasi nita/nta mona : I’m suffering
– mpasi vo : for that, provided that
– mpasi yita sa : it hurts
– mpasi za mpamba ! : lost cause ! wasted effort !
– mpeleko : despite, even if, although, unless, notwithstanding, nevertheless, however
– mpemba mpolo : healthy, in good health, in good condition
– mpemba mpolo : without problems, without incident, hassle-free
– mpila kiese : a lot of joy, very happy
– mplila mu mpila : various, of all kinds
– mpila nkembo : so much joy, so much atmosphere
– mpimpa yibuidi : it is night, the night has fallen
– mpimpa na muini : day and night
– mpuan’aku : your fellow man, your neighbour
