Note :
At the insistent request of some English-speaking visitors, I was forced to translate this lexicon from French to English. It’s a colossal job that took me a lot of time, I applied myself and tried to do my best. Despite this, since English is not my usual language, there could be some translation errors here and there. If you find any, do not hesitate to report them to me by writing to me through the contact page of this website.
Thank you in advance !
- NEOLOGISMS IN THE KIKONGO LANGUAGE.
Kikongo is a modern language that evolves in contact with other languages. Although Kikongo is a very rich language in itself, it is not impossible to hear in Kikongo conversations words that are derived from foreign words, mainly from the languages of the colonizers (French or Portuguese). Most of the words from Portuguese that were old-fashioned neologisms in contact with the first foreign language to impregnate Kikongo have already entered into everyday language, so we can quote words such as loso, meza, sabuni, manteka or our famous makayabu. As for French which is a language of recent colonization, the words derived from it are always considered neologisms. Below is a non-exhaustive list of words derived from French.
NEOLOGISMS DERIVED FROM FRENCH.
– adolasio : adoration
– aleze : comfortable
– alo-alo : phone
– alolo : then, so
– angeleza : English
– anivelisele : anniversary, birthday
– antene : antenna
– anvutema : bewitchment
– apaleyi : apparatus, device
– apale : apart, aside
– asase : murderer, murderess, assassin
– avanse : advance
– avantazi : advantage
– aze : age
– baze : base
– bila : balance sheet
– bizadi : weird, strange
– bule : blue / ball
– dakolo : Okay, all right
– dayele : moreover, by the way
– dega : damage
– demalazi : start-up
– demokalasi : democracy
– depite : deputy
– dezele : desert
– dezole : sorry, apologize
– disiki : disc
– dokima : document
– domene : domain, field, area
– dusi : shower
– ekilibele : balance, equilibrium
– elite : elite
– entele : interest
– epoke : time, era
– esike : does it, is it
– esikolo : crook, swindler
– eta : state
– etidi : study
– etidiya : student
– evele : work
– falamasi : pharmacy
– falanse : French
– fenomene : phenomenon
– filime : film
– fize : rocket
– folomazi : cheese
– galasi : ice
– galasia : grace
– gobele : cup
– gu : taste, flavour
– guvelenema : government
– idole : idol
– kaditie : district
– kalite : quality
– kalisime : charisma
– kameme : still, anyway, though
– kataloge : catalog
– kelekepale : somewhere
– kilitile : culture
– kilometele : kilometre
– kokiye : shell
– kolabo : collaborateur, collaborator, collaborationist
– kolabolasio : collaboration
– kolo : colonist
– kolonizasio : colonization
– komine : commune
– kominikasio : communication
– kominike : communiqué, official-statement
– kominote : community
– kondisio : condition
– konesansi : knowledge
– konsiansi : consciousness
– konze : holyday, vacation
– kote : side
– kubenefisie : to benefit
– kudelanze : to disturb, to make uncomfortable, to worry, to torment
– kudesevuale : to disappoint
– kudiye : mail
– kufavolize : to promote
– kufolose : to force, to compel
– kuganie : to win
– kukalake : to crack up, to be seduced, to fall under the spell
– kukilike : to click
– kukipe : to take care of, to meddele with
– kukominika : to communicate
– kukopele : to cooperate
– kuleve : to dream, to see
– kulezone : to reason, to think
– kumanke : to miss, to disrespect
– kumetidize : to control, to master
– kupalatike : to practise
– kupelefele : to prefer
– kupolovoke : to provoke
– kusipolote : to support
– kusuanie : to treat, to take care of, to look after
– kutemuanie : to testify
– kuvadiye : to vary
– kuvide : to finish, to empty
– kuvize : to target, to aim, to throw
– kudeta : coup d’etat, putsch
– kula : current
– kuluwale : corridor
– kupele : couple
– kutime : custom
– kuvuayaze : to travel
– kuwokipe : to occupy
– kuwoze : to dare
– kuyimazine : to imagine
– kwe : coin
– lavaze : pressing, dry cleaner’s
– lekeleyasio : recreation
– lekole : school
– lelasio : relation
– lelizio : religion
– lesibiene : lesbian
– lesipe : respect
– leyalite : reality
– lezilita : result
– lezo : network, reason
– lisike : risk
– lisite : list
– lole : role, part
– lokatele : tenant, lessee, leaseholder, lodger, roomer
– mafia : mafia
– malaleze : uncomfortable
– malele : misfortune / unhappy, miserable
– malelezema : unfortunately
– maligele : despite, in spite of
– masheti : machete
– mazodite : majority
– medesine : medicine
– mesaze : message
– miliye : middle
– minisitele : ministry, departement / minister
– misio : mission
– misionele : missionary
– nasionalite : nationality
– natile : nature
– natilele : natural
– odiyo : audio
– okazio : opportunity
– okipa : occupant
– okipasio : occupation
– okipe ! : busy !
– opozisio : opposition
– oseya : ocean
– palafo : ceiling
– palake : parquet, flooring, court, public prosecutor
– palaneti : planet
– palatike : practice
– pale : palace, house, home, domicile
– pede : pederast, homosexual
– pediyodi : period, menses
– pele : ready, close
– peleno : first name, forename
– pelensi : tarmac road
– peleseke : almost
– pelesingi : pressing, dry cleaner’s
– pelesio : pressure
– pelezida : president
– pepele : people
– peye : pay
– pibilisite : publicity, advertising
– pine : tyre
– pisikolozi : psychology
– politike : politics, lie
– polodui : product
– polofesi : prophecy
– polopagandi : propaganda
– poloti : door
– polovensi : province
– poloze : project
– posita : post, station, position
– pua : weight, support
– puazo : poison
– puvuale : power
– salele : salary, wage
– santima : feeling
– santimetele : centimeter
– seke : cheque, check
– sekie : cheque book, checkbook
– sekitele : district, sector
– seli : series
– siansi : science
– siditu : especially
– siekele : century
– sikaliye : stairs, stairway, staircase
– sile : sure
– sinifikasio : meaning
– sitiwasio : situation
– situaye : citizen
– size : subject
– solisio : solution
– sudi : South
– suiti : continuation
– sulazema : relief
– susi : worry, concern
– suvetema : underwear, undergarment
– tedituale : territoiry
– telefone : phone, telephone
– televizio : television
– temuaniaze : testimony, witness
– temue : witness
– tidibinale : tribunal, court
– titele : title
– tolo : too much
– velema : really
– vi : life
– videyo : video
– vilaze : village
– vitesi : speed, rate, velocity
– voti : vote
– vuatidi : car
– vuaze : neighbour
– wese : toilet
– wesiti : West
– zela : manager
- VERBAL PHRASES.
– kubadisa ntu : to rack one’s brains, to puzzle about, to think, to meditate
– kubadisa ntalu : to make dearer, to get dearer, to make a higher bid, to make it more expensive
– kubaka lukanu/nkanu : to resolve to, to decide to, to make a resolution, to make a decision
– kubaka maladi : to catch a disease, to be infected by a disease
– kubaka nduenga : to grow wiser, to become more perceptive, to learn one’s lesson
– kubaka nganzi : to get angry
– kubaka nkanda : to graduate
– kubaka nkento mu kingolo : to take a woman against her will, to rape a woman
– kubaka nsua : to get permission, to be authorized, to authorize oneself
– kubaka nzengolo : to decide, to make a decision, to make a resolution
– kubaka nzila : to decide, to take the initiative, to permit oneself to
– kubaka tolo/tulu : to get sleepy, to feel sleepy
– kubakama wonga : to be seized with fear, to be terrified
– kubakama yela : to get sick
– kubaluka lunima : to turn around, to turn back
– kubambuka moyo : to remember
– kubambukila muntu moyo : to remember someone
– kubenda muntu makutu : to warn someone, to pull somebody’s ears
– kubika muntu : to accompany someone
– kubodila ku mvula : to be soaked in the rain
– kubua maladi : to get sick
– kubua tolo/tulu : to fall asleep
– kubuanga ntu : to take the big head, to get too big for one’s boots
– kubudila ku nganda : to shoot next door, to miss one’s target, to be next to the plate
– kubuila nsamu : to suffer an event, to be under the influence of a case
– kubuisa meso : to take a look, to pay attention
– kubula bibidiki : to make clay/mud bricks using a mould
– kubula kara : to ignore, to turn a deaf ear, to pretend not to see
– kubula kayu : to work
– kubula (ma)tadi : to work
– kubula mbata : to slap
– kubula mfimbu : to whip, to punish
– kubula moko : to applaud
– kubula mundenge : to bet
– kubula nkonzi : sound the alarm, tap on hollow tree trunk to report an event
– kubula ntshangi : to dodge
– kubunda/kubula ntulu : to strut, to boast, to swagger around, to throw out one’s chest
– kubuta mambu : to create problems, to cause a conflict
– kudia buanana : to celebrate the new year
– kudia kandu : to utter imprecations to launch a ban, to take a curse oath
– kudia kiuvu : to ask a question, to put a question
– kudia mbongo : to spend money
– kudia mfuka : to get into debt, to go into debt
– kudia ndefi : to swear, to take an oath
– kudia Nowele : to celebrate Christmas
– kudia wa mfuta : to eat without washing in the morning
– kudila ku nima ya muntu : to enjoy someone, to depend on someone
– kudila mvutu : to come up to expectations
– kudinga luzingu : to try to earn a living, to look for a way to live
– kududika ntima : to calm down, to tone it down, to be indulgent
– kudukisa meso : to glare at, to make the big eyes, to protest
– kuenda kiyendi-kiyendi : to go with eyes closed, to go without mistrust, to go headlong
– kuenda mani : to stop it, to shut it down, to terminate it, to put an end to it, to draw to an end
– kuenda mu/wa mpamba : to go for nothing, to disappear stupidly, to go up in smoke
– kuenda ngulu-ngulu : to go with eyes closed, to go without mistrust, to go headlong
– kuenda nsangu : to become famous
– kuenda nzila mosi ye : be comparable to, be compatible with, to go together
– kueta “verb”: to be in the process of, to be about to “verb”, to be on the point of “verb”-ing
– kufieta mungadi : to strangle
– kufimpa mabanza : to try to guess thoughts, to sound out the opinion
– kufua kiozi : to be cold, to die of cold
– kufua nkenda : to pity, to have pity on, to have mercy, to feel pity, to sympathize
– kufua nsatu/nzala : to be hungry, to starve to death
– kufua nsoni : to be ashamed (of oneself), to die of shame
– kufua ntalu : to cost
– kufua tusevo : to burst out laughing
– kufueta “verb” : to have to “verb”, to must “verb”, to be in the obligation of “verb”
– kufuisa muntu nsoni : to ridicule someone, to make someone look foolish, to shame someone
– kufuka nzo : to cover the roof of a house, to cover the roof of a house with straw or sheet metal
– kufunda muntu : to file a complaint against someone, to accuse someone, to blame someone
– kufuta mfuka ya meso : to satisfy one’s curiosity
– kugemba miyoyo : to blow one’s nose, to pull the snot out of one’s nose
– kugombisa ntangu : to waste one’s time
– kuiza mani : to come to put an end/stop
– kuiza wa mbi : to get angry, to fly into a rage, to fly off the handle
– kukala mavimpi : to be well, to be healthy
– kukala mbana-mbana : to be childish, to act like a child
– kokala miangu : to be aggressive, to be provocative, to have a belligerent attitude
– kukala mu kiadi : to be in sadness, to feel pain, to be in pain, to experience pain
– kukala mu luzingu : to be alive, to exist
– kukala mu minkanda : to be in school
– kukala mu yenge : to have peace, to be in peace, to be in joy
– kukala na/ye … : to have …, to be …, to be (with/in) …
– kukala na nsatu : to be hungry
– kukala na nsatu za muntu : to want to see somebody
– kukala nade : to coincide, to be accurate, to be relevant, to come at just the right time
– kukala vilu-vilu : to be unstable, to be versatile, to be disoriented, to be on the alert
– kukala wa fua : to be dead, to be deceased
– kukala wa moyo : to be alive
– kukala wa ntela : to be in a standing position
– kukanga foto : to photograph, to take a picture
– kukanga kizidi/kizizi : to sulk, to close one’s face to express one’s dissatisfaction
– kukanga kolo : to knot
– kukanga lupangu : to formalize one’s engagement with the in-laws
– kukanga nkome : to make a fist
– kukanga n’nua : to stop talking, to be quiet
– kukanga nsuki : to braid hair
– kukanga ntima : to have patience, to wait, to be patient, to be as patient as one can
– kukangamana muntu/kima meso : to keep a watchful eye on someone/something
– kukatula binkuti : to undress, to take off one’s clothes
– kukatula kiadi : to console, to comfort
– kukatula kivumu : to have an abortion, to give an abortion
– kukatula mabanza : to take one’s mind off things, to put aside bad thoughts
– kukatula malu ku … : no longer setting foot in…, stop coming/going to …
– kukatula meso : to look away, to stop looking, to stop watching
– kukatula zimi : to have an abortion, to give an abortion
– kukaya zu : to have lost one’s voice
– kukiesika nlele : to give shine to laundry
– kukokisa ntima : to calm down, to relax, to feel reassured
– kukondua nsuka : to be eternal, to be no end to, to have no end, to never stop
– kukota (mu) kikumbi : to enter into an initiation retreat to learn about conjugal life
– kukota (mu) lukolo : to go to school, to start school, to start one’s education
– kukota mu nlonga : to fall in line, to queue
– kukotila muntu : to stand up for someone
– kukudila mu/ku kati : to mature from the inside, to grow up from within
– kukufika ntangu : to reduce the time limit, to bring forward the deadline, to advance deadline
– kukuta/kuketa “verb”: to be about to “verb”, to be on the point of “verb”-ing
– kulamba kandu : to unravel the curse oath to repair the effects of the ban
– kulamba muntu : to make a fool of someone, to deceive someone
– kulambisa meso : to make (sheep’s) eyes
– kulamika mbata : to slap, to give a slap (in the face)
– kulanda kulu kua muntu : to follow someone’s example, to follow someone’s footsteps
– kuleka minu: to hope, to have faith, to trust
– kulekela muntu minu: to hope in someone, to trust in someone, to have faith in someone
– kulembana”verb” : not to be able to “verb”, not to succeed in “verb-ing”, to fail to “verb”
– kulemisa motele : to start the engine
– kulemisa tiya : to light the fire, to create a problem
– kulenda “verb” : to can “verb”, to be able to “verb”, to be capable of “verb-ing”
– kulomba nlemvo : to apologize, to ask for forgiveness
– kulomba dodokolo : to ask for forgiveness, to apologize
– kulomba nsua : to ask permission
– kulomba nzila : to ask permission, to ask the right of way
– kulosa ku nganda : to throw out, to expel, to evict, to eject
– kulosa maki : to lay eggs, to throw eggs
– kulosa mante : to spit (out), to bless (by a parent)
– kulosa mbila : to appeal, to issue a call, to make a plea, to make a request
– kulosa meso : to take a look, to pay attention, to consider
– kulota ndozi : to have a dream while sleeping
– kuluka muntu : to give the name of a person as an inheritance to a newborn child
– kulutisa ndilu : to go beyond the limit, to cross the line, to exaggerate
– kulutisa ntangu : to hang out, to loaf around, to sit around and do nothing
– kumana “verb” : to have just “verb-ed”
– kumana “verb” :”verb” everything/all, “verb” entirely, “verb” completely
– kumanta ntalu : to increase in price, to become more expensive
– kumeka mungwa : to taste a dish
– kumona keto : to be envious
– kumona kiese : to be glad, to be delighted
– kumona mpasi : to suffer, to endure, to be in pain
– kumona ngonda : to have one’s menses period, to see the moon
– kumona nsoni : to be ashamed, to be embarrassed, to be intimidated
– kumona wonga : to fear, to be afraid, to be terrified, to be terrorized
– kunata mambu : to be guilty of something
– kunata zimi : to be pregnant
– kunena maki : to lay eggs
– kunena nkusi : to fart, to emit flatulence
– kunikuna luketo : to wave of the pelvis, to dance while moving the hips
– kunoka nitu : to be ashamed (of oneself), to be embarrasssed, to be covered in confusion
– kunokina mvula : to spend time in the rain, to get soaked in the rain
– kunua fumu : to smoke tobacco
– kunua mabeni : to suck the breast
– kunua mua kopo : to have a drink
– kunua ndobo : to be fooled, to fall into the trap
– kunuana mvita : to fight, to go to war
– kusa bifu : to make love, to perform a sexual act
– kusa bizumba : to make love, to perform a sexual act, to commit adultery
– kusa bukolo : to refuse to obey
– kusa fiele : to pride oneself, to boast, to show disdain
– kusa kuenda vutuka : make (a) round trip(s)
– kusa makelele ma mpamba : to ramble on, to talk without saying anything,
– kusa mfue : to make a bet per challenge, to make the bet to do something unusual
– kusa mpasi : to pain, to hurt, to torment, to worry
– kusa ngolo : to strive, to make the effort
– kusa nlonga : to line up, to stand in a single line, to queue
– kusa nsualu : to hurry, to be quick
– kusa sakuba : to trip, to stumble
– kusa vuvu : to hope
– kusadila nkumbu : to take advantage of one’s reputation, to act according to one’s rank
– kusaka mambu : to try to pick a quarrel
– kusaka nkindu : to provoke war
– kusala fiele : to strut about, to adopt a conceited attitude, to be arrogant, to show off
– kusala kidiba : to remain ignorant, to be kept in the dark, to be the victim of an oversight
– kusala kinsiona : to be lonely, to be abandoned, to find oneself deprived of everything
– kusala kisalu kia mpunda : to work for nothing, to work without pay
– kusia maba : to draw the wine from the palm tree
– kusika mpiololo : to whistle
– kusika ngoma : to beat the tom-tom
– kusika ngunga : to ring the bell
– kusimba nzila : to go away, to take the road
– kusisa bidimbu : to leave marks
– kusonga ki bubakala : to make virility show, to make one’s quality of man stand out
– kusonga mu nlembo : to point with one’s finger, to point at
– kusonga nlembo : to lift one’s finger, to put one’s hand up, to show one’s finger
– kusosa luzingu : to seek to earn a living, to search for a way to live
– kusosa mambu : to try to pick a quarrel, to provoke a conflict, to seek war
– kusuka mayela : not knowing which way to turn, to be at loose ends, not knowing what to do
– kusuka ntima : to lose patience
– kusunda mbote : to be (worth) better
– kuta bizumba : to copulate, to make love, to commit adultery
– kuta mbila : to call (out), to hail, to make an appeal, to invoke appeler
– kuta nkuya : to make an incantation
– kuta sakuba : to make a slip on the tongue, to stumble over a word
– kutamba ntambu : to set a trap, to trap
– kutambika mbila : to appeal, to issue a call, to make a request, to beg
– kutambula mu keba-keba : to move cautiously
– kutanda meza : to set the table
– kutanga nkumbu : to quote (from) the name, to evoke/recall the name of a person
– kutanga nkunga : to sing
– kutatika ntu : to have a headache
– kuteka maza : to draw water
– kuteka nima : to turn one’s back
– kutelema ngwi : to stand upright, to stand like a stake, to stand firm
– kutemona meso : to open one’s eyes
– kutengola menga : to shed blood, to kill
– kutoma “verb” : to “verb” well, to “verb” correctly, to “verb” perfectly
– kutomba luzingu : to seek to earn a living, to search for a way to live
– kutudila muntu bisinza : to create problems for someone
– kutudila muntu ntima : to hope in someone, to have expectations about someone
– kutula ba kale : to prevent, to put a spoke in the wheels, to put obstacles in the way
– kutula ga ngenga : to save (up), to put aside
– kutula makelele : to make noise
– kutula makutu : to listen carefully, to pay attention
– kutula mazu : to make noise, to make a din
– kutula mbamba : to insist, to persevere, to keep up the pressure, to stick to the heels
– kutula meso : to eye, to lust after
– kutula mfoko : to conclude a letter, to end a conversation or discussion
– kutula minu kua muntu : to put one’s hopes in someone, to trust someone
– kutula mpaka : to doubt, to dispute, to show one’s incredulity
– kutula muisi : to run away, to bolt, to take off, to make off, to do a bunk, to accelerate
– kutula nlembo ku tiya : to take a big risk, to defy the danger, to brave the forbidden
– kutula n’nua : to open one’s (big) mouth, to protest bluntly, to shout
– kutula zimi : to knock up, to make pregnant
– kutumbula mputa : to twist the knife in the wound, to rekindle a bad memory
– kutumbula ndinga/zu : to speak louder, to speak up, to increase the volume
– kutunga (n)zola : to cultivate love of neighbour, to cultivate understanding
– kututa kome : to give a flat punch on the head
– kututa ntulu : to show off, to brag, to pride oneself
– kuvana/kugana kivumu : to knock up, to make pregnant
– kuvana/kugana lungonia : to congratulate
– kuvana/kugana luve : to give permission, to authorize
– kuvana/kugana luzitu : to respect, to have (some) considération, to have deference
– kuvana/kugana matondo : to thank
– kuvana/kugana mbote : to greet, to say hello
– kuvana/kugana mbungu : to offer a drink
– kuvana/kugana moko : to lend a helping hand, to give a hand, to help, to support
– kuvana/kugana mvutu : to give one’s answer, to answer
– kuvana/kugana nganzi : to anger, to make angry, to provoke anger
– kuvana/kugana ngindu : to give one’s opinion
– kuvana/kugana ngolo : to encourage, to invigorate
– kuvana/kugana nlemvo : to forgive, to excuse
– kuvana/kugana nsua : to authorize, to give permission
– kuvana/kugana nzila : to authorize, to give way, to yield
– kuvana/kugana wonga : to frighten, to scare, to make quake of fear, to make shudder of fear
– kuvanasana yenge : to greet each other, to say hello, to give each other peace
– kuvayika lesheke : to rank last, to finish in last place, to fail
– kuvayika zoba : to make a fool of oneself, to be taken for an idiot, to be fooled
– kuvayikisa meso : to glare, to make a big eye
– kuvika “verb”: to hurry to “verb”
– kuvimba ntu : to get a big head
– kuvova malembe : to murmur, to speak in a low voice
– kuvovila mu mo matadidi : to talk about, to speak about
– kuvuata mpeve ya … : to become permeated with the spirit of …
– kuvuatisa nlele wa nsoni : to dishonour, to tarnish the reputation, to cast opprobrium
– kuvumbula nsingu : to rehabilitate, to restore the honour
– kuvutuka kuiza : to come back, to come again
– kuvutuka toma : to restore its radiance, to regain its brilliance, to regain its glow
– kuvutula menga : to marry a woman from the paternal clan
– kuvutula mvutu : to answer, to send in reply
– kuvuvisa ntima : to calm down, to stop worrying
– kuwa mbila : to accept a request, to hear a request, to hear a prayer
– kuwa mpuila : to be thirsty
– kuyaba mbizi : to bail the water out of a pond or a part of a river in order to collect fish
– kuyabika kinzonzi : to conclude the discussion/palaver
– kuyabika nzungu : to cover a cooking pot
– kuyala meza : to lay the table, to set the table
– kuyala mfulu : to make (up) the bed
– kuyalula meza : to clear the table
– kuyamba telefone : to answer the phone, to pick up the phone
– kuyambudila mfuka : to cancel a debt, to write off a debt
– kuyambula mazu : to stop making noise, to stop the din
– kuyangalala mvimba : to rejoice with all one’s heart, to overflow with joy, to be very satisfied
– kuyangidika kisalu : to make a job more pleasant, to create an atmosphere in one’s work
– kuyantika “verb” : to begin to “verb”, to start to “verb”
– kuyetila ku muini : to sun expose, to sunbathe in the sun
– kuyiba nzila : to make off, to sneak out, to leave without warning, to act without permission
– kuyobila muini : to expose oneself to the sun, to sunbathe in the sun
– kuyobila muisi : to bathe in the smoke, to let oneself be smoked out
– kuyoka nzila : to go one’s way, to move on, to jog along
– kuyola muini : to expose oneself to the sun, to take sunbath
– kuyota zandu : to go shopping (at the market)
– kuyuvula ntima : to do an introspection, to do some soul searching
– kuzabana / kuzayana nitu : to know each other in privacy, to sleep together
– kuzenga luketo : to dancing with wiggling hips
– kuzenga mambu : to judge, to bring in a verdict, to decide
– kuzenga mangwele : to vaccinate
– kuzenga nsamba : to tattoo, to scarify the skin
– kuzibika nzo : to close the door of the house
– kuzibula makutu : to open one’s ears wide, to listen carefully, to pay attention
– kuzibula meso : to open one’s eyes wide, to keep a watchful eye, to stay on one’s guard
– kuzibula nzo : to open the door of the house
– kuzika kimoyo : to bury alive
– kuzima meso : to close one’s eyes, to pretend to ignore, to pretend to be unaware
– kuzinga moko : to fold one’s arms
– kuzinga mu mpasi : to live with difficulty, to live in poverty, to live in poverty