USUAL WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS IN FAMILY AND AT HOME.
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 !
PRELIMINARY NOTE.
The words presented in the list below may have different spellings depending on the Kikongo dialect used by the speaker. This is how we can have the vowel “u” instead of “o”, the vowel “i” instead of “e”, the consonant “g” instead of “v” or anything else. In the Lari for example, the letter “k” in the first syllable of a word can be replaced by “ts” as in “tsitoko”/”kitoko” (beauty) or in “ntsila”/”nkila” (tail). Listening to our Bazombo brothers, I discovered that in them the “b” of “bantu” is transformed into “h” or “w” to hear “hantu”/”wantu”, “hana”/”wana” or “heto”/”weto” which also says “yeto”, so you have only to know it and to take it into account in the search for words, in any case this makes the richness of our language and does not prevent us from understanding each other very well and being able to dialogue.
Note: The “/” sign in the word definition separates two definitions of the same word depending on how it is pronounced.
The Kikongo expressions presented on this page are those that can be used at home, with family and between lovers.
- USUAL WORDS AT HOME.
– ampule : light bulb
– antene : antenna, aerial
– bagi : ring, wedding ring
– bazoka : chewing-gum
– bibelo : baby bottle, freeding bottle
– bidia : meal, food, cooked dish
– biele : beer
– bife : sideboard
– biki : pen
– bikola : edible leaves
– bilongo : medicines
– biloso : waste, garbage
– bitotila : picking products, wild foods
– bitoto : bean dish mixed with manioc leaves
– bitotolo : chopsticks
– bombe : ash
– boyi : servant, domestic
– buku : book, booklet
– bukuku : dirt
– bulangeti : blanket, cover
– bunkete : cleanliness, hygiene
– buto : button
– buwa : mushroom
– buzi : candle
– de : thimble
– diaki (maki) : egg
– dibaya (mabaya) : plank, board, blouse in loincloth
– (di)bola (mabola) : bowl, large pot, deep plate, basin
– dibuka : mortar for crushing food
– didame : fruit of a palm species
– didioko (madioko) : manioc tuber
– (di)fubu : pineapple
– dikala (makala) : ember, charcoal
– dikazu : cola nut
– dikuku : one of the three stones making up the hearth
– dilala (malala) : orange
– dilombo (malombo) : a kind of tropical fruit with large fleshy seeds to suck
– dimpa (mampa) : bread
– dindelani (mandelani) : mandarin, clementine
– dingenge (mangenge) : species of plum
– dinkondo : banana, plantain
– dipapa : flip-flop, thong, sandal
– disangu (masangu) : corn
– dongodongo : kind of green and elongated spice producing a sticky sauce
– dusi : shower
– dute : species of mentholated herb
– felo : iron
– fenetele : window
– finiti : pin, drawng pin, thumbtack
– fofolo : box of matches
– fololo : flower
– fono : phonograph, record player
– foteyi : armchair
– foto : photo
– fufu : manioc starch, edible dough based on manioc starch
– fufu ya masangu : corn flour, edible dough based on corn flour
– fulufulu : soap or drink foam (usually beer foam)
– fuluseti : fork
– fumu / mfuama : tobacco
– fungula : key
– kabini : toilet, washroom, latrines
– kafi : coffee
– kala (makala) : embers, piece of coal
– kalavati : tie
– kaleso : boxer shorts, leggings, panties, underpants
– kamundele : meat skewer
– kanapi : sofa
– kangama : tight skirt
– kantini : bucket, pail
– kasete : cassette, tape
– kaye : notebook, exercise book
– kazie : pigeonhole
– kende : papillote made from squash seeds crushed
– kiandu : chair, piece of furniture on which you can sit
– kibaka : wall
– kibidiki : brick
– kibota : pestle used to pound food into a mortar
– kielo : door
– kifinuku : lid
– kifuanisu : mirror, glass
– kikalungu : frying pan
– kikedi : tapioca, piece of soaked cassava
– kikombo / kikombolo : broom
– kikozo : toilet, washroom, shower room
– kikua : yam, taro
– kikuku : kitchen
– kilamivovi : phone
– kilamizidi : television
– kilapi : pen, pencil
– kilote : short trousers
– kimbambi : little bottle, flask
– kimbundi : African loincloth six yards long
– kimpuka : soaked and sun-dried cassava
– kinkuti : clothing
– kinsekua : bug
– kinsukulu : aubergine
– kintoka : chikwangue dough ready to cook in water
– kintu : pineapple
– kinzu : clay pot, terracotta pan / pipe
– kipaki : tree trunk adapted for kneading tapioca
– kipawu : shovel, spade
– kiputi : large chikwangue cooked in water
– kisakasa : toy
– kisakununu : toy
– kisala-ki-ndeke : kind of dried salted fish with a fan-shaped tail
– kisalulu : tool
– kisangala : demijhon
– kisanu : comb
– kisikiti : biscuit, cookie
– kisilulu : tree trunk dug and arranged to chop manioc leaves
– kisisi : (fire) brand
– kisu / kinzu : pipe
– kitalatala (talatala) : mirror, glass
– kitambala : foulard
– kitanzi : machete
– kiteki : statue, statuette
– kitenda : piece of cloth, linen
– kiti : chair, stool, seat
– kitiba : banana
– kito : leg, piece of meat from an animal’s paw with its bone
– kitunga : basket, bag
– kituta : palm nut kernel close to ripeness
– kiubi : axe, ax, hatchet
– kiyisi / kivisi : bone
– kiyoko : chikwangue cooked under ash
– kiyungulu : sieve used to sieve manioc flour or to rid rice of its impurities
– kizakululu : seat
– kokoti : coconut
– kole : glue
– kolema : Coleman lamp
– kopa / kompa : tumbler, cup, drink we offer
– kopo : tumbler, cup, glass (container, contents)
– kuanga : chikwangue, cassava cake
– kuiyele : spoon
– kuku (makuku) : one of the three stones or clay blocks that form a wood-burning hearth
– kumba : padlock
– kunzi : pillar, support post
– kupe : panties, shorts
– ladio : radio receiver
– lalumualu : wardrobe, cupboard, closet
– lamele : sea fish, saltwater fish
– lamituni : remote control
– lanta : tin can
– longa (malonga) : plate
– loso : rice
– lotoko : alcohol based on rice or corn produced by distillation
– luandu : sleeping mat
– lubaya (mabaya) : plank, board
– lubienga : demijhon
– lukandi : almond contained in the shell of a palm nut
– luku : edible dough based on cassava flour and prepared with hot water
– lumantu : tomato
– lumba-lumba : a basil-like plant whose leaves serve as a condiment
– lumeti : match rod
– lunguila : alcohol based on sugar cane juice, rum
– lupangu : residential parcel
– lusonso (nsonso) : nail
– lutembe : layer of thatch constituting a roof
– madezo : beans, bean dish
– madia : meal, food, cooked dish
– madito : hammer
– mafuta : oil
– makafunia : palm nut fibers generally used to light the fire in the kitchen
– makaloni : kind of pasta
– makayabu (dikayabu) : cod, salted fish
– malavu / malafu : alcoholic drink
– malonga : plates, dishes, crockery
– mamba / maza : water
– mamvumina : milk
– manaka : calendar
– maneti : glasses
– manga : mango
– manteka : butter, margarine
– mapapa : sandals, slippers, flip-flops
– masini : sewing machine
– matalatumbu : camphorated cough suppressant ointment that decongests the respiratory tract
– matembila : leaves of a creeping plant that produces potatoes
– maza / mamba : water
– mbabula : charcoal stove, barbecue
– mbala : sweet potato, spud
– mbamba : demijhon
– mbamvu : alcohol based on pineapple juice, alcohol based on fruit juice
– mbangu : ridge beam / wicker tray, basket
– mbati / mbatila : pants, (pair of) trousers
– mbawu : fire, hearth
– mbele / mbedi : knife
– mbele ya meno : sharp knife
– mbia : pot
– mbidika : teapot, coffee pot
– mbika : pods of a species of squash, pastry obtained by crushing them
– mbizi (ya maza) : fish
– mbonde : big dog, mastiff / large piece of firewood, club, cudgel, bludgeon, mallet
– mbondo : elongated and conical basket
– mbongo : money
– mboya : sorrel
– mbu : mosquito
– mbua : dog
– mbuata : bottle
– mbudu : hat, kepi, beret, headdress
– mbuengi : species of peas
– mbuma / mbumba : cat
– mbungu : tumbler, cup, drink we offer
– meza : table
– mfilu : a stone fruit with edible flesh whose skin changes from green to black when it ripens
– mfimbu : whip, chicote
– mfinuku : lid
– mfulu : bed
– mfuluta / mfulutu : guava
– mfumbua : crumbled and dried edible leaves prepared with the peanut butter
– mfumfu / mfumfuta : flour
– miliki : milk
– mpese : cockroach
– mpiodi : herring , horse mackerel fish
– mpu : hat, kepi, beret, headdress
– muamba-ngazi : palm nut juice, palm nut sauce
– muamba(-nguba) : peanut paste, peanut butter
– muana-popi : doll
– mudinda : briefs, underpants, panties
– muinda (minda) : lamp
– muisi : smoke
– mukaba : belt
– mukati : doughnut, donut
– mukuku (mikuku) : sugar cane
– mundayi : medal
– mungwa : salt
– munsambu : cod, salted fish
– musitikele : mosquito net
– musualu : handkerchief
– mvindu : dirt
– mvolopo : envelope
– mvuadizi : suitcase
– m’wizi : sewing thread bobbin
– nanasi : pineapple
– ndakala : small freshwater fish
– ndembi : chives, onion leaf
– ndiengula : peanut butter, peanut paste
– ndonga : plate
– ndunda : salad
– ndungu / nungu : chilli pepper
– ndungu-zi-ntende : small chilli pepper with very hot taste
– nela : window
– ngalu : straw tray
– ngamba : servant, domestic
– ngayingayi : sorrel
– ngazi : oil palm drupe
– ngola : catfish
– ngoto : raffia fabric, raffia bag
– nguba : peanut
– ngufu / nguvu : yam with yellow flesh and very delicious taste
– nguzi : radio receiver
– nianga : straw for roofing, thatch
– nianzi : fly
– niawu : cat
– niosi : honey
– nkaba : piece of cassava
– nkalu : calabash
– nkamuna : pressed drink
– nkanda : letter, identity paper
– nkandi : palm nut
– nkiabu : type of chikwangue characterised by its preparation
– nkuaka : kind of toy
– nkuala : sleeping mat
– nkualala : stick with spiny roughness used to chop manioc leaves
– nkumba : padlock
– nkumbi : wooden household equipment for chopping manioc leaves and various vegetables
– nkuni : firewood
– nkunzu : uncooked
– nkuta : food supplies taken away from home
– nkutu : bag, handbag
– nlangi : bottle
– nlele : loincloth, cloth
– nludi : roof
– nlunga : ring
– nsabi : key
– nsafu : safou, fruit with stone and edible flesh that ripens from pink to purple
– nsaki : dish of manioc leaves
– nsaku : bag, handbag, purse
– nsamba : palm wine
– nsampantu : shoe
– nsangi : small freshwater fish
– nsania : dried loofah serving as a sponge
– nsengele : knife without handle
– nsengo : hoe
– nsesa : type of chikwangue characterised by its shape and preparation
– nsinga : thread, rope
– nsoma : fork
– nsuni : piece of meat, flesh
– ntedika : chikwangue cooked in water
– ntima-ngombe : corrosol, fruit called beef heart
– ntinta : paint
– ntoba : dish of manioc leaves
– ntolola : type of chikwangue of oblong shape
– ntundulu : fruit species with sour taste prized by pregnant women
– ntunga : needle, skewer rod
– ntutu : bottle
– nungu / ndungu : chilli pepper
– nzaka : jacket
– nzalu : spoon
– nzambala : loose garment, boubou
– nzo : home, house, accommodation
– nzungu : pot, pan
– palaki : vinyl disc
– palapudi : umbrella
– pantalo : pants, (pair of) trousers
– papayi : papaya
– pelo : shovel, spade
– penti : paint
– pepesupu : very spicy fish or meat broth
– pilipili : chilli pepper
– pitiloyi : petroleum, paraffin (oil)
– poloti : door
– pompi : pump, tap, faucet
– potopoto : puree for baby
– puentenuale : type of cabbage
– pulukanti : laxative
– pusu : cat
– sabuni : soap
– safu : safou (fruit of the safou tree)
– saka-saka : dish of manioc leaves
– saki : bag
– sakosi : handbag, purse
– saladini : sardines
– salamanze : dining room
– sandale : sandal
– sanduku : chest, case, coffin
– savo : soap
– savoka : avocado (fruit of the avocado tree)
– semule : wheat semolina, edible dough based on wheat semolina
– sengele : underwear covering the upper body, vest
– sentile : belt
– shudeshine : type of cabbage
– si : saw
– siesi (bisiesi) : chair
– sikoti : chicote, whip
– silipe : briefs
– sipageti : kind of pasta
– sitolo : lemon
– soka : axe, ax, hatchet
– somisi : shirt
– sosueti : sock
– sukadi : sugar
– suku : bedroom
– sume : hand towel
– suvetema : underwear
– taba : piece of cloth used as a baby diaper, rag
– tadi : pile électrique
– tangawisi : ginger, ginger based drink
– telefone : phone
– televizio : television
– ti : tea
– tilapia : tilapia
– tiluku : knitting
– tiya : fire, hearth, heat
– tolo (matolo) : corrugated iron for roofing
– tomsone : common name for fish
– tshopo : cooked dish, food
– tumantu : tomato
– tumbaku : tobacco
– vela : glass
– vinu : wiine
– vitu : door
– vunga : blanket
– vungula : key, padlock
– wandu : pea species
– wangila : pea species
– wese : toilets
– wiki : honey
– yaka : chikwangue, cassava cake
– yuki : jug
– zakobi : house mouse
– zalumeti : box of matches
– zibulatele : bottle opener
– zikita : washers ornaments worn by women around the waist
– zileti : rasor blade
– zupi : skirt
- 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 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 !
– lutomene siama ? : are you doing well ? is your health good ?
– eh, tutomene siama kueto ! : yes, we are doing well ! yes, we’re well !
– 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 !
– mvula yeti noka : it’s raining
– mvula tumeni nokina : we just wet in the rain
– lutoma kuiza 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 ?
– tuendieno 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/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 ! : welcome back ! have a good trip ! have a safe trip !
– lubavana mbote ! : say them hello ! send them our hello !
– 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 ! : welcome back ! have a good trip ! go in peace !
– sala mu yenge ! : goodbye ! stay in peace !
– sala kia mbote ! : goodbye ! bye !
– mvutukulu ya mbote ! : welcome back !
– ndekele minu vo si tuamonana diaka : I hope we will see each other again
– 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! : 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 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 !
– luleka 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 dimba ! : listen up ! listen carefully ! open your ears wide !
– lutoma lala/lamba ! : Good night ! sleep well !
– lutoma 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 : I’m hungry, give me somethng to eat
– nsatu yena yami, wungana 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 kiti keti yidika : daddy is reparing the chair
– papa 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 kinkuti ! : dress yourself ! put on a garment ! put on a piece of clothing !
– vayika ku mbazi/nganda ! : go out ! go outside !
– vayika 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 nikuzolanga / nitomene 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
– luvuna luaku lumonekene : your lie is revealed, your lies are discovered
– ma ngeye ye mono mameni/ mamanisi : It’s over between you and me
– 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 yami : I want you, I miss you
– nsevolo yaku niyo nizolanga : I like the way you smile, I love your smile
– ntomene kuzola ! : I love you very much ! I love you so much !
– nzolele meka ndambulu yaku : I would like to taste your cooking
– nzolele tuamonana : I want us to see each other, I want to see you
– nzolele wansevisa : I want you to make me laugh
– nzolele (ya)kumona : I want to see you
– 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 tuakina makinu ma malembe : come dance a slow dance with me
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