III.1. VERBAL PHRASES, PART 1/3 (a-ko).
– kubaba maveve : to beat its wings
– kubaba moyo : to fight with anxiety, to get impatient, to get agitated by jumping here and there
– kubaba ntima : to escape from, to surprise
– kubabala moyo/ntima : to have a great desire, to long for / to have nostalgia
– kubabata nsaki : to clap the hands
– kubabika moyo : to fill the stomach with any food
– kubabula mu salu kiandi : to work a lot, to earn a lot of money at work
– kubabula meso : to blink
– 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
– kubafika tambi : to step on, to crush with one’s foot
– kubaka kikosulu/kosukosu : to catch a cold
– kubaka kubu : to sniff
– kubaka lukanu/nkanu : to resolve to, to decide to, to make a resolution, to make a decision
– kubaka makasi : to be angry, to get angry
– kubaka maladi : to catch a disease, to be infected by a disease
– kubaka mbumbu/mbungi : to go mouldy
– kubaka mfiti : to get bored
– kubaka mpemba : to be released, to be judged innocent, to win a case
– kubaka mu kikuma : to catch in the act, to catch red-handed, to catch by chance
– kubaka nduenga : to grow wiser, to become more perceptive, to learn one’s lesson
– kubaka nganzi : to get angry
– kubaka nkanda : to graduate
– kubaka nkanu : to be guilty, to be accused, to be charged
– 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 ntaku : to move away
– kubaka ntima : to regain one’s calm, to calm down, to stop worrying
– 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
– kubaka veve : to ventilate, to air
– kubakama (ki)zunga : to faint, to feel dizzy, to lose consciousness
– kubakama wonga : to be seized with fear, to be terrified
– kubakama yela : to get sick
– kubakila muntu mbembo : to address someone, to motivate someone in words
– kubakila nsamu mbembo : to keep telling, to keep explaining something
– kubakula ndinga : to raise one’s voice, to make oneself heard
– kubaluka lunima : to turn around, to turn back
– kubalula koko : to remove the scab from a wound
– kubalula mambu : to garble an information, to use other words, to translate
– kubalula ndinga : to distort the voice
– kubalula nsabi : to turn the key, to buckle a key
– kubambuka moyo : to remember
– kubambukila muntu moyo : to remember someone
– kubanda kandu : to put a ban
– kubanda kifuidi : to smear mourning fat
– kubanda kikundi : to associate, to make friends with
– kubanda kinkodia : to hit with punches
– kubanda lubongo : to forcefully throw a piece of cloth to the ground to show that one denies
– kubanda lumbu : to set a day / to enclose, to fence in, to pen, to confine, to pack in
– kubanda lutembe : to tie rows of herbs on a roof
– kubanda makela : to have a taste for slander
– kubanda manko : to urge / to cram, to stuff, to fill (up)
– kubanda mbevo : to treat a sick person
– kubanda nlonga : to place oneself in the row or in line
– kubanda nsika : to wake up early
– kubanda nzenza : to welcome somebody, to practise hospitality towards strangers
– kubanda nzo : to build a house
– kubanda nzongo : to shoot with a rifle
– kubangidika ntalu : to set a very high price
– kubangula/kutendula mbumba : to betray a secret
– kubangula nkita : to be skilled at doing business
– kubangula vova : to speak fairly, to speak frankly, to speak quite clearly
– kubangumuna diambu : to examine a case from all sides / to transmit information
– kubangumuna ku mbi : to corrupt, to deprave, to spoil, to damage
– kubangumuna luse : to turn one’s face, to turn one’s face away
– kubasa mbasinga : to divide into small pieces, to smash to pieces
– kubatikila muana : to become pregnant shortly after the previous birth
– kubeka nkiadi : to mock sb, to make fun of someone, to speak contemptuously of someone
– kubela kodi : to pay an atonement, to compensate / to give a present
– kubela mu kibimbu : to borrow, to take a credit
– kubela/kuyela ye nsumbi-nsumbi : to be worried, to be agitated
– kubembana/kubembasana kikundi : to make friends with each other
– kubenda muntu makutu : to warn someone, to pull somebody’s ears
– kubendula meso : to look down, to lower one’s eyes
– kubendula muelo : to open the door completely
– kubendula nzila : to cut down the grass on both sides to create a path
– kubendula mbongo : to weed
– kubengumuna nitu yamvimba : to be ulcerated all over the body, to be scabby
– kubenzika koko : to open one’s hand
– kubeta malongi/ndongi : to teach, to reprimand, to correct
– kubeta meso : to cast one’s eyes on, to look aside
– kubeta ntala : to put one’s hands on the head as a sign of grief
– kubetila nlangu va ntu : to warm one’s head with a warming pan
– kubetumuna maveve : to let the wings fall
– kubika muntu : to accompany someone
– kubila ndefi : to take an oath
– kubila mfuanga : to predict death (by a bird)
– kubila nkindu/nsindu : to walk heavily, to stamp one’s foot, to jump up and down
– kubimbikisa sumba : to buy on trial
– kubinda malu (moko) : to cross one’s legs (arms)
– kubinda mpaka : to argue, to quarrel, to contradict
– kubindika kiana : to cause misfortune, to cause failure
– kubinduka mbundu : to be open-hearted / to be frank
– kubinduka mpiki : to pay his marriage contract, to pay the balance of the dowry
– kubindukila mu mambu : to come out free from a trial, to be released from a prosecution
– kubindula ndinga : to make oneself better understood
– kubindumuka ndefi : to take an oath
– kubindumuna diambu : to explain a case well, to penetrate the secret of a case
– kubinzisa luse : to make faces, to sneer, to snigger, to giggle
– kubodila ku mvula : to be soaked in the rain
– kuboka nkoki : to promulgate a law, to issue an ordinance
– kubokika meso : to look down
– kubonda (ki)fu : to pay a consolation gift
– kubongila yeku-yeku : to take in turn, to take alternately on both sides
– kubotuka tulu/tolo : to fall asleep quickly
– kubotula fulusu : to take the rust off
– kubotula mbasu : to cool down, to refresh
– kubotula niufu : to cool down, to refresh
– kubotula nnua : to make faces with the mouth, to hit one’s lips with the finger
– kubua bila : to be the cause of
– kubua bunzu : to love someone / to visit someone
– kubua dididi : to forget oneself, to omit
– kubua kibu/kibua : to fall down, to fall over backwards
– kubua kidika/kidunga to be calm, to calm down, to become quiter, to moderate one’s anger
– kubua kidika/kidunga : to be patient, to be indulgent / to lose courage
– kubua (ki)dunga : to become indecisive, to be perplexed, to be irresolute / to become mute
– kubua kimpela : to be desecrated by something that falls on the body
– kubua kindinga : to start living in peace, to see oneself live in friendship
– kubua (ki)zuka : to wake up after an epileptic seizure
– kubua (ku) mbela : to have one’s period
– kubua ku mbongo/mfuma/pilu : to have one’s period
– kubua ku nza : to have one’s period
– kubua ku nzo ateko : to have one’s period, to be admitted to the house of indisposed women
– kubua kua ti : to fall from the sky
– kubua kubu : to make a mistake, to be fooled, to be mystified / to be affected by misfortune
– kubua kubu : to yield to temptation, to sin, to make a faux pas, to have bad luck
– kubua lenga/lenza : to be weak, to be weary
– kubua luko/lukoko/nko : to get colder, to cool down, to harden, to settle down, to freeze
– kubua lundu : to speak and act, to do without purpose / to fall en masse
– kubua maladi : to get sick
– kubua malungua : to die
– kubua mambembama/mpaki : to faint
– kubua mambu : to interrupt or suspend the palaver
– kubua mbema’a nlangu : to lack water, to be devoid of water, to be dry
– kubua mbizi : to have an extreme craving for meat
– kubua mbongo : to get covered in rust
– kubua mbudi : to be stood up by his debtor
– kubua/kukala mbumbu : to go moldy
– kubua moyo : to be calm, to stop worrying, to calm down, to be indulgent / to lose courage
– kubua mpoza : to become sad / to feel comfort, consolation or joy
– kubua mpumu : to lose one’s head, to run here and there, to turn into a waste
– kubua (mu) nkula/nlongo : to have one’s period
– kubua muko : to rest, to relax
– kubua munkanda : to fall, to take a tumble
– kubua nkindu : to fight
– kubua nkukutu : to fall ill, to be indisposed
– kubua nkula : to have one’s period
– kubua tola-tola : to drip, to fall drop by drop, to distil
– kubua tolo/tulu : to fall asleep
– kubua vambala/(mu)nkanda : to fall backwards, to turn a somersault
– kubuakana ndingi/nlungi/nlinzi : to be in a plaintive attitude, to cry out loud
– kubuana mbevo : to visit a sick person
– kubuanga ntu : to take the big head, to get too big for one’s boots
– kubuata mambu : to chatter endlessly
– kubuata meso : to blink quickly
– kubudika nitu : to lose weight a little
– kubudika ntutu : to crack, to be split without breaking
– kubudikisa mbembo : to speak up, to raise one’s voice
– kubudila ku nganda : to shoot next door, to miss one’s target, to be next to the plate
– kubudila kumbi : to give birth for the first time
– kubudila nsamu : to tell frankly and clearly, to develop a subject, to develop a topic
– kubudila nzo/maza : to dig a water drainage ditch around a house
– kubuesa tela : to add a little
– kubueta/kunueta kimfinia : to pinch the skin with one’s fingers, to pinch with one’s nails
– kubueta meso : to blink
– kubueta mpola : to pinch the skin, to purse one’s lips
– kubuila nsamu : to suffer an event, to be under the influence of a case
– kubuisa kidunga : to astound, to stagger, to embarrass
– kubuisa meso : to take a look, to pay attention
– kubuisa muko : to rest
– kubuisa/dita/lumba/nikuna nkindu : to cause a revolt, to provoke a tumult
– kubuisila muisi : to fill with smoke, to smoke out
– kubuitika mu buivi : to catch in the act of stealing, to catch red-handed stealing
– kubuka longo : to marry by paying by means of one’s properties or goods
– kubuka nganzi : to be furious, to be beside oneself
– kubukalala meso : to have one’s eyes downcast
– kubukama muisi : to be smoky, to be full of smoke
– kubukama nsoni : to be excessively shy, to be ashamed
– kubukama tombe : to be all black, to be very dark
– kubukula makinu : to dance well
– kubukula mazi : to rub with oil, to water with oil, to fill with petroleum
– kubukula ndinda : to restore something to someone
– kubukula nsamu : to say it all, to say everything
– kubukula nsoni : to make ashamed, to put to shame
– kubukuna laka : to decapitate, to behead
– kubukuna nsamu : to interrupt a narrative, to shorten a story / to divide into chapters
– kubula bibidiki : to make bricks, 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 kiyeki-yeki : to raise a cry of joy while quoting and praising one’s clans of origin
– kubula kumbi : to lose one’s virginity
– kubula (ma)tadi : to work / to crush stones
– kubula mbata : to slap
– kubula/kutuba mbembo : to talk about, to mention
– 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 nkungu : to speak, to talk, to discourse, to converse
– kubula ntshangi : to dodge
– kubula ntulu : to boast, to brag, to strut about, to stick out one’s chest, to be swollen with pride
– kubula/kubunda ntulu : to strut, to boast, to swagger around, to throw out one’s chest
– kubuma kia : to collide, to bang, to bump, to trip, to stumble
– kubumina kia/tutu : to trip, to stumble
– kubumina mabanza : to think about, to persist in following your thoughts
– kubumina tuntu : to collide with, to run into, to bang into, to bump into
– kubunda buali-buali : to mate, to pair, to copulate
– kubunda kikundi : to make friends, to make peace
– kubunda koyo : to help each other from time to time for fields work
– kubunda makuku : to clap one’s hands dully
– kubunda malu : to walk without a specific goal
– kubunda mbadi : to help each other in turn
– kubunda moko : to help each other, to work for free
– kubunda munkita/nkadi : to join forces for a purchase
– kubunda ndima : to buy or sell on credit by setting the payment date
– kubunda nnua : to teach deaf people
– kubunda nsiuka : to wake up early
– kubunda ntuadi : to join forces, to agree
– kubunda ntulu : to guarantee, to take responsibility, to take part in a business
– kubunda sengua/sengo : to forge, to solder, to weld, to braze
– kubunda tuntu : to bump into with the foot, to stumble, to bang against
– kubunda yongo : to make peace, to conclude peace
– kubuta mambu : to create problems, to cause a conflict
– kubutika mazu : to stop chattering, to stop making noise
– kubutika nnua : to be silent, to remain mute
– kubuya nkome : to punch, to bang with the fist
– kudaka tusevo : to burst out laughing, to scream with laughter, to roar with laughter
– kudakana kua kiese : to be full of joy, to be brimful of joy, to burst out laughing
– kudasuka/kudasinga wumunu : to die, to give up the ghost, to breathe with difficulty
– kudeba kinziongo : to pinch
– kudeba ndabu : to cut the eyelashes, to pluck the eyelashes
– kudeda nkumbu : to say the name
– kudeda nnengi : to shave the hair around the nape of the neck
– kudeda nsamu : to tell a story, to tell a fable
– kudedika nsi : to seek the good of the country, to bring order to the country
– kudedikisa tezo : to take measurement, to measure
– kudedisa mambu : to straighten out a situation, to settle a trial, to resolve a lawsuit
– kudesuna kulu : to stand on one foot, to rest on one foot
– kudia buanana : to celebrate the new year
– kudia difandi : to take an oath
– kudia dimbu : to get hold of glu or any other sticky liquid
– kudia dindangi : to accept corruption, to let one’s palm being greased
– kudia fio : to be unable to answer
– kudia fua/difua : to inherit, to receive a legacy
– kudia kaka/nkanka : to threaten
– kudia kalala : to incite to do wrong, to push to evil / to betray, to reveal abruptly
– kudia kalala : to get one’s remuneration, to receive one’s fees
– kudia kandu : to utter imprecations to launch a ban, to take a curse oath
– kudia kibimbu : to get into debt
– kudia kimfiku : to be persevering, to be persistent
– kudia kimpala : to be jealous / to be fined for adultery
– kudia kinzonzi : to receive lawyer’s fees
– kudia kiuvu : to ask a question, to put a question
– kudia kiyanda : to swear, to take an oath
– kudia kondi : to reach an agreement, to establish a convention fixing the rules of an agreement
– kudia kuangulu/kuambiki : to eat every moment, to eat sparingly / to devour
– kudia lambu : to party, to feast
– kudia lubangu : to demand payment of interest
– kudia lungu nzila : to dig in the opposite direction to meet, to dig around
– kudia mabolo eseve : to feast, to have a good meal
– kudia madisa : to make a gain relating to the accusation
– kudia mankalata va nsi : to scratch, to pull with the nails
– kudia mbamba : to categorically deny, to forcefully deny, to persist in denying
– kudia mbata : to ask a question / to make an incidental gain, to earn more than what is planned
– kudia mboko : to receive lawyer’s fees, to receive a sales commission
– kudia mboko : to lend money with interest / to be venal, to let oneself be bought silence
– kudia mbongo/nzimbu : to spend without rights / to fine, to condemn to pay
– kudia mbongo : to spend money
– kudia mfiela : to immerse
– kudia mfuka : to run into debt, to get into debt, to go into debt, to take on a debt
– kudia mpampa/mpamba : to take unfairly
– kudia mpanda : to bewitch
– kudia mvia : to be the cause of bad luck / to prevent something, to destroy something
– kudia mvutu : to pray for, to forewarn things / to intervene, to intercede for, to reconcile
– kudia ndefi/ndofi : to swear, to take an oath / to curse, to threaten with a curse
– kudia ngongofila : to tickle
– kudia nkalu : to deny
– kudia nkanka : to threaten
– kudia nkatu : to be angry, to be mean
– kudia nkisi : to indulge in a fetish to harm, to bewitch or be helped / to curse
– kudia nkondi : to contract an alliance, to make a fraternal association / to confirm by oath
– kudia nkumbi : to practice usury / to run into debt, to get into debt, to go into debt
– kudia nkumbi : to deny, to not want to admit one’s wrong / to deceive
– kudia Nowele : to celebrate Christmas
– kudia nsamu nzianga : to seek to distort the facts or to lie in a trial
– kudia nsanzu : to pillage, to plunder, to loot, to burgle, to break into
– kudia nsinsa : to taste
– kudia ntomfi : to get a mouthful of water
– kudia nzianga : to allow oneself to be bribed in a trial
– kudia puya : to let oneself be corrupted, to sell oneself
– kudia wa mfuta : to eat without washing in the morning
– kudiata matanga : to pass one over the other without knowing it
– kudiata mbabu : to hit with a havy stick, to hit with a club
– kudiata ndambu/kombe : to walk a long way, to go a long way
– kudiata nsembo/nsongongo/nsombudi : to jump on one foot, to walk very far without resting
– kudiata/kuenda nzanza : to trot about when it comes to babies
– kudiata nzongo : to put a heavy charge in a rifle / to shoot at
– kudiatila sinda-sinda : to be restless or worried when going somewhere
– kudiengisa meso : to roll one’s eyes
– kudika mbumba : to forgive a fault, to forgive a mistake
– kudika ntima : to calm down, to have patience
– kudikama mbembo : to be silent, not to be able to speak, to be made mute
– kudikama ntima : to be undecisive, not being willing, to want to wait / to regret, to repent
– kudila kikakati : to eat without having washed your mouth or teeth
– kudila ku nima ya muntu : to enjoy someone, to depend on someone
– kudila/kuyimbila mbembo : to sing or intone a funeral song
– kudila mvutu : to come up to expectations
– kudinga luzingu : to try to earn a living, to look for a way to live
– kudisa nzazi : to throw lightning
– kudobika mu nlangu : to soak in water
– kudobika nlembo : to touch with the finger, to hit with the fingertip
– kudokula dibu : to make din with the small wooden bell
– kudokula mabusa : to sit down
– kudokula mambu : to say all one’s thought
– kudokula meno : to pick one’s teeth
– kudokula ndo : to visit a sick person, to treat a sick person
– kudokula nkunga : to sing well, to sing with finesse
– kudokula nlembo : to pull on the finger to make it crack
– kudokula ntu : to turn the head
– kududa/tuta nkindu : to walk heavily, to stamp one’s feet
– kududika ntima : to calm down, to tone it down, to be indulgent
– kudukisa meso : to glare at, to make the big eyes, to protest
– kudukunga ntima : to have heartbeats, to be anxious, to be restless
– kudukuta nlembo : to point the finger
– kudumuka/sumuka nkinda : to lose what inspires respect, to lose influence
– kudumva kiyisi : to throw a kick
– kudumva nkokolo : to rub shoulders with, to come into contact with
– kudungama ntima : to be quiet, to be thoughtful, to be pensive
– kudungumuna meso : to look askance furiously, to stare to frighten
– kuenda betila/detila/bambala : to be realized, to agree, to be equivalent to
– kuenda buluelo : to slow down
– kuenda dedede : to coincide, to adjust, to correspond / to arrive at the goal, to be realized
– kuenda dukia-dukia : to come and go constantly
– kuenda kasa/kaza/nkoto : to get along in secret, to agree in secret, to agree on sth in silence
– kuenda kinsedi/kinsidi : to limp
– kuenda kisulu/kisiulu : to be realized, to come true
– kuenda kita-kita : to be done quickly
– kuenda kiti : to say a word at the same time as another, to arrive at the same time
– kuenda kiyendi-kiyendi : to go with eyes closed, to go without mistrust, to go headlong
– kuenda konki : to advance ahead of a troop, to advance ahead of a crowd
– kuenda ku mbingu : to go hunting
– kuenda ku nkoto/nenga : to move apart to consult each other
– kuenda ku vanga : to agree, to get along, to make a pact of friendship, to reconcile
– kuenda mani : to stop it, to shut it down, to terminate it, to put an end to it, to draw to an end
– kuenda mbembo : to become famous, to become illustrious
– kuenda mfulu : to move apart to hold a meeting
– kuenda mpemba mpolo : to leave in good health, to leave in peace, to travel without problems
– 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 ngunda-ngunda : to walk with energy, to walk quickly
– kuenda ningina : to walk unsteadily, to walk while staggering
– kuenda nsangu : to become famous
– kuenda nsinsa : to come true, to be realized
– kuenda ntele/nte-ntele/ntele-ntele : to walk slowly
– kuenda nzila mosi ye : be comparable to, be compatible with, to go together
– kuenda nzuandu-nzuandu : to go on tiptoe, to walk slowly
– kuenda sombuka : to walk like a chameleon
– kuenda sungama : to stroll
– kuenda to : to continue
– kuenda tunda : to become celebrated, to be renowned, to be famous
– kuenda vunia-vunia : to walk proudly
– kuenda yondolo-yondolo : to walk carefully, to walk silently
– kuendisa betila : to do the same, to match up exactly
– kuendisa dedede : to make it resemble, to make coincide, to adapt, to match up, to equalize
– kueta “verb”: to be in the process of, to be about to “verb”, to be on the point of “verb”-ing
– kufianguna/fiantuna buta : to clean the flintlock rifle after a shot
– kufibala ntima : to be sad, to be discouraged, to be depressed / to get angry
– kufibula ntima : to drive out grief, to drive out sorrow
– kufidisa lumbu : to set a day, to set a date
– kufieta mungadi/ngadi : to strangle, to squeeze the throat, to suffocate
– kufila kilumbi : to delegate
– kufila luse : to turn the face
– kufila mambu : to postpone the trial, to pass on the case
– kufila maniania : to wrinckle, to pucker
– kufila mbembo kua : to intercede by letter, to write to / to ask somebody, to beg somebody
– kufila mpaka : to quarrel, to argue
– kufila nima : to turn one’s back
– kufila nkenda : to dispel grief, to dispel sorrow
– kufila nkuni : to put wood on the fire
– kufila ntoko : to strut about, to brag, to boast, to glory
– kufila ntumu : to send someone, to invite someone
– kufila nzonza : to chatter about somebody
– kufila sati : to insult
– kufilana mfielo : to bet for, to bet against
– kufimpa mabanza : to try to guess thoughts, to sound out the opinion
– kufinana mpaka : to discuss sharply, to discuss keenly
– kufinangana ntima : to be deeply affected, to be distressed, to be exhausted, to be oppressed
– kufinka ntoto : to fill a pit
– kufinzuka ntima : to worry, to get in distress
– kufinzula kiuvu : to examine, to question in order to teach well
– kufionga manitu : to darken, to cloud over, to take the black complexion
– kufionga ntima : to be sad, to be weary, to be tired
– kufiotuka nsatu : to be voraciously hungry, to be starving
– kufiotula (di)lala : to press the orange to extract the juice or to suck
– kufisa bikonyi : to feel the pulse on the wrist
– kufiya nkanu : to make a bet
– kufua baba : to be deaf-and-dumb / to be unusable, to be unfit for, to be unsuitable for
– kufua bikandu : to violate the bans of a fetish, to violate the prohibitions of a fetish
– kufua busa : to be unable to walk, to be late for walking / to crave something
– kufua diba/diya : to forget
– kufua ke/kike : to get too small, to become too small, to get too short, to become too short
– kufua kiadi/ngemba/nkenda : to have mercy
– kufua kiambu/ngambu : to faint, to lose consciousness
– kufua kidiba : to forget
– kufua (ki)dunga : to become indecisive, to be perplexed, to be irresolute / to become mute
– kufua kiela : to be lazy, to have a sore back
– kufua kiendolo : to limp, to be unable to walk
– kufua kimpampikita : to die a violent death, to drop dead
– kufua kindumuka/kinkaba/mankabala/nkabala : to die suddenly, to die quickly, to die fast
– kufua kinene : to get too big, to become too big
– kufua kiozi : to be cold, to die of cold
– kufua kipapa : to lose the use of one’s senses / to be lifeless
– kufua kipapa : to be not very gifted / to be embarrassed
– kufua kitintu : to die a sudden death, to fall into lethargy
– kufua koka/kokila : to be disabled, to be crippled, to be unable to walk
– kufua kua mviku : to die fast, to die quickly, to die suddenly
– kufua luiba : to forget something somewhere
– kufua lungu : to assume a debt, to bear a debt
– kufua lunzambi : to die a natural death, to die in bed
– kufua mababa/babungu : to be good for nothing, to be incapable
– kufua mafua nkadi : to die a natural death
– kufua makantubudi : to be stunted, to be shriveled, to dry up, to wither
– kufua manga : to die without a cause, to drop dead
– kufua mankaba : to miss, not to develop
– kufua (ma)nkabala : to die fast, to die quickly
– kufua mantungununu : to die with open eyes
– kufua mapingu : to die without illness, to die without disease
– kufua mfuelele : to have the eyelids hanging down
– kufua mfune : to feel weakened by hunger
– kufua momo : to be struck by stupor or fright / to remain speechless, to remain inert
– kufua mu nsansi : to be epileptic
– kufua nima : to become impotent, to be unable to procreate
– kufua nkaba : to die of violent death
– kufua nkabu : to dare, to risk / to persevere until the end, not surrendering, to be stubborn
– kufua nkabu : to do something energetically / to be brave, to be impertinent, to be indiscreet
– kufua nkabu : to be full of envy because someone else received more / to faint
– kufua nkantaba : to grow numb, to go to sleep
– kufua nkasu : to die suddenly
– kufua nkenda : to pity, to have pity on, to have mercy, to feel pity, to sympathize
– kufua nkisi : to desecrate the fetish
– kufua nsatu/nzala : to be hungry, to starve to death
– kufua nsina : to die without the appearance of illness, to die without the appearance of disease
– kufua nsoni : to be ashamed (of oneself), to die of shame
– kufua ntalu : to cost
– kufua ntima : to be discouraged / to be absentminded
– kufua nzala : to be hungry, to starve
– kufua pokongo : to become quiet, to become silent
– kufua tolo/tulu : to sleep like a log, to sleep deeply, to sleep like a dead person
– kufua tusevo : to burst out laughing
– kufua va kinsi-kinsi : to die suddenly
– kufua vuina/mpuila nlangu : to be thirsty, to die of thirst
– kufuafata/kufuafuata malavu : to be drunk, to be scatterbrained, to be dizzy
– kufuala lumputu : to speak an European language
– kufuanda bandu : to look for a case against someone, to look for a pretext for trial
– kufuankana nlangu : to be sprinkled with water
– kufuankana tusevo : to burst out laughing
– kufuansa nsamu : to stop a trial, to end a judgment
– kufuantama salu : to do something with strength, to do something with assiduity / to stand firm
– kufuda ntoto : to scratch the earth
– kufuebuka nsatu : to be hungry, to have a hollow stomach
– kufueda nsamu : to relate, to tell in snatches, to tell bit by bit
– kufuedumuna nkungu zawu : to talk or chatter incessantly
– 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
– kufukusa nnua : to speak without being heard, to tell what is known to all
– kufukuta kua nganzi : to get angry, to be angry
– kufula kifudi : to question
– kufula/kuvula mugefula : to give off, to blow the breath
– kufululuka makasi : to be relentless in the struggle, to foam with rage
– kufuma nlangu : to inject water, to make water gush out with your mouth
– kufumba muntu : to kill someone in secret
– kufumbuka nzala : to be and continue to be hungry, to starve
– kufumisa nlangu : to water, to sprinkle water
– kufunda mukanu’a mulo : to quibble, to criticize, to want to find faults where there are none
– kufunda muntu : to file a complaint against someone, to accuse someone, to blame someone
– kufunda nkanu : to accuse, to summon in court
– kufunda nkata : to sit with your legs crossed as a sign of respect / to coil up (snake)
– kufundisa nkanu : to convict, to investigate in a case of law
– kufunga makasi/nganzi : to get angry, to wince with anger, to be annoyed, to be in a bad mood
– kufunga miangu : to grumble, to growl out
– kufuonguna ngozi : to snore
– kufusa nsamu : to give false testimony, to testify what one did not see
– kufuta manko : to bribe, to suborn
– kufuta mbombo : to pay the conciliation fines
– kufuta mfuka ya meso : to satisfy one’s curiosity
– kufuta mu ntetila-ntetila : to pay little by little, to pay bit by bit
– kufuta muntekisila : to pay in advance, to pay on term
– kufuta mvumbi/mambu : to pay the costs, to pay fines
– kufuta nkombo’a masonia : to pay for a child’s education
– kufuta nkombo’a menga : to pay for homicide
– kufuta nsiku : to pay the fine
– kufuta zidefu : to repay, to pay a debt
– kugama makaya : to turn green
– kugambula muana : to give birth
– kugana/kuvana nsampi : to grab someone’s hand and beat one’s chest as a sign of greeting
– kugangidila muntu : to poison someone with their food
– kugemba miyoyo : to blow one’s nose, to pull the snot out of one’s nose
– kugombisa ntangu : to waste one’s time
– kuiza/kuyiza mani : to come to put an end/stop
– kuiza/kuyiza ndabi : to come to sleep, to arrive to sleep
– kuiza/kuyiza ndeki : to come to sleep,to come to spend the night
– kuiza/kuyiza wa mbi : to get all worked up, to get angry, to fly into a rage, to fly off the handle
– kukadidika ndinga : to make the voice high-pitched or shrill, to speak up, to raise one’s voice
– kukaka fukulu : to hang a curtain, to hang up a veil in front
– kukaka meso : to keep an eye on
– kukaka mumbu : to separate with a fence
– kukaka nnua : to close one’s mouth, to shut one’s mouth, to reduce to silence, to silence
– kukaka tanzi : to strike with a machete
– kukala kantubudi : to be stunted, to be stopped in growth / to be shrunken, to be withered
– kukala kiaba : to be in abundance / to abound, to be plentiful
– kukala kikala : to take revenge, to be animated by the spirit of revenge
– kukala kimpuanza : to be available, to be free
– kukala kiyekua : to get one’s hands on, to have control on
– kukala konzo : to be seated with dignity
– kukala madingu : to stay calm, to keep silent, to keep quiet, to keep calm
– kukala mavimpi : to be well, to be healthy
– kukala mbana-mbana : to be childish, to act like a child
– kukala mbandu : to be very fat
– kukala meso lengo-lengo : to have eyes that blink
– kokala miangu : to be aggressive, to be provocative, to have a belligerent attitude
– kukala moyo : to live, to be alive
– kukala mu kiadi : to be in sadness, to feel pain, to be in pain, to experience pain
– kukala mu (kin)niengete : to enjoy oneself, to take delight / to be charmed
– kukala mu kubu : to be on the trail of, to follow the trail in the grass
– 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 nienge ya mansanga : to have easy tears
– 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 ndonda mosi : to have common ancestors, to be of the same lineage
– kukala nitu nzuzu : to shiver with fever, to have trembling hands
– kukala nkemi : to challenge
– kukala ntima lengo-lengo : to have a panting breath, to have a feeling of suffocation
– kukala ntima lenguka : to be light-hearted, to be ready to act
– kukala nzieta-nzieta : to be very busy, to be overworked, not knowing which way to turn
– kukala sakaya : to be light, not being heavy
– kukala salu : to be useful to, to be usable, to be in using state, to be serviceable / to be busy to
– kukala vilu-vilu : to be unstable, to be versatile, to be disoriented, to be on the alert
– kukala vuvulu : to be light / to be devoid / to be tasteless
– kukala wa fua : to be dead, to be deceased
– kukala wa moyo : to be alive
– kukala wa ntela : to be in a standing position
– kukala ye (ki)zunga : to faint, to get dizzy, to loose consciousness
– kukala ye vuku-vuku : to be seduced, to be attracted, to be under the influence
– kukala ye vuku-vuku : to be devoid of character, to lack strenght of character
– kukala yeku-yeku : to be changeable or fickle, to be unreliable, to serve more than one master
– kukala yuku-yuku/yukutu-yukutu : to be feverish, to have a high temperature
– kukala yungulu ye : to resemble, to have the same features as, to be the spitting image of
– kukala zangu-zangu : to be in a hurry / to be eager to, to be willing to
– kukala zieziezie : to be on the verge of losing one’s mind / to be weak-minded
– kukalata mongo : to climb the mountain slowly
– kukaluka ntima : to be restless, to be worried, to be anxious
– kukamba mavimpi : to greet, to visit somebody
– kukambika nkama : to block off, to bar, to erect a dam, to raise a breakwater
– kukamika meno : to grit one’s teeth
– kukamika nzo : to put earth at the foot of the walls to prevent water from flooding the house
– kukamina luika/tuika/mika : to erect the hairs, to quiver, to shudder, to dislike
– kukamuna meso : to be careful, to see clearly, to watch over
– kukamuna meso : to take the scandal away from the eyes, to take the shame out of sight
– kukanda moko : to stretch one’s arms
– kukanda mu yiba : to stop stealing
– kukanda mvindu : to scrub dirt, to scour / to go bail for, to stand surety for
– kukanda mvula/zulu : to prevent the rain from falling
– kukanda nti : to strike a blow with a stick
– kukanda nzongo : to fire a rifle
– kukanda tadi : to throw the stone at
– kukanga bilili : to purse one’s lips, to keep quiet
– kukanga foto : to photograph, to take a picture
– kukanga kangi/kangu : to join forces, to make an alliance, to unite, to agree
– kukanga kivumu : to constipate
– kukanga kizidi/kizizi : to sulk, to close one’s face to express one’s dissatisfaction
– kukanga kolo : to knot
– kukanga koto : to agree, to make an agreement as an aside
– kukanga lupangu : to formalize one’s engagement with the in-laws
– kukanga luzunia/lulunzi : to frown
– kukanga makani : to make a resolution, to resolve oneself, to pass a resolution
– kukanga mbaki : to set traps, to set pitfalls, to set a trap, to set an ambush
– kukanga mbulu : to frown, not consenting, not agreeing, not assenting
– kukanga mbumba : to hide, to conceal, to act in secret
– kukanga meno : to grind one’s teeth, to gnash one’s teeth
– kukanga mfulu ambi : to conspire (together), to plot
– kukanga mvumbi : to bury a corpse
– kukanga nganzi/lulunzi : to frown, to stay angry
– kukanga nkasu : to tighten one’s belt so as not to feel hungry
– kukanga nkemi : to have a hard heart
– kukanga nkome : to make a fist
– kukanga nkongo nzita : to make a buckle, to make a knot
– kukanga nkuezo : to boil rubber, to coagulate
– kukanga nnua : to stop talking, to be quiet
– kukanga nsamu : to make a firm decision, to order
– kukanga nsatu : to be ravenously hungry
– kukanga nsuela : to tie a rope around the waist / to fast, to tighten one’s belt
– kukanga nsuki : to braid hair
– kukanga ntima/moyo : to remain impassive, to persist, to be obstinate, to become hard
– kukanga ntima : to have patience, to wait, to be patient, to be as patient as one can
– kukanga nzombe : to persist in doing something stubbornly
– kukanga zidi/zizi : to make a face
– kukangala mabanza : to think about this or that, to let one’s thoughts travel
– kukangamana muntu/kima meso : to keep a watchful eye on someone/something
– kukangila nitu : to escape, to run away, to run in all directions
– kukangula/kuzitula mbulu : to stop frowning, to smouth out one’s forehead wrinkles
– kukanina yenge : to offer peace, to propose peace / to greet before departure
– 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 tombe : to come out of the darkness, to make light, to bring to light, to illuminate
– kukatula vuina/vuinia : to quench thirst, to slake thirst
– kukatula vuvu : to lose hope, to take away hope, to resign oneself
– kukatula zimi : to have an abortion, to give an abortion
– kukatula zitu : to remove the burden, to unload, to lighten, to relieve of a weight
– kukaya zu : to have lost one’s voice
– kukayisa/kukayula meso : to keep awake, to cause insomnia, to make spend a sleepless night
– kukayisa ndinga : to shout loudly, to scream, to shriek
– kukeba lufuti : to be angry with someone
– kukebila lufuma : to have a grudge, to bear a grudge, to have feelings of vengeance or revenge
– kukedidika mambu : to speak with full knowledge of the facts, with accuracy, to state the truth
– kukedidika matu : to listen well, to prick up one’s ears
– kukedidika meso : to stare at, to fix one’s eyes on, to gaze at
– kukedidika ndinga : to speak with one voice
– kukenda nganzi/ngayi : to fall in fright, to be paralyzed with fear, to be flabbergasted
– kukenga fu : to renounce a custom, not to observe an old custom
– kukeninika meno : to show one’s teeth
– kukeninika zizi/kizidi : to sneer, to snigger, to make a face, to grimace, to pout, to sulky
– kukenka mbele : to cut with a knife
– kukia (ki)zunga : to regain consciousness, to recover consciousness, to come round
– kukiama nkiadi : to make fun of someone, to poke fun of someone, to laugh at someone
– kukiata nlonga : to draw a line
– kukibula sumbu : to bid, to make a higher bid
– kukidiba nzonza : to quarrel for a long time
– kukidika tiya : to light the fire
– kukidinga meno : to bite into, to tackle with teeth
– kukielua zalala : to work until dawn, to stay up until it’s light
– kukiesika nlele : to give shine to laundry
– kukika bulu : to pursue an animal, to chase an animal
– kukika kaya : to experience hunger, to survive famine, to survive starvation
– kukika mbevo : to visit a patient, to go to see how someone is doing
– kukika mbevo : to visit a sick person
– kukika meso : not to cry easily, not to have an easy tear, not to be sensitive
– kukika meso : to put something in front of the eyes, to hide the sight, to hide the view
– kukimbula zizi : to disguise one’s face to frighten, to paint one’s face to scare
– kukimita mafuka : to hold on, to hold firm, to grasp, to hold with both hands
– kukina zalala : to perform a ritual dance at the fetishist’s house in order to get pregnant
– kukindikila nzila : to close the road, to block the path, to bar the way
– kukinga “verbe” : “verb” will surely happen, “verb” will certainly be done
– kukoba / kukova moyo : to fill up the stomach with inappropriate food
– kukoba mu kikongo : to know kikongo well, to be familiar with kikongo
– kukoba nitu : to put on weight, to get fatter, to become stout / to have a respectable appearance
– kukoba ntima : to become heart-hardened, to become unfeeling / to endure / to calm down
– kukokisa ntima : to calm down, to relax, to feel reassured
– kukokula mbizi : to take the fish out of a trap, to empty a net, to remove an animal from a trap
– kukokula muana : to accept or admit a child
– kukola dinu : to pull out a tooth
– kukola kambu : to give goods in order to be appointed chief
– kukola kandu : to release from a pact, to release from a clause, to lift the ban related to a fetish
– kukola kinkuti : to take off the clothes, to undress
– kukola makala : to detach charcoal from a fire brand
– kukola malavu : to detach a calabash of wine from the palm tree
– kukola meno : to pull out the teeth
– kukola mpingu : to have a pain in the small of one’s back, to have rheumatic pains
– kukola nsinzi na ninga : to attack someone unexpectedly / have someone under one’s control
– kukola tiya : to set fire to, to set on fire, to set light to, to set ablaze, to ignite, to light
– kukoluka ntinu : to go fast, to walk with haste
– kukolukutisa meno : to grind one’s teeth
– kukolumuna mambu : to chatter, to natter, to talk a lot, to speak intelligently, to teach well
– kukolumuna (di)beni/(di)bene : to draw milk from the udder, to express milk from the breast
– kukolumuna ntima : to run fast, to pursue, to chase
– kukomba mbazi : to prepare the place for the court / to open the debates / to sweep the yard
– kukondua nsuka : to be eternal, to be no end to, to have no end, to never stop
– kukonia nzala : to scratch with nails or with claws
– kukonka ndimbu : to extract glue
– kukonuka nzala ye moko : to be completely destitute
– kukonza bima : to move
– kukonza nsuki : to shave the head or beard completely
– kukosa/kukosika malu : to fold the legs when one is sitting
– kukosa/kuzinga nkata : to sit with one’s legs crossed to provide a seat for a child
– kukosa nlele : to roll up a loincloth or clothing that is lying around
– kukosa nitu : to sit properly while remaining quiet and calm
– kukosa vunga : to pull the blanket over oneself to cover well
– kukosikila titi : to gather weeds or garbage, to take away old things
– kukota kifuola : to fall into the state of widowhood, to become a widow
– kukota kilongi : to take up the teaching profession, to become a teacher
– kukota manenga : to plan to do harm, to conspire, to plot, to foment a bad move
– kukota mbawu/mbazu : to warm up (to)
– 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
– kukota muntu : to lend to someone, to give a gift with the idea of receiving one in return
– kukota nsendo : to save one’s salary
– kukota nsoki : to be a victim of jealousy / to be full of hatred or jealousy
– kukota nsoki : to be greedy for acquiring goods
– kukotama mbevo : to get sick
– kukotana lomo : to fast
– kukotila muntu : to stand up for someone
– kukotula nlele : to drape, to roll up the loincloth
