VOCABULARY: COMMON WORDS (PART ONE).
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.
- COLOURS (zintinta, zitona).
– benga : yellow
– bule : blue
– duluza : violet
– koloha : colour
– kulele : colour
– lanza : orange
– mbuaki : red
– mbudi : blue
– mpembe : white
– ndombe : black
– ngizu : green
– ngubudi : indigo(-blue)
– nsakambisu : green
– ntinta : colour
– pilu : purple, violet
– tona : colour
– tundu : yellow
- THE SPIRITUALITY, RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS.
– Akongo : Supreme Being
– anzelu : angel
– Banionzi : constellation of Pisces, the zodiacal sign of Pisces
– Bansimba : constellation of Gemini, the zodiacal sign of Gemini
– batisimu : baptism
– bilungi : hell
– bubote : happiness, goodness, kindness
– Bukongo : set of rules and duties of a Mukongo towards God and his neighbour
– bukristu : christianity
– diabulu : devil
– (di)bundu : church, religious community, community of the faithful
– digasi (magasi) : archange
– dikeluba (makeluba) : cherub
– disumu (masumu) : sin
– eklezia : church
– elima : angel, genius of nature, spirit of nature
– episikopo : bishop
– galasia : grace
– Hangia : Mercury (planet, god)
– Kabezia Mpungu : Eagle of God
– katekisimu : catechism
– katolike : catholic
– Kavita : Mars (planet, god)
– Kayengele : spirit world, paradise
– Kazayu : Venus (planet, god)
– kimangu : miracle
– kimbanda : diviner, soothsayer
– Kimbenza : Saturn (planet, god)
– kiminu : faith
– kimpasi : initiation school to the Kongo mystique
– kimukristu : Christianity, Christian practice
– kinabi : mystique
– Kinati-maza : constellation of Aquarius, the zodiacal sign of Aquarius
– kindoki : witchcraft
– kiniumba (biniumba) : wandering spirit, spirit of a dead man, ghost
– kinkimba : initiating school to the Kongo mystique
– kinlongo : temple, place of religious instruction / holiness
– kinzambi : religion, religious practice, divinity
– kinzambi-nzambi : sect, for-profit church
– kisimbi (bisimbi) : protective angel
– Kitianga : constellation of Scorpio, the zodiacal sign of Scorpio
– Kizaka : Jupiter (planet, god)
– Kodi dia moyo : sacred law of Bukongo
– kuluzu : cross
– kundu : possession, bewitching, evil spell
– kusua : the anointed one, the chosen one
– lemba : initiation school to the Kongo mystique
– Lesa : God
– Lowa : Sun God
– Lukazi : Uranus (planet, god)
– lukutakani : gathering of faithful, church service
– lusakumunu : blessing
– lusambu / lusambulu : prayer
– Madionga : constellation of Sagittarius, the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius
– mahungu / mawungu : perfect being half-man half-woman
– makaba : contents of the sacred book of Bukongo
– makandala : politico-religious leader
– makongo : Kongo spirituality teachings
– malongi : catechism, religious teaching
– mamiwata : siren, mermaid
– mandona : seer
– Masa : place of deliberations of deified Great Spirits
– masele : nun
– Masiya : Messiah
– Mayinda : world of the spirits of the dead
– mazulu : heaven
– mbasi : angel, sent from heaven
– mbemba-zulu : sky eagle
– mbi : evil / inner fire, inner strength
– mbikudi : seer, clairvoyant, medium, soothsayer
– mbikulu’a ngonda : new moon
– misa : mass
– misioni : relating to Protestantism, of Protestant faith
– mizilima : muslim
– moseniele : monsignor, bishop
– mpelo : priest, parish priest
– Mpemba Kalunga : world of deified spirits, paradise
– Mpev’a nlongo : Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost
– mpeve : spirit
– Mpungu : Mystical eagle
– muana Ne Kongo : son of God Akongo
– Muanda Akongo : Supreme Spirit
– muanda velela : holy spirit, immaculate spirit
– muanza / muenze : angel
– muela : soul, spirit
– Muela Kongo : Mystical conclave Kongo, Supreme Instance of Kongo Spirituality
– Muenze : constellation of the Virgin, the zodiacal sign of the Virgin
– mukristu : christian
– mukuikisi / munkuikizi : believer
– mukuyu / nkuyu : ghost, wandering evil spirit
– mupaganu : pagan, unbeliever
– musantu (basantu): saint, holy
– mveledi (baveledi) : saint
– mvidi : holy
– mvuela : cassock, soutane
– mvuluzi : messiah, saviour
– mvungi : pastor, parish priest, priest
– Nabi : priest of the Kongo mystique
– Nantaba : constellation of Capricorn, the zodiacal sign of Capricorn
– ndembo : initiating school to the Kongo mystique
– ndoki : evil sorcerer
– ndona : holy, saint
– Ne : honorary title that we precede the name of a Mukongo of high spiritual level
– Ne Mbumba Lowa : the Sun God
– Nengilu : Pluto (planet, god)
– Neputu : Neptune (planet, god)
– nganga : marabout, clairvoyant
– nganga-Nzambi : priest, abbot, monk, friar, servant of God
– ngemba : peace
– Ngoko : constellation of Taurus, the zodiacal sign of Taurus
– Ngosua : Twelfth planet in the solar system
– Ngumbu’a Kinlongo : the Holy of Holies
– ngunza : animist priest
– niama Ngwaku : the Devil’s beast, Satan
– Nkadi’a mpemba : Satan, Devil
– Nkala : constellation of Cancer, the zodiacal sign of Cancer
– Nkamvu : constellation of Aries, the zodiacal sign of Aries
– nkembo : glory
– nkisi : fetish
– Nkosi : constellation of Lion, the zodiacal sign of Lion
– Nkutu : constellation of Libra, the zodiacal sign of Libra
– nkuyu : ghost, wandering evil spirit
– nlunga ngonda : full moon
– Nowele : Christmas
– nsaba ya nsayi : garden of Eden
– nsambu : blessing, luck
– nsingulu : curse, malediction
– nsumuki : sinner
– Ntasua : Eleventh planet in the solar system
– Ntoto : Earth, men’s earth
– ntumua : messenger of God, representative of God
– Nukaga : Tenth planet in the solar system
– Nzambi : God
– Nzambi’a Mpungu : Almighty God
– Nzila Zombo : Milky Way, the uncle’s way
– nzo-nzambi : church, temple, religious building
– Paki / Pasika : Easter
– paladizo : paradise, heaven
– papa : pope
– pasitele : pastor
– paye : pagan, unbeliever
– pendele : training centre for the ngunza
– pisikopo : bishop, monsignor
– Satana : Satan
– Simu Kongo : the Afterlife, the Next world, the world of the dead Kongo
– tebo : evil
– tempelo : temple
– Walesa : Man God, Half God, person who has reached the ultimate level of spirituality
– Yawe : God
– Yezu Masiya : Jesus the Messiah
– Yezu-Kristu : Jesus Christ
– zikua : parish, church cell, place of prayer
– zimbabue / zimba : circular stone temple
– Zita dia Nza : centre of the Milky Way occupied by the Sun Sirius
– zulu : heaven, sky
- THE ANIMALS (bibulu, mbizi).
– bonga : red-headed lizard
– buluku : horse
– dani : snake
– dibata : duck
– (di)bembe / (di)yembe : pigeon, dove
– didendo (madendo) : turkey
– dikonko : gazelle
– dimeme : sheep, lamb
– (di)tutu : mouse
– dukia : turkey
– fufu : red-haired rat
– kala : grasshopper, locust
– kamela-kuango : giraffe
– kanza : black venomous snake species
– kibulu : animal
– kimbembe : pigeon, dove
– kimbembila : butterfly
– kimbulu : wildcat
– kimbumba-ntulu : a species of caterpillar getting its name from the way it moves
– kimfutu : owl
– kimpiatu : caterpillar, silk worm
– kindongo : sheep
– kingongo : leopard
– kingonongono : raven
– kinionia (binionia) : ant
– kinkuanganzala : praying mantis
– kiula : toad
– kuti : owl
– lubokoyongo : nightjar
– lubu (mbu) : mosquito
– lumfikini : bat
– lumpempa : butterfly
– lumpukununi / mpukumununi : bat
– lunganga : sparrowhawk
– lungembo : bat
– lungwenia : chameleon
– lupungupungu : dragonfly
– lusangi (nsangi) : species of small fish living in swarm
– makaku : macaque, monkey
– mamba : venomous snake species
– mantekita : species of red ants whose habit is to shiver
– mbala : big squirrel
– mbambi : monitor lizard
– mbanza : species of stinging caterpillar
– mbemba : eagle
– mbende : field rat with striped hair
– mbizi-a-maza : fish
– mbizi-a-nseke : animal
– mboma : boa, python
– mbulu : jackal
– mevua : wolf
– mfingi : elephant
– mfuengi : fox
– mfulu : tortoise, turtle
– mfulututu : tortoise, turtle
– mfundi : white palm worm
– mfutu : owl
– mpakasa : buffalo
– mpese : cockroach
– mpidi : viper
– mpuku : rat, mouse
– mpunda : horse, mare
– mpungu : eagle
– mukumbusu : gorilla, chimpanzee
– muniala : tree frog
– munsiobo : earthworm
– muntudia : leech
– mununzi / n’nunzi : small rat with long pointed snout that gives off a strong unpleasant smell
– mvalu : horse
– mvudi : species of deer
– ndumbu : tadpole
– ngamalu : camel
– ngandu : crocodile, caiman
– ngembo : bat
– ngo : leopard, cheetah
– ngoko : bull, bullock, steer, ox
– ngola : fish species
– ngombe : cow, bullock, steer
– ngongolo : centipede, millipede
– ngozulu : eagle
– ngulu : pig, sow
– ngulu ya mfinda : wild boar, warthog, wild pig
– ngumbi : partridge
– ngundu : species of small songbird
– nguvu : hippopotamus
– nianzi : fly
– nina : electric fish
– nioka : snake
– nionzi : fish
– niumbula : bee, honeybee
– nkabi / nkayi : antelope
– nkala : crab
– nkami : ant
– nkamvu : ram
– nkanka / nkaka : pangolin
– nkewa : monkey
– nkodia-nkuata : snail
– nkoko : fish species
– nkombo : goat
– nkosi : lion
– nkusu : parrot
– nkuti : species of antelope
– nlumba : rabbit, bunny
– nsekoso : bird species
– nsia : species of antelope
– nsibizi / nsizi : species of large wild rodent
– nsiesie : hare
– nsimpanzi : chimpanzee
– nsinga : species of electric fish
– nsombe : orange palm worm
– nsueki : species of fish with teeth
– nsuma : species of antelope
– nsumba/nsumbu : cat-fish
– nsuni : sparrow
– nsusu : hen, cock, rooster
– ntaba : goat
– nuni : bird
– nzamba : elephant
– nzawu : elephant
– nzenze : cricket
– nzulu : ant species
– okapi : zebra antelope living east of the R.D. Congo
– sokomuntu : gorilla
– tilapia : tilapia
- PLANTS AND FRUITS (mayinza, minti ye zimbutu).
– bulukutu : species of medicinal plant
– bunganza-ngutu : species of edible mushroom that grows on tree trunks
– diamba : hemp
– (di)ba : oil palm tree
– didame : species of palm tree
– didioko : manioc
– dikasu / dikazu : kola tree, kola nut
– dikomokomo : species of plant whose seeds are used to make a rattle
– dilombo (malombo) : species of plant that produces fruits with pulpy pods to suck
– dingenge (mangenge) : species of plum tree, plum
– dinkondo : banana, banana tree
– diyinza (mayinza) : plant
– fumu : tobacco
– kimbiolongo : plant whose root possesses an aphrodisiac virtue
– kinsukulu : aubergine, eggplant
– kintu : pineapple, pineapple plant
– kitiba : banana, banana tree
– kokoti : coconut palm, coconut
– lemba-lemba : species of medicinal plant
– luboya (mboya) : species of vegetable plant with edible leaves
– luhe (mahe) : herb
– lukandi (nkandi) : palm nut
– lumantu : tomato plant, tomato fruit
– lumba-lumba : species of medicinal plant
– lunguba : groundnut, peanut
– lunungu : pimento plant, pimento fruit
– luwa (buwa) : mushroom
– malulu / nlulu : species of very bitter medicinal plant
– mankundia : wild tree fruits reputed to be urticating
– matembila : a creeping plant that produces sweet potatoes and edible leaves
– matiti : herbs
– mbika : vegetable plant that produces squash with edible seeds plante
– mbutu : fruit, seed
– mfiela : fruit of the safoo family
– mfilu : tree that produces fruits of the safoo family
– mfudi : cotton plant
– mfuma : tree, foliage
– mfumbua : species of wild plant whose edible leaves are crumbled and dried
– mfunda : fern
– m’manga : mango tree
– mpusu : raffia palm
– mukuku : sugar cane
– mumpese-mpese : species of plant
– mundanda-nzila : species of creeping plant
– mundundudi : species of very bitter medicinal plant
– mundondia : aphrodisiac root of a creeping wild plant with edible leaves
– mungiendanga : kind of potato
– munkombo : species of wild plant, fruit of this plant
– munsie : sugar cane
– mutende : young shoot, young plant
– mvuma : flower
– mvoka : avocado tree
– ngadiadia : medicinal plant called garcinia kola which produces kola nuts
– nguba : groundnut, peanut
– nkafi : coffee tree
– nkamba : species of tree from which boards are drawn
– nkuki : species of tropical tree
– nlala : orange tree
– nlombo : species of shrub that produces fruits with pulpy pods
– nlongwa : species of tropical tree
– nlulu / malulu : species of very bitter medicinal plant
– n’nungu : plant that produces peppers
– nsafu : safoo tree / safoo
– nti : tree
– ntima-ngombe : soursop
– nzila : species of thorny plant
– papayi : pawpaw tree, pawpaw, papaya
– sangavela : species of medicinal plant
– sangu : corn plant, corn
– savoka : avocado (pear)
– tutu : bamboo
- IN FAMILY : (mu kati dia kibuta/ fuamili)
– bakala / yakala : husband, spouse
– (di)kanda : clan
– dipasa (mapasa) : twin(s)
– (di)se (mase) : father, paternal uncle
– (di)se dia nsakila : paternal uncle
– fuamili : family
– kibusi : sister
– kibuta : family, family unit
– kibuti : parent, family member
– kivumu : nuclear family
– kiwunda : elder, big brother, big sister
– kota : elder, big brother, big sister
– Lukombo : name given to the second child born after the twins
– luvila (mvila) : matrilineal lineage among the Bakongo (from the same womb or mother)
– ma ngudi : mother of twins
– makangu : concubine, lover, mistress
– mama : mother, mom, madam
– mama mapasa : mother of twins
– mama nkulutu : maternal aunt (older than mom)
– mama nleke : maternal aunt (younger than mom)
– mbanda : other wife of my husband, husband of my sister-in-law, wife of my brother-in-law
– mfumu’a kanda : clan chief
– mfumu’eto : name of the elder, name of the first-born of a sibling
– mfumu-kanda : member of the clan
– mpangi : sibling, brother or sister, cousin
– mpangi’a mbakala : brother, cousin
– mpangi’a nkento : sister, cousin
– muana (bana/bala) : child, son
– muana’a nkazi : nephew or niece vis-à-vis maternal uncle
– muana bakala/yakala : boy
– muana mbuta : person whose father is a living or dead member of our clan
– muana nkento : girl
– muana nsakila : nephew or niece vis-à-vis maternal aunt
– muana nsuka : benjamin, last born of the siblings
– muana ntete : elder, first-born child of the siblings
– muisi-kanda (bisi-kanda) : member of the same clan as me, clan brother/sister
– mukulu (bakulu) : ancestor
– mulumi / nlumi : wife, spouse
– ndesi / ndezi : child-minder, nanny
– ngudi : mother, maternal aunt
– ngudi’a nkazi : brother of one’s mother, maternal uncle
– ngwankazi : maternal uncle
– nkaka : grandfather, grandmother, great-uncle, great-aunt, nephew or niece of my father
– nkaka’a bakala : grandfather
– nkaka’a nkento : grandmother
– nkama / mukama : wife, first-class wife
– nkazi / mukazi : husband
– nkento : woman, wife
– nkuezi : brother-in-law, sister-in-law, husband of my cousin, wife of my cousin
– nkuezi ya mbakala : brother of my husband (wife)
– nkuezi ya nkento : sister of my husband (wife)
– nkulutu : elder, old, elderly
– Nlandu : name given to the first child born after the twins
– nleke : little brother, little sister, younger brother, younger sister
– nleke’a mbakala : little brother
– nleke’a nkento : little sister
– Nsimba : name given to the first of the twins
– Nsunda : name given to a child born prematurely
– ntekolo : grandson, granddaughter
– ntekuzula : great grandson, great granddaughter
– nzadi : brother-in-law, sister-in-law
– nzitu : son-in-law, daughter-in-law, husband of my niece, wife of my nephew
– nzitu : child of my husband’s sister, child of my husband’s maternal cousin
– nzitu : father-in-law, mother-in-law, wife of my maternal uncle
– Nzuzi : name given to the second of the twins
– papa : dad, father
– papa nkulutu : paternal uncle (older than dad)
– papa nleke : paternal uncle (younger than dad)
– tata : father, dad, aunt
– tata nkento : paternal aunt
– tata nkulutu : paternal uncle (older than dad)
– tata nleke : paternal uncle (younger than dad)
- LE CORPS HUMAIN/ANIMAL (nitu za bantu/bibulu/mbizi).
– bilusu : vomit, sick
– bukuku : dirt
– bunkete : cleanliness, hygiene
– dibeni (mabeni) : breast, udder
– dibunda (mabunda) : thigh
– dibundi (mabundi) : cheek
– difuni : anus
– dikata (makata) : testicle
– dikolo (makolo) : knee
– dikosi : occiput, back vertex of the skull
– dikutu (makutu, matu) : ear
– dinu (meno) : tooth
– disu (meso) : eye
– ditaku (mataku) : buttock
– (di)veve (maveve) : wing
– diyeno (mayeno) : breast, udder
– genda : tonsure, baldness, hole in the hair
– gumbu : boil, furuncle
– gungu / vungu : horn
– kami : remains of faeces around the anus
– kati : lever
– kibeka : belly
– kibioko : to belch, to burp
– kigota (bigota) : pus caused by conjunctivitis, eye matter
– kikento : uterus, womb
– kikoba (bikoba) : lip
– kilota : clitoris
– kimvumina (mamvumina) : breast milk, mother’s milk
– kingodinga : Adam’s apple
– kingodingodi : Adam’s apple
– kinkonga : nudity, nakedness
– kintuntu : measles
– kisita : sterile
– kisuka : tail
– kitambi : foot
– kitsuku : rump, butt, posterior of a body
– kivumu : belly, pregnancy
– kiyimba : nasal mucus, snot
– kiyisi : bone
– kizidi / kizizi : face
– koko (moko) : arm, hand
– koko (makoko) : crust on the scalp, ringworm
– kosukosu : cough
– kulu (malu) : leg, foot, paw
– laka : throat
– lubanzi (mbanzi) : rib
– ludimi : langue
– lugayi : wing
– luketo : hips, hip circumference, waist circumference
– lukika : sinusitis, migraine
– lusala (nsala) : feather
– lusuki (nsuki) : hair
– luvu (mvu) : grey hair
– luzala (nzala) : fingernail, toenail, claw
– mabasi : trimmed hair contours on both sides of the forehead
– makuanza : scabies blisters
– maladi : illness
– maluma : sperm
– mandefu : beard
– mangwele : vaccine, vaccination
– mansanga / mansangaza : tears
– mante : saliva, dribble, slobber
– masuba : urine
– mavimpi : good health
– mayititi : tonsillitis, swelling of the tonsils
– mbanga : jaw
– mbasu : soft tissue necrosis that often affects the lower limbs
– mbembo : voice
– mbenitu : antibody
– mbenza : parting in the hair, part
– mbepoke : antigen
– mbewuti : antigen
– mbombo : nose
– mbueno : view
– mbula : vulva, vagina
– mbunzu : forehead
– mbutu : male gamete
– menga : blood
– mfutikila : cold
– miyoyo : nasal mucus, snot
– mpiki : hernia in the area of sexual organs
– mpola : horn
– mpoti : pus caused by conjunctivitis
– mpu : louse
– mputa : wound
– muanzi (mianzi) : vein, artery
– muaya : yawning
– mudia : intestine
– muika (mika) : hair
– muneno : anus, rectum
– mungadi : throat
– mvia : penis
– mvindu : dirt, feces
– nduta (manduta) : stretch mark(s)
– nginia : louse
– ngonda : menses, periods
– ngozi : snoring
– nguilu : (sense of) hearing
– nima : back
– nima-koko : back of the hand
– nioka : parasitic worm living inside the human or animal body
– nitu : body
– nkanda : skin, leather, hide
– nkila : tail
– nkofula : cough
– nkola : cough
– nkumba : navel, umbilicus
– nkundu : pubic hair
– nkunki : dorsal hump
– nkusi : fart, flatulence
– nlembo (milembo) : finger, toe
– nlembo wa koko : finger
– nlembo wa kulu : toe
– n’nenga : nit, jigger egg, tick egg
– n’nua : mouth, muzzle, snout
– nsala : feathers, plumage
– nsamba : tattoo, scarification
– nsi-a-mpakani : armpit
– nsingu : neck
– nsombokila : tick
– nsuengina : asthma
– nsuki : hair
– nsuni : flesh, muscle
– ntima : heart
– ntu : head
– ntukuta : perspiration, sweating, sweat
– ntulu : chest
– ntunga : jigger, tick
– nzevo / nsevo : beard
– nzieta : epilepsy
– nzila-meno : diastema of the central incisors of the upper jaw, teeth of happiness
– nzini : female genitalia
– pulupulu : diarrhoea
– sakafulu : lung
– sanga : adultery disease, infidelity disease, herpes of the sexual organs
– sopisi : gonorrhea, clap
– suku : backbone, spine
– sutu : foreskin, uncircumcised penis
– tandi : dental plaque, dental caries
– tolo / tulu : sleep
– tomfi / tomfo : marrow, brain, grey matter
– toso : brain
– tufinia : pus
– tuvi : feces, poop
– vandu : baldness, bald head
– vembo / gembo : shoulder
– vimbu : abscess, swelling
– wumbu : furuncle, boil, abscess
– zimi : pregnancy
– zu : voice
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