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Tulongane

Pamwinga
A basic uictionaiy anu giammai book of the language of the
Behe people
!"#$%&'# )%*+#"#















1
st
Euition
2
Kamwene!

This guiueuictionaiy was wiitten as a tool foi those wanting to leain Ikihehe, the
pieuominant language of the Iiinga iegion of Tanzania anu one of the countiy's
most wiuely spoken tiibal languages. Bantu in oiigin, Ikihehe has many similaiities
to Kiswahili. As it is fai moie piactical to know Kiswahili, this guiue is wiitten foi
those who aie native English speakeis anu who alieauy have a stiong giasp of
Kiswahili. Inueeu, even most Behe uo not speak puie Ikihehe, anu if you eavesuiop
on conveisations in the Iiinga aiea you will commonly heai speakeis go back anu
foith between the two languages without skipping a beat. Nany Behe woius aie
almost nevei useu because the Kiswahili equivalent is easiei oi moie piactical. In
fact, many Behe woius aie foigotten by youngei geneiations because Kiswahili
woius have taken theii places. This woik, howevei, seeks to use "puie" Ikihehe as
much as possible as theie aie alieauy many souices to leain Kiswahili foi English
speakeis, anu none as of now foi Ikihehe.
The Iiinga iegion anu the Behe people have a veiy uistinct anu fascinating histoiy
that plays a pait in theii language's uevelopment. Befoie ueiman colonization, the
Behe hau an extensively uevelopeu nation built by yeais of conquest anu absoibtion
of smallei tiibes. At its peak, "0hehe" extenueu well beyonu the boiueis of mouein
Iiinga Region anu coveieu an aiea twice the size of the ueimany. The piactice of the
Behe was to foice conqueieu tiibes to auopt theii cultuie anu language, thus the
mouein uay Behe people aie not necessaiily ethnically ielateu as much as they aie
bounu by language. Even many laige neighboiing tiibes who iesisteu being outiight
conqueieu weie still heavily influenceu by Behe language anu cultuie (Especially
the Njombe baseu Wabena whose language has neaily thiee quaiteis shaieu
vocabulaiy with Ikihehe).
Enough neiuing out with histoiy.
That being saiu, what is the puipose of leaining Ikihehe. Theie aie few aieas left in
Tanzania wheie Kiswahili is inauequate. Auuitionally, Kiswahili is fai moie piactical
anu simplei than Ikihehe. Though possessing a ielatively small vocabulaiy (smallei
than Kiswahili), Ikihehe ielies heavily on subtleties, whethei they be in inflection,
moou, oi a vaiiety of tenses. Achieving fluency is no small feat, anu this mouest text
will always be giossly insufficient to ieach that point. No, as with leaining any of
Tanzania's tiibal languages, leaining Ikihehe is not piactical. It is, howevei, fun to
leain anu gives you a lot of stieet cieu, iespect fiom villageis, anu a quick way to
make fiienus...all valuable skills to a volunteei woiking in iuial Iiinga.


S
Beause Ikihehe is not a wiitten language, it is typically leaineu thiough speaking,
anu this is gieat, because having youi local Behe fiienus teach you is not only a
gieat way to leain, but a gieat way to builu a bonu with the people in youi
community who aie teaching you. No one uoesn't like to shaie theii cultuie. That
saiu, many of us aie natuial stuuieis anu meiely heaiing the language is not enough
foi us to leain. We neeu to see the woius to ieinfoice what we heai. That's the aim
of this woik, in auuition to giving some pieliminaiy giammai iules to help you get
staiteu.
Final Bisclaimei: I am not a linguistics expeit. I am a volunteeis living in the Iiinga
iegion. The souices the infoimation heie aie a couple linguistics papeis that
iefeience the Behe language (see iefeiences), houis spent ovei a Ikihehe Bible helu
next to a Kiswahili Bible, anu fiist anu foiemost, getting out theie anu having
conveisations with Behe people. It shoulu be kept in minu that the Kihehe you heai
may veiy slightly fiom what you ieau. Bialects vaiy by iegion, Kiswahili infiltiates
the language foi some speakeis moie than otheis, anu this woik is unuoubteuly
iiuuleu with eiiois... but it's a stait.

Euits aie always appieciateu. Tulongane Pamwinga ("let us speak togethei")


-Benjamin Savonen












4








Beuicateu to the vahehe of the Ismani iegion.
"#$%&'&()*+, -&-*'* -&./(*0$ 0* -&-,(,'1* 231*()&+$2

















S
Table of contents:

uieetings anu othei useful phiases 6
Sentence Stiuctuie 9
Nouns anu Noun Classes 11
veibs anu Tenses 24
Question Woius S7
Numbeis S8
Locatives S9
Bictionaiy 4u
Ikihehe to KiswahiliEnglish 41
English to IkiheheKiswahili 74
Kiswahili to IkiheheEnglish 1u7
Refeiences 14u
Notes 141
Noun class agieement chait 1S1









6
,-"".'#/0

Bonestly, being pioficient with gieetings is often enough to impiess youi Behe
neighbois. 0uus aie if you aie ieauing this you aie piobably alieauy familiai with a
numbei of them. Still, hopefully a little moie light can be sheu on them with this
section.
All gieetings begin with "Kamwene" to which the iesponse is simply enough
"Kamwene". This gieeting is consiueieu a iespectful gieeting, though not quite on
the level of "shikamoo" in Kiswahili. "Kamwene" can be useu to initiate any contact
with anyone who is an auult (not to chiluien) anu iequiies no uiffeientiation
between elueis anu peeis. Aftei "Kamwene" gieetings can vaiy. Nost common aie
"unogage" anu its vaiiations.
Foi example:
405+*+,6 78&9*()5: "#*$(05;& 7<$9*()5:
305+*+,6 78*(9*()56: =1*$(05;& 78*%&9*()5:
It shoulu be noteu that, while the "-nogage"s anu "-mnofu"s aie useu like
hujambohamjambosijamboetc. they moie liteially tianslate as "Aie youall
pleasantnicechaiming." anu "Iwe amaie goou peison".

&>05+>*+>, 0#>*$>(05;&
?5&>@',*/$0+>7A*)$%&*''?:>A*B, ),,06 . *(> 7A*)$%&*''?: >+55# @,C/50

0ccasionally you will not have the habitual tense of "ga" uioppeu.
405+,6 "#$(05;&
?5&>@',*/$0+>7D&CC,0%'?:>*C,6 . *(> 7D&CC,0%'?: >+55# @,C/50
0i you may heai a "hela" taggeu on to the enu of the iesponse. "Bela" is typically
tianslateu as "tu" in Kiswahili oi "just" in English.
405+*+,6 "#*$(05;&>A,'*
?5&>@',*/$0+>7A*)$%&*''?:>A*B, ),,06 .EB, ),,0 9&/% +C,*%F

7
}ust like Kiswahili, theie is a longnevei enuing list of questions that be askeu of you
uuiing gieetings. Foitunately, almost ALL Behe gieetings can be iesponueu to with
"aale" which is typically tianslateu as "sawa" in Kiswahili anu "fine" in English.
Examples:

3*-*/$6 (Za kazi.) **',
<* ;$'56 (Za siku nyingi.) **',
<* @*($'*&6 (Za asubuhi.) **',
31*>A1$6 (Za kushinua.) **',
3*+,0#56 (Za safaii.) **',
31*>'$6 (Za chakula.) **',

I think you get the point. ueneially speaking, "aale" can be useu as a iesponse to
anything that sounus like a gieeting. If you heai something you uon't know, iesponu
"aale" anu you aie piobably iight.
0nlike Kiswahili, it is possible to expiess in Ikihehe that things aie not fine. Rathei
than iesponuing "aale" one can say "a-ha" with a bit of a shiug anu emphasis on the
"ha" to convey the iuea of "so so".
Example:
3*-*/$. (Bow's youi woik.) G>A* (It's so so)

Theie aie a few common gieetings woith noting that uon't get an "Aalea-ha"
iesponse.
"#*&'$ "#*A$A$
(vipi.) (Kama Kawaiua)
H,&'$ H,&'$
(uieeting useu foi someone you have alieauy seen that uay)
I&05+, I&-*?,6 I&05;& +- I&05;& A,'*
(Babaii za nyumbani.) (pazuii)
(This one follows same iules as "-nogage" gieetings above.)
8
0thei useful phiases

Befoie we actually get into Ikihehe giammai, heie is some useful "fingeitip" Ikihehe.

The last one is gieat as if you have no iuea what to say, but want to maintain the
illusion that you actually uo.





*This moie liteially tianslates to "I uon't want" but is typically useu as "no"
**Theie is no ieal Ikihehe woiu foi "Asante". " Nuilumba" is moie liteially
"ninashukuiu" oi "I am thankful".

Ikihehe Kiswahili English
Eh oi Ena Nuiyo Yes
N-ue-ma* Bapana No
Nuilumba** Asante Thank you
Nyongise Samahani Excuse me
Aale Sawa 0kay
Pole Pole Soiiy
Nuisuka. Ninaomba. Nay I have.
Litawa lyangu nui. }ina langu ni. Ny name is.
vahungilage Wasalimie Say hi to eveiyone
Tubitage Twenue Let's go!
Wisogwe kwi. 0naenua wapi. Wheie aie you going.
Nuisogwe ku-. Ninaenua . I am going to.
Twiwonaga pambele Tutaonana baauaye See you latei
Nuikuhiga pamble Nitakujibu baauaye I'll tell you latei

9
)"#."#1" ).-21.2-"

All iight. Beie is wheie we actually get into Ikihehe.
The pionunciation of all letteis is the same in Kihehe anu Kiswahili. Bowevei, it
shoulu be noteu that Kihehe lacks the letteis "R" anu "Z". The foimei shoulu come as
no suipiise to anyone living in Iiinga. Theie aie many woius that aie the same in
Kiswahili anu Ikihehe but the "Z" will actually often be ieplaceu with an "S". ("kazi"
becomes "kasi", "weza" becomes "wesa", etc.) 0ccasionally you will still these woius
wiitten with a Z, piobably uue to the assimilation of Kiswahili
It is impoitant that at this point we iemembei that Ikihehe is mostly a spoken
language, but can still occasionally be wiitten. When wiitten, it still follows all the
phonics of Kiswahili. The spellings can veiy anu may thiow some people off. It is
especially common to tiaue the "-ui-" oi "-ua-" oi "-ue-" sounu foi "-wi-", "-wa-", anu
"-we-" Respectively.
The "mu" sounu is also often useu in Ikihehe at the beginning of woius. It can often
be veiy uifficult to heai it as the "u" is almost just an exhale. I can be speculateu that
this is an aspect of Bantu languages that evolveu into Kiswahili's commonly useu
"m" piefix.
Foi example: to say "to teach" oi "kufunuisha" one woulu say "kuigisa". Bowevei,
this is typically wiitten as "kwigisa". Reau alouu they aie neaily inuistinguishable. If
anything we coulu call it a Ikihehe "contiaction", that uoesn't actually shoiten
anything. This is especially impoitant to notice with the pionouns.
Foi example

4$)$%* (I go) is wiitten as =&*+50* (We slept) is wiitten
"1$)$%*" "%1*+50*"

3&*'?, (You all have eaten) is wiitten J&*@$%1$-, (The tiee has fallen) is wiitten
"(1*'?," "+1*@$%1$-,"

Like Kiswahili, Ikihehe is Bantu in foimat. Sentences tenu to ievolve aiounu veib
complete with subject piefixes, tense maikei, object infixes, anu othei assoiteu
inuicatois.

1u
Foi example:
"#>$>'50+* =1>$>'?, 31>*>+50*
"$>0*>/,(* =&>0*>-&'* 3>'$>'*'*
. *( /@,*-$0+ H, *C, ,*%$0+ K5& *'' /',@%
Fiom theie you can thiow in nouns
H>$>)$%* !"#$%& (&)$)$ B>*>/&@*
4>0*>,0#* %*+,+ -&.$.$ 1*>'$>@&(L$-*
K5& *C, +5$0+ %5 .$/, 01+2)34, 1,C, C,/%$0+

0bject infixes aie laigely useu the same as Kiswahili: Aftei the tense maikei, anu
befoie the ioot veib

"#>$>!">A$+* @*(),',
"$>%*>!">9$)& )**#*?,
. 1$'' *0/1,C 5$" '*%,CM

All aujectives anu auveibs always immeuiately follow the woiu they aie uesciibing,
like Kiswahili.
3&0& 6",$7" 31$+$/* *$+$/* 2",$7"
3%& 68"3+ 31*'$(& *'$;&0#$/A* 9+8"3+
:$$) @,C/50 =A, %,*DA,C %*&+A% /422

As pieviously noteu, the stiuctuie is inueeu Bantu anu changes veiy little fiom
Kiswahili. So little moie time will be wasteu heie. The uiffeiences that uo exist in
stiuctuie aie laigely only some of the veib tenses anu will be auuiesseu accoiuingly
in that section.



11
3+2#0

Befoie getting too fai into nouns we shoulu auuiess the pait of speech known as the
"augment".
The augment is appaiently common in Bantu languages, but is conspicuously absent
fiom Kiswahili. It exists as a vowel at the stait of woius (geneially nouns) anu
appaiently seives a puipose similai to the aiticles (a, an, anu the) in the English
language of placing emphasis on a noun...but its not exactly the same. It is
sometimes useu, othei times not. (I peisonally finu it veiy iiiitating anu still uon't
fully giasp its use, but have been tolu that it is unnecessaiy foi beginneis, anu thus
will be minimally auuiesseu heie. It uoes give one, howevei, an appieciation foi
how uifficult it must be foi non-native English speakeis to leain to use aiticles.)
You may have noticeu that I have been using up until this point wiiting N.-$A,A,O
iathei than "I$A,A,OM This is an example of augmenting, though wiiting "Kihehe" is
also acceptable.
A few examples of augmenting:

3+-&%4 52/&"#."6
P&',0+* ;'&',0+*
(Watei)
Q*0& <B*0&
(People)
I$#,+, =-$#,+,
(Biiu)

Each Noun class has a uiffeient Augment, so you must know which class a noun is
befoie you augment it.
0n to the noun classes

Theie aie 17 noun classes in Ikihehe, but uon't woiiy, they aie pietty similai to
Kiswahili anu theie aie actually fewei exceptions to iules.
12

7289% #+2# 14%00"0
This class closely miiiois the NwWa noun class of Kiswahili. It is, howevei, not
only ieseiveu just foi living things, but iathei only foi peopleoccupations.
Examples:
)'#/24%-8:42-%4 +; <='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' B C#/4'0>
(&B*A*RB*B*A* S (L,,R1*L,, S ,'#,CR,'#,C/
('$($RB*'$($ S (-&'$(*R1*-&'$(* S ;*C(,CR;*C(,C/
(&A$0L*RB*A$0L* S (/$DA*0*R1*/$DA*0* S +$C'R+$C'/
(&+,0/$RB*+,0/$ S (+,0$R1*+,0$ S +&,/%R+&,/%/
(&%*(1*RB*%*(1* S (+5091*R1*+5091* S @*%$,0%R@*%$,0%/
As a point of note, theie aie also many nouns in Ikihehe that utilize anothei noun to
uesciibe what the Nuva noun is. This is typifieu by the "-nya-" infix. A few
examples:
(&,5&'&+,0#5RB*,5&'&+,0#5 - "passengei" fiom "'&+,0#5" ("safaii" oi "jouiney")
(&,5&'&-5'5RB*,5&'&-5'5 - "ielative" fiom "'&-5'5" ("jamaa" oi "biotheihoou")
(&,5&'&A*'*RB*,5&'&A*'* - "genius" fiom "'&A*'*" ("akili" oi "intelligence")

Foi most noun classes, as in Kiswahili, theie aie no stanualone pionouns with the
exception of the "living cieatuies" class. Foi example, "mimi" exists as the
stanualone pionoun "I" , but theie is no stanualone pionoun foi "it" in Kiswahili. The
same is also tiue foi Ikihehe. This can be seen in the table below.
:-+#+2#0
).%#6%4+#"
:-+#+2#
)2D$"1.
E-";'F
GD$"1. '#;'F
H
0.
:"-0+# )'#/24%- IJ<KL 0,0, 0#> >0#>
M
#6
:"-0+# )'#/24%- IJN+2KL B,B, &> >-&>
O
-6
:"-0+# )'#/24%- IJP"-8P'&KL 7?&:(1,0, TT> $3 *> >(&>
H
0.
:"-0+# :42-%4 IJQ"KL A1,A1, %&> >%&>
M
#6
:"-0+# :42-%4 IJN+2 %44KL 0?,0?, (&> >B*>
O
-6
:"-0+# :42-%4 IJR>"SKL B*5 B*> >B*>


1S
Theie aie also thiee sets of uemonstiatives in Ikihehe, just like Kiswahili. The
"thisthese", the "thatthose (neai)" anu "thatthose (fai)". (Example: huyu, huyo,
yule in Kiswahili)
T"&+#0.-%.'*"0
>1+?@>14?4 >1&.@>1$?4 AB4&3C >1&.@>1$?4 AD&3C
)'#/24%- &?& &?5 ?&'*
:42-%4 $B* $B5 B*'*

In Kiswahili we often use a piefix onto the woiu "-ote" to convey the iuea of ALL of
something. (Examples: Watu Wote, Chakula Chote). The same iuea is conveyeu in
Ikihehe by the use of the infix pionoun into the woiu "mbe-__-li". So "all of them"
woulu be stateu "mbe-va-li" oi "mbevali". "All of us" woulu be "mbetuli".
544 IJB+."KL

H
0.
:"-0+# )'#/24%-
IJ544 +; 7"KL
(),0#$'$ 1
st
Peison Pluial
("All of us")
(),%&'$
M
#6
:"-0+# )'#/24%-
IJ544 +; N+2KL
(),-&'$ 2
nu
Peison Pluial
("All of you all")
(),B*'$
O
-6
:"-0+# )'#/24%-
IJ544 +; P"-8P'&KL
(),(&'$ S
iu
Peison Pluial
("All of them")
(),B*'$

Aujectives must be maue to match the noun class that they aie uesciibing. This is
uone with the auuition of a piefix, just as in Kiswahili (Example: Ntu &zuii, Chakula
='zuii). The same goes foi possessives, though they often have a uiffeient piefix.
56$"1.'*" 5/-""&"#.
56$"1.'*" :-";'F :+00"00'*" :-";'F
)'#/24%- (&> 5C ?&> B*>
:42-%4 B* B*>

Kiswahili has two othei specific aujectives to get acioss the iuea of "anothei" anu
"many" that iequiie matching with a noun class piefixes. In Kiswahili these aie the
"-ingi's" anu "-ingine's". (Examples: wengi, vingi, nyingi anu mwingine, kingine,
nyingine). To expiess the iuea of "many" oi "-ingi" in Ikihehe we use the ioot woiu
of "-olofu" with an appiopiiate piefix. In the Nuva noun class this becomes
"wolofu". To expiess the iuea of "othei" oi "-ingine" we use the ioot woiu "-ngi".
This can become somewhat confusing as it is similai to the "-ingi" ioot in Kiswahili,
howevei, in Ikihehe it means "othei".

14
)E"1';'1 56$"1.'*"0
7%#S IJB'#/'KL G.>"- IJB'#/'#"KL
)'#/24%- >>>>>>>>>>> ?&0+$
:42-%4 15'5;& B*0+$

Finally we have the augment piefixes that have been pieviously uiscusseu
52/&"#.
:-";'F
)'#/24%- &>
:42-%4 *>

Anu the pieposition that uenotes the iuea "of". As with most languages, it is useu fai
moie heavily in Ikihehe than in English
:-"E+0'.'+#
:-"E+0'.'+# IJ+;KL
)'#/24%- B*
:42-%4 B*

Now that all of these teims have been uiscusseu, the iest of the noun classes will
laigely only be uiscusseu thiough the use of tables. Foitunately they aie almost all
simplei than the Nuva class, so this shoulu'nt be an issue.
Bowevei, befoie continuing theie shoulu be one note maue about the Nuva noun
class. Some nouns uo not exist noimall in the Nuva, but aie iathei a pait of the.








1S
T'-"1. U"4%.'*"0 )2DB#+2# V4%00
Though not often given its own noun class, Kiswahili effectively has this noun class
as well. (0ne says "Nama yangu" not "Nama wangu".) It is useu only when iefeiiing
to people that have a uiiect ielationship, as the possessive is incluueu into the woiu
itself. The iules foi noun class agieement otheiwise stick to the patteins of the
Nuva class.
Examples:
<='>">"B@'0A%>'4'
K&B* > 3*(* ?*0+&
K&B5> 3*(* ?*-5
K&B,> 3*(* ?*-,
K&B,%&> 3*(* ?,%&
K&B,0&> 3*(* ?,0&
K&B*15> 3*(* ?*5

Anothei example is "fiienu"
<='>">"B@'0A%>'4'
3&?*0+&> C*;$-$ ?*0+& 7P$%,C*''?U 2@,C/50 5; ($0,2:
3&?*-5> C*;$-$ ?*-5
3&?*-1,> C*;$-$ ?*-,
3&?,%&> C*;$-$ ?,%&
3&?,0?&> C*;$-$ ?,0&
3&?*15> C*;$-$ ?*5





16
7287' #+2# 14%00"0

Again paialleling Kiswahili with its similai NNi noun class this class is compiise of
ouus anu enus things, anu most plants. Again, it is woith noting that spelling uoes
change fiom what one may expect sometimes, but it always makes sense if one
ieaus it alouu. Foi example, one may expect Noto (fiie) to be wiitten Nioto (fiies) in
pluial, howevei, it is typically wiitten as Nyoto. Auuibly inuistinguishable, so it not
much of an issue.
Examples:
)'#/24%-8:42-%4 +; <='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' B C#/4'0>
(&)$-$R()$-$ S (%$R($%$ S %C,,R%C,,/
(&-*%,R($-*%, S (-*%,R($-*%, S )C,*#R)C,*#/
(&%1,R($%1, S -$DA1*RB$DA1* S A,*#RA,*#/
(&'?*0+5R($'?*0+5 S ('*0+5R($'*0+5 S #55CR#55C/
(%&-*R($%&-* S +*C$R(*+*C$ S D*CRD*C/
:-+#+2#0 T"&+#0.-%.'*"0
)2D$"1. E-";'F GD$"1.
'#;'F
)'#/24%- +&> >+&>
:42-%4 +$> >+$>

544 IJB+."KL 56$"1.'*" 5/-""&"#.

)E"1';'1 56$"1.'*"0 52/&"#.0 :-"E+0'.'+#


>1+?@>14?4 >1&.@>1$?4
AB4&3C
>1&.@>1$?4
AD&3C
)'#/24%- &+& &+5 +&'*
:42-%4 $+$ $+5 +$'*
56$"1.'*"
:-";'F
:+00"00'*"
:-";'F
)'#/24%- +&> +1*>
:42-%4 +$> 9*>
544
)'#/24%- (),+&'$
:42-%4 (),+$'$
7%#S IJB
'#/'KL
G.>"- IJB
'#/'#"KL
)'#/24%- >>>>>>>>>>> (&0+$
:42-%4 (?5'5;& ($0+$
IJ+;KL
)'#/24%- +1*
:42-%4 9*
:-";'F
)'#/24%- &>
:42-%4 $>
17
W'87% #+2# 14%00"0

The LiNa noun class is the Ikihehe equivalent of the }iNa noun class in Kiswahili.
Anu incluues a long list of woius. It is uiffeient, howevei, in that few }iNa singulai
nouns actually begin with the "}i" piefix. In the LiNa noun class, neaily ALL
singulai nouns make use of the the "Li" piefix.
Examples:
)'#/24%-8:42-%4 +; <='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' B C#/4'0>
'$%*1*R(*%*1* S 9$0*R(*9$0* S 0*(,R0*(,/
'$+&'&R(*+&'& S (+&&R($+&& S ;55%R;,,%
'$%5/*0$R(*%5/*0$ S -$*L$RB$*L$ S @5%*%5R@5%*%5,/
'$A5R($A5 S 9$DA5R(*DA5 S ,?,R,?,/
'$/5-*R(*/5-* S @,@5R@,@5 S ,B$' /@$C$%R,B$' /@$C$%/
:-+#+2#0 T"&+#0.-%.'*"0
)2D$"1. E-";'F GD$"1.
'#;'F
)'#/24%- '$> >'$>
:42-%4 +*> >+*>

544 IJB+."KL 56$"1.'*" 5/-""&"#.

)E"1';'1 56$"1.'*"0 52/&"#.0 :-"E+0'.'+#




>1+?@>14?4 >1&.@>1$?4
AB4&3C
>1&.@>1$?4
AD&3C
)'#/24%- $'$ $'5 '$'*
:42-%4 $+* $+5 +*'*
56$"1.'*"
:-";'F
:+00"00'*"
:-";'F
)'#/24%- '$> '?*>
:42-%4 +*> +*>
544
)'#/24%- (),'$'$
:42-%4 (),+*'$
7%#S IJB
'#/'KL
G.>"- IJB
'#/'#"KL
)'#/24%- >>>>>>>>>>> '$0+$
:42-%4 (5'5;& (,0+$
IJ+;KL
)'#/24%- '?*
:42-%4 +*
:-";'F
)'#/24%- $>
:42-%4 *>
18
Though Ikihehe geneially uoes follow the iules bettei than Kiswahili, it uoes shaie
with it that iiiitating quality of having many othei noun classes auu the "Na" piefix
when becoming pluial, though the singulai comes fiom a uiffeient class(Example:
"Naiafiki" in Kiswahili) This technically is not consiueieu piopei Swahili, anu may
possibly not be piopei Kihehe, but it is still fiequently useu.
A few examples:
I*/$ 7"R" D'*//: 3*-*/$
P&+,0#5 7P& D'*//: 3*+,0#5



















19
@'8X' #+2# 14%00"0

This noun class miiiois the Kivi noun class anu actually coveis a lot of the same
types of nouns. Like its Kiswahili counteipait, theie aie many nouns that aie not
"Kivi" but "Chvy", howevei insteau of "Chvy" we see "ChFy".
Examples:
)'#/24%-8:42-%4 +; <='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' B C#/4'0>
-$#5+*R;$#5+* S -$%$RB$%$ S DA*$CRDA*$C/
-$#,+,R;$#,+, S 0#,+,R0#,+, S )$C#R)$C#/
DA*-&'?*R;?*-&'?* S DA*-&'*RB?*-&'* S ;55#R;55#/
-$0&R;$0& S -$%&RB$%& S %A$0+R%A$0+/
DA*'*R;?*'* S -$#5',RB$#5', S ;$0+,CR;$0+,C/
:-+#+2#0 T"&+#0.-%.'*"0
)2D$"1. E-";'F GD$"1.
'#;'F
)'#/24%- -$> >-$>
:42-%4 ;$> >;$>

544 IJB+."KL 56$"1.'*" 5/-""&"#.

)E"1';'1 56$"1.'*"0 52/&"#.0 :-"E+0'.'+#




>1+?@>14?4 >1&.@>1$?4
AB4&3C
>1&.@>1$?4
AD&3C
)'#/24%- $-$ $DA5 -$'*
:42-%4 $;$ $;?5 ;$'*
56$"1.'*"
:-";'F
:+00"00'*"
:-";'F
)'#/24%- -$> DA*>
:42-%4 ;$> ;?*>
544
)'#/24%- (),-$'$
:42-%4 (),;$'$
7%#S IJB
'#/'KL
G.>"- IJB
'#/'#"KL
)'#/24%- >>>>>>>>>>> -$0+$
:42-%4 ;?5'5;& ;$0+$
IJ+;KL
)'#/24%- DA*
:42-%4 ;?*
:-";'F
)'#/24%- $>
:42-%4 $>
2u
383 #+2# 14%00"0

The NN nouns uo not change at all fiom singulai to pluial foims. Auuitionally, all
boiioweu woius fiom othei languages aie automatically in this class. (This can get
sticky howevei with woius boiioweu fiom Kiswahili.)
Nost animals fall into this noun class.
)'#/24%-8:42-%4 +; <='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' B C#/4'0>
/,0+*R/,0+* S 0+V5(),R0+V5(), S D51RD51/
0+V*/$R0+V*/$ S )*C*)*C*R)*C*)*C* S C5*#RC5*#/
0+V*0$R0+V*0$ S 9*()5R(*()5 S %A$0+R%A$0+/
)5(*R)5(* S (9$R($9$ S %510R%510/
(,0,R(,0, S ()&L$R()&L$ S +5*%R+5*%/
:-+#+2#0 T"&+#0.-%.'*"0
)2D$"1. E-";'F GD$"1.
'#;'F
)'#/24%- $> >$>
:42-%4 /$> >/$>

544 IJB+."KL 56$"1.'*" 5/-""&"#.

)E"1';'1 56$"1.'*"0 52/&"#.0 :-"E+0'.'+#

Note: }ust as in the Nuva noun class, theie aie seveial NN noun class that utilize "-
nya-" infixes to cieate a new noun fiom othei woius. Foi example:
,5&'&@*'*R,5&'&@*'* - "lion" fiom the veib "pala" ("paiuza" oi "sciatch")
,5&(&A*0+*R,5&(&A*0+* - "aaiuvaik" fiom "'&A*0+*" ("mchanga" oi "sanu")
>1+?@>14?4 >1&.@>1$?4
AB4&3C
>1&.@>1$?4
AD&3C
)'#/24%- $?$ $?5 ?$'*
:42-%4 $/$ $/5 /$'*
56$"1.'*"
:-";'F
:+00"00'*"
:-";'F
)'#/24%- TT> ?*>
:42-%4 0/> /*>
544
)'#/24%- (),?$'$
:42-%4 (),/$'$
7%#S IJB
'#/'KL
G.>"- IJB
'#/'#"KL
)'#/24%- >>>>>>>>>>> $?$0+$
:42-%4 0/5'5;& 0/$0+$
IJ+;KL
)'#/24%- ?*
:42-%4 /*
:-";'F
)'#/24%- $>
:42-%4 $>
21
W2 #+2# 14%00"0

The "Lu" noun class uoes not have a uiiect paiallel in Kiswahili. 0ne coulu compaie
it to the "0" noun class, as many abstiact oi fluiu concepts fall into this class,
howevei, the bulk of these type of nouns fall into the soon to be uiscusseu "Wu"
noun class. Because of this, many the nouns in this class uo not have neeu foi a
pluial foim. Those that uo typically get tiansfeiieu ovei to the "Na" of the "LiNa"
noun class.
The Lu piefix is common in Kihehe anu has many uses outsiue of this noun class anu
its aujectives, thus uo not assume any woiu with saiu piefix is a "Lu" class noun.
Examples:
)'#/24%-8:42-%4 +; <='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' B C#/4'0>
'&+,0#5 S /*;*C$ S 95&C0,?
'&-*0L$ S &-&%* S 1*''
'&/$-* S (&#* S %$(,
'&-5'5 S 9*(** S )C5%A,CA55#
'&A*0+* S (DA*0+* S /*0#
:-+#+2#0 T"&+#0.-%.'*"0
)2D$"1. E-";'F GD$"1.
'#;'F
)'#/24%- '&> >'&>

544 IJB+."KL 56$"1.'*" 5/-""&"#.

)E"1';'1 56$"1.'*"0 52/&"#.0 :-"E+0'.'+#


>1+?@>14?4 >1&.@>1$?4
AB4&3C
>1&.@>1$?4
AD&3C
)'#/24%- &'& &'5 '&'*
56$"1.'*"
:-";'F
:+00"00'*"
:-";'F
)'#/24%- '&> '1*>
544
)'#/24%- (),'&'$
7%#S IJB
'#/'KL
G.>"- IJB
'#/'#"KL
)'#/24%- '5'5;& '&0+$
IJ+;KL
)'#/24%- '1*
:-";'F
)'#/24%- &>
22
Q2 #+2# 14%00"0

This noun class is uiiectly compaiable to the 0 noun class of Swahili. Almost all
concepts fall into this categoiy, anu in fact theie aie few "Wu" class woius that
aien't.
Examples:
)'#/24%-8:42-%4 +; <='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' B C#/4'0>
1&+*'$ S &+*'$ S &+*'$
1&#,/$ S &150+5 S '$,R#,D,$%
1&($ S (*$/A* S '$;,
1&%,(* S /,C$-*'$ S +5B,C0(,0%
1&0*0$ S C5A5 S /5&'R/@$C$%
:-+#+2#0 T"&+#0.-%.'*"0
)2D$"1. E-";'F GD$"1.
'#;'F
)'#/24%- 1&> >1&>

544 IJB+."KL 56$"1.'*" 5/-""&"#.

)E"1';'1 56$"1.'*"0 52/&"#.0 :-"E+0'.'+#





>1+?@>14?4 >1&.@>1$?4
AB4&3C
>1&.@>1$?4
AD&3C
)'#/24%- &1& $15 1&'*
56$"1.'*"
:-";'F
:+00"00'*"
:-";'F
)'#/24%- 1&> 1*>
544
)'#/24%- (),1&'$
7%#S IJB
'#/'KL
G.>"- IJB
'#/'#"KL
)'#/24%- 15'5;& 1&0+$
IJ+;KL
)'#/24%- 1*
:-";'F
)'#/24%- &>
2S
@%8R2 #+2# 14%00"0
The KaTu noun class is iaiely, if evei, useu anu consists almost entiiely of
uiminutives of nouns fiom othe classes. Theie aie ieally no nouns that aie exclusive
to this class. It effectively is a ieplacement piefix to emphasize the smallness of
othei nouns oi, if I unueistanu it coiiectly, useu in some cases to almost make the
ioot noun sounu "cutesy". (i.e. in English, "pup" becomes "puppy", "kitten" becomes
"kitty".) It shoulu be noteu that this piefix swap uoes not apply to all nouns, only
selecteu ones. Again, this class is iaiely useu anu will laigely be left alone foi the
uuiation of this text.

@28:%872 I4+1%.'+#0L #+2# 14%00"0
As in Kiswahili, theie aie thiee uiffeient "mahali" oi "place" noun classes. The
KuPaNu noun classes somewhat miiioi the kopomo noun classes in Kiswahili,
howevei, they vaiy slightly. They aie moie commonly useu as piefixes anu will be
uiscusseu in moie uetail in the Locatives section

@2 I'#;'#'.'*"0L #+2# 14%00"0
Also similaily to Kiswahili, all veibs can be useu as infinitives by auuing the piefix of
"ku-" to the beginning of the veib. This conveys the sense of "to _______" oi possibly
"________-ing". A few examples:
<='>">" ? @'0A%>'4' ?C#/4'0>
-&)*%* S -&/A$-* S %5 %5&DA $3 %5&DA$0+
-&150* S -&50* S %5 /,, $3 /,,$0+
-&+50* S -&'*'* S %5 /',,@ $3 /',,@$0+








24
9"-D0

As pieviously uiscusseu, Ikihehe is Bantu in stiuctuie anu thus the entiie sentence
ievolves aiounu the pionountenseveib combination. Also uue to its Bantu-ness,
neaily all of the ioot veibs enu with the lettei "a", so the Aiabic influenceu veibs of
Kiswahili uo not exist. Examples:
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0>
>+50* >'*'* /',,@
>)$%* >,0#* +5
>/*-* >%*-* 1*0%
>A5/* >;$-$C$ %A$0-RD50/$#,C
Inueeu, many veibs aie the same as Kiswahili oi neaily the same with only a slight
pionunciation uiffeience
<='>">" @'0A%>'4'
>@$+* >@$+*
>@*%* >@*%*
>1,/* >1,L*
>-&0?1* >-&0?1*
>150* >50*
Bowevei, the enu of the veib often changes to ieflect tense, as we shall soon see.
Kihehe, is ielatively simplei than Kiswahili, with the exception of veibs... Tense,
moou, anu inflection all play a laige pait in Kihehe anu a masteiy of the language
ielies on unueistanuing vaiiations of veibs.
To look at veibs we will use the same "ST0vE" methou useu in "Simplifieu Swahili"
by
)2D$"1.BR"#0"BGD$"1.B9"-DBC#6'#/




2S
Foi the most pait Kihehe also follows this stiuctuie. Foi example:

_-i-ku-lav-a Nutuka gu-a-pig-wa
S-T-0-v-E S-T-0-v-E
(G0*-&*0+*'$* +- 8,R<A, $/ 1*%DA$0+ ?5&) (+*C$ '$'$@$+1* +- =A, D*C 1*/ A$%)

Tu-i-gi-lov-a
S-T-0-v-E
(=&0*$0*1* ($-505 +- H, *C, 1*/A$0+ 5&C A*0#/)
The "S" oi subject piefix functions the same way as in Kiswahili anu has alieauy
been uiscusseu in the Nouns section. It is uepenuent anu the piefix is uepenuent on
the Noun class
The same can be saiu foi the "0" as objective infixes anu the "v" iefeis to the ioot
veibs which can be seen in the uictionaiy poition of this text.
The "T" anu the "E" , howevei, aie wheie things get moie complicateu. Ikihehe
ielies on a lot tenses to get specific iueas aciosseu. While Kiswahili ieally only has 4
tensesmoous (past N>'$>N, past peifect N>(,>", piesent N>0*>", anu futuie N>%*-") anu
then the negative veisions of them ("-ku-", "-ja-", "-__-", "-ta-" iespectively). Ikihehe
has ovei 1S tenses, which all convey slightly uiffeient moous. While they aie all
complicateu (anu I have yet to thoioughly unueistanu them) heie aie just a few
R"#0"0 I%#6 7++60L
:-"0"#. ."#0"
The piesent tense iefeis to something that (obviously) is piesently happening oi is
always ongoing anu theiefoie incluues the piesent. It is typically uenoteu by the
lettei "-i-"
0#+'&()* S . &% %A*0-;&'
1+/*-* -&'?, > K5& /&,. %5 ,*%
(keep in minu you coulu think of it as actually u-i-saka kulye)
T>++50* '$05 S 8, /',,@/ 051
%1+'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, &34 D50B,C/$0+ %5+,%A,C
(keep in minu you coulu think of it as actually tu-i-longana pamwinga)
26
(1+/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' E$ %5 %510
B++&'* /5()* S =A,? #"5 ;$/A
-$'*%& -+?*/$', S =A, /A5, +? '5/%
;$#,+, ;+/&()* S =A, )$C#/ 725
(&-5+* +1++*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C 2&F!? 1*%,C
($)$-$ ++@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, 7&22?
'$15-5 '+)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# E3&#? %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& ++A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# F$%4? ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* '1++&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# +? /5'# DA,*@'?
1&%,(* 1+%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% 142G? @,5@',
0?5%* ?+@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C E+94? '$+A%
0/&-$ /+1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ %&!4? A50,?

:-"0"#. E-+/-"00'*" R"#0"
The piogiessive tense also iefeis to something that (obviously) is cuiiently
occuiing, but conveys the sense of saying "iight now, as we speak". It is typically
uenoteu by the letteis "-ku-" (oi "-gu-" foi fiist peison singulai)
0E"$'&()* S . &% %A*0-;&' 3+E1. ,$/
&!"/*-* -&'?,- K5& /&,. %5 ,*% 3+E1. ,$/
*!"+50* '$05 S 8, ?244G? 3+E1. ,$/
%&!"'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, &34 F$,943?+,E %5+,%A,C 3+E1. ,$/
(&!"/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' &34 E$+,E %5 %510 3+E1. ,$/
B&!"+&'* /5()* S =A,? &34 #"5+,E ;$/A 3+E1. ,$/
-+'*%& -$!"?*/$', S =A, /A5, +? #4+,E '5/% 3+E1. ,$/
;+#,+, ;$!"/&()* S =A, )$C#/ &34 725+,E 3+E1. ,$/
(&-5+* +&!"+*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C +? 2&F!+,E 1*%,C 3+E1. ,$/
($)$-$ +$!"@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, +? 7&22+,E 3+E1. ,$/
'$15-5 '$!")*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# +? E3&##+,E %A, /A$C% 3+E1. ,$/
27
(*;&;& +&!"A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# +? F$%+,E ;C5( %A, /5&%A 3+E1. ,$/
'&A*0+* '&!"+&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# +? #4+,E /5'# DA,*@'? 3+E1. ,$/
1&%,(* 1&!"%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% +? 142G+,E @,5@', 3+E1. ,$/
0?5%* ?$!"@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C +? E+9+,E '$+A% 3+E1. ,$/
0/&-$ /$!"1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ &34 %&!+,E A50,? 3+E1. ,$/

P%D'.2%4 :-"0"#. R"#0"
The habitual piesent tense also iefeis to something that (obviously) is cuiiently
occuiing anu usually occuis unuei most ciicumstances. It is chaiacteiizeu by the
infix of "-ai-"
0)&+'&()* S . &% &2/&5? %A*0-;&'
1&+/*-* -&'?,- K5& &2/&5? /&,. %5 ,*%
&++50* '$05 S 8, &2/&5? ?244G? 051
%1&+'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, &2/&5? F$,943?4 %5+,%A,C
(1&+/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' &2/&5? E$ %5 %510
B&++&'* /5()* S =A,? &2/&5? #"5 ;$/A
-$'*%& -&+?*/$', S =A, /A5, +? &2/&5? '5/%
;$#,+, ;&+/&()* S =A, )$C#/ &2/&5? 725
(&-5+* +1&++*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C &2/&5? 2&F!? 1*%,C
($)$-$ +?&+@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, &2/&5? 7&22?
'$15-5 '?&+)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# &2/&5? E3&#? %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& +&+A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# &2/&5? F$%4? ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* '1&++&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# +? &2/&5? ?$2) DA,*@'?
1&%,(* 1&+%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% &2/&5? 142G? @,5@',
0?5%* ?&+@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C &2/&5? E+94? '$+A%
0/&-$ /&+1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ &2/&5? %&!4 A50,?


28
:%0. R"#0"
Theie aie multiple past tenses in Ikihehe, anu they all iefei to a uiffeient time fiame.
The past tense listeu heie is the most geneial past tense anu uoes not iefei to a
specific time fiame.
0)&'&()* S . /&? %A*0-;&'
1&/*-* -&'?,- K5& /&,.4) %5 ,*%
&+50* '$05 S 8, ?24G. 051
%1&'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, F$,943?4) %5+,%A,C
(1&/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' /4,. %5 %510
B&+&'* /5()* S =A,? #$"E1. ;$/A
-$'*%& -?&?*/$', S =A, /A5, /&? '5/%
;$#,+, ;?&/&()* S =A, )$C#/ 724/
(&-5+* +1&+*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C 2&F!4) 1*%,C
($)$-$ +?&@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, 7422
'$15-5 '?&)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# E3&##4) %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& +&A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# F&%4 ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* '1&+&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# /&? ?$2) DA,*@'?
1&%,(* 1&%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% 142G4) @,5@',
0?5%* ?&@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C E&94 '$+A%
0/&-$ /&1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ %&)4 A50,?

:%0. :"-;"1. R"#0"
The past peifect tense iefeis to something that happeneu in the immeuiate past anu
occasionally foi a state of being. It is basically useu the same as the "-me-" tense in
Kiswahili. It uses the same infix as the piesent tense anu changes the "E" oi enuing
of the veib. It can become confusing as uepenuing on the woiu it can have a
uiffeient enuing. The "-a" of the ioot veibs changes to -"ile","-ite","-e" oi "-ise". The
iules foi ueteimining which suffix is useu aie complicateu an will be uetaileu in
latei euitions of this woik.

29
7'664" :%0. R"#0"
The past tense oi "miuule" past tense typically iefeis to something that have
happeneu in the time fiame of the last few uays. It is uenoteu by a tense infix of
eithei "-aka-" oi "-aki-". The "-ki-" of the "-aki-" can also iefei to the ieflexive tense
which will soon be uiscusseu, anu theiefoie it is somewhat confusing anu will not be
useu heie.
0)&!&'&()* S . /&? %A*0-;&' A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
1&!&/*-* -&'?,- K5& /&,.4) %5 ,*% A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
&!&+50* '$05 S 8, ?24G. 051 A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
%1&!&'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, F$,943?4) %5+,%A,C A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
(1&!&/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' /4,. %5 %510 A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
B&!&+&'* /5()* S =A,? #$"E1. ;$/A A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
-$'*%& -?&!&?*/$', S =A, /A5, /&? '5/% A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
;$#,+, ;?&!&/&()* S =A, )$C#/ 724/ A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
(&-5+* +1&!&+*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C 2&F!4) 1*%,C A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
($)$-$ +?&!&@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, 7422 A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
'$15-5 '?&!&)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# E3&##4) %A, /A$C% A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
(*;&;& +&!&A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# F&%4 ;C5( %A, /5&%A A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
'&A*0+* '1&!&+&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# /&? ?$2) DA,*@'? A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
1&%,(* 1&!&%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% 142G4) @,5@', A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
0?5%* ?&!&@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C E&94 '$+A% A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C
0/&-$ /&!&1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ %&)4 A50,? A+, .14 2&?. 74/ )&5?C

X%- :%0. R"#0"
The fai past tense uenotes something that occuiieu faithei back in the past.
Typically in the time fiame of at least a few yeais pievious. It is noteu by the infix of
"-a-" anu the enu oi "E" of the veib is also changeu. The "-a" of the ioot veibs
changes to -"ile","-ite","-e" oi "-ise". The iules foi ueteimining which suffix is useu
aie complicateu an will be uetaileu in latei euitions.

Su

P%D'.2%4 :%0. R"#0"
The habitual past tense also iefeis to something that typically has happeneu in the
past, but not necessaiily anymoie. It is chaiacteiizeu by the infix of "-ai-" anu an
suffix infix of "-ag-" befoie the final vowel.
0)&+'&()*+* S . 1&94 &2/&5? #44, %A*0-;&'
1&+/*-*+* -&'?,- K5& 1&94 &2/&5? /&,.4) %5 ,*%
&++50*+* S 8, 1&? &2/&5? ?24G.
%1&+'50+*0*+* @*(1$0+* S H, 1&94 &2/&5? F$,943?4) %5+,%A,C
(1&+/5+*+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' 1&94 &2/&5? /4,. %5 %510
B&++&'*+* /5()* S =A,? 1&94 &2/&5? #$"E1. ;$/A
-$'*%& -&+?*/*+$', S =A, /A5, 1&? &2/&5? #44, '5/%
;$#,+, ;&+/&()*+* S =A, )$C#/ 1&94 &2/&5? 72$/
(&-5+* +1&++*?*+* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C 1&? &2/&5? 2&F!4) 1*%,C
($)$-$ +?&+@$%1$-*+* S =A, %C,, 1&? &2/&5? 7&224,
'$15-5 '?&+)*%*+* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# 1&? &2/&5? E3&##4) %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& +&+A&(*+* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# 1&? &2/&5? F$%4 ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* '1&++&/*+1* '&@,;& S <*0# 1&? &2/&5? #44, ?$2) DA,*@'?
1&%,(* 1&+%**0+*+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% 1&? &2/&5? 142G4) @,5@',
0?5%* ?&+@,'*+* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C 1&? &2/&5? E+94, '$+A%
0/&-$ /$&+1&?*@*+* B&-$ S W,,/ 1&94 &2/&5? %&)4 A50,?







S1
3"%- X2.2-" R"#0"
The neai futuie tense is useu to imply that something will happen in the neai futuie.
Typically within the time fiame of a uay oi a few uays. It may be the haiuest to
mastei, as they aie neaily inuistinguishable fiom the piesent tense, anu aie inueeu
spelleu the same way using a "-i-". It ielies completely on tonations anu is maikeu by
a iising in tone thioughout the woiu, as opposeu to the piesent tense the emphasis
is placeu on the "-i-" infix. It takes piactice. Consult youi local Nuhehe foi ciitiquing.
0#$'&()* S . 1$'' ), %A*0-;&'
1$/*-* -&'?, > K5& 1$'' ,*%
$+50* S 8, 1$'' /',,@
%1$'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, 1$'' D50B,C/, %5+,%A,C
(1$/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' 1$'' +5 %5 %510
B$+&'* /5()* S =A,? 1$'' )&? ;$/A
-$'*%& -$?*/$', S =A, /A5, 1$'' ), '5/%
;$#,+, ;$/&()* S =A, )$C#/ 1$'' ;'?
(&-5+* +1$+*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C 1$'' '*D- 1*%,C
($)$-$ +$@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, 1$'' ;*''
'$15-5 '$)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# 1$'' +C*) %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& +$A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# 1$'' D5(, ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* '1$+&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# 1$'' ), /5'# DA,*@'?
1&%,(* 1$%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% 1$'' A,'@ @,5@',
0?5%* ?$@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C 1$'' +$B, '$+A%
0/&-$ /$1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ 1$'' (*-, A50,?




S2
X%- X2.2-" R"#0"
The fai futuie tense is foitunately much easiei than the neai futuie tense. It is the
same as the piesent tense only that the piefix of "sa-" is placeu befoie all othei
piefixes. The fai futuie tense can geneially be useu to convey the iuea of moie than
a few uays to much faithei in the futuie.
?&0#+'&()* S . /+22 #4 %A*0-;&'
?&1+/*-* -&'?,> K5& /+22 ,*%
?&++50* S 8, /+22 /',,@
?&%1+'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, /+22 D50B,C/, %5+,%A,C
?&(1+/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' /+22 E$ %5 %510
?&B++&'* /5()* S =A,? /+22 #"5 ;$/A
-$'*%& ?&-+?*/$', S =A, /A5, /+22 #4 '5/%
;$#,+, ?&;+/&()* S =A, )$C#/ /+22 725
(&-5+* ?&+1++*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C /+22 2&F! 1*%,C
($)$-$ ?&++@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, /+22 7&22
'$15-5 ?&'+)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# /+22 E3&# %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& ?&++A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# /+22 F$%4 ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* ?&'1++&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# /+22 #4 /5'# DA,*@'?
1&%,(* ?&1+%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% /+22 142G @,5@',
0?5%* ?&?+@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C /+22 E+94 '$+A%
0/&-$ ?&/+1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ /+22 %&!4 A50,?

:"-0'0.'*" R"#0"
The peisistive moou gives the sense that something his happeneu anu it is 0.'44
cuiiently happening. It uses the geneial past tense infix of "-a-" anu a piefix of "pe-".
G40)&'&()* S . &% ?.+22 %A*0-;&'
G41&/*-* -&'?,- K5& &34 ?.+22 ,*%$0+
G4&+50* '$05 S 8, +? ?.+22 ?244G+,E 051
G4%1&'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, &34 ?.+22 F$,943?+,E %5+,%A,C
SS
G4(1&/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' &34 ?.+22 E$+,E %5 %510
G4B&+&'* /5()* S =A,? &34 ?.+22 #"5+,E ;$/A
-$'*%& G4-?&?*/$', S =A, /A5, +? ?.+22 '5/%
;$#,+, G4;?&/&()* S =A, )$C#/ &34 ?.+22 725+,E
(&-5+* G4+1&+*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C ?.+22 2&F!? 1*%,C
($)$-$ G4+?&@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, +? ?.+22 7&22+,E
'$15-5 G4'?&)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# +? ?.+22 E3&##+,E %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& G4+&A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# +? ?.+22 F$%+,E ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* G4'1&+&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# +? ?.+22 #4+,E ?$2) DA,*@'?
1&%,(* G41&%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% +? ?.+22 142G+,E @,5@',
0?5%* G4?&@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C +? ?.+22 E+9+,E '$+A%
0/&-$ G4/&1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ &34 ?.+22 %&!+,E A50,?

G.>"- 9"-D &+6';'1%.'+#0
Theie aie a few othei mouifications that can be uone with ioot veibs.
3"/%.'+#
It may be noticeu that up until this point that no negative tense of veibes have been
uiscusseu. This is because in Ikihehe, it is incieuibly simple. Negating veibs is veiy
easy in Kihehe because all one has to uo is place the "si-" piefix befoie the veib to
make it negative. Foi example:
?+0#$'&()* S . *( 05% %A*0-;&'
?+1$/*-* -&'?,> K5& #5 05% 1*0% %5 ,*%
?+$+50* '$05 S 8, #5,/ 05% /',,@/ 051
?+%1$'50+*0* @*(1$0+* S H, *C, 05% D50B,C/$0+ %5+,%A,C
?+(1$/5+1, -&)5(* S K5& *'' #5 05% +5 %5 %510
?+B$+&'* /5()* S =A,? #5 05% )&? ;$/A
-$'*%& ?+-$?*/$', S =A, /A5, $/ 05% '5/%
;$#,+, ?+;$/&()* S =A, )$C#/ #5 05% ;'?
S4
(&-5+* ?++1$+*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C #5,/ 05% '*D- 1*%,C
($)$-$ ?++$@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, #5,/ 05% ;*''
'$15-5 ?+'$)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# #5,/ 05% +C*) %A, /A$C%
(*;&;& ?++$A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# #5,/ 05% D5(, ;C5( %A, /5&%A
'&A*0+* ?+'1$+&/1* '&@,;& S <*0# $/ 05% /5'# DA,*@'?
1&%,(* ?+1$%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% #5,/ 05% A,'@ @,5@',
0?5%* ?+?$@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C #5,/ 05% +$B, '$+A%
0/&-$ ?+/$1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ #5 05% (*-,/ A50,?

V+&&%#60
}ust like in Kiswahili, simple commanus can come fiom just using a veib on its own.
"Longa!"- (<@,*-:
"uita!" - (X5F)
"Nega!" - (Y,%DAF:
Also like Kiswahili, by enuing the commanu with the lettei "e" it becomes moie
polite.
"Longe!"- (<@,*-:
"uite!" - (X5F)
"Nege!" - (Y,%DAF:
0ne may also place a specific auuiessee when using impeiatives.
"0longe!"- (K5&U /@,*-:
"Tugite!" - (3*? 1, #5F)
"vinege!" - (3*? %A,? ;,%DAF:
0ne can also negate commanus. This is simply uone by the auuition of a "-la-" aftei
the piefix uenoting the auuiessee.
"0lalonge!"- (X50V% ?5& /@,*-:
"Tulagite!" - (3*? 1, 05% #5F)
"vilanege!" - (3*? %A,? 05% ;,%DAF:
SS
You can also uenote that something is necessaiy by the use of the woiu "lasima",
just the same as "lazima" in Kiswahili.
"Lasima wilonga"- (K5& (&/% /@,*-:
"Lasima twigita!" - (H, (&/% #5)
"Lasima vinega!" - (=A,? (&/% ;,%DAF:
U";4"F'*"
You can also auu an auuitional infix of "-ki-" oi "-kwi-" to a veib to make it ieflexive.
The infix shoulu be placeu iight befoie the ioot veib. In Kiswahili this same feat is
accomplisheu with the use of "-ji-".
=1*!+'*B* S 7H, 1*%DA,# 5&C/,'B,/:
Q*!/+-,(,'* S7=A,? D*'' %A,(/,'B,/:
Y0'#/ *"-D0 %0 #+2#0
It is possible to conveit a veib gioup into a noun by the use of piefixes. This is
similai to the "amba-" 's of Kiswahili anu conveys the iuea "those who uo _______".
The piefix vaiies by noun class anu can be seen (with examples) below.
7289% )'#/24%- ? JN"BJ
?,$+50* '$05 S 8, 1A5 $/ /',,@$0+ 051
7289% :42-%4 ? J9"BJ
Q,B*+&'* /5()* S =A,? 1A5 )5&+A% ;$/A
@'8X' )'#/24%- ? JV>"BJ
-$'*%& DA,-$$?*/$', S =A, /A5, %A*% $/ '5/%
@'8X' :42-%4 ? JXS"BJ
;$#,+, ;?,;$/&()* S =A, )$C#/ 1A5 *C, ;'?$0+
7287' )'#/24%- ? J,A"BJ
(&-5+* +1,+1*+*?* '&',0+* S =A, C$B,C 1A$DA '*D-,# 1*%,C
7287' :42-%4 ? J,S"BJ
($)$-$ +?,+$@$%1$-* S =A, %C,, %A*% $/ ;*''$0+
W'87% )'#/24%- ? JW"BJ

S6
'$15-5 ','$)*%* (1,0#* S =A, A*0# %A*% +C*)/ %A, /A$C%
W'87% )'#/24%- ? J,"BJ
(*;&;& +,+*A&(* -&0,0* S=A, D'5&# %A*% D*(, ;C5( %A, /5&%A
W2 3+2# V4%00 ? JWA"BJ
'&A*0+* '1,'1$+&/1* '&@,;& S =A, /*0# %A*% $/ ),$0+ /5'# DA,*@'?
Q2 3+2# V4%00 ? JQ"BJ
1&%,(* 1,1$%**0+* B*0& S =A, +5B,C0(,0% %A*% A,'@/ @,5@',
383 )'#/24%- ? JN"BJ
0?5%* ?,?*@,'* '&0+V*'$ S =A, /%*C 1A$DA +*B, '$+A%
383 :42-%4 ? J)"BJ
0/&-$ /,/$1&?*@* B&-$ S W,,/ 1A$DA *C, (*-$0+ A50,?
















S7
Z2"0.'+# Q+-60
}ust as in Kiswahili, any statement can be tuineu into a question by the auuition of a
"question woiu" at the enu of the sentence. They aie inuepenuent of noun class with
the exception of the question expiessing the iuea "how many.".
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0>
- panili lini when
- ng'iki gani which
- yinani nani who
- kwi(ya) wapi wheie
- nuauli vipi how
- kumbi nuauli kwa nini why
NN Noun Class silinga ngapi how many
Nuva Noun Class valinga wangapi how many
KiFi Noun Class filinga vingapi how many
NuNi Noun Class gilinga mingapi how many
LiNa Noun Class galinga mengapi how many
- kiki nini what












S8
32&D"-0
As alluueu to above in the question woius above, numbei aie, once again,
uepenuent on the noun class.
Few Ikihehe speakeis actually use the numbeis past S as they aie much woiuiei
than the Kiswahili equivalents. So it is common to switch to numbeis in Kiswahili
aftei counting to S in Ikihehe.
Number Mu/Va Ki/Fi Mu/Mi Li/Ma Lu Wu N/N
1 yumwi kimwi gumwi limwi lumwi wumwi yimwi
2 vavili fivili givili gavili sivili
3 vadatu fidatu gidatu gadatu sidatu
4 vataye fitaye gitaye gataye sitaye
5 vahanu fihanu gihanu gahanu sihanu
6 vamutanda fimutanda gimutanda gamutanda simutanda
7 vamufungati fimufungati gimufungati gamufungati simufungati
8 vamunana fimunana gimunana gamunana simunana
9 vamugonza fimugonza gimugonza gamugonza simugonza
10 vanyichumi finyichumi ginyichumi ganyichumi sinyichumi
The othei thing to note is that theie aie no woius foi 2u, Su, 4u, etc. 0ne must say
2 tens, S tens, 4 tens.. The woiu foi tens anu hunuieus aie both in the LiNa noun
class. Theie aie also no woius foi million, billion, tiillion. 0ne must say "thousanu
thousanus" foi a million anu "thousanu thousanu thousanus" foi billion.
Ikihehe Kiswahili English
machumi makumi tens
ligana mia hundred
magana mamia hundreds
mbilima elfu thousand
Beie aie some examples of numbeis
S7 (Nuva Noun class) - Nachumi gauatu na vamufung'ati
8S (KiFi Noun class) - Nachumi gamunana na fiuatu
278 (NN Noun class) - Nagana gavili na machumi gamufung'ati na siumnana
1,uuu,uuu - Nbilima, mbilima
S9
W+1%.'*"0
As pieviously mentioneu, Ikihehe uses the kupamu nouns when iefeiiing to
places.
Ku-At oi aiounu a location
Pa- Aiounu oi neai a location (often useu when iefeiiing to time)
Nu- Insiue of something
In Kiswahili the suffix of "-ni" is placeu on the enu of nouns to uenote the noun is
actually a place. In Ikihehe, one uoes not use the suffix but iathei a piefix of "ku-",
"pa-" oi "mu-".
Examples of
"#$)$%* !")5(* 7. *( +5$0+ %5 %510:
H$;$-$%, !"35C5+5C5 7K5& A*B, *CC$B,# $0 35C5+5C5:
4B$-, %"-*?, 7Z'*D, $% $0 %A, A5&/,:
G5+,'* %"0?*0L* 78, /1*( $0 %A, '*-,:
=1$150*+* G&/%,0#$ 7H, 1$'' (,,% *C5&0# %A, /%*0#:
Q*-&/, G&-&),%* 7=A,? D*(, *% A*CB,/% %$(,:
The concept of time is slightly uiffeient in Ikihehe. The iuea of a timeline is veiy
piesent, anu thus speaking of points of time as places aie veiy common. The iuea of
elapseu time is less often useu then iefeiiing to specific events along the timeline.
|Siuenote: Foi the times that you uo iefei to elapse time, typically the numbei of
nights past is useu iathei than numbei of uays, almost as if nightimes aie points
along the timeline. So if something happeneu foui uays ago, you woulu say "foui
nights" (filo fitaye) ago.j
Finally, Ikihehe uoes not make quite as much use of the -ko,-po,-mo as veibs. In
oiuei to give the same iuea the veib "-li" is useu in auuition to the kupamu as a
piefix on the locations.
"#$2+ -&)5(* 7 . *( *% %510:
<5()* /$2+ (&)*A*'$ 7=A, ;$/A,/ *C, $0 %A, 5D,*0:
=1$2+ Z*(1$0+* 7H, *C, %5+,%A,C 5C N=&-5 @*(59*O:


4u
R>" T'1.'+#%-S
We have ieacheu the enu of the giammai section anu the pages that follow aie a
thiee way uictionaiy. Woius aie inuexeu fiist alphabetically by Ikihehe, then
Kiswahili, anu then English. The uecision to incluue Kiswahili was uone on the basis
that most of the woius leaineu weie leaineu thiough Kiswahili. Thus many woius
weie tianslateu fiom Ikihehe to Kiswahili to English. Because some uegieee of
accuiacy is lost with each tianslation the Kiswahili woius weie also incluueu.
A few notes:
-All aujectives anu numbeis aie without theii piopei noun class piefixes. It is hopeu
that the ieauei can fill in the blanks.
-Some woius have multiple tianslations because it was uifficult to zeio in on the
exact meaning. In the event of multiple tianslations, the actual tianslation piobably
lies somewheie inbetween.
-This woik is uefinitely iiuuleu with eiiois anu any input oi euits woulu always be
appieciateu.













41




<='>">" .+
@'0A%>'4'8C#/4'0>














42
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
aale sawa okay 0thei
apamwi pengine anothei timeplace 0thei
apangi labua maybe Auveib
apangi labua maybe 0thei
baazi baauhi some Noun (NN class)
bahali bahaii ocean Noun (NN class)
bahasha bahasha envelope Noun (NN class)
baisikeli baisikeli bicycle Noun (NN class)
baka paka smeai veib (Root)
balafu baiafu icesnow Noun (NN class)
balaka baiaka blessing Noun (NN class)
bata bata uuck Noun (NN class)
bata shika touch veib (Root)
benuela benueia flag Noun (NN class)
beta vuna haivest veib (Root)
bia bia beei Noun (NN class)
bita enua go veib (Root)
Implies uepaiting oi beginning a jouiney
boma mji town Noun (NN class)
boma jiji city Noun (NN class)
cha cha of
Pieposition (KiFi Noun
Class)
chai chai tea Noun (NN class)
chakulya chakula foou Noun (KiFi class)
chala kiuole fingei Noun (KiFi class)
chali mtoto mchanga infant Noun (KiFi class)
4S
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
chesa cheza uance veib (Root)
uaua baba yangu my fathei Noun (Nuva class)
uauaenyu baba yenu yall's fathei Noun (Nuva class)
uauawo baba yao theii fathei Noun (Nuva class)
uaue baba yake hishei fathei Noun (Nuva class)
uauetu baba yetu oui fathei Noun (Nuva class)
uauo baba yako youi fathei Noun (Nuva class)
uagige suuia intenu veib (Root)
uakika uakika minute Noun (NN class)
uanua uamu bloou Noun (NN class)
uatu tatu thiee Numbei
uegepela samehe foigive veib (Root)
uegepela samehe foigive veib (Root)
uemuka vunja bieak veib (Root)
uenya vunja bieak veib (Root)
uenyeka vunja bieak veib (Root)
uibuka iuka jump veib (Root)
uifayi mvino wine Noun (NN class)
uinua funga close veib (Root)
uinuula fungua open veib (Root)
uoboka po tayaii be ieauylong foi veib (Root)
uouo uogo small Root Aujectives
uogoii faiasi hoise Noun (NN class)
uope tope muu Noun (NN class)
uumula kata cut veib (Root)
uung'u ekunuu ieu Root Aujectives
44
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
elu eupe white Root Aujectives
enuesa enuesha uiive veib (Root)
fibakuli mabakuli bowls Noun (KiFi class)
fiuege nuege biius Noun (KiFi class)
fiuigi viuno waists Noun (KiFi class)
fiuinualilo funguo keys Noun (KiFi class)
figoua viti chaiis Noun (KiFi class)
fiina
mashimo
mauogo small holes Noun (KiFi class)
fikite fika aiiive veib (Root)
fikolo milango uooisgates Noun (KiFi class)
fila vile Those ones (fai) Bemonstiative (KiFi)
filatu viatu shoes Noun (KiFi class)
filinga vingapi how many Question Woiu
filo usiku nights Noun (KiFi class)
filovelo nyavu nets Noun (KiFi class)
filowoko vijito stieams Noun (KiFi class)
fimage visu knives Noun (KiFi class)
fimuoli muoli uolls Noun (KiFi class)
fingaamba viazi vitamu sweet potatoes Noun (KiFi class)
fingi vingine othei
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
finu vitu items Noun (KiFi class)
finywelo vikombe cups Noun (KiFi class)
fipelwa zawaui gifts Noun (KiFi class)
fipigo vitenuo actions Noun (KiFi class)
fipugu fyombo boats Noun (KiFi class)
4S
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
fisofu kengele bells Noun (KiFi class)
fisogo
migongo ya
vichwa backs of the heaus Noun (KiFi class)
fitungulu vitungu onions Noun (KiFi class)
fitungulu swaumu vitungu swalumu onions Noun (KiFi class)
fivalilo masaa houis Noun (KiFi class)
fivalilo masaa houis Noun (KiFi class)
fiya hifauhi piotect veib (Root)
fulugala choka be tiieu veib (Root)
fuva fua wash (clothes) veib (Root)
fwa kufa uie veib (Root)
fwala vaa weai veib (Root)
fwili nywele haii Noun (NN class)
fya vya of
Pieposition (KiFi Noun
Class)
fyaanga makabuii giaves Noun (KiFi class)
fyagila fagia sweep veib (Root)
fyakulya vyakula foous Noun (KiFi class)
fyala viuole fingeis Noun (KiFi class)
fyali watoto wachanga infants Noun (KiFi class)
fyolofu vingi many
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
fyooto mioto miuogo small fiies Noun (KiFi class)
fyula noa shaipen veib (Root)
fyuula vyuia fiogs Noun (KiFi class)
fyuunga vinamasi swamps Noun (KiFi class)
ga ya of
Pieposition (LiNa Noun
Class)
46
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
gaala lewa be uiunk veib (Root)
gala yale Those ones (fai) Bemonstiative (LiNa)
galinga mengapi how many Question Woiu
gangi mengine othei
AujectiveNoun (LiNa Noun
Class)
gatsu nene wiuefat Root Aujectives
gava tenga sepaiate veib (Root)
gaya kosa lackbe without veib (Root)
gela jaiibu tiy veib (Root)
gela jaiibu tiy veib (Root)
genua tembea walkmove aiounu veib (Root)
genua tembea walktiavel veib (Root)
gila ile Those ones (fai) Bemonstiative (NuNI)
gilinga mingapi how many Question Woiu
gima chimba uig veib (Root)
gingi nyingine othei
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
gita fanya uo veib (Root)
gona lala sleep veib (Root)
gongolesa bembeleza seuuceentice veib (Root)
gula ule That one (fai) Bemonstiative (NuNI)
gula nunua buy veib (Root)
gula nunua buy veib (Root)
gungi mwingine anothei
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
gusa uza sell veib (Root)
gwa wa of
Pieposition (NuNi Noun
Class)
47
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
gwa geuka fall veib (Root)
gwanua shati shiit Noun (NN class)
gwite shiba be satisfieu veib (Root)
haki haki iights Noun (NN class)
hanu tano five Numbei
hega onuoka uepait veib (Root)
heka cheka laugh veib (Root)
hela tu justonly 0thei
hela tokuwa be without veib (Root)
hele toka leave fiom veib (Root)
heluka chemka be boileu veib (Root)
helusa chemsha boil veib (Root)
higa jibu ieply veib (Root)
hisila iba steal veib (Root)
hisilwa ibiwa be stolen fiom veib (Root)
houesa piga houi knock veib (Root)
homba lipa pay veib (Root)
homba lipa pay veib (Root)
hosa fikiii think veib (Root)
hova panua climb mountain veib (Root)
hoya bembea veib (Root)
huuika kaza tighten veib (Root)
hufu baya bau Root Aujectives
huguva fauhaika be sauueneu veib (Root)
huma toka come fiom veib (Root)
hungila salimia gieet veib (Root)
48
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
hwehwe sisi weus Pionouns
icho hicho That one (neai) Bemonstiative (KiFi)
ifi hivi These ones Bemonstiative (KiFi)
ifyo hivyo Those ones (neai) Bemonstiative (KiFi)
iga haya These ones Bemonstiative (LiNa)
igi hii These ones Bemonstiative (NuNI)
igisa funuisha teach veib (Root)
igo hayo Those ones (neai) Bemonstiative (LiNa)
igo hiyo Those ones (neai) Bemonstiative (NuNI)
iki hiki This one Bemonstiative (KiFi)
ili hili This one Bemonstiative (LiNa)
ililia panua climb(tiee) veib (Root)
ilo hilo That one (neai) Bemonstiative (LiNa)
ima simama stanu veib (Root)
imba soma ieau veib (Root)
This can also mean "to sing", so note context
imba imba sing veib (Root)
This can also mean "to ieau", so note context
ingila ingia entei veib (Root)
ino lakini buthowevei Conjunction
ipa hapa Beie Bemonstiative (Locatives)
ipo hapo Theie (Neai) Bemonstiative (Locatives)
isi hizi These ones Bemonstiative (NN)
iso hizo Those ones (neai) Bemonstiative (NN)
iva hawa These ones Bemonstiative (Nuva)
ivo hawo Those ones (neai) Bemonstiative (Nuva)
49
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
iwo huo That one (neai) Bemonstiative (Wu)
iyi hii This one Bemonstiative (NN)
iyigisa jifunza leain veib (Root)
iyingi nyingine anothei
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
iyo hiyo That one (neai) Bemonstiative (NN)
ja ya of
Pieposition (NuNi Noun
Class)
jilani kaiibu neai Auveibs
kaanga kabuii giave Noun (KiFi class)
kahawa kahawa coffee Noun (NN class)
kala kaa sitstay veib (Root)
kala ishi live veib (Root)
kalava nawa wash(hanus) veib (Root)
kamwene Bello uieeting
kangi tena again Auveib
kasi kazi woik Noun (NN class)
katila palilia weeuingupiooting veib (Root)
kavala nawa wash (bouy paits) veib (Root)
kaye nyumba house Noun (NN class)
kefu chache few Root Aujectives
kehesiga cheza uance veib (Root)
kemela ita call veib (Root)
kemelwa itwa calleu veib (Root)
kibakuli bakuli bowl Noun (KiFi class)
kiuege nuege biiu Noun (KiFi class)
kiuinualilo ufunguo key Noun (KiFi class)
Su
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
kifuku masika iainy season Noun (KiFi class)
kifulufumbi uhaiuba stoim Noun (KiFi class)
kigiui kiuno waist Noun (KiFi class)
kigoua kiti chaii Noun (KiFi class)
kiina shimo nuogo small hole Noun (KiFi class)
kiki nini what Question Woiu
kikolo mlango uooigate Noun (KiFi class)
kila kile That one (fai) Bemonstiative (KiFi)
kilatu kiatu shoe Noun (KiFi class)
kilo usiku night Noun (KiFi class)
kilovelo wavu net Noun (KiFi class)
kilowoko kijito stieam Noun (KiFi class)
kimage kisu knife Noun (KiFi class)
kimbila kimbia iun veib (Root)
kimuoli muoli uoll Noun (KiFi class)
kimunyi siku moja one uay Noun (KiFi class)
Conveys the sense of "a ceitain uay"
kimunyi siku uay Noun (KiFi class)
kimunyi kikomi siku kuu holiuay Noun (KiFi class)
kina cheza uance veib (Root)
kina cheza uance veib (Root)
kingaamba kiazi kitamu sweet potato Noun (KiFi class)
kingi kingine anothei
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
kinu kitu thing Noun (KiFi class)
kinywelo kikombe cup Noun (KiFi class)
S1
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
kipelwa zawaui gift Noun (KiFi class)
kipigo kitenuo action Noun (KiFi class)
kipugu chombo boat Noun (KiFi class)
kisofu kengele bell Noun (KiFi class)
kisogo
mgongo wa
kichwa back of the heau Noun (KiFi class)
kitungulu kintungu onion Noun (KiFi class)
kitungulu swaumu
kintungu
swalumu onion Noun (KiFi class)
kivalilo saa houi Noun (KiFi class)
kivalilo saa houi Noun (KiFi class)
koua chukua take fiom someone veib (Root)
kofuga safisha clean veib (Root)
kofuga osha wash veib (Root)
koga oga bathe veib (Root)
kolela hitaji neeu veib (Root)
komi kubwa laige Root Aujectives
kooto moto muogo small fiie Noun (KiFi class)
kuchanya juu up Locative
kuuogo chini bottom Locative
kufuka Kazakasini Noith Locative
kuimila kaiibu neai Locative
kuka babu yangu my gianufathei Noun (Nuva class)
kukawo babu yawo theii gianufathei Noun (Nuva class)
kuke babu yake hishei gianufathei Noun (Nuva class)
kukenyu babu yenu yall's gianufathei Noun (Nuva class)
kuketu babu yetu oui gianufathei Noun (Nuva class)
S2
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
kuko babu yako youi gianufathei Noun (Nuva class)
kulya kula eat veib (Root)
kumbi nuauli kwa nini why Question Woiu
kumihago Nashaiiki East Locative
kunuyo kulia iight Locative
kunena Kusini South Locative
kung'igi kushoto left Locative
kunywa kunywa uiink veib (Root)
kusa kuja come veib (Root)
kusika Naghaiibi West Locative
kutaali mbali fai away Locative
kutali mbali fai Locative
kuula chuia fiog Noun (KiFi class)
kuunga kinamasi swamp Noun (KiFi class)
kuva na kuwa na to have veib (Root)
kwi nacho kuwa na to be with veib (Root)
kwi(ya) wapi wheie Question Woiu
kwila tosha be enough veib (Root)
kwivala njee outsiue Locative
lagila onyesha show veib (Root)
lamka amka wake up veib (Root)
langi iangi coloi Noun (NN class)
lava ona seewatch veib (Root)
leka acha leave alone veib (Root)
lianuasi aanuazi uoughnut Noun (LiNa class)
libauilike bauiliko change Noun (LiNa class)
SS
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
liblangeti blanketi blanket Noun (LiNa class)
liboga boga pumpkin Noun (LiNa class)
lifufu wingu clouu Noun (LiNa class)
ligalu pambano conflict Noun (LiNa class)
ligana mia hunuieu Numbei
ligobole shilingi coin Noun (LiNa class)
ligulu mguu legfeet Noun (LiNa class)
liho jicho eye Noun (LiNa class)
lihosa wazo thought Noun (LiNa class)
liino jino tooth Noun (LiNa class)
likalatasi kaiatasi papei Noun (LiNa class)
likang'a yai egg Noun (LiNa class)
likanisa kanisa chuich Noun (LiNa class)
likasi soko maiket Noun (LiNa class)
likombo shimo pithole Noun (LiNa class)
lila lile That one (fai) Bemonstiative (LiNa)
lilakali hasiia angei Noun (LiNa class)
limemi umeme electiicitylightning Noun (LiNa class)
limi lima cultivate veib (Root)
lingi lingine anothei
AujectiveNoun (LiNa Noun
Class)
lipuliko sikio eai Noun (LiNa class)
lisaasi iisasi bullet Noun (LiNa class)
lisiva maziwa milk Noun (LiNa class)
lisoka pepo evil spiiit Noun (LiNa class)
lisuva jua sun Noun (LiNa class)
S4
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
liswi sauti voice Noun (LiNa class)
litawa jina name Noun (LiNa class)
litosani kiazi potato Noun (LiNa class)
livafi kiwavi cateipillai Noun (LiNa class)
livega bega shouluei Noun (LiNa class)
liveleko tunua fiuit Noun (LiNa class)
liwoko mkono aimhanu Noun (LiNa class)
lolofu wengi many
AujectiveNoun (Lu Noun
Class)
longa ongea speak veib (Root)
longa zumgumza conveise veib (Root)
longa sema speak veib (Root)
longana zumgumza conveise veib (Root)
longela ambia tell veib (Root)
longela ambia tell veib (Root)
lova somba vua samaki go fishing veib (Root)
luuali uweza poweiability Noun (Lu class)
luuouo kiuogo a bit Auveibs
luuugo shiua tiouble Noun (Lu class)
lufuuwo amani faithtiust Noun (Lu class)
lugenuo safaii jouiney Noun (Lu class)
lugumu ngumu stiong Auveib
luhaanga mchanga sanu Noun (Lu class)
luhala akili intelligence Noun (Lu class)
luhekelo fuiaha joy Noun (Lu class)
luhufu vibaya bau Auveib
SS
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
luhwanite inawezekana it is possible 0thei
lukani jambo issues Noun (Lu class)
lukani habaii news Noun (Lu class)
lukanzi ukuta wall Noun (Lu class)
lukolo jamaa biotheihoou Noun (Lu class)
lula ule That one (fai) Bemonstiative (Lu)
lulagilo aigizo oiueisinstiuctions Noun (Lu class)
lulenga maji watei Noun (Lu class)
lumba shukuiu be thankful veib (Root)
lung'ali taa light Noun (Lu class)
lungi wengine anothei
AujectiveNoun (Lu Noun
Class)
lunofu vizuii well Auveibs
lupefu iahisi easy Auveib
lupefu iaihisi easy Auveibs
lusika muua time Noun (Lu class)
lusika luuouo muua mfupi shoit time Noun (Lu class)
lusiku siku moja a ceitain uay Noun (Lu class)
luteefu mkeka ieeu mat Noun (Lu class)
lutego mtego tiap Noun (Lu class)
luwungo haiusi weuuing Noun (Lu class)
lwa wa of Pieposition (Lu Noun Class)
lwenua upenuo love Noun (Lu class)
lwenuo upenuo loving Noun (Lu class)
lwigiso funuisho teaching Noun (Lu class)
lwiifwi kinyonga chameleon Noun (Lu class)
S6
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
lwiimbo wimbo song Noun (Lu class)
lwisa giza uaikness Noun (Lu class)
lya la of
Pieposition (LiNa Noun
Class)
maanuasi maanuazi uoughnuts Noun (LiNa class)
mabauilike mabauiliko changes Noun (LiNa class)
mablangeti blanketi blankets Noun (LiNa class)
maboga maboga pumpkins Noun (LiNa class)
machumi makumi tens Numbei
machumi gauatu thelathini thiity Numbei
machumi gahano hamsini fifty Numbei
machumi
gamufung'ati sabini seventy Numbei
machumi
gamugonza tisini ninety Numbei
machumi
gamunana themanini eighty Numbei
machumi
gamutanua sitini sixty Numbei
machumi gavili ishiiini twenty Numbei
machumi mataye aiobaini foity Numbei
mafufu mawingu clouus Noun (LiNa class)
magalu mapambano conflicts Noun (LiNa class)
magana mamia hunuieus Numbei
magobole shilingi coins Noun (LiNa class)
magulu miguu legsfeet Noun (LiNa class)
mahaiage mahaiage beans Noun (LiNa class)
mahosa mawazo thoughts Noun (LiNa class)
S7
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
makalatasi makaiatasi papeis Noun (LiNa class)
makang'a mayai eggs Noun (LiNa class)
makanisa makanisa chuiches Noun (LiNa class)
makasi masoko maikets Noun (LiNa class)
makombo mashimo holes Noun (LiNa class)
manyanya nyanya tomatoes Noun (LiNa class)
mapulikilo masikio eais Noun (LiNa class)
masaasi iisasi bullets Noun (LiNa class)
masebele mahinui maize Noun (LiNa class)
masoka pepo evil spiiits Noun (LiNa class)
maswi sauti voices Noun (LiNa class)
matawa majina names Noun (LiNa class)
matosani viazi potatoes Noun (LiNa class)
mavafi viwavi cateipillais Noun (LiNa class)
mavega mabega shoulueis Noun (LiNa class)
maveleko matunua fiuits Noun (LiNa class)
mawoko mikono aimshanus Noun (LiNa class)
mayeye alizeti sunflowei Noun (LiNa class)
mbalilo namba numbei Noun (NN class)
mbefili vyote all (of thesethem)
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
mbegali yote all (of thesethem)
AujectiveNoun (LiNa Noun
Class)
mbegalo kabila tiibe Noun (NN class)
mbegalo kabila tiibe Noun (NN class)
mbegili yote all (of thesethem)
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
S8
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
mbeguli wote all (of it)
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
mbekili chote all (of it)
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
mbekuli wote all (of you)
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
mbelili lote all (of it)
AujectiveNoun (LiNa Noun
Class)
mbeluli wote all (of it)
AujectiveNoun (Lu Noun
Class)
mbemuli wote all (of himhei)
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
mbenuili wote all (of me)
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
mbesili zote all (of thesethem)
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
mbetuli wote all (of us)
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
mbevali wote all (of you all)
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
mbevali wote all (of them)
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
mbewuli wote all (of it)
AujectiveNoun (Wu Noun
Class)
mbeyili yote all (of it)
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
mbi baya bau Root Aujectives
mbilima elfu thousanu Numbei
muala mwanawake woman Noun (Nuva class)
mene mbuzi goat Noun (NN class)
mgosi mwanaume man Noun (Nuva class)
mibiki miti tiees Noun (NuNi class)
S9
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
mibumo sauti sounus Noun (NuNi class)
mifuniko vifuniko coveis Noun (NuNi class)
migiigi vivuli shauows Noun (NuNi class)
migongo migongo backs Noun (NuNi class)
migunua mashamba fielus Noun (NuNi class)
miho macho eyes Noun (LiNa class)
mihogo mihogo cassavas Noun (NuNi class)
miina mashimo holes Noun (NuNi class)
miino meno teeth Noun (LiNa class)
mikate mikate bieaus Noun (NuNi class)
mikoga mito iiveis Noun (NuNi class)
milau kesho tomoiiow Locative
mileme matumbo stomachs Noun (NuNi class)
milomo miuomo mouths Noun (NuNi class)
milyango milango uoois Noun (NuNi class)
misetuni mizeituni olives Noun (NuNi class)
mituka magaii cais Noun (NuNi class)
mitwe vichwa heaus Noun (NuNi class)
mivili miili bouies Noun (NuNi class)
mlimi mkulima faimei Noun (Nuva class)
mlofi mvuvi fisheiman Noun (Nuva class)
mnyalugenuo abiiia passengei Noun (Nuva class)
moga nyoa shave veib (Root)
molofu mengi many
AujectiveNoun (LiNa Noun
Class)
moto moto fiie Noun (NuNi class)
6u
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
muanafunzi mwanafunzi stuuent Noun (Nuva class)
mubiki mti tiee Noun (NuNi class)
mubumo sauti sounu Noun (NuNi class)
muuouo mtoto chilu Noun (Nuva class)
muuogo chini bottom Locative
mufung'ati saba seven Root Numbei
mufuniko kifuniko covei Noun (NuNi class)
mugasi mzazi paient Noun (Nuva class)
mugasi mzazi paient Noun (Nuva class)
mugatala mvivu lazy peison Noun (Nuva class)
mugensi mgeni guest Noun (Nuva class)
mugenzi mgeni guest Noun (Nuva class)
mugongo mgongo back Noun (NuNi class)
mugonza tisa nine Root Numbei
mugosi mume husbanu Noun (Nuva class)
Theie is no woiu foi husbanu. A wife has a "man"
mugunua shamba fielu Noun (NuNi class)
mugutsa muzaji salespeion Noun (Nuva class)
muhasa uaua sistei Noun (Nuva class)
muhe ioho spiiit Noun (Nuva class)
muhinza msichana giil Noun (Nuva class)
muhogo mhogo cassava Noun (NuNi class)
mukami mtumwa seivant Noun (Nuva class)
mukate mkate bieau Noun (NuNi class)
mukoga mto iivei Noun (NuNi class)
mukwe mke wife Noun (Nuva class)
61
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
mulagusi mchawi soiceioi Noun (Nuva class)
mulomo muomo mouth Noun (NuNi class)
mulyango mlango uooi Noun (NuNi class)
mumikaa maskini pooi peison Noun (Nuva class)
munana nane eight Root Numbei
muniya mwongo liai Noun (Nuva class)
munono tajiii iich peison Noun (Nuva class)
munwi mnywaji uiinkei Noun (Nuva class)
munyakilambo mvulana boy Noun (Nuva class)
munyalukolo kaka biothei Noun (Nuva class)
Not useu when auuiessing a specific biothei
munyalukolo nuugu ielative Noun (Nuva class)
munyo chumvi salt Noun (NuNi class)
mupufi mpumbavu iuiot Noun (Nuva class)
musaaua msaaua help Noun (NuNi class)
musele mchele uncookeu iice Noun (NuNi class)
musetuni mzeituni olive Noun (NuNi class)
mutalii mtalii Touiist Noun (Nuva class)
mutambule mheshimiwa iespecteu peison Noun (Nuva class)
mutamwa mgonjwa patient Noun (Nuva class)
mutanua sita six Root Numbei
mutele mpishi cook Noun (Nuva class)
mutesi mtega tiappei Noun (Nuva class)
mutuka gaii cai Noun (NuNi class)
Nutwa bwana sii Noun (Nuva class)
mutwe kichwa heau Noun (NuNi class)
62
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
muvaha mzee eluei Noun (Nuva class)
muvili mwili bouy Noun (NuNi class)
muvisi nabii piophet Noun (Nuva class)
muyangu iafiki fiienu Noun (Nuva class)
mvina mkuu boss Noun (Nuva class)
mwaasi mjenzi builuei Noun (Nuva class)
mwaka mwaka yeai Noun (NuNi class)
mwalamwala polepole slowly Auveibs
mwalive binti uaughtei Noun (Nuva class)
mwana mwana son Noun (Nuva class)
mwenua nguo gaiment Noun (NuNi class)
mwene yeye heshe Pionouns
mwesi mwezi month Noun (NuNi class)
mwi moja one Root Numbei
mwigiigi kivuli shauow Noun (NuNi class)
mwigisa mwalimu teachei Noun (Nuva class)
mwiina shimo hole Noun (NuNi class)
mwileme tumbo stomach Noun (NuNi class)
mwimbi mwimbaji singei Noun (Nuva class)
mwinga moja one Root Numbei
mwivala njee in the outsiue Locative
myaka miaka yeais Noun (NuNi class)
myenua nguo gaiments Noun (NuNi class)
myesi miezi months Noun (NuNi class)
myolofu mingi many
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
6S
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
myoto moto fiies Noun (NuNi class)
na na anu Conjunction
nachene ukweli tiuth Noun (NN class)
nachene kweli tiulyieally 0thei
nave pia alsotoo Auveib
nua kama like 0thei
nuagilo sheiia law Noun (NN class)
nuauli vipi how Question Woiu
nuave alafu then Auveib
nui ni isaie veib (Root)
nuisi nuizi bananas Noun (NN class)
nuolo fahaii gloiy Noun (NN class)
nuongele lugha language Noun (NN class)
nuonya mvua iain Noun (NN class)
nuowo nuoo bucket Noun (NN class)
nuuuika bisi popcoin Noun (NN class)
nega chota fetch veib (Root)
nene mimi Ime Pionouns
ng'ala upepo winu Noun (NN class)
ng'ala baiiui colu Noun (NN class)
ng'ani jambo thing Noun (NN class)
ng'ani mambo things Noun (NN class)
ng'asi baiabaia ioau Noun (NN class)
ng'eie mbweha foxjackal Noun (NN class)
ng'i nchi countiy Noun (NN class)
ng'iki gani which Question Woiu
64
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
ng'ila iuka jump veib (Root)
ng'oko mnyama animalbeast Noun (NN class)
ng'olo koonuo sheep Noun (NN class)
ng'olo kabila tiibe Noun (NN class)
ng'uku kuku chicken Noun (NN class)
ngamiya ngamia camel Noun (NN class)
ngengesi nyota stai Noun (NN class)
ngubi nguiuwe pig Noun (NN class)
Nguluvi Nungu uou Noun (Nuva class)
ninila fuata follow veib (Root)
ninile fuata follow veib (Root)
nnyi ulimwengu univeise Noun (NN class)
nofu zuii goou Root Aujectives
noga penueza be likeu veib (Root)
nonela busu kiss veib (Root)
nsala njaa hungei Noun (NN class)
nsingi nyingine othei
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
nsolofu nyingi many
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
numbula moyo heaitsoul Noun (NN class)
nyama nyama meat Noun (NN class)
nyamagava Nungu uou Noun (NN class)
nyanya nyanya tomato Noun (NN class)
nyanza ziwa lake Noun (NN class)
nyasi mbu insectmosquito Noun (NN class)
nyau paka cat Noun (NN class)
6S
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
nyenye nyinyi you all Pionouns
nyichumi kumi ten Root Numbei
nyongise samahani excuse me 0thei
nzagala kuni fiiewoou Noun (NN class)
nzihosi machozi teai Noun (NN class)
nzisimu baiiui colu Noun (NN class)
nzuki nyuki bee Noun (NN class)
ogela ogalea swim veib (Root)
pakuva kwa sababu ieason 0thei
pala pale Theie (Fai) Bemonstiative (Locatives)
pala paiuza sciatch veib (Root)
palula
kesho kutwa,
kutwa
uay aftei, uay aftei
tomoiiow Locative
pamihe jioni evening Locative
pamilau asubuhi moining Locative
pamunyi mchana afteinoon Locative
panili lini when Question Woiu
papa bibi yangu my gianumothei Noun (Nuva class)
papawo bibi yao theii gianumothei Noun (Nuva class)
pape bibi yake hishei gianumothei Noun (Nuva class)
papenyu bibi yenu yall's gianumothei Noun (Nuva class)
papetu bibi yetu oui gianumothei Noun (Nuva class)
papo bibi yako youi gianumothei Noun (Nuva class)
pata pata ieceive veib (Root)
pataali mbali na locateu fai Locative
paucha kesho kutwa uay aftei tomoiiow Locative
66
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
pefu epesi light (not heavy) Root Aujectives
pela pa give veib (Root)
pesa lipesa money Noun (LiNa class)
pesa mapesa monies Noun (LiNa class)
piga kasi fanya kazi uo woik veib (Root)
pigaga fanya always uoes veib (Root)
pilipili hoho pilipili hoho bell peppei Noun (NN class)
pilipili mbusi pilipili mbuzi Noun (NN class)
piluka iuui ietuin veib (Root)
pitula itika ieply veib (Root)
pitwika geuka fall veib (Root)
pona pona heal veib (Root)
pulika sikia heai veib (Root)
pulikisa sikiliza listen veib (Root)
pungusa punguza ueciease veib (Root)
pwali kwepo be piesent veib (Root)
pwali kwepo be piesent veib (Root)
pwali kwepo to be aiounu veib (Root)
pya pya new Root Aujectives
sa za of
Pieposition (NN Noun
Class)
saka taka want veib (Root)
If object of wanting isn't specifieu, sexual uesiie is implieu
saka tafuta seaich veib (Root)
If object of seaiching isn't specifieu, sexual uesiie is often implieu
sala saa houi Noun (NN class)
67
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
sala abuuu woiship veib (Root)
sambi ili in oiuei that 0thei
sasavala shangaa be suipiiseu veib (Root)
senga ng'ombe cow Noun (NN class)
senga jenga builu veib (Root)
sengwa jengwa be built veib (Root)
shule shule school Noun (NN class)
si (ye) si is notaie not veib (Root)
siinua maliza finish veib (Root)
sila zile Those ones (fai) Bemonstiative (NN)
sila kwisha to be finisheu veib (Root)
silinga ngapi how many Question Woiu
sinuika peleka senu out veib (Root)
sinuilisa maliza finish veib (Root)
sogwe enua going veib (Root)
Implies that the tiip oi going is alieauy in piogiess
somba samaki fish Noun (NN class)
suhaii sukaii sugai Noun (NN class)
suka omba iequest veib (Root)
sumba iuka fly veib (Root)
supa pumzika ielax veib (Root)
susi juzi uay befoie yesteiuay Noun (NN class)
swe kwa hiyo sotheiefoie 0thei
taanga saiuia help veib (Root)
talamu gumu haiu Root Aujectives
tali iefu longtallfai Root Aujectives
68
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
tang'ana onana meet veib (Root)
taye nne foui Root Numbei
tegula chukua take veib (Root)
tegula pokea take veib (Root)
teleka pika cook veib (Root)
tema tawala iule veib (Root)
teng'emala kaa sit veib (Root)
tigila sema say veib (Root)
tigila sema say veib (Root)
titu eusi blackuaik Root Aujectives
tosa tupa thiow veib (Root)
tova piga stiike veib (Root)
tuma tuma senu veib (Root)
twika beba caiiy veib (Root)
tyavanuka teleza sliue veib (Root)
ugo huo That one (neai) Bemonstiative (NuNI)
ugu huu This one Bemonstiative (NuNI)
ukagula jua know veib (Root)
ukagula fahamu be familiai with veib (Root)
ukagula elewa unueistanu veib (Root)
ulo huo That one (neai) Bemonstiative (Lu)
ulu huu This one Bemonstiative (Lu)
uwu huu This one Bemonstiative (Wu)
uyo huyo That one (neai) Bemonstiative (Nuva)
uyu huyu This one Bemonstiative (Nuva)
va wa of Pieposition (Nuva Noun)
69
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
vaanga aanza begin veib (Root)
vaasi wajenzi builueis Noun (Nuva class)
vauala wanawake women Noun (Nuva class)
vauouo watoto chiluien Noun (Nuva class)
vagatala wavivu lazy peison Noun (Nuva class)
vagensi wageni guests Noun (Nuva class)
vagenzi wageni guests Noun (Nuva class)
vagosi wanaume men Noun (Nuva class)
vagosi waume husbanus Noun (Nuva class)
Theie is no woiu foi husbanu. A wife has a "man"
vagutsa wauzaji salespeople Noun (Nuva class)
vahasa uaua sisteis Noun (Nuva class)
Not useu when auuiessing a specific sistei
vahe ioho spiiit Noun (Nuva class)
vahinza wasichana giils Noun (Nuva class)
vakami watumwa seivants Noun (Nuva class)
vakwe wake wives Noun (Nuva class)
vala wale Those ones (fai) Bemonstiative (Nuva)
valagusi wachawi soiceieis Noun (Nuva class)
valilwa hesabiwa be counteu veib (Root)
valimi wakulima faimeis Noun (Nuva class)
valinga wangapi how many Question Woiu
valive binti uayghteis Noun (Nuva class)
valofi wavuvi Fisheimen Noun (Nuva class)
vamikaa maskini pooi people Noun (Nuva class)
vana wana sons Noun (Nuva class)
7u
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
vanafunzi wanafunzi stuuents Noun (Nuva class)
vangi wengine othei
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
vaniya waongo liais Noun (Nuva class)
vanono Natajiii iich people Noun (Nuva class)
vanwi wanywaji uiinkeis Noun (Nuva class)
vanyakilambo wavulana boys Noun (Nuva class)
vanyalugenuo abiiia passengeis Noun (Nuva class)
vanyalukolo kaka biotheis Noun (Nuva class)
Not useu when auuiessing a specific biothei
vanyalukolo nuugu ielatives Noun (Nuva class)
vapufi wapumbavu iuiots Noun (Nuva class)
vatalii watalii touiist Noun (Nuva class)
vatambule waheshimiwa iespecteu people Noun (Nuva class)
vatamwa wagonjwa patients Noun (Nuva class)
vatele wapishi cooks Noun (Nuva class)
vatema seiikali authoiities Noun (Nuva class)
vatesi watega tiappeis Noun (Nuva class)
vatwa bwana siis Noun (Nuva class)
vava uma huit veib (Root)
vavaha wazee elueis Noun (Nuva class)
vavina wakuu bosses Noun (Nuva class)
vavisi manabii piophets Noun (Nuva class)
vawa umwa be ill veib (Root)
vawo wao they Pionouns
vayangu maiafiki fiienus Noun (Nuva class)
71
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
vegasi wazazi paients Noun (Nuva class)
vemba lia ciy veib (Root)
vesaga tokea happen veib (Root)
vesaga tokea happen veib (Root)
veve wewe you Pionouns
vicha tengeneza make veib (Root)
vicha aanua piepaie veib (Root)
vigisa walimu teacheis Noun (Nuva class)
vika weka place veib (Root)
vili mbili two Root Numbei
vimbi waimbaji singeis Noun (Nuva class)
vipa kasiiika be angiy veib (Root)
volofu wengi many
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
vuki asali honey Noun (NN class)
wa wa of
Pieposition (Wu Noun
Class)
wala au oi Conjunction
wali wali iice Noun (NN class)
wanuike maanuiko wiitings Noun (Wu class)
wenua penua like veib (Root)
wenue tamani willuesiie Noun (Wu class)
wene kuta founu veib (Root)
wesa weza able veib (Root)
weuli Bello Again uieeting
wikalakunoga salaama peace Noun (Wu class)
wiki wiki week Noun (NN class)
72
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
wolo njegeie peas Noun (Wu class)
wolofu wengi many
AujectiveNoun (Wu Noun
Class)
wona ona see veib (Root)
wonela onea feel about veib (Root)
wonela onea be ashameu of veib (Root)
wongelesa ongeza inciease veib (Root)
wopola vua unuiess veib (Root)
wuangufu kasi speeu Noun (Wu class)
wuuesi uwongo lieueceit Noun (Wu class)
wuelu utakatifu puiityholiness Noun (Wu class)
wugali ugali ugali Noun (Wu class)
wugofu woga feai Noun (Wu class)
wuiyooga uyoga mushioom Noun (Wu class)
wuka kumbuka iemembei veib (Root)
wuka lugenuo safiii tiavel veib (Root)
wula ule That one (fai) Bemonstiative (Wu)
wulime kilimo cultivating Noun (Wu class)
wumi maisha life Noun (Wu class)
wunani ioho soul Noun (Wu class)
wungi wengine anothei
AujectiveNoun (Wu Noun
Class)
wunono utajiii wealth Noun (Wu class)
wunu utajiii wealth Noun (Wu class)
wupya upya ienewing Noun (Wu class)
wusa kumbusha ieminu veib (Root)
wuse uliza ask veib (Root)
7S
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>
wutamwa ugonjwa illness Noun (Wu class)
wutema seiikali goveinmentkinguom Noun (Wu class)
wutitu weusi blackness Noun (Wu class)
wuyapa tengeneza iepaiibuilu veib (Root)
ya ya of
Pieposition (NN Noun
Class)
yasile potea be lost veib (Root)
yasilwe potewa be lost veib (Root)
ye ni is veib (Root)
yila ile That one (fai) Bemonstiative (NN)
yinani nani who Question Woiu
yula yule That one (fai) Bemonstiative (Nuva)
yungi mwingine anothei
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
yuva mama yangu my mothei Noun (Nuva class)
yuvawo mama yao theii mothei Noun (Nuva class)
yuve mama yake hishei mothei Noun (Nuva class)
yuvenyu mama yenu yall's mothei Noun (Nuva class)
yuvetu mama yetu oui mothei Noun (Nuva class)
yuvo mama yako youi mothei Noun (Nuva class)







74






C#/4'0> .+
<='>">"8@'0A%>'4'














7S
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
a bit luuouo kiuogo Auveibs
a ceitain uay lusiku siku moja Noun (Lu class)
able wesa weza veib (Root)
action kipigo kitenuo Noun (KiFi class)
actions fipigo vitenuo Noun (KiFi class)
afteinoon pamunyi mchana Locative
again kangi tena Auveib
all (of himhei) mbemuli wote
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
all (of it) mbeguli wote
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
all (of it) mbekili chote
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
all (of it) mbelili lote
AujectiveNoun (LiNa
Noun Class)
all (of it) mbeluli wote
AujectiveNoun (Lu Noun
Class)
all (of it) mbewuli wote
AujectiveNoun (Wu Noun
Class)
all (of it) mbeyili yote
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
all (of me) mbenuili wote
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
all (of them) mbevali wote
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
all (of thesethem) mbefili vyote
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
all (of thesethem) mbegali yote
AujectiveNoun (LiNa
Noun Class)
all (of thesethem) mbegili yote
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
all (of thesethem) mbesili zote AujectiveNoun (NN Noun)
76
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
all (of us) mbetuli wote
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
all (of you all) mbevali wote
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
all (of you) mbekuli wote
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
alsotoo nave pia Auveib
always uoes pigaga fanya veib (Root)
anu na na Conjunction
angei lilakali hasiia Noun (LiNa class)
animalbeast ng'oko mnyama Noun (NN class)
anothei gungi mwingine
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
anothei iyingi nyingine
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
anothei kingi kingine
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
anothei lingi lingine
AujectiveNoun (LiNa
Noun Class)
anothei lungi wengine
AujectiveNoun (Lu Noun
Class)
anothei wungi wengine
AujectiveNoun (Wu Noun
Class)
anothei yungi mwingine
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
anothei timeplace apamwi pengine 0thei
aimhanu liwoko mkono Noun (LiNa class)
aimshanus mawoko mikono Noun (LiNa class)
aiiive fikite fika veib (Root)
ask wuse uliza veib (Root)
authoiities vatema seiikali Noun (Nuva class)
77
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
back mugongo mgongo Noun (NuNi class)
back of the heau kisogo
mgongo wa
kichwa Noun (KiFi class)
backs migongo migongo Noun (NuNi class)
backs of the heaus fisogo
migongo ya
vichwa Noun (KiFi class)
bau hufu baya Root Aujectives
bau luhufu vibaya Auveib
bau mbi baya Root Aujectives
bananas nuisi nuizi Noun (NN class)
bathe koga oga veib (Root)
be angiy vipa kasiiika veib (Root)
be ashameu of wonela onea veib (Root)
be boileu heluka chemka veib (Root)
be built sengwa jengwa veib (Root)
be counteu valilwa hesabiwa veib (Root)
be uiunk gaala lewa veib (Root)
be enough kwila tosha veib (Root)
be familiai with ukagula fahamu veib (Root)
be ill vawa umwa veib (Root)
be likeu noga penueza veib (Root)
be lost yasile potea veib (Root)
be lost yasilwe potewa veib (Root)
be piesent pwali kwepo veib (Root)
be piesent pwali kwepo veib (Root)
be ieauylong foi uoboka po tayaii veib (Root)
be sauueneu huguva fauhaika veib (Root)
78
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
be satisfieu gwite shiba veib (Root)
be stolen fiom hisilwa ibiwa veib (Root)
be suipiiseu sasavala shangaa veib (Root)
be thankful lumba shukuiu veib (Root)
be tiieu fulugala choka veib (Root)
be without hela tokuwa veib (Root)
beans mahaiage mahaiage Noun (LiNa class)
bee nzuki nyuki Noun (NN class)
beei bia bia Noun (NN class)
begin vaanga aanza veib (Root)
begin vaanga aanza veib (Root)
bell kisofu kengele Noun (KiFi class)
bell peppei pilipili hoho pilipili hoho Noun (NN class)
bells fisofu kengele Noun (KiFi class)
bicycle baisikeli baisikeli Noun (NN class)
biiu kiuege nuege Noun (KiFi class)
biius fiuege nuege Noun (KiFi class)
blackuaik titu eusi Root Aujectives
blackness wutitu weusi Noun (Wu class)
blanket liblangeti blanketi Noun (LiNa class)
blankets mablangeti blanketi Noun (LiNa class)
blessing balaka baiaka Noun (NN class)
bloou uanua uamu Noun (NN class)
boat kipugu chombo Noun (KiFi class)
boats fipugu fyombo Noun (KiFi class)
bouies mivili miili Noun (NuNi class)
79
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
bouy muvili mwili Noun (NuNi class)
boil helusa chemsha veib (Root)
boss mvina mkuu Noun (Nuva class)
bosses vavina wakuu Noun (Nuva class)
bottom kuuogo chini Locative
bottom muuogo chini Locative
bowl kibakuli bakuli Noun (KiFi class)
bowls fibakuli mabakuli Noun (KiFi class)
boy munyakilambo mvulana Noun (Nuva class)
boys vanyakilambo wavulana Noun (Nuva class)
bieau mukate mkate Noun (NuNi class)
bieaus mikate mikate Noun (NuNi class)
bieak uemuka vunja veib (Root)
bieak uenya vunja veib (Root)
bieak uenyeka vunja veib (Root)
biothei munyalukolo kaka Noun (Nuva class)
Not useu when auuiessing a specific biothei
biotheihoou lukolo jamaa Noun (Lu class)
biotheis vanyalukolo kaka Noun (Nuva class)
Not useu when auuiessing a specific biothei
bucket nuowo nuoo Noun (NN class)
builu senga jenga veib (Root)
builuei mwaasi mjenzi Noun (Nuva class)
builueis vaasi wajenzi Noun (Nuva class)
bullet lisaasi iisasi Noun (LiNa class)
bullets masaasi iisasi Noun (LiNa class)
8u
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
buthowevei ino lakini Conjunction
buy gula nunua veib (Root)
buy gula nunua veib (Root)
call kemela ita veib (Root)
calleu kemelwa itwa veib (Root)
camel ngamiya ngamia Noun (NN class)
cai mutuka gaii Noun (NuNi class)
caiiy twika beba veib (Root)
cais mituka magaii Noun (NuNi class)
cassava muhogo mhogo Noun (NuNi class)
cassavas mihogo mihogo Noun (NuNi class)
cat nyau paka Noun (NN class)
cateipillai livafi kiwavi Noun (LiNa class)
cateipillais mavafi viwavi Noun (LiNa class)
chaii kigoua kiti Noun (KiFi class)
chaiis figoua viti Noun (KiFi class)
chameleon lwiifwi kinyonga Noun (Lu class)
change libauilike bauiliko Noun (LiNa class)
changes mabauilike mabauiliko Noun (LiNa class)
chicken ng'uku kuku Noun (NN class)
chilu muuouo mtoto Noun (Nuva class)
chiluien vauouo watoto Noun (Nuva class)
chuich likanisa kanisa Noun (LiNa class)
chuiches makanisa makanisa Noun (LiNa class)
city boma jiji Noun (NN class)
clean kofuga safisha veib (Root)
81
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
climb (mountain) hova panua veib (Root)
climb(tiee) ililia panua veib (Root)
close uinua funga veib (Root)
clouu lifufu wingu Noun (LiNa class)
clouus mafufu mawingu Noun (LiNa class)
coffee kahawa kahawa Noun (NN class)
coin ligobole shilingi Noun (LiNa class)
coins magobole shilingi Noun (LiNa class)
colu ng'ala baiiui Noun (NN class)
colu nzisimu baiiui Noun (NN class)
coloi langi iangi Noun (NN class)
come kusa kuja veib (Root)
come fiom huma toka veib (Root)
conflict ligalu pambano Noun (LiNa class)
conflicts magalu mapambano Noun (LiNa class)
conveise longa zumgumza veib (Root)
conveise longana zumgumza veib (Root)
cook mutele mpishi Noun (Nuva class)
cook teleka pika veib (Root)
cooks vatele wapishi Noun (Nuva class)
countiy ng'i nchi Noun (NN class)
covei mufuniko kifuniko Noun (NuNi class)
coveis mifuniko vifuniko Noun (NuNi class)
cow senga ng'ombe Noun (NN class)
ciy vemba lia veib (Root)
cultivate limi lima veib (Root)
82
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
cultivating wulime kilimo Noun (Wu class)
cup kinywelo kikombe Noun (KiFi class)
cups finywelo vikombe Noun (KiFi class)
cut uumula kata veib (Root)
uance chesa cheza veib (Root)
uance kehesiga cheza veib (Root)
uance kina cheza veib (Root)
uance kina cheza veib (Root)
uaikness lwisa giza Noun (Lu class)
uaughtei mwalive binti Noun (Nuva class)
uay kimunyi siku Noun (KiFi class)
uay aftei tomoiiow paucha kesho kutwa Locative
uay aftei, uay aftei
tomoiiow palula
kesho kutwa,
kutwa Locative
uay befoie yesteiuay susi juzi Noun (NN class)
uayghteis valive binti Noun (Nuva class)
ueciease pungusa punguza veib (Root)
uepait hega onuoka veib (Root)
uie fwa kufa veib (Root)
uig gima chimba veib (Root)
uo gita fanya veib (Root)
uo woik piga kasi fanya kazi veib (Root)
uoll kimuoli muoli Noun (KiFi class)
uolls fimuoli muoli Noun (KiFi class)
uooi mulyango mlango Noun (NuNi class)
uooigate kikolo mlango Noun (KiFi class)
8S
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
uoois milyango milango Noun (NuNi class)
uooisgates fikolo milango Noun (KiFi class)
uoughnut lianuasi aanuazi Noun (LiNa class)
uoughnuts maanuasi maanuazi Noun (LiNa class)
uiink kunywa kunywa veib (Root)
uiinkei munwi mnywaji Noun (Nuva class)
uiinkeis vanwi wanywaji Noun (Nuva class)
uiive enuesa enuesha veib (Root)
uuck bata bata Noun (NN class)
eai lipuliko sikio Noun (LiNa class)
eais mapulikilo masikio Noun (LiNa class)
East kumihago Nashaiiki Locative
easy lupefu iahisi Auveib
easy lupefu iaihisi Auveibs
eat kulya kula veib (Root)
egg likang'a yai Noun (LiNa class)
eggs makang'a mayai Noun (LiNa class)
eight munana nane Root Numbei
eighty
machumi
gamunana themanini Numbei
eluei muvaha mzee Noun (Nuva class)
elueis vavaha wazee Noun (Nuva class)
electiicitylightning limemi umeme Noun (LiNa class)
entei ingila ingia veib (Root)
envelope bahasha bahasha Noun (NN class)
evening pamihe jioni Locative
84
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
evil spiiit lisoka pepo Noun (LiNa class)
evil spiiits masoka pepo Noun (LiNa class)
excuse me nyongise samahani 0thei
eye liho jicho Noun (LiNa class)
eyes miho macho Noun (LiNa class)
faithtiust lufuuwo amani Noun (Lu class)
fall gwa geuka veib (Root)
fall pitwika geuka veib (Root)
fai kutali mbali Locative
fai away kutaali mbali Locative
faimei mlimi mkulima Noun (Nuva class)
faimeis valimi wakulima Noun (Nuva class)
feai wugofu woga Noun (Wu class)
feel about wonela onea veib (Root)
fetch nega chota veib (Root)
few kefu chache Root Aujectives
fielu mugunua shamba Noun (NuNi class)
fielus migunua mashamba Noun (NuNi class)
fifty machumi gahano hamsini Numbei
fingei chala kiuole Noun (KiFi class)
fingeis fyala viuole Noun (KiFi class)
finish siinua maliza veib (Root)
finish sinuilisa maliza veib (Root)
fiie moto moto Noun (NuNi class)
fiies myoto moto Noun (NuNi class)
fiiewoou nzagala kuni Noun (NN class)
8S
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
fish somba samaki Noun (NN class)
fisheiman mlofi mvuvi Noun (Nuva class)
Fisheimen valofi wavuvi Noun (Nuva class)
five hanu tano Numbei
flag benuela benueia Noun (NN class)
fly sumba iuka veib (Root)
follow ninila fuata veib (Root)
follow ninile fuata veib (Root)
foou chakulya chakula Noun (KiFi class)
foous fyakulya vyakula Noun (KiFi class)
foigive uegepela samehe veib (Root)
foigive uegepela samehe veib (Root)
foity machumi mataye aiobaini Numbei
founu wene kuta veib (Root)
foui taye nne Root Numbei
foxjackal ng'eie mbweha Noun (NN class)
fiienu muyangu iafiki Noun (Nuva class)
fiienus vayangu maiafiki Noun (Nuva class)
fiog kuula chuia Noun (KiFi class)
fiogs fyuula vyuia Noun (KiFi class)
fiuit liveleko tunua Noun (LiNa class)
fiuits maveleko matunua Noun (LiNa class)
gaiment mwenua nguo Noun (NuNi class)
gaiments myenua nguo Noun (NuNi class)
gift kipelwa zawaui Noun (KiFi class)
gifts fipelwa zawaui Noun (KiFi class)
86
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
giil muhinza msichana Noun (Nuva class)
giils vahinza wasichana Noun (Nuva class)
give pela pa veib (Root)
gloiy nuolo fahaii Noun (NN class)
go bita enua veib (Root)
go fishing lova somba vua samaki veib (Root)
Implies uepaiting oi beginning a jouiney
goat mene mbuzi Noun (NN class)
uou Nguluvi Nungu Noun (Nuva class)
uou nyamagava Nungu Noun (NN class)
going sogwe enua veib (Root)
Implies that the tiip oi going is alieauy in piogiess
goou nofu zuii Root Aujectives
goveinmentkinguom wutema seiikali Noun (Wu class)
giave kaanga kabuii Noun (KiFi class)
giaves fyaanga makabuii Noun (KiFi class)
gieet hungila salimia veib (Root)
guest mugensi mgeni Noun (Nuva class)
guest mugenzi mgeni Noun (Nuva class)
guests vagensi wageni Noun (Nuva class)
guests vagenzi wageni Noun (Nuva class)
haii fwili nywele Noun (NN class)
happen vesaga tokea veib (Root)
happen vesaga tokea veib (Root)
haiu talamu gumu Root Aujectives
haivest beta vuna veib (Root)
87
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
heshe mwene yeye Pionouns
heau mutwe kichwa Noun (NuNi class)
heaus mitwe vichwa Noun (NuNi class)
heal pona pona veib (Root)
heai pulika sikia veib (Root)
heaitsoul numbula moyo Noun (NN class)
Bello kamwene uieeting
Bello Again weuli uieeting
help musaaua msaaua Noun (NuNi class)
help taanga saiuia veib (Root)
Beie ipa hapa Bemonstiative (Locatives)
hishei fathei uaue baba yake Noun (Nuva class)
hishei gianufathei kuke babu yake Noun (Nuva class)
hishei gianumothei pape bibi yake Noun (Nuva class)
hishei mothei yuve mama yake Noun (Nuva class)
hole mwiina shimo Noun (NuNi class)
holes makombo mashimo Noun (LiNa class)
holes miina mashimo Noun (NuNi class)
holiuay kimunyi kikomi siku kuu Noun (KiFi class)
honey vuki asali Noun (NN class)
hoise uogoii faiasi Noun (NN class)
houi kivalilo saa Noun (KiFi class)
houi kivalilo saa Noun (KiFi class)
houi sala saa Noun (NN class)
houis fivalilo masaa Noun (KiFi class)
houis fivalilo masaa Noun (KiFi class)
88
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
house kaye nyumba Noun (NN class)
how nuauli vipi Question Woiu
how many filinga vingapi Question Woiu
how many galinga mengapi Question Woiu
how many gilinga mingapi Question Woiu
how many silinga ngapi Question Woiu
how many valinga wangapi Question Woiu
hunuieu ligana mia Numbei
hunuieus magana mamia Numbei
hungei nsala njaa Noun (NN class)
huit vava uma veib (Root)
husbanu mugosi mume Noun (Nuva class)
Theie is no woiu foi husbanu. A wife has a "man"
husbanus vagosi waume Noun (Nuva class)
Ime nene mimi Pionouns
icesnow balafu baiafu Noun (NN class)
iuiot mupufi mpumbavu Noun (Nuva class)
iuiots vapufi wapumbavu Noun (Nuva class)
illness wutamwa ugonjwa Noun (Wu class)
in oiuei that sambi ili 0thei
in the outsiue mwivala njee Locative
inciease wongelesa ongeza veib (Root)
infant chali mtoto mchanga Noun (KiFi class)
infants fyali watoto wachanga Noun (KiFi class)
insectmosquito nyasi mbu Noun (NN class)
intelligence luhala akili Noun (Lu class)
89
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
intenu uagige suuia veib (Root)
is ye ni veib (Root)
is notaie not si (ye) si veib (Root)
isaie nui ni veib (Root)
issues lukani jambo Noun (Lu class)
it is possible luhwanite inawezekana 0thei
items finu vitu Noun (KiFi class)
jouiney lugenuo safaii Noun (Lu class)
joy luhekelo fuiaha Noun (Lu class)
jump uibuka iuka veib (Root)
jump ng'ila iuka veib (Root)
justonly hela tu 0thei
key kiuinualilo ufunguo Noun (KiFi class)
keys fiuinualilo funguo Noun (KiFi class)
kiss nonela busu veib (Root)
knife kimage kisu Noun (KiFi class)
knives fimage visu Noun (KiFi class)
knock houesa piga houi veib (Root)
know ukagula jua veib (Root)
lackbe without gaya kosa veib (Root)
lake nyanza ziwa Noun (NN class)
language nuongele lugha Noun (NN class)
laige komi kubwa Root Aujectives
laugh heka cheka veib (Root)
law nuagilo sheiia Noun (NN class)
lazy peison mugatala mvivu Noun (Nuva class)
9u
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
lazy peison vagatala wavivu Noun (Nuva class)
leain iyigisa jifunza veib (Root)
leave alone leka acha veib (Root)
leave fiom hele toka veib (Root)
left kung'igi kushoto Locative
legfeet ligulu mguu Noun (LiNa class)
legsfeet magulu miguu Noun (LiNa class)
liai muniya mwongo Noun (Nuva class)
liais vaniya waongo Noun (Nuva class)
lieueceit wuuesi uwongo Noun (Wu class)
life wumi maisha Noun (Wu class)
light lung'ali taa Noun (Lu class)
light (not heavy) pefu epesi Root Aujectives
like nua kama 0thei
like wenua penua veib (Root)
listen pulikisa sikiliza veib (Root)
live kala ishi veib (Root)
locateu fai pataali mbali na Locative
longtallfai tali iefu Root Aujectives
love lwenua upenuo Noun (Lu class)
loving lwenuo upenuo Noun (Lu class)
maize masebele mahinui Noun (LiNa class)
make vicha tengeneza veib (Root)
man mgosi mwanaume Noun (Nuva class)
many fyolofu vingi
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
91
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
many lolofu wengi
AujectiveNoun (Lu Noun
Class)
many molofu mengi
AujectiveNoun (LiNa
Noun Class)
many myolofu mingi
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
many nsolofu nyingi
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
many volofu wengi
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
many wolofu wengi
AujectiveNoun (Wu Noun
Class)
maiket likasi soko Noun (LiNa class)
maikets makasi masoko Noun (LiNa class)
maybe apangi labua Auveib
maybe apangi labua 0thei
meat nyama nyama Noun (NN class)
meet tang'ana onana veib (Root)
men vagosi wanaume Noun (Nuva class)
milk lisiva maziwa Noun (LiNa class)
minute uakika uakika Noun (NN class)
money pesa lipesa Noun (LiNa class)
monies pesa mapesa Noun (LiNa class)
month mwesi mwezi Noun (NuNi class)
months myesi miezi Noun (NuNi class)
moining pamilau asubuhi Locative
mouth mulomo muomo Noun (NuNi class)
mouths milomo miuomo Noun (NuNi class)
muu uope tope Noun (NN class)
92
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
mushioom wuiyooga uyoga Noun (Wu class)
my fathei uaua baba yangu Noun (Nuva class)
my gianufathei kuka babu yangu Noun (Nuva class)
my gianumothei papa bibi yangu Noun (Nuva class)
my mothei yuva mama yangu Noun (Nuva class)
name litawa jina Noun (LiNa class)
names matawa majina Noun (LiNa class)
neai jilani kaiibu Auveibs
neai kuimila kaiibu Locative
neeu kolela hitaji veib (Root)
net kilovelo wavu Noun (KiFi class)
nets filovelo nyavu Noun (KiFi class)
new pya pya Root Aujectives
news lukani habaii Noun (Lu class)
night kilo usiku Noun (KiFi class)
nights filo usiku Noun (KiFi class)
nine mugonza tisa Root Numbei
ninety
machumi
gamugonza tisini Numbei
Noith kufuka Kazakasini Locative
numbei mbalilo namba Noun (NN class)
ocean bahali bahaii Noun (NN class)
of cha cha
Pieposition (KiFi Noun
Class)
of fya vya
Pieposition (KiFi Noun
Class)
of ga ya
Pieposition (LiNa Noun
Class)
9S
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
of gwa wa
Pieposition (NuNi Noun
Class)
of ja ya
Pieposition (NuNi Noun
Class)
of lwa wa Pieposition (Lu Noun Class)
of lya la
Pieposition (LiNa Noun
Class)
of sa za
Pieposition (NN Noun
Class)
of va wa
Pieposition (Nuva Noun
Class)
of wa wa
Pieposition (Wu Noun
Class)
of ya ya
Pieposition (NN Noun
Class)
okay aale sawa 0thei
olive musetuni mzeituni Noun (NuNi class)
olives misetuni mizeituni Noun (NuNi class)
one mwi moja Root Numbei
one mwinga moja Root Numbei
one uay kimunyi siku moja Noun (KiFi class)
Conveys the sense of "a ceitain uay"
onion kitungulu kintungu Noun (KiFi class)
onion kitungulu swaumu
kintungu
swalumu Noun (KiFi class)
onions fitungulu vitungu Noun (KiFi class)
onions fitungulu swaumu vitungu swalumu Noun (KiFi class)
open uinuula fungua veib (Root)
oi wala au Conjunction
oiueisinstiuctions lulagilo aigizo Noun (Lu class)
94
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
othei fingi vingine
AujectiveNoun (KiFi Noun
Class)
othei gangi mengine
AujectiveNoun (LiNa
Noun Class)
othei gingi nyingine
AujectiveNoun (NuNi
Noun Class)
othei nsingi nyingine
AujectiveNoun (NN Noun
Class)
othei vangi wengine
AujectiveNoun (Nuva
Noun Class)
oui fathei uauetu baba yetu Noun (Nuva class)
oui gianufathei kuketu babu yetu Noun (Nuva class)
oui gianumothei papetu bibi yetu Noun (Nuva class)
oui mothei yuvetu mama yetu Noun (Nuva class)
outsiue kwivala njee Locative
papei likalatasi kaiatasi Noun (LiNa class)
papeis makalatasi makaiatasi Noun (LiNa class)
paient mugasi mzazi Noun (Nuva class)
paient mugasi mzazi Noun (Nuva class)
paients vegasi wazazi Noun (Nuva class)
paients vegasi wazazi Noun (Nuva class)
passengei mnyalugenuo abiiia Noun (Nuva class)
passengeis vanyalugenuo abiiia Noun (Nuva class)
patient mutamwa mgonjwa Noun (Nuva class)
patients vatamwa wagonjwa Noun (Nuva class)
pay homba lipa veib (Root)
pay homba lipa veib (Root)
peace wikalakunoga salaama Noun (Wu class)
9S
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
peas wolo njegeie Noun (Wu class)
pig ngubi nguiuwe Noun (NN class)
pithole likombo shimo Noun (LiNa class)
place vika weka veib (Root)
pooi people vamikaa maskini Noun (Nuva class)
pooi peison mumikaa maskini Noun (Nuva class)
popcoin nuuuika bisi Noun (NN class)
potato litosani kiazi Noun (LiNa class)
potatoes matosani viazi Noun (LiNa class)
poweiability luuali uweza Noun (Lu class)
piepaie vicha aanua veib (Root)
piophet muvisi nabii Noun (Nuva class)
piophets vavisi manabii Noun (Nuva class)
piotect fiya hifauhi veib (Root)
pumpkin liboga boga Noun (LiNa class)
pumpkins maboga maboga Noun (LiNa class)
puiityholiness wuelu utakatifu Noun (Wu class)
iain nuonya mvua Noun (NN class)
iainy season kifuku masika Noun (KiFi class)
ieau imba soma veib (Root)
This can also mean "to sing", so note context
ieason pakuva kwa sababu 0thei
ieceive pata pata veib (Root)
ieu uung'u ekunuu Root Aujectives
ieeu mat luteefu mkeka Noun (Lu class)
ielative munyalukolo nuugu Noun (Nuva class)
96
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
ielatives vanyalukolo nuugu Noun (Nuva class)
ielax supa pumzika veib (Root)
iemembei wuka kumbuka veib (Root)
ieminu wusa kumbusha veib (Root)
ienewing wupya upya Noun (Wu class)
iepaiibuilu wuyapa tengeneza veib (Root)
ieply higa jibu veib (Root)
ieply pitula itika veib (Root)
iequest suka omba veib (Root)
iespecteu people vatambule waheshimiwa Noun (Nuva class)
iespecteu peison mutambule mheshimiwa Noun (Nuva class)
ietuin piluka iuui veib (Root)
iice wali wali Noun (NN class)
iich people vanono Natajiii Noun (Nuva class)
iich peison munono tajiii Noun (Nuva class)
iight kunuyo kulia Locative
iights haki haki Noun (NN class)
iivei mukoga mto Noun (NuNi class)
iiveis mikoga mito Noun (NuNi class)
ioau ng'asi baiabaia Noun (NN class)
iule tema tawala veib (Root)
iun kimbila kimbia veib (Root)
salespeople vagutsa wauzaji Noun (Nuva class)
salespeion mugutsa muzaji Noun (Nuva class)
salt munyo chumvi Noun (NuNi class)
sanu luhaanga mchanga Noun (Lu class)
97
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
say tigila sema veib (Root)
school shule shule Noun (NN class)
sciatch pala paiuza veib (Root)
seaich saka tafuta veib (Root)
If object of seaiching isn't specifieu, sexual uesiie is often implieu
seuuceentice gongolesa bembeleza veib (Root)
see wona ona veib (Root)
seewatch lava ona veib (Root)
sell gusa uza veib (Root)
senu tuma tuma veib (Root)
senu out sinuika peleka veib (Root)
sepaiate gava tenga veib (Root)
seivant mukami mtumwa Noun (Nuva class)
seivants vakami watumwa Noun (Nuva class)
seven mufung'ati saba Root Numbei
seventy
machumi
gamufung'ati sabini Numbei
shauow mwigiigi kivuli Noun (NuNi class)
shauows migiigi vivuli Noun (NuNi class)
shaipen fyula noa veib (Root)
shave moga nyoa veib (Root)
sheep ng'olo koonuo Noun (NN class)
shiit gwanua shati Noun (NN class)
shoe kilatu kiatu Noun (KiFi class)
shoes filatu viatu Noun (KiFi class)
shoit time lusika luuouo muua mfupi Noun (Lu class)
98
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
shouluei livega bega Noun (LiNa class)
shoulueis mavega mabega Noun (LiNa class)
show lagila onyesha veib (Root)
sing imba imba veib (Root)
This can also mean "to ieau", so note context
singei mwimbi mwimbaji Noun (Nuva class)
singeis vimbi waimbaji Noun (Nuva class)
sii Nutwa bwana Noun (Nuva class)
siis vatwa bwana Noun (Nuva class)
sistei muhasa uaua Noun (Nuva class)
sisteis vahasa uaua Noun (Nuva class)
Not useu when auuiessing a specific sistei
sit teng'emala kaa veib (Root)
sitstay kala kaa veib (Root)
six mutanua sita Root Numbei
sixty
machumi
gamutanua sitini Numbei
sleep gona lala veib (Root)
sliue tyavanuka teleza veib (Root)
slowly mwalamwala polepole Auveibs
small uouo uogo Root Aujectives
small fiie kooto moto muogo Noun (KiFi class)
small fiies fyooto mioto miuogo Noun (KiFi class)
small hole kiina shimo nuogo Noun (KiFi class)
small holes fiina mashimo mauogo Noun (KiFi class)
smeai baka paka veib (Root)
99
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
sotheiefoie swe kwa hiyo 0thei
some baazi baauhi Noun (NN class)
son mwana mwana Noun (Nuva class)
song lwiimbo wimbo Noun (Lu class)
sons vana wana Noun (Nuva class)
soiceieis valagusi wachawi Noun (Nuva class)
soiceioi mulagusi mchawi Noun (Nuva class)
soul wunani ioho Noun (Wu class)
sounu mubumo sauti Noun (NuNi class)
sounus mibumo sauti Noun (NuNi class)
South kunena Kusini Locative
speak longa ongea veib (Root)
speak longa sema veib (Root)
speeu wuangufu kasi Noun (Wu class)
spiiit muhe ioho Noun (Nuva class)
spiiit vahe ioho Noun (Nuva class)
stanu ima simama veib (Root)
stai ngengesi nyota Noun (NN class)
steal hisila iba veib (Root)
stomach mwileme tumbo Noun (NuNi class)
stomachs mileme matumbo Noun (NuNi class)
stoim kifulufumbi uhaiuba Noun (KiFi class)
stieam kilowoko kijito Noun (KiFi class)
stieams filowoko vijito Noun (KiFi class)
stiike tova piga veib (Root)
stiong lugumu ngumu Auveib
1uu
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stuuent muanafunzi mwanafunzi Noun (Nuva class)
stuuents vanafunzi wanafunzi Noun (Nuva class)
sugai suhaii sukaii Noun (NN class)
sun lisuva jua Noun (LiNa class)
sunflowei mayeye alizeti Noun (LiNa class)
swamp kuunga kinamasi Noun (KiFi class)
swamps fyuunga vinamasi Noun (KiFi class)
sweep fyagila fagia veib (Root)
sweet potato kingaamba kiazi kitamu Noun (KiFi class)
sweet potatoes fingaamba viazi vitamu Noun (KiFi class)
swim ogela ogalea veib (Root)
take tegula chukua veib (Root)
take tegula pokea veib (Root)
take fiom someone koua chukua veib (Root)
tea chai chai Noun (NN class)
teach igisa funuisha veib (Root)
teachei mwigisa mwalimu Noun (Nuva class)
teacheis vigisa walimu Noun (Nuva class)
teaching lwigiso funuisho Noun (Lu class)
teai nzihosi machozi Noun (NN class)
teeth miino meno Noun (LiNa class)
tell longela ambia veib (Root)
tell longela ambia veib (Root)
ten nyichumi kumi Root Numbei
tens machumi makumi Numbei
That one (fai) gula ule Bemonstiative (NuNI)
1u1
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That one (fai) kila kile Bemonstiative (KiFi)
That one (fai) lila lile Bemonstiative (LiNa)
That one (fai) lula ule Bemonstiative (Lu)
That one (fai) wula ule Bemonstiative (Wu)
That one (fai) yila ile Bemonstiative (NN)
That one (fai) yula yule Bemonstiative (Nuva)
That one (neai) icho hicho Bemonstiative (KiFi)
That one (neai) ilo hilo Bemonstiative (LiNa)
That one (neai) iwo huo Bemonstiative (Wu)
That one (neai) iyo hiyo Bemonstiative (NN)
That one (neai) ugo huo Bemonstiative (NuNI)
That one (neai) ulo huo Bemonstiative (Lu)
That one (neai) uyo huyo Bemonstiative (Nuva)
theii fathei uauawo baba yao Noun (Nuva class)
theii gianufathei kukawo babu yawo Noun (Nuva class)
theii gianumothei papawo bibi yao Noun (Nuva class)
theii mothei yuvawo mama yao Noun (Nuva class)
then nuave alafu Auveib
Theie (Fai) pala pale Bemonstiative (Locatives)
Theie (Neai) ipo hapo Bemonstiative (Locatives)
These ones ifi hivi Bemonstiative (KiFi)
These ones iga haya Bemonstiative (LiNa)
These ones igi hii Bemonstiative (NuNI)
These ones isi hizi Bemonstiative (NN)
These ones iva hawa Bemonstiative (Nuva)
they vawo wao Pionouns
1u2
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
thing kinu kitu Noun (KiFi class)
thing ng'ani jambo Noun (NN class)
things ng'ani mambo Noun (NN class)
think hosa fikiii veib (Root)
thiity machumi gauatu thelathini Numbei
This one iki hiki Bemonstiative (KiFi)
This one ili hili Bemonstiative (LiNa)
This one iyi hii Bemonstiative (NN)
This one ugu huu Bemonstiative (NuNI)
This one ulu huu Bemonstiative (Lu)
This one uwu huu Bemonstiative (Wu)
This one uyu huyu Bemonstiative (Nuva)
Those ones (fai) fila vile Bemonstiative (KiFi)
Those ones (fai) gala yale Bemonstiative (LiNa)
Those ones (fai) gila ile Bemonstiative (NuNI)
Those ones (fai) sila zile Bemonstiative (NN)
Those ones (fai) vala wale Bemonstiative (Nuva)
Those ones (neai) ifyo hivyo Bemonstiative (KiFi)
Those ones (neai) igo hayo Bemonstiative (LiNa)
Those ones (neai) igo hiyo Bemonstiative (NuNI)
Those ones (neai) iso hizo Bemonstiative (NN)
Those ones (neai) ivo hawo Bemonstiative (Nuva)
thought lihosa wazo Noun (LiNa class)
thoughts mahosa mawazo Noun (LiNa class)
thousanu mbilima elfu Numbei
thiee uatu tatu Numbei
1uS
C#/4'0> <='>">" @'0A%>'4' :%-. +; )E""1>
thiow tosa tupa veib (Root)
tighten huuika kaza veib (Root)
time lusika muua Noun (Lu class)
to be aiounu pwali kwepo veib (Root)
to be finisheu sila kwisha veib (Root)
to be with kwi nacho kuwa na veib (Root)
to have kuva na kuwa na veib (Root)
tomato nyanya nyanya Noun (NN class)
tomatoes manyanya nyanya Noun (LiNa class)
tomoiiow milau kesho Locative
tooth liino jino Noun (LiNa class)
touch bata shika veib (Root)
Touiist mutalii mtalii Noun (Nuva class)
touiist vatalii watalii Noun (Nuva class)
town boma mji Noun (NN class)
tiap lutego mtego Noun (Lu class)
tiappei mutesi mtega Noun (Nuva class)
tiappeis vatesi watega Noun (Nuva class)
tiavel wuka lugenuo safiii veib (Root)
tiee mubiki mti Noun (NuNi class)
tiees mibiki miti Noun (NuNi class)
tiibe mbegalo kabila Noun (NN class)
tiibe mbegalo kabila Noun (NN class)
tiibe ng'olo kabila Noun (NN class)
tiouble luuugo shiua Noun (Lu class)
tiulyieally nachene kweli 0thei
1u4
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tiuth nachene ukweli Noun (NN class)
tiy gela jaiibu veib (Root)
tiy gela jaiibu veib (Root)
twenty machumi gavili ishiiini Numbei
two vili mbili Root Numbei
ugali wugali ugali Noun (Wu class)
uncookeu iice musele mchele Noun (NuNi class)
unueistanu ukagula elewa veib (Root)
unuiess wopola vua veib (Root)
univeise nnyi ulimwengu Noun (NN class)
up kuchanya juu Locative
voice liswi sauti Noun (LiNa class)
voices maswi sauti Noun (LiNa class)
waist kigiui kiuno Noun (KiFi class)
waists fiuigi viuno Noun (KiFi class)
wake up lamka amka veib (Root)
walkmove aiounu genua tembea veib (Root)
walktiavel genua tembea veib (Root)
wall lukanzi ukuta Noun (Lu class)
want saka taka veib (Root)
If object of wanting isn't specifieu, sexual uesiie is implieu
wash kofuga osha veib (Root)
wash (bouy paits) kavala nawa veib (Root)
wash (clothes) fuva fua veib (Root)
wash(hanus) kalava nawa veib (Root)
watei lulenga maji Noun (Lu class)
1uS
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weus hwehwe sisi Pionouns
wealth wunono utajiii Noun (Wu class)
wealth wunu utajiii Noun (Wu class)
weai fwala vaa veib (Root)
weuuing luwungo haiusi Noun (Lu class)
weeuingupiooting katila palilia veib (Root)
week wiki wiki Noun (NN class)
well lunofu vizuii Auveibs
West kusika Naghaiibi Locative
what kiki nini Question Woiu
when panili lini Question Woiu
wheie kwi(ya) wapi Question Woiu
which ng'iki gani Question Woiu
white elu eupe Root Aujectives
who yinani nani Question Woiu
why kumbi nuauli kwa nini Question Woiu
wiuefat gatsu nene Root Aujectives
wife mukwe mke Noun (Nuva class)
willuesiie wenue tamani Noun (Wu class)
winu ng'ala upepo Noun (NN class)
wine uifayi mvino Noun (NN class)
wives vakwe wake Noun (Nuva class)
woman muala mwanawake Noun (Nuva class)
women vauala wanawake Noun (Nuva class)
woik kasi kazi Noun (NN class)
woiship sala abuuu veib (Root)
1u6
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wiitings wanuike maanuiko Noun (Wu class)
yall's fathei uauaenyu baba yenu Noun (Nuva class)
yall's gianufathei kukenyu babu yenu Noun (Nuva class)
yall's gianumothei papenyu bibi yenu Noun (Nuva class)
yall's mothei yuvenyu mama yenu Noun (Nuva class)
yeai mwaka mwaka Noun (NuNi class)
yeais myaka miaka Noun (NuNi class)
you veve wewe Pionouns
you all nyenye nyinyi Pionouns
youi fathei uauo baba yako Noun (Nuva class)
youi gianufathei kuko babu yako Noun (Nuva class)
youi gianumothei papo bibi yako Noun (Nuva class)
youi mothei yuvo mama yako Noun (Nuva class)













1u7






@'0A%>'4' .+
<='>">"8C#/4'0>













1u8
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
aanda vicha prepare Verb (Root)
aandazi liandasi doughnut Noun (LiMa class)
aanza vaanga begin Verb (Root)
aanza vaanga begin Verb (Root)
abiria mnyalugendo passenger Noun (MuVa class)
abiria vanyalugendo passengers Noun (MuVa class)
abudu sala worship Verb (Root)
acha leka leave alone Verb (Root)
aigizo lulagilo orders/instructions Noun (Lu class)
akili luhala intelligence Noun (Lu class)
alafu ndave then Adverb
alizeti mayeye sunflower Noun (LiMa class)
amani lufuuwo faith/trust Noun (Lu class)
ambia longela tell Verb (Root)
ambia longela tell Verb (Root)
amka lamka wake up Verb (Root)
arobaini machumi mataye forty Number
asali vuki honey Noun (NN class)
asubuhi pamilau morning Locative
au wala or Conjunction
baadhi baazi some Noun (NN class)
baba yake dade his/her father Noun (MuVa class)
baba yako dado your father Noun (MuVa class)
baba yangu dada my father Noun (MuVa class)
baba yao dadawo their father Noun (MuVa class)
baba yenu dadaenyu yall's father Noun (MuVa class)
1u9
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
baba yetu dadetu our father Noun (MuVa class)
babu yake kuke his/her grandfather Noun (MuVa class)
babu yako kuko your grandfather Noun (MuVa class)
babu yangu kuka my grandfather Noun (MuVa class)
babu yawo kukawo their grandfather Noun (MuVa class)
babu yenu kukenyu yall's grandfather Noun (MuVa class)
babu yetu kuketu our grandfather Noun (MuVa class)
badiliko libadilike change Noun (LiMa class)
bahari bahali ocean Noun (NN class)
bahasha bahasha envelope Noun (NN class)
baisikeli baisikeli bicycle Noun (NN class)
bakuli kibakuli bowl Noun (KiFi class)
barabara ng'asi road Noun (NN class)
barafu balafu ice/snow Noun (NN class)
baraka balaka blessing Noun (NN class)
baridi ng'ala cold Noun (NN class)
baridi nzisimu cold Noun (NN class)
bata bata duck Noun (NN class)
baya hufu bad Root Adjectives
baya mbi bad Root Adjectives
beba twika carry Verb (Root)
bega livega shoulder Noun (LiMa class)
bembea hoya Verb (Root)
bembeleza gongolesa seduce/entice Verb (Root)
bendera bendela flag Noun (NN class)
bia bia beer Noun (NN class)
11u
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
bibi yake pape his/her grandmother Noun (MuVa class)
bibi yako papo your grandmother Noun (MuVa class)
bibi yangu papa my grandmother Noun (MuVa class)
bibi yao papawo their grandmother Noun (MuVa class)
bibi yenu papenyu yall's grandmother Noun (MuVa class)
bibi yetu papetu our grandmother Noun (MuVa class)
binti mwalive daughter Noun (MuVa class)
binti valive dayghters Noun (MuVa class)
bisi ndudika popcorn Noun (NN class)
blanketi liblangeti blanket Noun (LiMa class)
blanketi mablangeti blankets Noun (LiMa class)
boga liboga pumpkin Noun (LiMa class)
busu nonela kiss Verb (Root)
bwana Mutwa sir Noun (MuVa class)
bwana Vatwa sirs Noun (MuVa class)
cha cha of
Preposition (KiFi Noun
Class)
chache kefu few Root Adjectives
chai chai tea Noun (NN class)
chakula chakulya food Noun (KiFi class)
cheka heka laugh Verb (Root)
chemka heluka be boiled Verb (Root)
chemsha helusa boil Verb (Root)
cheza chesa dance Verb (Root)
cheza kehesiga dance Verb (Root)
cheza kina dance Verb (Root)
111
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
cheza kina dance Verb (Root)
chimba gima dig Verb (Root)
chini kudogo bottom Locative
chini mudogo bottom Locative
choka fulugala be tired Verb (Root)
chombo kipugu boat Noun (KiFi class)
chota nega fetch Verb (Root)
chote mbekili all (of it)
Adjective/Noun (KiFi Noun
Class)
chukua tegula take Verb (Root)
chukua koda take from someone Verb (Root)
chumvi munyo salt Noun (MuMi class)
chura kuula frog Noun (KiFi class)
dada muhasa sister Noun (MuVa class)
dada vahasa sisters Noun (MuVa class)
Not used when addressing a specific sister
dakika dakika minute Noun (NN class)
damu danda blood Noun (NN class)
dharuba kifulufumbi storm Noun (KiFi class)
dogo dodo small Root Adjectives
ekundu dung'u red Root Adjectives
elewa ukagula understand Verb (Root)
elfu mbilima thousand Number
enda bita go Verb (Root)
Implies departing or beginning a journey
enda sogwe going Verb (Root)
112
Implies that the trip or going is already in progress
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
endesha endesa drive Verb (Root)
epesi pefu light (not heavy) Root Adjectives
eupe elu white Root Adjectives
eusi titu black/dark Root Adjectives
fadhaika huguva be saddened Verb (Root)
fagia fyagila sweep Verb (Root)
fahamu ukagula be familiar with Verb (Root)
fahari ndolo glory Noun (NN class)
fanya pigaga always does Verb (Root)
fanya gita do Verb (Root)
fanya kazi piga kasi do work Verb (Root)
farasi dogori horse Noun (NN class)
fika fikite arrive Verb (Root)
fikiri hosa think Verb (Root)
fua fuva wash (clothes) Verb (Root)
fuata ninila follow Verb (Root)
fuata ninile follow Verb (Root)
fundisha igisa teach Verb (Root)
fundisho lwigiso teaching Noun (Lu class)
funga dinda close Verb (Root)
fungua dindula open Verb (Root)
funguo fidindalilo keys Noun (KiFi class)
furaha luhekelo joy Noun (Lu class)
fyombo fipugu boats Noun (KiFi class)
gani ng'iki which Question Word
11S
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
gari mutuka car Noun (MuMi class)
geuka gwa fall Verb (Root)
geuka pitwika fall Verb (Root)
giza lwisa darkness Noun (Lu class)
gumu talamu hard Root Adjectives
habari lukani news Noun (Lu class)
haki haki rights Noun (NN class)
hamsini machumi gahano fifty Number
hapa ipa Here Demonstrative (Locatives)
hapo ipo There (Near) Demonstrative (Locatives)
harusi luwungo wedding Noun (Lu class)
hasira lilakali anger Noun (LiMa class)
hawa iva These ones Demonstrative (MuVa)
hawo ivo Those ones (near) Demonstrative (MuVa)
haya iga These ones Demonstrative (LiMa)
hayo igo Those ones (near) Demonstrative (LiMa)
hesabiwa valilwa be counted Verb (Root)
hicho icho That one (near) Demonstrative (KiFi)
hifadhi fiya protect Verb (Root)
hii igi These ones Demonstrative (MuMI)
hii iyi This one Demonstrative (NN)
hiki iki This one Demonstrative (KiFi)
hili ili This one Demonstrative (LiMa)
hilo ilo That one (near) Demonstrative (LiMa)
hitaji kolela need Verb (Root)
hivi ifi These ones Demonstrative (KiFi)
114
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
hivyo ifyo Those ones (near) Demonstrative (KiFi)
hiyo iyo That one (near) Demonstrative (NN)
hiyo igo Those ones (near) Demonstrative (MuMI)
hizi isi These ones Demonstrative (NN)
hizo iso Those ones (near) Demonstrative (NN)
huo iwo That one (near) Demonstrative (Wu)
huo ugo That one (near) Demonstrative (MuMI)
huo ulo That one (near) Demonstrative (Lu)
huu ugu This one Demonstrative (MuMI)
huu ulu This one Demonstrative (Lu)
huu uwu This one Demonstrative (Wu)
huyo uyo That one (near) Demonstrative (MuVa)
huyu uyu This one Demonstrative (MuVa)
iba hisila steal Verb (Root)
ibiwa hisilwa be stolen from Verb (Root)
ile yila That one (far) Demonstrative (NN)
ile gila Those ones (far) Demonstrative (MuMI)
ili sambi in order that Other
imba imba sing Verb (Root)
This can also mean "to read", so note context
inawezekana luhwanite it is possible Other
ingia ingila enter Verb (Root)
ishi kala live Verb (Root)
ishirini machumi gavili twenty Number
ita kemela call Verb (Root)
itika pitula reply Verb (Root)
11S
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
itwa kemelwa called Verb (Root)
jamaa lukolo brotherhood Noun (Lu class)
jambo lukani issues Noun (Lu class)
jambo ng'ani thing Noun (NN class)
jaribu gela try Verb (Root)
jaribu gela try Verb (Root)
jenga senga build Verb (Root)
jengwa sengwa be built Verb (Root)
jibu higa reply Verb (Root)
jicho liho eye Noun (LiMa class)
jifunza iyigisa learn Verb (Root)
jiji boma city Noun (NN class)
jina litawa name Noun (LiMa class)
jino liino tooth Noun (LiMa class)
jioni pamihe evening Locative
jua ukagula know Verb (Root)
jua lisuva sun Noun (LiMa class)
juu kuchanya up Locative
juzi susi day before yesterday Noun (NN class)
kaa teng'emala sit Verb (Root)
kaa kala sit/stay Verb (Root)
kabila mbegalo tribe Noun (NN class)
kabila mbegalo tribe Noun (NN class)
kabila ng'olo tribe Noun (NN class)
kaburi kaanga grave Noun (KiFi class)
kahawa kahawa coffee Noun (NN class)
116
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
kaka munyalukolo brother Noun (MuVa class)
Not used when addressing a specific brother
kaka vanyalukolo brothers Noun (MuVa class)
kama nda like Other
kanisa likanisa church Noun (LiMa class)
karatasi likalatasi paper Noun (LiMa class)
karibu jilani near Adverbs
karibu kuimila near Locative
kasi wuangufu speed Noun (Wu class)
kasirika vipa be angry Verb (Root)
kata dumula cut Verb (Root)
kaza hudika tighten Verb (Root)
Kazakasini kufuka North Locative
kazi kasi work Noun (NN class)
kengele kisofu bell Noun (KiFi class)
kengele fisofu bells Noun (KiFi class)
kesho milau tomorrow Locative
kesho kutwa paucha day after tomorrow Locative
kesho kutwa,
kutwa palula
day after, day after
tomorrow Locative
kiatu kilatu shoe Noun (KiFi class)
kiazi litosani potato Noun (LiMa class)
kiazi kitamu kingaamba sweet potato Noun (KiFi class)
kichwa mutwe head Noun (MuMi class)
kidogo ludodo a bit Adverbs
kidole chala finger Noun (KiFi class)
117
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
kifuniko mufuniko cover Noun (MuMi class)
kijito kilowoko stream Noun (KiFi class)
kikombe kinywelo cup Noun (KiFi class)
kile kila That one (far) Demonstrative (KiFi)
kilimo wulime cultivating Noun (Wu class)
kimbia kimbila run Verb (Root)
kinamasi kuunga swamp Noun (KiFi class)
kingine kingi another
Adjective/Noun (KiFi Noun
Class)
kintungu kitungulu onion Noun (KiFi class)
kintungu
swalumu kitungulu swaumu onion Noun (KiFi class)
kinyonga lwiifwi chameleon Noun (Lu class)
kisu kimage knife Noun (KiFi class)
kitendo kipigo action Noun (KiFi class)
kiti kigoda chair Noun (KiFi class)
kitu kinu thing Noun (KiFi class)
kiuno kigidi waist Noun (KiFi class)
kivuli mwigiigi shadow Noun (MuMi class)
kiwavi livafi caterpillar Noun (LiMa class)
koondo ng'olo sheep Noun (NN class)
kosa gaya lack/be without Verb (Root)
kubwa komi large Root Adjectives
kufa fwa die Verb (Root)
kuja kusa come Verb (Root)
kuku ng'uku chicken Noun (NN class)
kula kulya eat Verb (Root)
118
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
kulia kundyo right Locative
kumbuka wuka remember Verb (Root)
kumbusha wusa remind Verb (Root)
kumi nyichumi ten Root Number
kuni nzagala firewood Noun (NN class)
kunywa kunywa drink Verb (Root)
kushoto kung'igi left Locative
Kusini kunena South Locative
kuta wene found Verb (Root)
kuwa na kwi nacho to be with Verb (Root)
kuwa na kuva na to have Verb (Root)
kwa hiyo swe so/therefore Other
kwa nini kumbi ndauli why Question Word
kwa sababu pakuva reason Other
kweli nachene truly/really Other
kwepo pwali be present Verb (Root)
kwepo pwali be present Verb (Root)
kwepo pwali to be around Verb (Root)
kwisha sila to be finished Verb (Root)
la lya of
Preposition (LiMa Noun
Class)
labda apangi maybe Adverb
labda apangi maybe Other
lakini ino but/however Conjunction
lala gona sleep Verb (Root)
lewa gaala be drunk Verb (Root)
119
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
lia vemba cry Verb (Root)
lile lila That one (far) Demonstrative (LiMa)
lima limi cultivate Verb (Root)
lingine lingi another
Adjective/Noun (LiMa
Noun Class)
lini panili when Question Word
lipa homba pay Verb (Root)
lipa homba pay Verb (Root)
lipesa pesa money Noun (LiMa class)
lote mbelili all (of it)
Adjective/Noun (LiMa
Noun Class)
lugha ndongele language Noun (NN class)
maandazi maandasi doughnuts Noun (LiMa class)
maandiko wandike writings Noun (Wu class)
mabadiliko mabadilike changes Noun (LiMa class)
mabakuli fibakuli bowls Noun (KiFi class)
mabega mavega shoulders Noun (LiMa class)
maboga maboga pumpkins Noun (LiMa class)
macho miho eyes Noun (LiMa class)
machozi nzihosi tear Noun (NN class)
magari mituka cars Noun (MuMi class)
Magharibi kusika West Locative
maharage maharage beans Noun (LiMa class)
mahindi masebele maize Noun (LiMa class)
maisha wumi life Noun (Wu class)
maji lulenga water Noun (Lu class)
majina matawa names Noun (LiMa class)
12u
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
makaburi fyaanga graves Noun (KiFi class)
makanisa makanisa churches Noun (LiMa class)
makaratasi makalatasi papers Noun (LiMa class)
makumi machumi tens Number
maliza siinda finish Verb (Root)
maliza sindilisa finish Verb (Root)
mama yake yuve his/her mother Noun (MuVa class)
mama yako yuvo your mother Noun (MuVa class)
mama yangu yuva my mother Noun (MuVa class)
mama yao yuvawo their mother Noun (MuVa class)
mama yenu yuvenyu yall's mother Noun (MuVa class)
mama yetu yuvetu our mother Noun (MuVa class)
mambo ng'ani things Noun (NN class)
mamia magana hundreds Number
manabii vavisi prophets Noun (MuVa class)
mapambano magalu conflicts Noun (LiMa class)
mapesa pesa monies Noun (LiMa class)
marafiki vayangu friends Noun (MuVa class)
masaa fivalilo hours Noun (KiFi class)
masaa fivalilo hours Noun (KiFi class)
mashamba migunda fields Noun (MuMi class)
Mashariki kumihago East Locative
mashimo makombo holes Noun (LiMa class)
mashimo miina holes Noun (MuMi class)
mashimo
madogo fiina small holes Noun (KiFi class)
121
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
masika kifuku rainy season Noun (KiFi class)
masikio mapulikilo ears Noun (LiMa class)
maskini vamikaa poor people Noun (MuVa class)
maskini mumikaa poor person Noun (MuVa class)
masoko makasi markets Noun (LiMa class)
Matajiri vanono rich people Noun (MuVa class)
matumbo mileme stomachs Noun (MuMi class)
matunda maveleko fruits Noun (LiMa class)
mawazo mahosa thoughts Noun (LiMa class)
mawingu mafufu clouds Noun (LiMa class)
mayai makang'a eggs Noun (LiMa class)
maziwa lisiva milk Noun (LiMa class)
mbali kutali far Locative
mbali kutaali far away Locative
mbali na pataali located far Locative
mbili vili two Root Number
mbu nyasi insect/mosquito Noun (NN class)
mbuzi mene goat Noun (NN class)
mbweha ng'ere fox/jackal Noun (NN class)
mchana pamunyi afternoon Locative
mchanga luhaanga sand Noun (Lu class)
mchawi mulagusi sorceror Noun (MuVa class)
mchele musele uncooked rice Noun (MuMi class)
mdoli kimdoli doll Noun (KiFi class)
mdoli fimdoli dolls Noun (KiFi class)
mdomo mulomo mouth Noun (MuMi class)
122
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
mengapi galinga how many Question Word
mengi molofu many
Adjective/Noun (LiMa
Noun Class)
mengine gangi other
Adjective/Noun (LiMa
Noun Class)
meno miino teeth Noun (LiMa class)
mgeni mugensi guest Noun (MuVa class)
mgeni mugenzi guest Noun (MuVa class)
mgongo mugongo back Noun (MuMi class)
mgongo wa
kichwa kisogo back of the head Noun (KiFi class)
mgonjwa mutamwa patient Noun (MuVa class)
mguu ligulu leg/feet Noun (LiMa class)
mheshimiwa mutambule respected person Noun (MuVa class)
mhogo muhogo cassava Noun (MuMi class)
mia ligana hundred Number
miaka myaka years Noun (MuMi class)
midomo milomo mouths Noun (MuMi class)
miezi myesi months Noun (MuMi class)
migongo migongo backs Noun (MuMi class)
migongo ya
vichwa fisogo backs of the heads Noun (KiFi class)
miguu magulu legs/feet Noun (LiMa class)
mihogo mihogo cassavas Noun (MuMi class)
miili mivili bodies Noun (MuMi class)
mikate mikate breads Noun (MuMi class)
mikono mawoko arms/hands Noun (LiMa class)
milango milyango doors Noun (MuMi class)
12S
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
milango fikolo doors/gates Noun (KiFi class)
mimi nene I/me Pronouns
mingapi gilinga how many Question Word
mingi myolofu many
Adjective/Noun (MuMi
Noun Class)
mioto midogo fyooto small fires Noun (KiFi class)
miti mibiki trees Noun (MuMi class)
mito mikoga rivers Noun (MuMi class)
mizeituni misetuni olives Noun (MuMi class)
mjenzi mwaasi builder Noun (MuVa class)
mji boma town Noun (NN class)
mkate mukate bread Noun (MuMi class)
mke mukwe wife Noun (MuVa class)
mkeka luteefu reed mat Noun (Lu class)
mkono liwoko arm/hand Noun (LiMa class)
mkulima mlimi farmer Noun (MuVa class)
mkuu mvina boss Noun (MuVa class)
mlango mulyango door Noun (MuMi class)
mlango kikolo door/gate Noun (KiFi class)
mnyama ng'oko animal/beast Noun (NN class)
mnywaji munwi drinker Noun (MuVa class)
moja mwi one Root Number
moja mwinga one Root Number
moto moto fire Noun (MuMi class)
moto myoto fires Noun (MuMi class)
moto mdogo kooto small fire Noun (KiFi class)
124
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
moyo numbula heart/soul Noun (NN class)
mpishi mutele cook Noun (MuVa class)
mpumbavu mupufi idiot Noun (MuVa class)
msaada musaada help Noun (MuMi class)
msichana muhinza girl Noun (MuVa class)
mtalii mutalii Tourist Noun (MuVa class)
mtega mutesi trapper Noun (MuVa class)
mtego lutego trap Noun (Lu class)
mti mubiki tree Noun (MuMi class)
mto mukoga river Noun (MuMi class)
mtoto mudodo child Noun (MuVa class)
mtoto mchanga chali infant Noun (KiFi class)
mtumwa mukami servant Noun (MuVa class)
muda lusika time Noun (Lu class)
muda mfupi lusika ludodo short time Noun (Lu class)
mume mugosi husband Noun (MuVa class)
There is no word for husband. A wife has a "man"
Mungu Nguluvi God Noun (MuVa class)
Mungu nyamagava God Noun (NN class)
muzaji mugutsa salesperon Noun (MuVa class)
mvino difayi wine Noun (NN class)
mvivu mugatala lazy person Noun (MuVa class)
mvua ndonya rain Noun (NN class)
mvulana munyakilambo boy Noun (MuVa class)
mvuvi mlofi fisherman Noun (MuVa class)
mwaka mwaka year Noun (MuMi class)
12S
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
mwalimu mwigisa teacher Noun (MuVa class)
mwana mwana son Noun (MuVa class)
mwanafunzi muanafunzi student Noun (MuVa class)
mwanaume mgosi man Noun (MuVa class)
mwanawake mdala woman Noun (MuVa class)
mwezi mwesi month Noun (MuMi class)
mwili muvili body Noun (MuMi class)
mwimbaji mwimbi singer Noun (MuVa class)
mwingine gungi another
Adjective/Noun (MuMi
Noun Class)
mwingine yungi another
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
mwongo muniya liar Noun (MuVa class)
mzazi mugasi parent Noun (MuVa class)
mzazi mugasi parent Noun (MuVa class)
mzee muvaha elder Noun (MuVa class)
mzeituni musetuni olive Noun (MuMi class)
na na and Conjunction
nabii muvisi prophet Noun (MuVa class)
namba mbalilo number Noun (NN class)
nane munana eight Root Number
nani yinani who Question Word
nawa kavala wash (body parts) Verb (Root)
nawa kalava wash(hands) Verb (Root)
nchi ng'i country Noun (NN class)
ndege kidege bird Noun (KiFi class)
ndege fidege birds Noun (KiFi class)
126
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
ndizi ndisi bananas Noun (NN class)
ndoo ndowo bucket Noun (NN class)
ndugu munyalukolo relative Noun (MuVa class)
ndugu vanyalukolo relatives Noun (MuVa class)
nene gatsu wide/fat Root Adjectives
ng'ombe senga cow Noun (NN class)
ngamia ngamiya camel Noun (NN class)
ngapi silinga how many Question Word
ngumu lugumu strong Adverb
nguo mwenda garment Noun (MuMi class)
nguo myenda garments Noun (MuMi class)
nguruwe ngubi pig Noun (NN class)
ni ye is Verb (Root)
ni ndi is/are Verb (Root)
nini kiki what Question Word
njaa nsala hunger Noun (NN class)
njee mwivala in the outside Locative
njee kwivala outside Locative
njegere wolo peas Noun (Wu class)
nne taye four Root Number
noa fyula sharpen Verb (Root)
nunua gula buy Verb (Root)
nunua gula buy Verb (Root)
nyama nyama meat Noun (NN class)
nyanya nyanya tomato Noun (NN class)
nyanya manyanya tomatoes Noun (LiMa class)
127
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
nyavu filovelo nets Noun (KiFi class)
nyingi nsolofu many
Adjective/Noun (NN Noun
Class)
nyingine iyingi another
Adjective/Noun (NN Noun
Class)
nyingine gingi other
Adjective/Noun (MuMi
Noun Class)
nyingine nsingi other
Adjective/Noun (NN Noun
Class)
nyinyi nyenye you all Pronouns
nyoa moga shave Verb (Root)
nyota ngengesi star Noun (NN class)
nyuki nzuki bee Noun (NN class)
nyumba kaye house Noun (NN class)
nywele fwili hair Noun (NN class)
oga koga bathe Verb (Root)
ogalea ogela swim Verb (Root)
omba suka request Verb (Root)
ona wona see Verb (Root)
ona lava see/watch Verb (Root)
onana tang'ana meet Verb (Root)
onana tang'ana meet Verb (Root)
ondoka hega depart Verb (Root)
onea wonela be ashamed of Verb (Root)
onea wonela feel about Verb (Root)
ongea longa speak Verb (Root)
ongeza wongelesa increase Verb (Root)
onyesha lagila show Verb (Root)
128
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
osha kofuga wash Verb (Root)
pa pela give Verb (Root)
paka nyau cat Noun (NN class)
paka baka smear Verb (Root)
pale pala There (Far) Demonstrative (Locatives)
palilia katila weeding/uprooting Verb (Root)
pambano ligalu conflict Noun (LiMa class)
panda hova climb mountain Verb (Root)
panda ililia climb(tree) Verb (Root)
paruza pala scratch Verb (Root)
pata pata receive Verb (Root)
peleka sindika send out Verb (Root)
penda wenda like Verb (Root)
pendeza noga be liked Verb (Root)
pengine apamwi another time/place Other
pepo lisoka evil spirit Noun (LiMa class)
pepo masoka evil spirits Noun (LiMa class)
pia nave also/too Adverb
piga tova strike Verb (Root)
piga hodi hodesa knock Verb (Root)
pika teleka cook Verb (Root)
pilipili hoho pilipili hoho bell pepper Noun (NN class)
pilipili mbuzi pilipili mbusi Noun (NN class)
po tayari doboka be ready/long for Verb (Root)
pokea tegula take Verb (Root)
polepole mwalamwala slowly Adverbs
129
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
pona pona heal Verb (Root)
potea yasile be lost Verb (Root)
potewa yasilwe be lost Verb (Root)
pumzika supa relax Verb (Root)
punguza pungusa decrease Verb (Root)
pya pya new Root Adjectives
rafiki muyangu friend Noun (MuVa class)
rahisi lupefu easy Adverb
raihisi lupefu easy Adverbs
rangi langi color Noun (NN class)
refu tali long/tall/far Root Adjectives
risasi lisaasi bullet Noun (LiMa class)
risasi masaasi bullets Noun (LiMa class)
roho wunani soul Noun (Wu class)
roho muhe spirit Noun (MuVa class)
roho vahe spirit Noun (MuVa class)
rudi piluka return Verb (Root)
ruka sumba fly Verb (Root)
ruka dibuka jump Verb (Root)
ruka ng'ila jump Verb (Root)
saa kivalilo hour Noun (KiFi class)
saa kivalilo hour Noun (KiFi class)
saa sala hour Noun (NN class)
saba mufung'ati seven Root Number
sabini
machumi
gamufung'ati seventy Number
1Su
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
safari lugendo journey Noun (Lu class)
safiri wuka lugendo travel Verb (Root)
safisha kofuga clean Verb (Root)
saidia taanga help Verb (Root)
salaama wikalakunoga peace Noun (Wu class)
salimia hungila greet Verb (Root)
samahani nyongise excuse me Other
samaki somba fish Noun (NN class)
samehe degepela forgive Verb (Root)
samehe degepela forgive Verb (Root)
sauti mubumo sound Noun (MuMi class)
sauti mibumo sounds Noun (MuMi class)
sauti liswi voice Noun (LiMa class)
sauti maswi voices Noun (LiMa class)
sawa aale okay Other
sema tigila say Verb (Root)
sema tigila say Verb (Root)
sema longa speak Verb (Root)
serikali vatema authorities Noun (MuVa class)
serikali wutema government/kingdom Noun (Wu class)
shamba mugunda field Noun (MuMi class)
shangaa sasavala be surprised Verb (Root)
shati gwanda shirt Noun (NN class)
sheria ndagilo law Noun (NN class)
shiba gwite be satisfied Verb (Root)
shida ludugo trouble Noun (Lu class)
1S1
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
shika bata touch Verb (Root)
shilingi ligobole coin Noun (LiMa class)
shilingi magobole coins Noun (LiMa class)
shimo mwiina hole Noun (MuMi class)
shimo likombo pit/hole Noun (LiMa class)
shimo ndogo kiina small hole Noun (KiFi class)
shukuru lumba be thankful Verb (Root)
shule shule school Noun (NN class)
si si (ye) is not/are not Verb (Root)
sikia pulika hear Verb (Root)
sikiliza pulikisa listen Verb (Root)
sikio lipuliko ear Noun (LiMa class)
siku kimunyi day Noun (KiFi class)
siku kuu kimunyi kikomi holiday Noun (KiFi class)
siku moja lusiku a certain day Noun (Lu class)
siku moja kimunyi one day Noun (KiFi class)
Conveys the sense of "a certain day"
simama ima stand Verb (Root)
sisi hwehwe we/us Pronouns
sita mutanda six Root Number
sitini
machumi
gamutanda sixty Number
soko likasi market Noun (LiMa class)
soma imba read Verb (Root)
This can also mean "to sing", so note context
sudia dagige intend Verb (Root)
1S2
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
sukari suhari sugar Noun (NN class)
taa lung'ali light Noun (Lu class)
tafuta saka search Verb (Root)
If object of searching isn't specified, sexual desire is often implied
tajiri munono rich person Noun (MuVa class)
taka saka want Verb (Root)
If object of wanting isn't specified, sexual desire is implied
tamani wende will/desire Noun (Wu class)
tano hanu five Number
tatu datu three Number
tawala tema rule Verb (Root)
teleza tyavanuka slide Verb (Root)
tembea genda walk/move around Verb (Root)
tembea genda walk/travel Verb (Root)
tena kangi again Adverb
tenga gava separate Verb (Root)
tengeneza vicha make Verb (Root)
tengeneza wuyapa repair/build Verb (Root)
thelathini machumi gadatu thirty Number
themanini
machumi
gamunana eighty Number
tisa mugonza nine Root Number
tisini
machumi
gamugonza ninety Number
toka huma come from Verb (Root)
toka hele leave from Verb (Root)
tokea vesaga happen Verb (Root)
1SS
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
tokea vesaga happen Verb (Root)
tokuwa hela be without Verb (Root)
tope dope mud Noun (NN class)
tosha kwila be enough Verb (Root)
tu hela just/only Other
tuma tuma send Verb (Root)
tumbo mwileme stomach Noun (MuMi class)
tunda liveleko fruit Noun (LiMa class)
tupa tosa throw Verb (Root)
ufunguo kidindalilo key Noun (KiFi class)
ugali wugali ugali Noun (Wu class)
ugonjwa wutamwa illness Noun (Wu class)
ukuta lukanzi wall Noun (Lu class)
ukweli nachene truth Noun (NN class)
ule gula That one (far) Demonstrative (MuMI)
ule lula That one (far) Demonstrative (Lu)
ule wula That one (far) Demonstrative (Wu)
ulimwengu nnyi universe Noun (NN class)
uliza wuse ask Verb (Root)
uma vava hurt Verb (Root)
umeme limemi electricity/lightning Noun (LiMa class)
umwa vawa be ill Verb (Root)
upendo lwenda love Noun (Lu class)
upendo lwendo loving Noun (Lu class)
upepo ng'ala wind Noun (NN class)
upya wupya renewing Noun (Wu class)
1S4
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
usiku kilo night Noun (KiFi class)
usiku filo nights Noun (KiFi class)
utajiri wunono wealth Noun (Wu class)
utajiri wunu wealth Noun (Wu class)
utakatifu wuelu purity/holiness Noun (Wu class)
uweza ludali power/ability Noun (Lu class)
uwongo wudesi lie/deceit Noun (Wu class)
uyoga wuiyooga mushroom Noun (Wu class)
uza gusa sell Verb (Root)
vaa fwala wear Verb (Root)
viatu filatu shoes Noun (KiFi class)
viazi matosani potatoes Noun (LiMa class)
viazi vitamu fingaamba sweet potatoes Noun (KiFi class)
vibaya luhufu bad Adverb
vichwa mitwe heads Noun (MuMi class)
vidole fyala fingers Noun (KiFi class)
vifuniko mifuniko covers Noun (MuMi class)
vijito filowoko streams Noun (KiFi class)
vikombe finywelo cups Noun (KiFi class)
vile fila Those ones (far) Demonstrative (KiFi)
vinamasi fyuunga swamps Noun (KiFi class)
vingapi filinga how many Question Word
vingi fyolofu many
Adjective/Noun (KiFi Noun
Class)
vingine fingi other
Adjective/Noun (KiFi Noun
Class)
vipi ndauli how Question Word
1SS
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
visu fimage knives Noun (KiFi class)
vitendo fipigo actions Noun (KiFi class)
viti figoda chairs Noun (KiFi class)
vitu finu items Noun (KiFi class)
vitungu fitungulu onions Noun (KiFi class)
vitungu swalumu fitungulu swaumu onions Noun (KiFi class)
viuno fidigi waists Noun (KiFi class)
vivuli migiigi shadows Noun (MuMi class)
viwavi mavafi caterpillars Noun (LiMa class)
vizuri lunofu well Adverbs
vua wopola undress Verb (Root)
vua samaki lova somba go fishing Verb (Root)
vuna beta harvest Verb (Root)
vunja demuka break Verb (Root)
vunja denya break Verb (Root)
vunja denyeka break Verb (Root)
vya fya of
Preposition (KiFi Noun
Class)
vyakula fyakulya foods Noun (KiFi class)
vyote mbefili all (of these/them)
Adjective/Noun (KiFi Noun
Class)
vyura fyuula frogs Noun (KiFi class)
wa gwa of
Preposition (MuMi Noun
Class)
wa lwa of
Preposition (Lu Noun
Class)
wa va of
Preposition (MuVa Noun
Class)
1S6
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
wa wa of
Preposition (Wu Noun
Class)
wachawi valagusi sorcerers Noun (MuVa class)
wageni vagensi guests Noun (MuVa class)
wageni vagenzi guests Noun (MuVa class)
wagonjwa vatamwa patients Noun (MuVa class)
waheshimiwa vatambule respected people Noun (MuVa class)
waimbaji vimbi singers Noun (MuVa class)
wajenzi vaasi builders Noun (MuVa class)
wake vakwe wives Noun (MuVa class)
wakulima valimi farmers Noun (MuVa class)
wakuu vavina bosses Noun (MuVa class)
wale vala Those ones (far) Demonstrative (MuVa)
wali wali rice Noun (NN class)
walimu vigisa teachers Noun (MuVa class)
wana vana sons Noun (MuVa class)
wanafunzi vanafunzi students Noun (MuVa class)
wanaume vagosi men Noun (MuVa class)
wanawake vadala women Noun (MuVa class)
wangapi valinga how many Question Word
wanywaji vanwi drinkers Noun (MuVa class)
wao vawo they Pronouns
waongo vaniya liars Noun (MuVa class)
wapi kwi(ya) where Question Word
wapishi vatele cooks Noun (MuVa class)
wapumbavu vapufi idiots Noun (MuVa class)
1S7
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
wasichana vahinza girls Noun (MuVa class)
watalii vatalii tourist Noun (MuVa class)
watega vatesi trappers Noun (MuVa class)
watoto vadodo children Noun (MuVa class)
watoto
wachanga fyali infants Noun (KiFi class)
watumwa vakami servants Noun (MuVa class)
waume vagosi husbands Noun (MuVa class)
There is no word for husband. A wife has a "man"
wauzaji vagutsa salespeople Noun (MuVa class)
wavivu vagatala lazy person Noun (MuVa class)
wavu kilovelo net Noun (KiFi class)
wavulana vanyakilambo boys Noun (MuVa class)
wavuvi valofi Fishermen Noun (MuVa class)
wazazi vegasi parents Noun (MuVa class)
wazazi vegasi parents Noun (MuVa class)
wazee vavaha elders Noun (MuVa class)
wazo lihosa thought Noun (LiMa class)
weka vika place Verb (Root)
wengi lolofu many
Adjective/Noun (Lu Noun
Class)
wengi volofu many
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
wengi wolofu many
Adjective/Noun (Wu Noun
Class)
wengine lungi another
Adjective/Noun (Lu Noun
Class)
wengine wungi another
Adjective/Noun (Wu Noun
Class)
1S8
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
wengine vangi other
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
weusi wutitu blackness Noun (Wu class)
wewe veve you Pronouns
weza wesa able Verb (Root)
wiki wiki week Noun (NN class)
wimbo lwiimbo song Noun (Lu class)
wingu lifufu cloud Noun (LiMa class)
woga wugofu fear Noun (Wu class)
wote mbemuli all (of him/her)
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
wote mbeguli all (of it)
Adjective/Noun (MuMi
Noun Class)
wote mbeluli all (of it)
Adjective/Noun (Lu Noun
Class)
wote mbewuli all (of it)
Adjective/Noun (Wu Noun
Class)
wote mbendili all (of me)
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
wote mbevali all (of them)
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
wote mbetuli all (of us)
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
wote mbevali all (of you all)
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
wote mbekuli all (of you)
Adjective/Noun (MuVa
Noun Class)
ya ga of
Preposition (LiMa Noun
Class)
ya ja of
Preposition (MuMi Noun
Class)
ya ya of
Preposition (NN Noun
Class)
1S9
Kiswahili Ikihehe English Part of Speech
yai likang'a egg Noun (LiMa class)
yale gala Those ones (far) Demonstrative (LiMa)
yeye mwene he/she Pronouns
yote mbeyili all (of it)
Adjective/Noun (NN Noun
Class)
yote mbegali all (of these/them)
Adjective/Noun (LiMa
Noun Class)
yote mbegili all (of these/them)
Adjective/Noun (MuMi
Noun Class)
yule yula That one (far) Demonstrative (MuVa)
za sa of
Preposition (NN Noun
Class)
zawadi kipelwa gift Noun (KiFi class)
zawadi fipelwa gifts Noun (KiFi class)
zile sila Those ones (far) Demonstrative (NN)
ziwa nyanza lake Noun (NN class)
zote mbesili all (of these/them)
Adjective/Noun (NN Noun
Class)
zumgumza longa converse Verb (Root)
zumgumza longana converse Verb (Root)
zuri nofu good Root Adjectives








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<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>



















14S
3+."0 %#6 566'.'+#%4 Q+-60
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146
3+."0 %#6 566'.'+#%4 Q+-60
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147
3+."0 %#6 566'.'+#%4 Q+-60
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>



















148
3+."0 %#6 566'.'+#%4 Q+-60
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149
3+."0 %#6 566'.'+#%4 Q+-60
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1Su
3+."0 %#6 566'.'+#%4 Q+-60
<='>">" @'0A%>'4' C#/4'0> :%-. +; )E""1>



















1S1

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