Note :
At the insistent request of some English-speaking visitors, I was forced to translate this lexicon from French to English. It’s a colossal job that took me a lot of time, I applied myself and tried to do my best. Despite this, since English is not my usual language, there could be some translation errors here and there. If you find any, do not hesitate to report them to me by writing to me through the contact page of this website.
Thank you in advance !
VOCABULARY: COMMON WORDS IN THEIR CONTEXT.
In everyday language, depending on the accents related to the speakers’ regions of origin, the spelling of the words is subject to some nuances, mainly with regard to the letters “o” and “u”, which are often interchangeable when these letters are present in the prefixes or when they end a word. Thus, in words such as “monganga” (doctor), “muana” (child) and “ndako” (house), the letter “u” is replaced by “u” or vice versa to read “munganga”, “moana” and “ndaku” respectively.
Similarly for verbs, it is possible to hear verbs where the “ko” is pronounced “ku”, which would then give for the verb “koloba” (speak) the pronunciation “kuluba”. Even if this is not the commonly accepted version, it is important to be careful when you hear these words.
As regards spelling, when the letter “u” is between a consonant other than “w” and one of the vowels “a” or “e”, it is possible to replace it with the consonant “w”. Thus “muana” can be written “mwana” and “konguenia” admits the spelling “kongwenia”.
In the following, we adopt the most commonly used spellings.
- COLOURS (ba langi).
– bule : blue
– langi : colour
– langi ya lilala (malala) : orange (which means the color of the orange)
– mayi ya pondu : green (which means the color of manioc leaves)
– motane : red
– muindu : black
– pembe : white
- THE SOUL, SPIRITUALITY, RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS.
– adorasio : adoration
– anzelu : angel
– batisimo : baptism
– bokristo : christianity
– bolamu : happiness, goodness, kindness
– bolimbisi : forgiveness
– bondimi : faith, belief
– bondoki : witchcraft
– bonzambe : religion, religious practice
– bosembo : serenity, tranquility, piety, goodness
– Eklezia : Church
– ekulusu (likulusu) : cross
– elima (pluriel: bilima) : devil, evil spirit
– elimu (pluriel: milimu) : soul, spirit
– Elimu santu : Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost
– episikopo : bishop
– esakola ya mawa : act of contrition
– etonga : religious building, church, temple
– eyamba : church, religious community, community of beliefs
– grasia : grace
– katolika : catholic
– kimia : peace
– kimokristo : christendom, christian practice
– kindoki : witchcraft
– kinzambi-nzambi : sect, for-profit church
– kisimbi : protective angel
– kuruse (likulusu) : cross
– libonza (mabonza) : offering, gift of charity, tithing
– lifelo : hell
– likamuisi : miracle
– likanisi (pluriel: makanisi) : thought, belief
– likindo : seminary
– likolo : heaven, sky
– likulusu (ekulusu) : cross
– likundu : possession, bewitching, evil spell
– lingomba (mangomba) : community of the faithful
– lisuma (pluriel: masuma) : accident, misfortune, bad luck
– lisumu (pluriel: masumu) : sin
– liyangani (mayangani) : worship, gathering of faithful
– lobiko : spiritual salvation, absolution
– lola : paradise, heaven
– losambo : prayer
– lotomo : vocation
– lupemba : blessing, luck
– mabe : evil
– mabondeli : prayers
– malongi : catechism, religious teaching
– mamelo : nun
– mamiwata : siren, mermaid
– mandona : seer
– Maria losako : Ave Maria, Angelus
– masiya : messiah
– mbeka : offering, divine sacrifice
– mbikudi : seer, clairvoyant, medium, soothsayer
– misa : mass
– misioni : relating to Protestantism, of Protestant faith
– mizilima : muslim
– mobateli mpate : pastor
– mobikisi : saviour
– mokristo : christian
– molema : soul
– molikindo : seminarist
– molimu : soul, spirit
– molingami : beloved
– mondimi (bandimi) : believer
– moniango (baniango) : friar, sister, nun
– mopagano : pagan, unbeliever
– mosakoli : prophet, announcer
– mosantu (basantu): saint, holy
– moseniele : bishop, monsignor
– mosumuki : sinner
– moyengebeni : the just, the righteous
– mpate : sheep, believer
– mpeve : spirit, trance under the influence of the ghost
– mpev’a nlongo : holy ghost, holy spirit
– muanza / muenze : angel
– mumpe : priest, parish priest
– muzungu : God, spirit
– mvuela : cassock, soutane
– mvuluzi : messiah, saviour
– ndako’a Nzambe: church, chapel
– ndoki : evil sorcerer
– nganga : marabout, clairvoyant
– nganga-nzambe : priest, abbot, monk, friar, servant of God
– ngolu : grace
– nguasuma : holy spirit
– ngunza : animist priest
– nguya : power, inner strength
– Nkadi’a Mpemba : Satan, the one who opposes God
– Nkolo : Lord
– Nowele : Christmas
– ntoma : apostle, representative of God
– ntubela : confession
– Nzakomba : God of the ancestors
– Nzambe : God
– Nzambe mokonzi : God the father (the leader)
– Nzambe ya Mpungu : Almighty God
– Nzambe ya nguya : God of Power
– Nzawe : God
– Pake / Pasika : Easter
– papa (wa Roma) : pope
– paradizo : paradise, heaven
– pasitele : pastor
– paye : pagan, unbeliever
– sango : priest, parish priest
– se : men’s earth
– seko : eternal
– soloka : fetish, occult power
– tembe : doubt, disbelief
– tempelo : temple
– Yawe : God
– Yezu Masiya : Jesus the Messiah
– Yezu-Kristo : Jesus Christ
– zabolo : devil
- IN NATURE AND ANIMALS: (bibuele, baniama).
– bonobo : species of dwarf chimpanzee living in the Congolese forest
– ebenga : pigeon, dove
– ebuele (pluriel : bibuele) : animal
– ekonda : small beetle insect that can cause lesions on the skin damage
– elulu : species of passerine
– esele : squirrel
– kikuanganzala : praying mantis
– kimpiatu : caterpillar, silk worm
– kipekapeka : butterfly
– koba : tortoise, turtle
– kombekombe : raven
– libanki : grasshopper, locust
– libata : duck
– libate : viper
– libundu (mabundu) : freshwater fish species
– ligorodo : toad
– likelele (makelele) : cricket
– likokolo : palm worm, plant worm
– limeme : sheep, lamb
– lipungupungu : dragonfly
– liyanzi : tick, jigger
– makaku : macaque, monkey
– malangwa (lilangwa) : freshwater fish otherwise known as pangasius
– mantekita : species of red ants
– mayanga (liyanga) : freshwater fish of the tilapia family
– mbembe : snail
– mbinzo : caterpillar
– mbisi (ya mayi) : fish
– mboke : écureuil
– mboloko : antelope, gazelle
– mboto : freshwater fish of the carp family
– mbulu : jackal
– mfuengi : fox
– mokomboso : chimpanzee
– monganza : fish species
– mongusu : fish species
– moselekete : lizard
– motema pembe : falcon
– mpakasa : buffalo
– mpese : cockroach
– mpoka : fish species
– mpongo : eagle
– mpose : orange palm worm
– mpuku : rat, mouse
– mpunda : horse
– mutshopi : earthworm
– ndakala : fish species
– ndeke : bird
– ndjoku (nzoku) : elephant
– ndonge (lindonge) : termite, winged ant
– ngando : crocodile, caiman
– ngembo : bat
– ngolo : species of fish called catfish
– ngombe : cow, beef
– ngubu : hippopotamus
– ngulu : pig, sow
– nguma : boa, python
– ngungi : mosquito
– niama : animal, game
– niama ya zamba : wild animal
– nina : electric fish
– nioka : snake
– nkosi : lion
– nkoyi : leopard
– nkusu : maggot
– ntaba : goat
– ntambwe : cheetah, leopard
– nzale : buffalo
– nzinzi : fly
– nzombo : freshwater fish otherwise known as catfish
– nzoyi : bee
– okapi : zebra antelope living in the East of the R.D. Congo
– pembe ya ndjoku : ivory
– pomboli : butterfly
– simbiliki : species of large wild rodent
– sokomuntu : gorilla
– sombo : wild boar, warthog
– sonzo : leech
– soso : hen, cock, rooster
– tshaku : parrot
- IN FAMILY : (na kati ya libota, familia, famie)
– bana mapasa : twins
– bokilo : son-in-law, daughter-in-law, husband of my niece, wife of my nephew
– bokilo : child of my husband’s sister, child of my husband’s maternal cousin
– bokilo : father-in-law, mother-in-law, wife of my maternal uncle
– bomama : motherhood
– bomuana : childhood
– familia (famie) : family, clan
– koko : grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter
– koko’a mobali : grandmother
– koko’a muasi : grandfather
– kokololo : great grandson, great granddaughter
– kulutu : elder, old, elderly
– leki : little brother, little sister
– leki ya mobali : little brother
– leki ya muasi : little sister
– libota : family unit, family home
– libumu : matrilineal lineage (coming out from the same womb, the same mother)
– lipasa (mapasa) : twin(s)
– makangu : concubine, lover, mistress
– mama : mother, mom, madam
– mama kulutu : maternal aunt (older than mom)
– mama leki : maternal aunt (younger than mom)
– mama mapasa : mother of twins
– mama mobokoli : adoptive mother, foster mother
– mbanda : rival in love, the other wife of my husband
– mobali : man, husband, male
– mobange (mibange, babange) : old, old men
– moboti (baboti) : parent (father or mother), parent
– mokolo (mikolo, bakolo) : adult
– molongani : partner
– moninga (baninga) : friend, boyfriend
– muana (bana) : child, son
– muana etike : orphan
– muana etinda (bitinda) : servant, domestic, docile child, obedient child
– muana liboso : elder, first-born child of a sibling
– muana likinda : only child
– muana mobali : boy
– muana muasi : girl
– muana nkazi : nephew, niece
– muana nsuka : benjamin, last born of a sibling
– muana somi : legitimate child, entitled beneficiary, citizen
– muasi : woman, wife
– ndeko : sibling, brother or sister
– ndeko’a mobali : brother
– ndeko’a muasi : sister
– noko : uncle, nephew, niece
– papa : dad, father
– papa kulutu : paternal uncle (older than dad)
– papa leki : paternal uncle (younger than dad)
– semeki : brother-in-law, sister-in-law, husband of my cousin, wife of my cousin
– semeki ya mobali : brother of my husband (wife)
– semeki ya muasi : sister of my husband (wife)
– tata : father, dad, aunt
– tata kulutu : paternal uncle (older than dad)
– tata leki : paternal uncle (younger than dad)
– tata mobokoli : adoptive father, foster father
– tata muasi : paternal aunt
– yaya : big brother, big sister (same with “ya” followed by the name)
- THE BODY (nzoto, nzotu).
– bisanza : vomit, sick
– bongo : brain
– ekomba : sterile
– elongi (bilongi) : face
– enama (binama) : limb
– evunda : buttock
– goro : penis
– kingo : neck
– kingodinga : Adam’s apple
– kolongonu : good health, robustness
– kosukosu : cough
– kovo : bald head
– kunza : pubic hair
– libandi : bald head
– libele (mabele) : breast, udder
– libolo : vulva, vagina
– libumu (mabumu) : abdomen, belly
– lidiata (madiata) : horny crack under the feet and on the heels
– lifuni : anus
– likata : testicle, also used to designate the penis
– likosi : occiput, back vertex of the skull
– lingundu : hernia
– linu (minu) : tooth
– linzaka (manzaka) : (finger/toe)nail, claw
– lipalata (mapalata) : halo or whitish spot on scalp, dandruff
– lipapu (mapapu) : wing
– lipeka (mapeka) : shoulder
– lisoko (masoko) : buttock
– liso (pluriel: miso) : eye
– litaka : spermatozoon, male gamete
– litama (matama) : cheek
– litoyi (pluriel: matoyi) : ear
– loboko (maboko) : arm, hand
– loketo : hips, hip circumference, waist circumference
– lokolo (makolo) : leg, foot
– lolemo : tongue
– lopiko : kidney
– loposo : skin
– loto : dandruff
– lukika : sinusitis, migraine
– mabolongo : knees
– mabindi : testicles
– mabundi : cheeks
– makiki : eyebrows
– makila : blood
– makolo ngulu : barefoot
– makuanza : scabies
– maladi : illness
– maladi ya ndeke : epilepsy
– mandefu : beard
– maneti : glasses
– mangwele : vaccine, vaccination
– masasamba : armpits, armpit hair
– masebe : inflammation of the mouth lips, herpetic rash
– masuba : urine
– mbanga : chin, jaw
– mbasu : soft tissue necrosis that often affects the lower limbs
– mbebo : lip
– mbenza : parting in the hair, part
– mbolo : pustule
– mboto : male gamete
– mbunzu : forehead
– mika (muika) : hair
– mingayi : pins and needles, tingling, goose bumps
– minoko ya zolo : nostrils
– miyoyo : nasal mucus, snot
– mokokoli : shaved head, bald head
– mokongo : back
– mokumba (mikumba) : pregnancy
– mokuse (mikuse) : small, short in stature
– mokuwa (mikuwa) : bone
– molayi (milayi) : tall, high in stature
– moloku : elbow
– mongongo : voice, throat
– monoko (minoko) : mouth
– mopende (mipende) : thigh
– mopiko (mipiko) : muscle
– mosapi (misapi) : finger, toe
– mosapi ya maboko : finger
– mosapi ya makolo : toe
– mosisa (misisa) : vein, artery
– mosomba : rectum, anus
– mosoto : dirt
– mosutu : uncircumcised penis, uncircumcised man
– motema : heart
– motoki : sweat, perspiration
– motolu : navel, umbilicus
– motu : head
– mpoti : pus caused by conjunctivitis
– mutakala : naked
– mutshopo : intestine, uterus
– nduta (manduta) : stretch mark(s)
– ngenga : foreskin
– ngondo : virginity
– niama (baniama) : parasitic worm living in the human or animal body
– nieyi : feces, poop
– nkunki : dorsal hump
– nswengina : asthma
– nzoloko : scarification, tattoo
– panzi : rib
– pinzoli : tear(s)
– pota : wound
– puale : hair
– sanga : adultery disease, infidelity disease, herpes of sexual organs
– sanza : menses, periods
– sili : louse, crab
– soka : penis
– sopisi : gonorrhea, clap
– soyi : saliva, dribble, slobber
– suki : hair
– tofina : pus
– tolo : chest
– zemi : pregnancy
– zolo : nose
- AT HOME (na kati ya ndaku).
– agene : alcohol based on corn or manioc produced by distillation
– ampule : light bulb
– ananasi : pineapple
– antene : antenna, aerial
– basani : plates, dishes, crockery
– bagi : ring, wedding ring
– bazoka : chewing-gum
– bibelo : baby bottle, freeding bottle
– biele : beer
– bife : sideboard
– biki : pen
– bilei : food
– bilia : food
– bilolo : kind of salad having a bitter taste
– bisaka : luggage
– bitekuteku : kind of salad
– bitoto : bean dish mixed with manioc leaves
– bopeto : cleanliness
– bosoto : dirt
– boyi : servant, domestic
– buku : book, booklet
– bulangeti : blanket, cover
– buto : button
– buzi : candle
– de : thimble
– dongi : pants shorter than required length
– dongodongo : kind of green and elongated spice producing a sticky sauce, okra
– dushe : shower
– ebonga : seat, stool
– efelo : wall
– ekeke : yam
– ekeko : statue, statuette
– ekoko : axe, ax, hatchet
– ekolo : basket, bag
– ekolo : stool
– ekoti : hat, kepi, beret, headdress
– ekuke : door
– ekutu : calabash
– elamba (bilamba) : clothing
– elambo : meal, food
– eloko ya kolia (biloko ya kolia) : food, meal
– eloko ya ntina : valuable object
– elubu : ready-cooked dish
– etabe (bitabe) : banana
– etoko : sleeping mat
– eyiteli : barbecue grill
– ezibeli : entrance, door, opening
– felo : iron
– fimbu : whip, chicote
– finiti : pin, drawng pin, thumbtack
– fofolo : box of matches
– fololo : flower
– fono : phonograph, record player
– foteye : armchair
– foto : photo
– fufu : manioc starch
– fufu ya masango : corn flour
– fungola : key
– fulufulu : soap or drink foam (usually beer foam)
– ingembua : umbrella
– kafi : coffee
– kalavati : tie
– kaleso : boxer shorts, leggings, panties, underpants
– kamundele : meat skewer
– kanape : sofa
– kangama : tight skirt
– kania : fork
– katini : bucket, pail
– kasete : cassette, tape
– kaye : notebook, exercise book
– kazaka : jacket
– kazie : pigeonhole
– kikalungu : frying pan
– kikedi : tapioca, piece of soaked cassava
– kikoso : toilet, washroom, shower room
– kikuku : kitchen
– kilote : short trousers
– kimpuka : manioc starch
– kinsekua : bug
– kisanola : comb
– kisangala : demijhon
– kisi : medicine
– kisoka (soka) : axe, ax, hatchet
– kitalatala (talatala) : mirror, glass
– kitambala : foulard
– kiti : chair, seat
– kitunga : basket
– kiyungulu : sieve used to sieve flour
– koko : sugar cane
– kokoti : coconut
– kole : glue
– kombo : broom
– koni : firewood
– kongo : hoe
– kopo : tumbler, cup, glass (container, contents)
– kuanga : chikwangue, cassava cake
– kumba : padlock
– kupe : panties, shorts
– lamer : sea fish
– langi : paint
– libanga : electric battery
– libaya (mabaya) : plank, board, blouse in loincloth
– libenga : purse
– liboka : mortar for crushing food
– liboke : fish or meat dish cooked in papillotes, in banana leaves or other
– lidame (madame) : fruit of the badamier tree
– lifolototo : culinary preparation based on chopped manioc leaves
– likala (makala) : embers, piece of coal
– likasu : cola nut
– likei ou liaki (maki) : egg
– likonzi : pillar, support post
– lilala (malala) : orange
– limbondo : dish based on manioc leaves
– lingolo (mangolo) : mango
– lininisa : window
– linioko (manioko) : manioc
– liniuka : scouring sponge, loofah
– linzanza : tin can
– lipa (mapa) : bread
– lipapa : flip-flop, thong, sandal
– lipela (mapela) : guava
– liputa : loincloth
– lisango (masango) : corn
– lisheti (masheti) : machete
– litonge (matonge) : a kind of tropical fruit with large fleshy seeds to suck
– lituma : cake made from crushed plantain banana
– litungulu (matungulu) : onion
– liyebo (mayebo) : mushroom
– lokasa : leaf, bank note
– lokese : crocodile meat dish
– lopete : ring, wedding ring
– loso : rice
– lotoko : alcohol based on rice or corn produced by distillation
– lumba-lumba : a basil-like plant whose leaves serve as a condiment
– lunguila : alcohol based on sugar cane juice, rum
– lutu : spoon
– madesu : beans
– madesu make : peas
– mafuta : oil
– mafuta nzoyi : honey
– makaroni : kind of pasta
– makayabo (likayabo) : cod, salted fish
– makemba : plantains
– makoso : pigs’ trotters
– makusa : cooking, culinary arts
– malasi : perfume, deodorant
– malili : cold
– manaka : calendar
– maneti : glasses
– manga : mango
– manganga : straw for roofing, thatch
– manga-sende : fruit of the Kythera apple tree
– manteka / mateka : butter, margarine
– manzanza : corrugated irons
– mapapa : sandals, slippers, flip-flops
– masanga : alcoholic drink
– masang’a mbila : palm wine
– masini : sewing machine
– matalatumbu : camphorated cough suppressant ointment that decongests the respiratory tract
– matembele : leaves of a creeping plant that produces potatoes
– mayaka : string of pearls worn by women
– mayi : water
– mayi ya lobo : sugar water
– mbabula : charcoal stove, barbecue
– mbala : sweet potato, spud
– mbati : pants, (pair of) trousers
– mbeli : knife
– mbeto : bed
– mbika : pods of a species of squash, pastry obtained by crushing them
– mbilika : teapot, coffee pot
– mbinzo : caterpillar
– mbisi : fish
– mbongo : money
– mbua (imbua) : dog
– mbuengi : species of peas
– mbuma : fruit, seed
– mesa : table
– mfumbua : crumbled and dried edible leaves prepared with the peanut paste
– miliki : milk
– misili : sort of bitter tasting green vegetable
– mitshopo : tripe dish
– mobesu : uncooked
– modinda : briefs, underpants, panties
– mofinuku : lid
– mokaba : belt
– mokanda (mikanda) : letter, identity paper
– mokate (mikate) : doughnut, donut
– mokokoli ya lipa : bread crust
– molangi : bottle
– molinga (milinga): smoke
– molunge : air heat
– mondenge : fruit called beef heart, corrosol
– mondongo : maniguette or seed of paradise with a peppery taste
– mongusu : kind of fish
– monoi (minoi) : medicine, remedy
– mopanzi ya ndako : wall
– mopiko : bunch, bundle
– mosaka : palm nut juice
– mosoto : dirt
– mosuni (misuni): piece of meat
– motalaka : grill, broiler
– moteke : tapioca purée, cassava flour
– moto : fire, heat
– motondo (mitondo) : roof
– motonga : skewer rod
– motute : pestle
– mpese : cockroach
– mpiodi : herring , horse mackerel fish
– mpoke : calabash
– muamba (nguba) : peanut paste, peanut butter
– muana mosala : servant, domestic
– muana popi : doll
– muinda (minda) : lamp
– mukadi : underpants, briefs, panties
– mungua : salt
– musitikele : mosquito net
– musuale : handkerchief
– ndakala : small freshwater fish
– ndako : home, house, accommodation
– ndembi : chives, onion leaf
– ndika : palm nut
– ndunda : salad
– ngayi : sour, acid
– ngayingayi : sorrel leaves
– ngolo : catfish
– nguba : peanut
– niama : meat
– niawu : cat
– nkuala : sleeping mat
– nsamba (masanga mbila) : palm wine
– nsengo : hoe
– nzambala : loose garment, boubou
– nzungu : pot, pan
– paka-paka : carambola, star fruit
– palaki : vinyl disc
– palapudi : umbrella
– pantalo : pants, (pair of) trousers
– pawu : spade
– payipayi : papaya
– pepesupu : very spicy fish or meat broth
– pilipili : chilli pepper
– pitiloyi : petroleum, paraffin (oil)
– pompi : pump, tap, faucet
– pondu : dish of manioc leaves
– potopoto : puree for baby
– sabuni : soap
– safu : fruit of the safoutier
– saki : bag
– sakosi : handbag, purse
– saladini : sardines
– salamanze : dining room
– sandale : sandal
– sanduku : chest, case, coffin
– sani : plate
– sani ya mbele : flat plate
– sapatu: shoe, slipper
– savoka : fruit of the avocado tree
– semule : wheat semolina, edible dough based on wheat semolina
– sengele (singlet) : underwear covering the upper body, vest
– sentile : belt
– sete : nail
– si : saw
– sikoti : chicote, whip
– silipe : briefs
– sinda : lemongrass, citronella
– singa : thread, rope
– sipageti : kind of pasta
– somisi : shirt
– songo : manioc
– songo ya fufu : piece of dried cassava
– sukali : sugar
– suku : bedroom
– sume : hand towel
– suvetema : underwear
– taba : piece of cloth used as a baby diaper
– tangawisi : ginger, ginger based drink
– telefone : phone
– televizio : television
– ti : tea
– tilapia : tilapia
– tolo (matolo) : corrugated iron for roofing
– tomato : tomato
– tomson (thomson) : common name for fish
– tondolo : fruit species with sour taste prized by pregnant women
– tonga : needle
– tuka : piece of dried cassava
– tumbako : tobacco
– vino : wine
– vunga : blanket
– wangila : sesame seed
– wese : toilets
– yombo : natural colorant
– zibulatere : bottle opener
– zigida (ou zikita) : washers ornaments worn by women around the waist
– zileti : rasor blade
– zipe : skirt
– zongo : w-c, toilet, latrines, defecation
