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 !
Remarks:
Many words begin with “mo”, “bo” or “li”, they are words derived from verbs. The formation of these words is done by replacing the “ko” of the verb by “mo” (to indicate the actor of the verb), “bo” (to indicate a quality or habit) or “li” (to indicate the object or source of the action). In these cases, the “a” at the end of the verb is replaced by “i”. Thus the verb “komela” is transformed into “momeli” to mean the drinker, the verb “kolimbisa” becomes “bolimbisi” to mean forgiveness and the verb “koseka” becomes “liseki” to mean the joke that makes you laugh.
Other words beginning with “bo” are formed by associating the prefix “bo-“ with a noun to indicate a qualifier or state related to that word. For example: “moto” (man or human) gives “bomoto” which means humanity or quality of human being; “mpeto” (clean) gives “bopeto” which means cleanliness; “ndeko” (brother) gives “bondeko” which means fraternity.
In the plural, the “mo” is replaced by “ba” if the word refers to humans and by “mi” if not, the “bo” remains unchanged while “li” becomes “ma”.
Other words are formed by replacing the “ko” with “e” and the final “a” of the verb with “eli”, the word then indicates “the way of (verb)-ing”, example “kozala” which becomes “ezaleli” which means behaviour or way of being. Similarly, some verbs transform their final “a” into “elo” to indicate the place where the action of the verb usually takes place, for example: the verb “kosambisa” which means “to try” is transformed into “esambiselo” to indicate the court. This same suffix is used to designate the means or object used to perform the action of the verb, for example: the verb “kosala” which means “to work” is transformed into “esalelo” to indicate a tool.
Not all derived words are in the following list, but when you encounter a word in this form, you only have to reconstruct the verb from which it originated by doing the reverse operation to find its meaning.
As a general rule, the plural of words is done as follows:
– the words beginning with “e” replace “e” with “bi”. Ex: ekoti becomes bikoti
– the words beginning with “li” replace “li” with “ma”. Ex: liboke becomes maboke.
– the words beginning with “mo” replace “mo” by “mi” when these words are qualifiers. Ex.: mondele becomes mindele (white or mixed), mobange becomes mibange (old), moyibi becomes miyibi (thief).
We obtain the plural of words beginning with “mo” by replacing “mo” with “ba” when these words define humans in their state or profession. Ex: moto becomes bato (human), moyembi becomes bayembi (singer), moyindo becomes bayindo (black man) and mobange becomes babange (old man). Similarly, in some cases the “mo” can be replaced by “bami”. Ex: the mondele becomes bamindele (white or mixed race man) and moyibi becomes bamiyibi (professional thief).
For all other words, the plural is done either by prefixing them with “ba” (mboka becomes bamboka), or they remain invariable like mbongo. The prefix “ba” generally refers to the plural related to humans.
The words beginning with “ma” are generally already in the plural form and therefore remain unchanged.
Words beginning with the prefix “kimo” often indicate “quality of, state of”, and are derived from words beginning with “mo”. Ex: mondele gives kimondele (quality of white, way of white); mokolo gives kimokolo (quality of elder, right of elder). When the word also ends with “i”, it means that it comes from a verb with the same meaning. Ex: moyibi (thief) which gives kimoyibi (quality of thief) of koyiba (to steal); moyembi (singer) which gives kimoyembi (state of singer) of koyemba (to sing).
Some examples of common verbs and their derived words:
– Kozala : to be (“to have” under certain conditions, see below)
*Ezaleli : derived word meaning the way of being, in short, the character.
–Kolia : to eat
*Eleli : the way of eating
– Kolamba : preparing (to eat) can also mean figuratively deceiving in the sense of swindling
*Elambeli : the way of preparing
– Komela : drinking
*Emeleli : the way to drink
– Kokoma : to write, also means according to the intonation “to arrive”
*Ekomeli : way of writing or writing.
– Kolata : dressing up
*Elateli : how to dress
– Kotala : to look, to visit
*Etaleli : way of looking, look
– Koseka : to laugh
*Esekeli
– Kobina : dancing
*Ebineli
– Kosimba : to hold, to touch
*Esimbeli
– Kotambola : walking….
*Etamboli
– Kokota : to enter
* Ekoteli
– etc….
– mabanzo : ideas, thoughts
– mabe : evil, wrong
– mabele : soil, earth
– mabina: dance
– mabindi: balls, bollocks
– mabombami : secrets, hidden truths, mysteries
– mabongisi : organization, preparation, project, process
– mabunga : errors, mistakes
– mafinga : insults
– mafunda : accusations, charges
– magazini : shop
– makakanelo : crossing, crossroads
– makango : mistress, concubine
– makasi : strength
– makele : ore
– makelele : noise, heckling, uproar
– makinu : dance
– makoki : means, capabilities, rights
– makomi : writings, literature
– makuela : wedding
– maladi (malali) : illness, desease
– malako : educational messages, teaching
– malamu: good
– malembe : slowness
– malewa : makeshift restaurant serving meals on the street and in the vicinity of companies
– malili : cold
– malinga : a kind of couple dance, music that accompanies this dance
– malita : cemetery
– malole : needy, miserable person
– malonga : good, interesting, decent
– malongi : education, training
– mambeta : shoes transformed into slippers
– mambi : subject, case
– mamelo : nun
– mamiwata : siren, mermaid
– mampuya : deprivation of sexual relations, person in sexual abstinence
– manaka : calendar
– mangala : inappropriate speech
– mangolo : mango tree, mango
– mangondo : derisory, discount, on sale
– mangungu : threats in words, intimidation, threats in the air
– mangwele : vaccine
– maniaku : swindle
– maniongo : moans, groans, whining
– manzengele : ravine, hole dug by rain erosion
– manzopo : headgear, hat
– mapata : clouds
– mapinga : armed forces, military
– maponomi : elections
– masele : lies
– masenginia (lisengimia) : temptations, solicitations
– masese (lisese) : proverbs, words of wisdom
– masikini : popular ball, music and dance with tom-tom
– masini : machine, apparatus, vehicle
– maso : bricklayer, mason
– masuwa : boat, ship
– matabisi : tip, bonus, profit
– matanga : funeral wake, funeral
– matata : dispute, quarrel, complications
– matiti : weeds, waste
– matolo : corrugated irons, chatter to get money, begging by flattery
– matondi : thanks
– matongi : slander, words spoken in the absence of the person concerned
– matono : titles, guidelines, terms, resolutions, points or terms of agreement
– matshombe (litshombe) : premature child
– matumboli : provocations, harassment
– mavuanga : disorder, bad behaviour
– mawa : sadness, misfortune, pity, compassion
– mayangani : gathering, communion
– mayele: intelligence, cunning
– mayi : water
– mayuya : illegality, scheming
– mazuti : fuel oil, diesel
– mbala : number of times, multiplying factor
– mbalakaka : suddenness, unexpectedly
– mbamba : marking with the panties, imposed proximity, pressure exerted on someone
– mbanda : rival, opponent
– mbanga : jaw, mouth
– mbangu : speed, quickness
– mbano : result, sanction, reward, prize
– mbata : slap
– mbeba : error, blunder, offence, big mistake, damage
– mbeka : limit, threshold, level
– mbeka : sacrifice as an offering
– mbeki : pottery
– mbela : call, alarm call
– mbengu-mbengu : disorder, confusion
– mbeya-mbeya : easy virtue girl, whore, partygoer
– mbiaka : experienced, elder, dean
– mbiangama : invitation, call
– mbila : palm nut, police officer in slang
– mbilinga-mbilinga : disorder, mess
– mbindo : filth, dirt, hypocrisy, slyness
– mbinga : gigantism, state of what is strong
– mboka : village, country, village of origin, country of origin, bled
– mbolo-mbolo : protective agent, bodyguard
– mbonda : tom-tom, drum
– mbondo : truth detecting potion becoming poison in case of lies, truth serum
– mbonge : aquatic swirl
– mbongo : money
– mbonguana : change, transformation
– mbotama : birth
– mboto : seed, male gamete
– mbu : sea, ocean
– mbuakela : satire sung, denunciation implied through a song, sarcasm, quolibet
– mbula (mvula) : rain, year
– mbulamatadi : government
– mbuma : fruit, seed, pod, result
– mbutu-mbutu : complication, disruption, agitation, conflict situation
– meke : in large quantities, in abundance
– meko : measure, recommendation, instructions, decision
– metele : meter, master
– meya : sou
– mfuengi : fox, tail, tie
– mibale : two
– midi : midday, noon, twelve o’clock
– mikakatano : problems, difficulties, complications
– mikili : countries in Europe or North America and by extension foreign countries outside Africa
– mikosa (mokosa) : itching
– milelo : crying, cries of distress
– miliale : billion
– milioni : million
– milolo : cries of joy
– milona : agriculture, plantations
– milulu : celebrations
– mindondo : problems, bothers
– mindoto : dreams
– minei : four
– mingayi : chills, tingling in a limb
– mingi : abundant, much
– minioko : torture, suffering, torment
– miniololo : fetters, chains, handcuffs
– mino : medecines, drug
– minuti : minute
– misato : three
– mista (bamasta) : friend, comrade
– mitano : five
– mitelengano : wandering, vagrancy
– mitingi : meeting, gathering
– mitshopo : intestines, bowels, viscera
– miziki : music
– mobali (mibali) : male person, male
– mobange : old man
– mobembani : partner
– mobembo : travel, pilgrimage, tour
– mobeko : law
– mobesu : raw, unripe, young
– mobimba : totality, wholeness, virginity
– mobini (babini) : dancer
– mobobe : naive person, easy to handle person
– moboko : background, foundation, main point
– mobola : poor
– mobosono : person with lower limb disability, paraplegic
– mobu : year
– mobulu : disorder, indiscipline
– modele : model
– mo-(ekolo) : person from the “ekolo” tribe, ex: moluba (person from the Luba tribe)
– mofandi : inhabitant
– mofiti (mifiti) : traitor, informer, hypocrite, malicious person, profiteer
– mofolu : terror, fright
– mofude : cute, young
– mofuteli (bafuteli) : tenant, lessee, leaseholder, lodger, roomer
– mokakatano : difficulty, complication
– mokako : wish of good luck, blessing
– mokama : one hundred
– mokambi : president, leader
– mokanda (mikanda) : letter, identity document
– mokano : decision, recommendation
– mokapo : article of law, chapter
– moke : little, small, insignificant
– mokengeli : supervisor, guardian
– mokengi : supervisor, guard, security officer
– mokila (mikila) : tail
– mokili : country, world, living space, nature
– mokinza : fart
– mokitani : successor, substitute, heir, descendant
– mokitano : succession
– moko : one
– mokobo : nigger
– mokokoli : crust, shaved skull, balded stone of a fruit
– mokoli : adult, old
– mokolo (bakolo) : adult, elderly, old
– mokolo (mikolo) : day
– mokoloto : signature
– mokongo : member of an ethnic group from the Kongo kingdom where the kikongo is spoken
– mokoni : patient, ill person
– mokonzi (bakonzi) : leader, boss, authority
– mokosi : liar
– mokubua : great chief
– mokufi : dead person, deceased
– mokuli : adult, middle-aged woman who likes to support young men
– mokumba : burden, pregnancy
– mokumbi : pilot, driver, carrier
– mokumisi (bakumisi) : supporter, fan
– mokuse : short, small, little, brief
– mokuya : mourning makeup, signs of mourning, misfortune
– molakisi (balakisi) : teacher, professor, instructor
– molandi (balandi) : follower, adherent, successor
– molanga-nzembo : artist musician, singer
– molangwa : drunkenness, inhebriation, alcoholic beverage, intoxicating product
– molaso : woman of easy virtue, fickle woman, whore
– molato : clothing, dress
– molayi : long, tall, high in stature, giant
– molema : soul, conscience, deep feeling
– molembeteli : person who studies character, observer of mental behaviour, psychologist
– molende : determination, liveliness, perseverance, fierce will, energy, vigour
– molili : darkness
– molimu : spirit
– molinga : smoke
– molingami : friend, beloved
– molobeli : spokesperson, lawyer
– molona (milona) : plant
– molonga : victory, satisfaction
– molongani : companion, spouse, soul mate
– molongi : winner, champion
– molongo : row, list, queue
– molongo : order, rectitude
– molongo : world, world organization, international community
– molopo : pipe, conduit
– moluba (baluba) : member of an ethnic group whose vernacular language is Tshiluba
– moluka : research, effort to find
– moluka : river, stream, watercourse
– molunge : stifling heat
– mombombo : very powerful kick on a ball
– mombongo : trade, business
– momekano : competition, contest
– momesano : habit
– momi : girl, chick
– monama : spirit of the river, spirit of the water
– monano : cruising, sailing
– mondele (mindele) : European type person, person with fair or mixed skin
– mondele mboka : mayor
– mondelo : border, boundary
– mondenge : bet
– mondongo : a medicinal plant that produces peppercorn-flavoured seeds from paradise
– monduki (minduki) : rifle, firearm
– mondule : song, music tune
– monene : size, greatness, immensity, importance, gravity
– mongala (bangala) : member of an ethnic group whose vernacular language is Lingala
– mongala : river
– mongali : gigolo
– mongamba : domestic, servant
– mongando : prostitute
– monganga (minganga) : doctor
– mongete : goal, point
– mongongo (mingongo) : voice, throat
– monguna : enemy
– moniama : fishing or hunting net, trap
– moniango (baniango) : friar, sister, nun
– moniato : illegality, counterfeiting, piracy
– moniere : a kind of beret
– moninga (baninga) : friend, pal, mate, comrade, fellow man, neighbour
– monkoto : soldier’s boots, military outfit
– monoko : language, dialect, mouth
– monoko’a mboka : dialect, mother tongue
– monongi : observer, investigator
– montika : surrender, abandonment
– monyele : East
– monzele : elegant clothing, beauty treatments, make-up
– monzemba : single life, celibacy
– monzoto (minzoto) : star
– mopanga : sword
– mopanzi : side, wall
– mopaya (bapaya) : foreigner, guest
– mopepe : air, wind
– mopiko : bunch, bundle, pillar, group
– mosala : work
– mosali (basali) : worker, employee, servant
– mosalisi (basalisi) : benefactor, healer
– mosambeli : lawyer
– mosambisi : judge
– mosani : player, actor
– moseka : virgin girl, young girl
– mosenzi : unsociable person, fool, ill-mannered assimilated to monkey
– mosielu : slippery
– mosika : far away
– mosinzo : betrayal by the seduction of the loving partner of a friend or relative
– mosisa (misisa) : root, vein
– mosolo : money
– mosoni : couturier, dressmaker, tailor
– mosoto : dirt
– mosungi : support, guardian, protector
– mosusu : other
– moswahili (baswahili) : Congolese from the Swahili linguistic space
– motako : free of charge, unnecessarily, for nothing, in vain
– motambo : trap, ambush
– motane : red, light colour
– motango : amount, sum, number
– motangua : rate
– motawu : object of desire, object of temptation, weakness to resist temptation, trap
– moteke : wicker basket, cassava flour
– motele : motor, engine
– motema : heart
– motifi : grievance, something to blame
– motindami : envoy, messenger
– motindo (mitindo) : sort, kind, type
– motindo : order, directive, recommendation
– moto : fire, heat
– moto : motorcycle
– motoba : six
– motoki : sweat, the fruit of work
– motopi : ball, football
– motshopi : worm, skinny
– motshopo : intestine, bowel, womb, inner tube
– motu (mitu) : head
– motua : pygmy
– motuka : car, vehicle, automobile
– motuna (mituna) : question
– motungisi : disturbance, hassle
– motuya : value, price, importance
– movila : villager in the city, countryman, countrywoman
– mowelani : opponent
– moweyi (baweyi) : deceased, deceased person, mortal remains
– mowuta (bawuta) : immigrant, person from elsewhere, provincial for the Kinois
– mowumbu (bawumbu) : slave
– moyambi (bayambi) : host
– moyeke : occultism
– moyembi (bayembi) : singer
– moyete (miyete) : tree
– moyi : sun, daylight, daytime
– moyi (bayi) : that of, inhabitant of, native to
– moyibi : thief
– moyimboka (bayimboka) : native, indigenous, child of the country
– moyimi : selfish, miser
– moyindo (bayindo) : black man
– moyinga : ignoramus
– mozangi(na) : destitute, penniless, poor
– mozaza : money
– moziki : association for mutual aid and solidarity savings, member of this association
– mozimbi : courtier, sycophant, flatterer
– mozindo : depth, bottom
– mpaka : old man, dean, old person, senator
– mpakala : complicity
– mpako : tax, licence
– mpela : rainy season, epidemic, calamity
– mpepo : aeroplane, aircraft
– mpeto : cleanliness, healthiness
– mpiaka : lack, shortage, defeat, lack of results
– mpifo : power, imperium, authority, capacity
– mpiko : tenacity, perseverance, courage
– mpiololo : whistle
– mpoka : mould, mold, mildew
– mpuasa (puasa) : revelation in the light, in the sight and in the knowledge of everyone
– mpuka : machine gun, bullet discharge
– mpungi : warning buzzer, horn, saxophone, wind instrument producing a low sound
– mpungu : curse, evil possession
– mputulukezo : Portuguese
– muambe : eight
– muana-mboka : citizen, child of the country
– muango : operation, process
– muanza : who always rambles on, who has uncontrolled behaviour, who acts in any way
– muasi (basi) : woman, wife, female person
– muaye : means, way
– muindu : black, black man, dark color
– mukala : flowerbed, clod of soil intended for plant cultivation
– mukala : servant, minion, flunkey
– mungala : sea, ocean
– mutaka : nest
– mutakala : nudity, nakedness, naked, undressed
– mutshopo : intestine, gut
– mutu (batu) : man, human, individual
– muvema : movement
– muzulumbua : universe
– muzungu : white skin person, European
– mvuama : businessman, rich, funder
– mvuela : cassock, boubou
– mvula : rain
– ndaka : agreement, promise, appointment
– ndakisa : example, demonstration
– ndambo : a part, a little bit
– ndanga : guarantee, counterparty
– ndeke-ndeke : resourceful, wandering
– ndelo : boundary, border, level
– ndembo : football
– ndenge : difficult character, unclassifiable
– ndika : palm nuts
– ndikila : poison, food with harmful effects, magic potion
– ndimbola : explanation
– ndingari : Senegalese, generic name of a West African
– ndingisa : authorization, permission, recommendation
– ndobo : fishhook
– ndombolo : Congolese dance created at the end of the 90s
– ndongo : gravity, seriousness
– ndoto : dream
– ndoto ya mabe : nightmare
– ndoyi : homonymous
– nduku : friendly pat on the shoulder
– ndule : song, music tune
– ndumba : prostitute
– ndundu : albino
– ngadiadia : medicinal plant called garcinia kola which produces kola nuts
– ngala : validity, maturity, expiry date, opportunity
– ngalasisi : exercise, training
– ngambo : bank, side
– ngambo : guilt, guilty act, serious misconduct
– nganda : bar, bistro, cabaret
– ngando (bangando) : crocodile, transport controller
– nganga : connoisseur, specialist, marabout, witchdoctor
– nganga-kisi : healer, medicinal plant specialist
– nganga-mayele : expert
– ngayi : me, sourness
– ngebu-ngebu : pretty, elegant, resplendent, impeccable
– ngele : money
– ngele : South
– ngelele : shortage, famine, lack, crisis
– ngeli-ngeli : shimmering, flashy, bling-bling
– ngembo : spectator, gawper, onlooker
– ngende : rhythm
– ngenge : toxin, poison, microbe, virus, cancer
– ngenge : talent, luck, intrinsic value, vital substance, money
– ngengele : grain
– ngenza : miasmus
– ngolu : favour, grace
– ngomba : mountain
– ngondo : bludgeon
– ngonga : o’clock, bell, ringing
– ngongi : percussion instrument composed of two bells without clappers
– ngongolo : cask, barrel
– ngotobobo : coward
– nguanzu : informal trade in Chinese counterfeit products (Gouang Zhou City)
– nguba : peanut, groundnut, shield
– nguende : throne, seat of power, command post
– ngulu : pig, stowaway in the luggage of a real passenger
– ngulu-ngulu : without precautions, without mistrust, headlong
– ngulupa : group, troop, herd
– ngunda : refuge, exile, asylum
– ngunza : animist priest
– nguya : inner strength, power
– ngwasuma : exhilaration with rhythms, exhilaration with pleasure
– ngwi : fixed, firmly planted, determinedly
– niama : beast, animal
– niamu-niamu : scheming, cheating
– niangalakata : good-for-nothing, fool, idiot
– niekese : soft feel, comfort, elasticity, suppleness
– nimelo : number, size
– niongo : debt
– nionio : girl, teenager
– nivo : level
– nkadiampemba : satan, person with evil intentions
– nkasa : sheet, page
– nkela : offence, misdemeanour
– nkele : disgust, filth, dirt
– nkelo : water source, fountain
– nkembo : glory, rejoicing
– nkeni : cup
– nkita : wealth produced, economy, business
– nko : formal intent to harm, voluntary action to harm
– nkoko (koko) : grandparent, ancestor
– nkokoso (kokoso) : difficulty, problem, boredom, hindrance
– nkolo (bakolo) : property prefix
– nkolo-lopango : landlord, lessor, owner of the parcel
– nkolo-mboka : indigenous, autochthon, authentic child of the country
– nkolo-ndako : home owner, property owner, person established in a residence
– nkoma : notice, panel bearing writings
– nkondo : deceased, late
– nkonzo : valour, courage, intrepidity
– nkonzo : possibility, alternative, option, choice
– nkotela : entry, introduction
– nkotela : bewitchtment, possession
– nkuba : physical violence, beating, caning
– nkuku : secret, in camera
– nkumba : padlock
– nkumu : customary chief, chief, authority
– nkunda : tomb, grave
– nkunga : song
– nkusu : maggot, worm
– nodi : North
– noki : fast, quick
– noko : uncle, nephew, niece, Belgian colon for the Congolese
– nsisani : solidarity contribution
– nsombokila : tick
– nsunga : scent, perfume
– ntaka : distance, space, period, space of time
– ntako : royalty, tax
– ntangua : alarm, warning, kick-off
– nteke : celebration
– ntela-ntela : unstable, unattached, without a fixed home, who walks the streets
– nteyi : interior, middle
– ntika : abandonment
– ntina : value, importance
– ntoki : culture, education
– ntoma : representative, ambassador, emissary
– ntombua : development, raising
– nungu-nungu : rumor, disturbance, instability
– nye : quiet, motionless
– nzala : hunger, famine
– nzambala : ample garment in dress shape, boubou
– nzanga : midday, noon
– nzango : game opposing two teams which consists in guessing the leg moved by the opponent
– nzebi : science, culture, art
– nzeki : clay court
– nzela : way, road, path
– nzele : young lady, pretty girl, chick
– nzembo : song
– nzeneneke : witness
– nzete (banzete) : tree, stick, cane
– nzimbu : cash, money
– nzinga-nzinga : surroundings, neighbourhood, proximity
– nzoloko : scarification, tattoo
– nzong-nzing : extra-activity, additional activity, occasional work
– nzonzi spokesperson or negotiator in customary marriages or talks between families
– nzoto : body
– nzube : thornbush, prickle
– nzunzu : audacity, vivacity, hyperactivity, energy, vigour
– ofele : free, offered
– oye ! : hurrah ! cheers !
– pakapaka : helicopter, fruit called carambola
– pake : package, muscle, bundle of notes/bills, large amount of money
– palado : sorry, please
– palaki : disc, plate, plaque
– palata : medal, decoration
– pamba : nothing, nil, for nothing, free
– pamba-pamba : easily, unnecessarily, for free, without compensation
– pambu : bait, earthworm
– pamela : demonstration, revolt, protest
– panza-makita : troublemaker
– pawuni : gold nugget, precious stone
– pema : breath
– pembe : white, whiteness, chalk, ivory
– pembeni : close, near, proximity, vicinity, next door
– pene : close (to), near
– pepele : light, perfect, spotless, OK
– pete : braid, stripe, band
– pete : soft, easy
– pete-pete : softness
– pili : mourning clothes, mourning
– pimbo : perfume, scent, narcotic
– pitolo(yi) : oil, fuel
– pitopale : confusion, imbroglio, complication, disorder, panic
– piyo : cold
– pokua : evening
– pole : broad daylight, clearly, legitimately
– polele : clarity, transparency, limpidity, emptiness
– pomba : wrestler, strong man
– pongi : sleep, slumber
– posa : desire
– posi : pocket
– poso : week
– Poto : Europe
– potopoto : mud, puree
– pulupulu : diarrhoea
– pulusi : policeman, cop
– pusu : rickshaw, cat
– putulu : dust
– rumba : Congolese dance of Cuban origin
– sakombi : measure used for the sale of foods in grain or powder form
– salamu : greeting
– salite : dirt
– salongo : community service
– sambo : seven
– sambole : parable, tale, riddle
– sanduku : case, box, crate, chest, coffin
– sango (basango) : priest, parish priest
– sango (basango) : news, information
– sante : health
– santima : pleasure, enjoyment, feeling
– sanza : moon, month, menses
– satelite : satellite
– sayi : joy, contentment
– se : down, ground, earth
– sebene : musical sequence performed by the lead guitarist to make people dance
– sekele : secret
– seko : eternity
– seleka : oath
– semba / sembo : justice, honesty, truth
– sembe-sembe : soft, silky
– sende : fish bone, thornbush
– sengi : divisional coin of Zaire worth one hundredth of likuta
– sika : new
– siki-siki : true, real, genuine, clear, precise
– silikoti : skipping rope game, jumping rope game
– sindangari : Senegalese
– sinema : cinema
– singa : thread, rope, link
– sinzili : sentry, supervisor, guard, attendant
– sobe : straw, thatch
– soda : soldier, sweetened soft drink
– sofele : driver, car driver
– sokomuntu : humanoid monster, big ape
– sokoto : military uniform
– solo : smell
– solo : musical sequence performed by the leading guitarist
– somele : unemployed person
– somi : free, sovereign
– somo : fear, terror, fright, terrifying, frightening
– songe : point, tip, toe, top, summit
– songi-songi : slander, indiscretion, snooping, telephone speaker
– songolo : such, so-and-so, multiple, varied, different
– soni : shame, embarrassment, shyness, modesty
– sopo : conscience, entrails, guts
– sosiete : company, firm
– suka : end, boundary
– sukuse : Congolese dance created in the 1960s
– swapante : scoundrel
– tala-tala : verse
– talo : price, cost
– tango : time, moment
– tapale : disorder, confusion, hubbub, boisterous, unruly, undisciplined, outlaw
– tata : father, sir
– te : no, not, negation
– tembe : doubt, dispute, protest
– temwe : witness
– terasie : gutter
– tike : ticket
– tina : reason, subject, meaning, value, importance
– tire-lange : languorous kiss with tongue
– toli : advice
– tolo (matolo) : sheet metal, corrugated iron for roofing
– tombela : wish
– tombola (tombola-buaka) : second-hand clothing, used clothing
– tongo : morning
– tshanga- tshanga : insignificance, worthless, unimportant
– tshangi : dodge
– tsheleka : really
– tshipoyi : sedan chair, stretcher
– tshobo : passage of the ball between the opponent’s legs
– tuba-tuba : gossip, slander
– tufi : shit, excrement
– tuku : ten
– tuku-tuku : motorcycle
– vizavi : vis-à-vis, opposite, facing
– vola : steering wheel
– wara : West African, Senegalese, Malian
– waya : not at all, lie, bluff
– wenze : small market
– wolo : gold
– ya : described as, belonging to, related to, from
– yambo : first, firstly
– yangana : to others
– yangwe(nde) : villager, from the countryside
– yanke : kaïd, little thug
– yawuli : banditry, criminality
– yeke-yeke : disorder, confusion
– yele : overabundant, abundant, in profusion
– yembele-yembele : casualness, with the stream, at the whim of the wind
– yenda : handlebar, steering wheel
– yende : hammer
– yenga : rejoicing, festivity
– yiki-yiki : agitation, panic, tension, crisis, insecurity
– yolela : arbitrarily, indiscriminately, without reason, come what may
– yolela : vagrant, marginal, fickle
– yombo : natural dye used as a cosmetic product
– yombo : jinx, bad luck, curse
– yuma : coward, weak person, wimp
– zala : bird’s nest
– zamba : forest, wood, nature
– zando : market
– zelo : sand, desert
– zemi : pregnancy
– zeyi : viscosity
– zikopo : family of hearts at the card game
– zindombe : family of spades at the card game
– zinselele : family of clubs at the card game
– zinsongi : family of tiles at the card game
– zoba : idiot, fool, stupid
– zololo : coward, rascal
– zomi : ten
– zone : zone, area
– zunguluke : shenanigans, diversion, giddiness
– zunguluke : swindler, unstable person
– zuwa : sentimental jealousy
– zuzi : judge
