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 !
- USUAL EXPRESSIONS IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS.
The Kikongo expressions presented here are those that can be used in various situations of everyday life.
– abu mpia! : finished ! end of the discussion !
– ah dia mboko dio ! : oh, what a cretin ! what an idiot ! what idiocy! you stupid !
– ah bweyi / ah weyi / ah bwe (kuandi/kua) ?: what’s new ? what now ?
– antuka : seriously !
– atasio ! : be careful !
– bakala dia mvimba ka dilanga ko : as he is this man never cries
– bana ba kivumu kimosi : children born to the same mother, children from the same womb
– bantu na bantu … : every people …, every nation …
– bawu bana : there they are, those ones
– bawu na bawu : with each other
– bena Kongo : children of Ne Kongo, refers to the people descended from Ne Kongo Nimi
– bena Kongo oye ! : long live the Kongolese !
– beno kibeni : yourselves
– beno luena bantu ba nsuka : you are the last ones
– beto bansoni/bawonso(no) : all of us, us all, all together, altogether
– beto eba/baba : here we are
– beto kimosi : ourselves, us in person
– beto ku ngambu, bawu ku ngambu yankaka : us on one side, them on the other
– beto na beto : between us, between ourselves
– bila nki … ? : why…? for what reason…?
– bima (bia)bionso / bima biabio : all (the) things
– bima (bia)bionsono / bima biawonsono : all (the) things
– bisi banda dia … : the inhabitants of the downstream part of…
– bisi londe dia … : the inhabitants of the upstream part of…
– Bisi nsi ya Congo oye ! : long live the Congolese !
– bisi ntandu : people who live upstream, people from the North
– bonga ludia : easy girl, easy prey
– bongele meso muene : you are all witnesses, the evidence is before you
– bonso bonso : so so, anyhow, without discernment
– bonso bu mafueti kadila : as it should be, as it should happen
– bonso buena : like
– bonso buenina : as it should be
– bonso bufueti kala/ba : as it should be, wisely
– bonso kaka bu makadilanga : as usual, as happens in such a case
– bonso kua bu batanga : so to speak, as they say
– bonso n’leki’ame ni kubakilanga : I consider you my little brother (sister)
– bu diena vo : since, given that
– bu dienina bonso bobo : since it is so, as it is so, this being given
– bu kamana (verbe) : after he/she finished to (verb), after he/she (verb in the preterite)
– bu kamana kuenda : as soon as he left, after his departure
– bu nata boo / bu ntele boo / bu nimeni ta boo, … : whereupon, … with that, … and now, …
– bu ntele ! : I said !
– bu yamana kuenda : after I left, during my absence
– bua yuku : usual, common, entered into the mores
– buanana ! : Happy New Year !
– buawubu : now, right now
– buisi bukiele : the sun rises, it’s day, it is daylight
– buisi buyididi : the sun is down, it’s night
– buka mona bukakuikila : it’s hard to believe without evidence, you have to see it to believe it
– buku dia leta : identity card
– bulutidi bubote : it would be better
– buna bufueti kala : as appropriate
– bunene ka buena bubole ko ! : being fat doesn’t mean being strong like two !
– bunene ka bunuananga mvita ko ! : being bigger doesn’t mean being stronger in a fight !
– dia kamu !: congratulations ! well done !
– diambu di yayendila kuna : the reason I went there
– diambu dia ngudi … : the essential thing…, the most important .., the bottom of the problem…
– diambu diaku ! : too bad for you !
– diambu diandi ! : too bad for him !
– diambu dionso mu ntangu’andi : everything in its time
– diambu disundidi/dilutidi mfunu : the most important thing
– disongele vo … : which means …
– djekabo … : so…, that being said…
– dodokolo diaku : I beg your forgiveness, I’m sorry, I beg you (to forgive me)
– ebu menina : it is like this
– eh bosi ngeye ? : (so/and) what about you ?
– eh bue batele ? : what’s new ? what’s being said ?
– eh bueyi (kuandi)?: how are you ? what’s the news ?
– eh kansi !: that’s it ! affirmative !
– eh kuma ? : why ? for what reason ?
– eh nge ni nani … ? : who the hell are you ? who are you to … ? who do you think you are?
– eh nki diaka (ko) ? : what now ? what else ?
– eh nki mambu ? : what’s the matter ? what’s the problem ?
– engwa kua … : watch out for …, woe to …
– funda dia matondo ! : many thanks ! thank you so much ! thank you a thousand times !
– ga/va fulu kia : instead of, rather than
– ga/va lukufi : nearby, very close, just next door
– ga/va zulu : on, above
– i ntumbu (verb) : to end up (verb-ing)
– ibobo ! : so be it ! it is so ! it is like that !
– ibonso bobo !: it is so ! that’s the way it is !
– ibuna ! : that’s it ! that’s the way it is ! that’s (exactly) right ! that’s what I mean !
– ibuna kaka ! : that’s the way it is ! that’s the only way !
– idina : that is (the raison) why
– ikele ! : (that’s) right ! it’s okay ! that’s it ! it’s hit ! right in the middle! right in the bull’s-eye !
– ikuma : that is why
– imene / imeni ! : it’s (all) over ! finished ! knock it off !
– inga ! : yes !
– ingeta ! : it’s heard ! so be it ! totally agree ! amen !
– isavo … : which means …, that is to say …
– ka bena ga/va ko ! : they are not there/here ! they are absent !
– ka bila ko ! : it doesn’t matter !
– ka bua/boo ko ! : it is not like that ! it is not so !
– ka diambu (’andi) ko ! : never mind ! it doesn’t matter ! nothing to say !
– ka diena nkutu mfunu mosi ko : it doesn’t matter at all, it has absolutely no value
– ka kena ko ! : he/she is not there/here ! he/she is absent !
– ka kia/bia-kala ko ! : it/that doesn’t exist ! it/that did not exist !
– ka kia/bia-teka kala ko ! : it/that never existed ! this never happened ! it hadn’t exist before !
– ka kia/bia-teka nkutu kala ko ! : it/that really never existed ! it/that really never happened !
– ka ki/bi/di-ena bo/buna ko ! : it’s not like that !
– ka ki/bi-ena ko ! : there are none ! there are not any !
– ka ki/bi-kalanga ko ! : it/that doesn’t exist !
– ka kima kuandi ko ! : it doesn’t matter (at all) ! It doesn’t matter now !
– ka kima nkutu ko : absolutely nothing, nothing at all
– ka kuena kuandi kima ko : there is nothing (to report)
– ka lumoni wonga ko ! : don’t be afraid !
– ka makutadidi ko ! : it’s none of your business!
– ka mantadidi ko! : it’s none of my business! it doesn’t concern me! I don’t care !
– ka mena kuandi mfunu ko : it doesn’t matter, they have no value
– ka mono’angana ko ! : it’s not me ! I had nothing to do with it !
– ka mono kuame ko : it’s not me
– ka mu nganzi ko ! : no hard feelings! no need to get angry!
– ka muntu (mosi) ko : nobody, no one, no person
– ka ngiena kuna ko ! : I will not listen to you ! I don’t care !
– ka ngiena na/ye mambu na muntu ko : I don’t blame anyone, I’m a stranger to any business
– ka ngiena na/ye mfunu’andi ko : I don’t need him
– ka ngiena na/ye wonga ko ! : I am not afraid ! I’m afraid of nothing !
– ka ngiena yo ngindu ko ! : I don’t give a shit/damn! I don’t (really) care! I don’t think about it!
– ka ni bue nasa eh ? : (but) what should I do ? (but) what (else) can I do ?
– ka ni nki kasa eh ? : (but) what did he do ?
– ka nsamu(a/andi) ko ! : it doesn’t matter (at all)! Who cares ! then so be it ! it’s not a big deal !
– ka ntam’andi ko … : not so long ago …, in a short time …
– kaka bonso bu dikadilanga : as usual
– kamba … : it seems that…, it would appear that …, I understand that …
– kanga n’nua (‘aku)! : shut the fuck up ! shut your mouth ! stop talking !
– kani ! : no ! negative !
– kani kima ! : nothing ! nothing at all ! nothing to report !
– katuka kuna ! : piss off ! bugger off !
– katuka mbadi ! : let it go ! forget it ! truce of jokes ! let’s get back to more serious things !
– keba (kuaku) !: watch out for yourself ! be careful !
– kia mpila yayi ka nateka kia mona ko ! : I’ve never seen anything like it!
– kia ngoyi/nkoyi ! : see you soon ! see you next time !
– kiadi kia saka kiena ! : it is a tremendous sadness ! it is an immeasurable sadness !
– kiadi kibeni ! : it’s regrettable ! it’s sad ! it’s distressing ! It’s really sad !
– kidi vo : so that
– kiedika ! : really !
– kiese kia saka kiena ! : It is a tremendous joy ! It is a huge joy ! it is an immeasurable joy !
– kikongo kiaku kiambote kiena : you speak Kikongo well, your Kikongo is correct
– kilendi ko ! : I can’t !
– (ki)lumbu kimosi … : one day …
– kima kani/pele : (it ‘s) nothing
– kima kia mfunu : valuable object
– kima kia mpamba : unimportant object
– kima kia n’kaka : something else
– kima kimosi : something
– kima na kima : everything, each thing
– kima nkatu ! : nothing ! nothing to report !
– kisalu kia mpunda : unpaid or poorly paid work in relation to what is due
– kiyendi-kiyendi : eyes closed, without taking precautions, naively
– kizeyi nkutu (kima) ko : I know absolutely nothing about it, I don’t have the slightest idea
– kizidi kia ba bebe : beautiful mug, baby face
– kizidi kia feti : happy mood
– kolo yakatuka ku … : it’s been a long time since I left …
– kompani kitunga : gang of criminals, bandits
– konso kima : everything
– konso konso kima : anything, any thing, all things
– konso konso kuma : here and there, anywhere, wherever, in any place, in every place
– konso kuma : everywhere
– konso muntu : everyone, every person
– konso ntangu : every time
– koshuna kia muntu : physically imposing person
– ku banda : downstream
– ku gata/vata tuzingilanga : we live in the village
– ku la kuena : it’s far away
– ku londe : upstream
– ku lubakala : on the right ( side)
– ku lumoso : left, (on/to) the left, (the) left side
– ku manima : behind, backwards
– ku manima ma : after, behind
– ku mavula tuvuandilanga : we live in the city
– ku nima ya mua bilumbu bina luta : after a few days, within a few days
– ku nima ya mua ntangu : after a few moments, in a moment, shortly
– ku nsi : under, underneath, below
– ku ntandu : upstream, the north
– ku ntuala : in front (of), ahead, forward
– ku zulu : at the top, to the sky, to heaven
– kua konsono : everywhere
– kua nda : far away
– kua nkatu ! : nothing ! none !
– kuele mvu / kuayele mvu : for eternity, forever
– kuena ye nsoni ko eh nge ! : you’re not ashamed of yourself ! you’re not embarrassed!
– kuenda ngieti kuenda : I have to go, I’m about to leave
– kuenda vutuka : round trip
– kueyi weka ? : where are you at ?
– kufua ntangu : lazy, layabout
– kukadi ye wonga ko : don’t be afraid
– (kuma) kuankaka : elsewhere
– kuma kukiele : the day rises, the sun rises, it is daylight
– kuma kuyididi : night has fallen, it is dark, the weather is getting darker, the sky is overcast
– kumonandi wonga ko : don’t be afraid ! have no fear !
– kumu ye/na kumu : from shore to shore, from one bank to the other
– kuna banda : downstream
– kuna kua yantikila mambu : at the source of the case, where it all began
– kuna londe : upstream
– ku(na) mala : in the distance
– kuna nsuka : at the end, ultimately, at the end of the day
– landa kulu kuami : follow my example, follow my dance step, try to dance like me
– landila … : after …, further to …, according to …
– lekela bua mbote ! : good night !
– lubanzi lua lubakala : right side, right flank
– lubanzi lua lumoso : left side, left flank
– lubutuku/mbutuku lua/ya mbote ! : happy birthday !
– lukaya lua mbongo : bank note
– lukufi ye … : very close to…, not far from…
– lumbu ka lumbu : every day
– lumbu kia mbote ! : have a good day !
– lumbu kia lubutuku/mbutuku kia mbote ! : happy birthday !
– lungonia ! : congratulations!
– lutoma kembila ! : have a great party ! good festivities ! good commemoration !
– luvunu ka mbote ko … ! : without lying … ! honestly … ! lying is not good !
– luvunu luaku (lueno) : you’re lying
– luvunu luawu lumonekene : their lie is revealed, their lie appears in the open
– ma ! : take it !
– ma buidi ! : that’s it, it’s the beginning of hostilities ! the situation is getting worse !
– ma kiedika mena (makieleka mena) : it’s true, it’s the truth
– ma kubebele ! : it’s ruined for you ! it’s fucked up for you ! you’re in trouble !
– ma kulu : all (of them), the whole, in the totality
– ma kulutidi ntu : the level is too high for you
– ma kutadidi ! : it’s your business ! too bad for you ! it’s at your own risk !
– ma mplila mu mpila ngina kulumonisa : I’ll show you all the colors
– ma ngitukulu mena ! : it’s amazing ! it’s wonderful ! it’s extraordinary !
– ma ngitukulu ngieti mona : strange things happen to me, I’m experiencing wonderful things
– ma ngitukulu tuakala monanga : we were living extraordinary moments
– ma nkaka diaka ! : here’s one more thing ! here is something else !
– madezo ma bana : baksheesh, bribe
– mafu ! : I don’t give a damn !
– mafunda ma matondo ! : thousands of thanks! thousands and thousands of thanks!
– malala makua zolele sumba ? : how many oranges do you want to buy ?
– malavu ma sukadi : sweet drink
– mama mapasa : mother of twins
– ma(ma) ngudi : name given to a mother of twins
– mambu mabuidi : something serious has happened, we have a problem, we got a problem
– mambu makondolo salu : trivialities, unimportant things, unnecessary business
– mambu maku ma nawidi/nameni wa : I heard about you
– mambu masakidi : too many problems, overwhelmed by events
– mambu mpe bua mabuanga ! : it happens ! it can happen ! these are things that happen !
– mambu mpe mamingi tele : you’ve said enough, you’ve said a lot, you’ve talked too much
– masakidi ! : enough is enough ! it goes beyond the limits ! this is way out of line !
– masukidi ! : it’s over ! stop it !
– matondo mamingi/malaka/masakila/beni ! : thank you very much !
– matondo mamingi/malaka/masakila nikuveni : thank you very much
– mawonso mele muna maza : everything is ruined, everything is fucked up, the deal is off
– mayela mani mamanisi : I don’t know what to say to you anymore
– mbadi : my dear
– mbazi mbazi … : one day…, one day or the other…
– mbe … ! : it seems that …! it would seem that …! it is said that …! they say that …!
– mbo wambambudila : you will remind me
– mbongo za bisengo : coins
– mbongo za makaya : bank notes
– mbongo za nkisi : occult money
– mbongo zikondolo : money is missing, there’s money missing, there is insufficient money
– mbote kua ba nkua yaku ! : say hello to your loved ones (friends, colleagues) !
– mbote ya lukalu : greeting from afar by shaking hand or object, goodbye from afar
– melesi yi bavana kua mbua : ingratitude, lack of thankfulness
– meno mavayika : prominent teeth
– meso ga : impudence, brazenness
– meso kuatu-kuatu : eyes that linger everywhere, sustained curiosity, extreme vigilance
– meso mu meso : face to face, facing each other, in private
– mfiawukidi ! : thank you ! I’m satisfied ! I’m happy ! I’m glad !
– mfumu’a lupangu : residential lessor, owner of a residential plot
– mfumu’a ntoto : autochthon, indigenous, authentic child of the country
– mfumu’a nzo : owner of the place of residence, owner of a house
– mfunu waku ngiena wo (wawu) : I need you
– mimvu mikua wena miawu ? : how old are you ?
– moko ma mpamba : empty handed, empty hands
– (mono) eyu ! : here I am !
– mono i muisi Manianga : I am from Manianga! I come from Manianga!
– mono kaka : me alone
– mono kibeni : myself, me in person
– mono ndembolo kuame : I give up, I refuse to continue
– mono ye/na yandi ka tuwizananga ko : he (she) and I don’t get along
– mpamba mpamba : no matter how, any way, unnecessarily, with ease, at all winds, carelessly
– mpanzi nsangu : journalist, news broadcaster
– mpasi nita mona : I’m suffering
– mpasi yita sa : it hurts
– mpasi za mpamba ! : lost cause ! wasted effort !
– mpeleko : despite, even if, although, unless, notwithstanding, nevertheless, however
– mpemba mpolo : without problems, without incident, hassle-free
– mpila kiese : a lot of joy, very happy
– mplila mu mpila : various, of all kinds
– mpila nkembo : so much joy, so much atmosphere
– mpimpa yibuidi : it is night, the night has fallen
– mpimpa na muini : day and night
– mpuan’aku : your fellow man, your neighbour
– mu bilumbu biawubi : in this period, in these times, these days
– mu bilumbu bieti kuiza : shortly, coming soon, in the next few days
– mu buankaka : otherwise, on the other hand, in other respects
– mu bukiedika : in truth, in reality, really, definitely, for sure
– mu bungu dia : for, because (of), for the cause of, with a view to, for the purpose of
– mu bungu dia nki ? : why ? for what reason ? for what purpose ?
– mu diambu dia : for, because (of), for the cause of, with a view to, for the purpose of
– mu diambu dia nki ? : why ? for what reason ?
– mu kati kia : among, in, between, within, inside of
– mu/ga/va kati-kati dia … : in the middle of…, in the centre of …
– mu (ki)lumbu ki : on this day, today, to this day
– mu kimona meso : in the open, in broad daylight, in full view of everyone
– mu kimoyo kiandi : during his/her lifetime, in his/her lifetime
– mu kingolo : by force, by coercion, against his will
– mu kinsueki : in camera, behind closed doors, secretly, clandestinely, covertly, on the sly
– mu kolo kiaki/kiawuki : now, nowadays
– mu kolo kiavioka : formerly, in the past
– mu lukufi : in summary, in brief, in short
– mu luzolo lua : by the will of, according to
– mu luzolo lua Nzambi ya Mpungu Tulendo : according to the will of Almighty God
– mu ma kawidi … : on these words …, after hearing that …
– mu mazimu : late, too late
– mu mo matadidi … : with regard to …, in view of …, according to …
– mu nkia diambu ? : why ? for what reason ? for what purpose ?
– mu nkumbu ya nsuka : for the last time
– mu nkumbu yi : this time
– mu nsi ya mvimba : throughout the country
– mu ntangu ya : during, at the moment when
– mu ntangu yina : in the meantime, at that moment
– mu ntangu yita/yina kuiza : soon, in the near future, in the future
– mu ntangu zazi : in this period, these days, in this day and age
– mu ntima mosi : conscientiously, wholeheartedly, with good will, in all sincerity
– mu sungula : particularly, especially
– mu yandi ngieti sila vuvu : I placed all my hopes in him, it is from him that I hope
– mu zimunina … : later …, thereafter …, afterwards …, finally …
– mua bilumbu bilutidi : it’s been a few days, a few days ago
– muana bisalu : servant
– muana bukolo : disobedient child
– muana bulemvo : docile child
– muana kinsiona : orphan, abandoned child
– muana ndumba : young single woman, young lady
– muana nsusu : gigolo, chick
– muana weno tina katinini : your child really ran away
– mundele ndombe : black man who apes the white man, black outside and white inside, bounty
– muntu na muntu : everyone, every person
– muntu na/ye yandi nsi : to each his own country
– muntu wa (défaut/qualité) : person with (fault/quality)
– muntu wakudila mu kati : person who looks significantly younger than his or her actual age
– muntu wakula ntu : mature man
– mupepe wa Kayini : swirling wind, tornado
– mvu miamingi milutidi : it’s been years, it’s been going on for years, it’s been ages
– mvu mikua wena miawu ? : how old are you ?
– mvu wampa wambote ! : happy new year !
– mvu ye mimvu milutidi : it’s been years, it’s been going on for years, it’s been ages
– mvula yita noka : it’s raining
– mvula zikua wena zawu ? : how old are you ?
– na kekete … : firmly …, without respite …, without a break …, continuously …, tirelessly …
– na ngwui : in good form, firmly
– na yokoso : dried up
– nani kunsansila bana ? : who will take care of my children ? who will raise my children ?
– nate ye … : until …
– nda wenda ! : go away !
– ndembolo kuami : I can’t go on, I can’t stand it anymore, I give up, I will stop here
– ndilu za meni lutisa : you’ve crossed the line, you’re going a bit too far, enough is enough
– ndinga’a vata : dialect of the country, dialect of the village, mother tongue
– ndolo kueto ! : let’s go (away)!
– ndueki (kuame) ! : I’m coming !
– nga ni yandi ? : would it be him/her ? Is it him/her?
– ngeye i muisi kue ? : where are you from? where do you come from? what is your origin?
– ngeye i nani ? : who are you ? who the hell are you?
– (ngeye mpe diaka,) mbe lutisi ko ! : you’re exaggerating (too)! you’re out of line (too)!
– ngeye muisi kue wena ? : where are you from? where do you come from? what is your origin?
– ngiangalale kuame : I am happy, I am satisfied, I am in joy
– ngiangalale (mono) mvimba : I rejoice with all my heart, I am very satisfied
– ngo ngwani/ngwame !: I refuse ! I say no !
– ngulu-ngulu : eyes closed, indiscriminately, blindly, naively
– ngunga yibuidi : the time has come, it is the time
– ni bawu beta nua: they are the ones who are drinking
– ni beto tuna dia : we are the ones who will eat
– ni bo kuandi : it’s like that and no other way ! that’s this way and only this way !
– ni mu diambu dina : that’s why
– ni nkumbu’aku ya nsuka ! : I want it to be the last time !
– ni nkumbu/nsa ya tatu yi : this is the third time
– ni yandi wena kuenda : it’s he (she) who will leave
– niama ngwaku ! : fuck your mother ! mother’s animality ! devil’s beast !
– nikutondele ! : thank you !
– nitomene kutonda ! : thank you very much !
– nitu ya fionoka : lean body
– nitu za fioti : thin body
– nkadidi kuame ! : I refuse!
– nkatikila ! : really ! for sure !
– nkatu ! : No! Negative!
– nkedi kuame : I just turned back, I just turned around, I decided to come back
– nki (diaka) ? : what (again) ? what (else) ? what is it (again)?
– nki diaka ko ! : what else ! what yet ! you can’t stop !
– nki kameni kutela ? : what did he just say to you ? what did he tell you just now ?
– nki nikutelele ? : what did I tell you ?
– nki nimeni kutela ? : what did I just tell you ?
– nki weti sa ? : what are you doing ?
– nkia diambu ? : what ? what are you saying ? what (else) do you want ?
– nkia diambu dio dikonduanga nsuka ? : what is this case that never ends?
– nkia diambu dio dilembo manisanga ? : you have to know to end a case !
– nkia kima? : what’s the matter (with you) ? what … ?
– nkia kima wunzolele ? : what do you want from me ?
– nkia nsangu ? : how are you? what’s the news? what’s new?
– nkia ntalu? : how much is that ? how much is it ?
– nkia ntangu tuena ? : what time is it ?
– nkielo wa buisi : dawn, sunrise
– nkiongo(no) … : it seems that …, whereas …, when in reality …
– nkitukidi kuami zoba ko : I’m confused, I feel foolish, I feel like an idiot, I’m really stupid
– nkumbu’aku nani / zina diaku nani ? : what is your name ?
– nkumbu tatu : three times, multiplied by three
– nkumbu ya nsuka : last time
– nkumbu ya ntete : first time
– nsamu wumuangane nza ya mvimba : the news spread everywhere
– nseke beni : a long time ago, very far from
– nsi ya Mputu : Europe poor country in the vision of the inhabitants of the Kongo Kingdom
– nsidi mono kaka: I was left alone, I have no one left
– nsidi vuvu vo … : I hope that …, I dare believe that …
– nsiku mu kota : no entry
– nsongi ya disu : corner of the eye
– nsuka nsuka : at the end of the day, last of all
– nsusu yikokole : the cock crows, the rooster crows
– ntalu kua ? : how much is that ? how much is it ?
– ntama ! : it’s been a long time ! it’s been ages ! a long time ago !
– ntangu’aku yifueni : your time has come
– ntangu ka ntangu : at any time, at all times, at any moment, at every moment
– ntangu ya bakulu : the olden days, the time of the ancestors
– ntangu ya fualama : during the Belgian colonization, at the time of the Flemish
– ntangu yifinamane : the moment is near, the hour is near, the time is near
– ntangu yifueni : it’s time, the time has come
– ntangu za nkaka : sometimes
– ntangu za zonsono : always, all the time
– ntima wa mpembe : pure heart, sincerity, lack of ulterior motive
– ntomene fiawuka ! : thank you very much! I’m very satisfied! I’m very happy! I’m very glad !
– ntu wa mpene : an empty head, an idiot
– nza wiza ! : come here !
– nza ya mvimba : the whole world
– Nzambi ka kusakumuna ! : (may) God bless you !
– nzila masini : railway, production table of an audiovisual programme
– nzila masuwa : waterway
– nzila ya lukufi : the shortest way, the short cut, the easiest way
– nzila (yi)mosi : together
– sa nsualu ! : hurry (up)!
– sala bonso bumuenene : do what you want, do as you feel, do as you please
– sala makuzolele : do as you please, do as you wish, do as you feel
– sambila lufueti sambila : you must pray, you have to pray, you are obliged to pray
– sangisa-sangisa : sexual practice of multiple partners, licentiousness, sexual swinging
– simba nzila, wenda ! : go away! get out ! you can go!
– simba-simba yibuidi ! : it’s the great commotion ! it’s the great jolt !
– sisi yibalukidi nefi : there is a turnaround, the situation has been reversed, the wheel has turned
– sumba nzo ya ngeye mosi : buy your own house
– tadi dia lengolengo : polished stone, slippery stone
– tadi dia mfunu : precious stone, gemstone
– tala ga ngenga : look aside, look around you
– tala kuaku ! : look at that ! you saw that ! (you think) you agree with me !
– ti na kuna nsuka : until the end
– tobola nkosi tobola ngo ! : may you overcome all the dangers that will arise before you !
– toko kueto ! : let’s go (away) !
– tomba kia … : as a result …, finally …, ultimately…, at the end of the day …
– tombula ndinga (‘aku) ! : speak louder ! raise your voice !
– tuala / tuasa ! : give it to me ! give me that ! give me !
– tuatometi wizana : let’s agree, let’s get along before
– tubakangamane mu meso : we keep a watchful eye on everything they do
– tuendi kueto ! : let’s go (away)! let’s get out of here !
– tuka kala : for a long time, for ages
– tuka ntama : for a long time, for ages
– tuka ntama kibeni : for very a long time, for ages
– tuka “X” ti “Y” : from “X” to “Y”
– tulueki ! : we’re coming !
– tumonane kueto ! : I’ll see you around ! see you around !
– tuvi tuaku ! : I said fuck you! fuck you! kiss my ass!
– tuzolasana beto na beto : let us love each other
– va/ga fulu kia : instead of, rather than
– va/ga kimosi : together, in unity, hand in hand
– va ntadisi ya : before, in front of, with regard to, with respect to, towards
– va yuti : in public, in the open, in broad daylight
– va zimunina … : later …, subsequently …, afterwards …
– vana/gana mpambu’a nzila : at the fork, at the crossroads
– vana vawu : immediately, at once, at that moment
– vo ka boo ko : if not, otherwise, if that is not the case
– vo ka bua ko : if not, otherwise, if that is not the case, si cela ne se fait pas
– vo ka buna ko : otherwise, if not, if that is not the case
– waya ! : lie ! bluff ! nothing at all ! nothing to do !
– wayikidi muntu wan’nene : he became a important person, he became a celebrity
– wazola evo walembo zola … : whether you like it or not …, whether you want it or not …
– widi ! : do you hear (me) ! you heard what I said !
– wiza tuakabula mua mbungu : come have a drink with me
– wizidi bunene/wanene : you’ve gotten fat, you have taken on forms
– wonso wena ye makutu ma zibuka kawa !: a word to a wise is enough !
– wonso wonso muntu : each person, every person, anyone, anybody, any person
– wukisunzula : introduce yourself
– wukiyendila kuaku : you better be already gone
– wumfuila nkenda : have mercy on me
– wumosi kaka wuna : the same one, the one and only
– wumosi mu … : one of the …, one among the …
– wundemvukila ! : excuse me ! I’m sorry ! forgive me !
– wungana kua za yuma : give me only (the equivalent) in (money) cash
– wungiambula kuame (wubayambula kuawu) ! : leave me alone (leave them alone) !
– wunsadisa ! : help me !
– wunsila nlemvo ! : excuse me ! I’m sorry ! I beg your pardon !
– wunu kiawu ki : today, (on/in) this day
– wusosanga mambu, yandi wukangamanga : he who sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind
– wutusonga nzila : show us the way
– ya busi : my sister, dearest sister
– ya fuluka : full, in abundance, plentiful
– ya mona : new
– ya mpa : new
– ya mpangi : my brother/sister, very dear brother/sister
– ya nkazi : my brother, dearest brother
– (ya) ntindu na ntindu : of all kinds, of all sorts, multitude
– yambula kuaku ! : let it go ! forget it ! you better give up ! you can give up !
– yandi buzoba buandi bua saka : he/she is (really) too stupid
– yandi kaka ko : there is really only him/her, surely it is he/she
– yandi (ki)mosi : himself/herself, himself/herself in person
– yandi kuna : here he/she is
– yandi meni nua ko : he/she really drank, he/she is really drunk, it’s sure he just drank
– yandi mosi mpe : him/her too, him/her also, him/her as well
– yandi na yandi : we only see him/her, we only hear him/her
– yandi nsidi mona : I just saw him/her
– ye bonso bobo … : and so on …, etcetera …
– yi mono ndidingi bio : I’m the one who ate them
– yi mu diambu dina … : this is the reason why …
– yi mu diodio … : that’s why …
– yiza kuaku ! : come here ! you can come !
– za/mia/ma mplila mu mpila : of all kinds, various
– zina diaku nani / nkumbu’aku nani ? : what’s your name?
