BABA = Father MAMA = Mother KAKA = Brother DADA = Sister BIBI = Grandmother also NYANYA (But Nyanya is also Tomatoes) BABU = Grandfather MJOMBA = (maternal) uncle ** MANY THANKS TO ANTHONY for reminding about these words AMI = (paternal) uncle -- also, BABA MDOGO or BABA MKUBWA SHANGAZI = aunt BIN AMU = cousin (male) BINTI AMU = cousin (female) MPWA = nephew (male); niece (female) MJUKUU = Grandchild KILEMBWE = Great grandchild KAHAWA = Coffee KOFI = Slap NDIZI = Banana BANANA = Squeezed, pressed BAHATI = Luck MKUKI = Spear NDIYO = Yes HAPANA = No MOYO = heart NINI = what WAPI = where LINI = when NANI = who YA NANI = whose VIPI = how
GREETING: RESPONSE:
HABARI GANI? HABARI YANGU NI NZURI or HABARI YANGU NI MBAYA
How are you ? I am fine/O.K I am not fine/OK
HABARI YAKO? HABARI YANGU NI NZURI
How are you ? (singular) I am fine/O.K
HABARI ZENU? HABARI ZETU NI NZURI
How are you ? (plural) We are fine/O.K
JE, HUJAMBO? SIJAMBO
Are you (singular) O.K? I am OK.
JE HAMJAMBO? HATUJAMBO
Are you (plural) O.K? We are OK
SALAMA? SALAMA!
Peace? Peace!
SHIKAMOO! MARAHABA!
....... ........
MAMBO? SAFI!
Things? Cool/Clean!
KWAHERI YA KUONANA ASANTE NA WEWE PIA
Good bye until we see each other Thanks and you too
SAFIRI SALAMA ASANTE NA WEWE UBAKI SALAMA
Have a safe journey Thanks and you stay safely.
© AbdulGhany Mohammed and Kassim
A. Abdullah
Ottawa, Canada.
All Rights Reserved.