BUKAVU SWAHILI

Democratic Republic of Congo

Let’s Learn Bukavu Swahili

Some Everyday Phrases

Shamsaf J.J.

2

Some Everyday Phrases

By Shamsaf J.J.

Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Email: -

jjshamsaf@yahoo.fr

-

shamsafjeanjacques@ymail.com

Phone: - +243999464423

- +243812809690

- +243853791855

Shamsaf J.J.

June 2004

3

To the reader

Linguistically speaking, it is obvious that the Swahili spoken in Bukavu can be

subdivided into a language of high prestige, that is used in formal texts, by the

Government, NGO’s, etc. and that of low prestige, that is the spoken vernacular

Swahili. Special attention will be devoted to the latter. This dialect of Swahili has

borrowed a lot of French, English, and other foreign languages seeing that there is

no language that can be richer than another. This can be proved by many a

linguistic reasons.

Mastery of these everyday phrases, will allow people from foreign linguistic

communities to share ideas with both Bukavu people and those from other parts of

the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This piece of work is far from being perfect.Your contribution is welcome.

Thank you,

Shamsaf J.J.

jjshamsaf@yahoo.fr

4

Mazungumzo/Maongezi/converation: Conversation

-

Kuongeya: to chat, to converse, to have a dialogue

-

Tuongeye kidogo: Let’s have a chat

-

Kuuliza: To ask

-

Kujibia: to answer

-

Jibu: answer

-

Minasema: I say

-

Unasema: you say

-

Unasemanini/aye? : What do you say/mean?

-

Maongezi ya amani/necociation: Peace talks

-

Tuko na reunion: We have a meeting

-

- salamu: greetings

Invitation( Std Swahili: Aliko): Invitation

-

Habari /Habari gani?/Aye X? How is it X?

-

Muzuri/Ni sawa/Bien/Niko bien/Niko wa bien/ok

-

Na weye ? And you ?

-

Niko bien

-

Uko wapi ? Where are you ?

-

Niko mukazi: I am at work

-

Kunyumba: (At) home

-

Inje: outside

-

Ndani: inside

-

Kwako: at yours

-

Ku labo: at the lab

-

Mu labo: in the

-

Mu soko: in the market

-

Kwangu; at mine

-

Place de l’independence

Ku Place de l’Independence: at

-

Tutaonana : See you

-

Kesho

-

Magarigi : ( this) evening

-

Busiku : This night

-

Asubui : in the morning

-

time ?/when ?

Saa ngapi? At what

-

Saa moya: at 7a.m.

-

Saa mbili: at 8a.m.

-

Where?Wapi?

-

good night

Mutalala bien/muzuri: Have a

-

good day

Mushinde bien/muzuri: have a

-

Minaenda: I am going

-

Minakuya: I am coming

-

Kuya: Come

-

Wende: go

-

us/me/

Unauzi: you are disturbing

-

Twende: let’s go

-

me….

Unitumiye…: please send

-

Sitaki: I do not want

-

Sawa: ok

-

going/traveling/flyng to Dubai

Mia enda Dubai: I a

5

-

what day will you come back?

Utarudia siku gain: When /

-

/ myezi/Myaka mbili: I am

going to be back

tomorrow/after a month/two

months/years

Ndarudia Kesho/ Kisha mwezi

-

Unanipotea: I miss you

-

you do?

Unafanya kazi gain: What do

-

I am radio/TV repairman

Niko réparateur wa radio/TV :

-

player

Lecteur ya CD/cassette: CD

-

CD-ROM: C

Lecteur ya disquette/disque

-

groupe : Generator

-

moto: Matobike/motobicycle

-

kinga: Bicycle/Bike

-

ordi(nateur): computer

Kazi: Job

Mwalimu: teacher, professor

Munganga: Nurse

Docteur: Doctor

Askari/soldat: Soldier

Polisi/policier( ère):

policeman/woman

Padiri : priest

Masoeur : nun

Muchuruzi : seller/vendor

Boucher : butcher

Joueur : player

Chauffeur : driver

Musicien : musician

Muimbaji : singer

Mchunga Ngombe/mbuzi : shepherd

Muhubiri: preacher

Boy: houseworker

Yaya:

Accoucheuse: mid-wife

Mutu wa leta(or L’Etat): public

servant

Taximan ( or chauffeur wa ma bus/wa

taxi): taximan

-

Niko mwalimu: I am a teacher

-

Niko munganga: I am a nurse

-

he do?

Anafanya kazi gan: What does

-

preacher

Anakuwaka muhubiri: he is a

-

a driver

Anatembezaka mitugari: he is

-

Voiture: car

-

Train: train

-

Bateau: ship

-

Avion: aircraft/ plane

-

Camionnette: van

-

Camion: lorry

-

Bisi/bus: bus

-

buchuruzi: he is a seller/a

dealer/businessman

Anauzishaka/anafanyaka

-

kadutu: he sells shoes in

Kadutu Market

Anauzishaka biato mu soko ya

-

clothing

(Ma)nguo : clothes/items of

-

mashemise/chemise: shirts

-

tomorrow lo: pairs of trousers

Mapanta I am traveling

-

Chapeau: hat

-

parts

Pièces de rechanche/: Spare

-

Pince:pliers

-

Pinceau: brush

-

Tourne –vis: screw-driver

-

Vis: screw

-

Télécommande:remote control

-

by remote control

Kutelecommander: To operate

-

Kutelecharger: to download

-

Magneto: video recorder

-

video

Kuenregistrer ku magneto: to

-

Enregistrer: to record

-

Enregistreur:recordeur

-

Ampli: Amplifier

-

Fiche: plug

6

-

Cable: cable

-

Adaptateur: adapter

-

Elvateure: Elevator

-

Equaliseur:Equalizer

-

Microphone:microphone

-

Baffle:baffle (board)

-

Haut parleur:Loud speaker

-

Tuiteur:Tuitor

-

film : Film

-

telephone

telephone sans fil : wireless

-

telephone

telephone portable : mobile

-

chargeur: charger

-

Prise: plug, socket

-

Kufurahi: to be happy

-

Minafurahi: I am happy

-

thank

Kushukuru, kupiga assent: to

-

Minakushukuru: Thank you

-

Kusirika: to be angry

-

not happy

Mina sirika: I am angry, I am

-

Misifurahi:

-

did was not a good action

Haukufanya bien: what you

-

Msamaha: forgiveness

-

forgive me

Unisamehe/pardoner (basi):

-

that

Sikujuwa: I did not mean to do

-

journey

Safari/voyage: voyage, travel,

-

voyager Kesho: I am traveling

tomorrow

Niko na voyager kesho or nda

-

Leo: today

-

Jana: Yesterday

-

yesterday

Alivoyager jana: he travelled

-

Alienda wapi: where did he go?

-

went to Europe/He has

travelled to ….

Alienda bulaya/Mikili/poto: He

-

will you be back?

Utarudia wakati gain? : When

-

Sijuwe: I do not know

-

maybe at the end of this month

Labda mwisho wa mwezi:

-

the year

Mwisho wa mwaka: the end of

-

Siku: day

-

Week: posho, wiki, semaine

-

Saa: watch/time

-

Saa: hour

-

Saa moya: an/one hour

-

Ni saa ngapi? What time is it?

-

past seven

Ni saa moya na nusu: It is half

-

Moya: one

-

Mbili: two

-

Tatu: three

-

Ine( Std Swahili: Nne): four

-

Tano: five

-

Sita: six

-

Saba: seven

-

Mnane: eight

-

Kenda: nine

-

Kumi: ten

-

Kumi na moya: eleven

-

Kumi na mbili: twelve

-

Kumi na tatu: thirteen

-

Kumi na ine: fourteen

-

Kumi na tano: fifteen

-

Kumi na sita: sixteen

-

Kumi na saba: seventeen

-

Kumi na mnane: eighteen

-

Kumi na kenda: nineteen

-

Makumi mbili: Twenty

-

twenty- one

Makumi mbili na moya:

-

twenty-two

Makumi mbili na mbili:

-

Makumi mbili na tatu: twentythree

-

Makumi tatu: thirty

-

Makumi ine: forty

-

Makumi tano: fifty

-

Makumi sita: Sixty

-

Makumi saba: seventy

-

Makumi mnane: eighty

-

Makumi kenda: ninety

7

-

Mia moya: A/one hundred

-

Mia mbili: two hundred

-

Mia tatu: three hundred

-

Elfu moya: a/onethousand

-

thousand

N.B.: It is not a sin in Bukavu

Swahili to use the above mentioned

numbers in French when telling

the time, counting, etc be it in

colloquial or formal speech. They

are used as loan words in this

language

People will say:

Ina kuwa sept heures: it is seven

o’clock

Tuta kuya Na seize heures vingt

(minutes): we will come at 4

o’clock p.m.

Inko Na kuya na 12 heures moins

vingt/ midi ku kosa miniti makumi

mbili: I am comong at twenty

minutes to twelve

Ina eneya 8 heures juste/saa mbili:

It is eight sharp

Deux : Elfu mbili: two

Adresse/ kupanga: Address/

Accommodation

-

sorry to trouble/disturb you

- Unaeneya/ Unaweza niambia

adresse ya …: Can you tell me X’s

address/Can you tell me the place

where X lives?

Pardon Kuku deranger: I am

-

wapi/Kunyomba ni wapi?:

Where do you live?

Unaikalaka wapi/Kwako

-

Bagira

Kwangu Bagira: I live in

-

at 1 Kolwezi Street

Ku Sentier Kolwezi No 1: I live

-

ni Mu ville/ town : I live in

town

Kwangu mu Ville/Kunyumba

-

Ni mbali: It is too far

-

Barabara/avenue: road/avenue

-

Sentier: Street

-

Province: province

-

Hapana: No, it is not

-

tu: only one kilometre

Tu(Pron. /tu/): only

Kilometre moya tu/1 kilometre

-

(moto) gari: do you go on foot

or by bus/car?

Una endaka na migulu ao na

-

bus

Mina endaka na Bus: I go by

-

you pay?

Unalipaka ngapi: how much do

-

Iko bey ? It is expensive?

-

Bey chini: Cheap

-

Bey (kali) sana: very expensive

-

let

Nyumba ya ku panga: House to

-

Kupangisha: to let/to rent (out)

-

Kupanga: to rent

Food/meal: Chakula, Byakula

-

Bugali: Cassava bread

-

Wali: cooked rice

-

Mchele: rice

-

Mihogo: cassava

-

Sombe: cassava leaves

-

Nyama : meat

-

Nyama ya ngombe: beef

-

Nyama ya kondolo: mutton

-

Nyama ya nguruwe: pork

-

Getre: Pork

-

- Dende: guinea pig

Nyama ya Kuku: chicken

-

Mbuzi: goat

-

Sungura: rabbit

-

Saucisson: sausage

-

Beignet: fritters/doughnuts

-

Kalanga: groundnuts

-

Maragi: beans

-

Soja: soya

-

Chai: tea

-

Bui: porridge

8

-

with/and sombe/cassava leaves

Bugai na sombe: bread

-

Mina sikia njala: I am hungry

-

Minashiba: I am fed up/full

-

Njala: hunger

-

Unashiba: you are full/fed up

-

mihindi: I like/prefer

corn/maize bread

Minapendaka bugaali ya

-

somebody to share food with

you)

Karibu kumeza( When calling

-

meal

Bon appetite: Enjoy it/your

-

Kiu: thirst

-

thirsty

Niko kiu/minasikia kiu: I am

-

feel like drinking

Mina sikia kiu : I am thirsty/I

-

a bottle?

Cupa ni ningapi: how much is

-

Maziwa; milk

-

Chai: tea

-

Kawa/Café; coffee

-

Pombe: beer

-

Sucré : Soft drink

-

Kudamer/Kukula: to eat

-

Kukunywa/Kudoser: to drink

Jamaa/ Ndoa/….: Family/Marriage….

-

Baba: Father

-

Mama: mother

-

Bwana; husband

-

Bibi: wife

-

Bwanangu: my husband

-

Bibi yangu: my wife

-

Bwana yake: her husband

-

Bibi yake: His wife

-

husbands

Ba bwana (bake): her

-

Ba bibi yake/bake: her wives

-

father/grandmother/

Grandparent

Tate: grand

-

Mtoto: child

-

Batoto: children

-

Fille wangu: my daughter

-

Garcon wangu: my son

-

Kaka: brother

-

Sister: dada

-

brother/sister

Mudogo yangu: my kd/youn g

-

Muyomba: uncle

-

Shangazi: aunt

-

father is older than him)

Ba muloko: uncle( if your

-

older than your father )

Ba mukubwa: uncle( he is

-

see above )

Ma mukubwa/mudogo: aunt(

-

Niko mzazi: I am a parent

-

bathcellor/single

Niko celibataite: I am a

-

Marié(e): married

-

Ndugu: brother/relative

-

brother/family member

Ndugu yangu: my

-

Dada yangu: my sister

-

Connaissance: acquaintance

-

Rafiki yangu: My friend

-

Adui yangu: my enemy

-

Fiancée(e) yangu: my fiancé(e)

-

Fiancailles : Engagement

-

Divorce: divorce

-

Ndoa, Marriage

-

to get married

Atalunga(ndoa): he/she is going

-

is going to marry the king’s

daughter

Ataowa mtoto wa mwami: He

-

going to marry the president

Ataolewa na President: she is

-

Dot/mali: dowry

-

marriage, birth)

Faire-part: announcement( of

Nyumba: house

Msonge: hut

Boutique: shop

Magasin: store/ Big shop

9

(Nyumba ya) building: building

Bureau: Office

Kanisa: Church

Minaenda ku kanisa: I am going to

church

Muskiti/Mosqué

Jumba la Ufalme/ Salle du Royaume:

Kingdom Hall

Salle: Hall

Salle de cinema: Cinema

Salle de jeux: playroom, games room

Cthedrale : Cathedral

Salon ya kunyolea/ Salon de coiffure :

Hair dressing salon

Masomo : School

Hôtel : Hotel

Bar : bar

-

Chumba: room

-

Mbaraza/salon: livingroom

-

Chumba ya kulalia: bedroom

-

Mafiga: Kitchen

-

Depot: store

-

study

Salle d’etuude/ya kujifunzia:

-

Salle a manger: Dining room

-

Somo : Classroom

Evénements/ Cérémonies: Events/

ceremonies

-

Kilio: mourning

-

Joy: furaha

-

Ndoa: marriage

-

Ubatizo:baptism

-

nomination

Investiture: Investiture,

-

Fete: party

-

Foire: fair

-

Kermesse: fête, village fair

-

Cérémonie: ceremony

-

Maziko: funeral, burial

-

Kucheza: to dance

-

Kuimba: to sing

-

Nyimbo: song

-

Chorale: Choir

-

Orchestre: band

To Be: Kukuwa:

-

human being.

Mtoto: child,

Mtutu mweusi: a black person

Muzungu: white man

Murefu: tall

Mufupi: short

Munene: fat

-a kugonda: thin

- Niko wa ku gonda: I am thin

Niko na gonda: I am getting

thinner (and thinner)

- Niko mu bureau yangu: I am in

my office

Niko mutu: I am a man/

-

woman

Uko mwanamke: you are a

-

soldier

( Baba) iko soldat: Dad is a

-

is a seller Uko mulevi: you are

drunk

Mama ni/iko mchuruzi: Mom

-

Iko mmulimaji: he is a farmer

-

ku EP Bulenga: My sister is

teacher at Bulenga Primary

School

Dada yangu ni /iko mwalimu

-

is money in the drawer

Kuko makuta mu tiroir: there

-

is a town

Mbandaka ni ville: Mbandaka

-

country

Kongo in nchi: Congo is a

-

Tuko batu: we are men

-

yake: Mom is her (bed)room

Mama iko mu chumba is in her

-

Aline is not a football player

Batoto: children

Banafunzi: pupils

Aline haiko joueur wa foot:

10

-

Tuko banafunzi: we are pupils

-

drivers

Muko bacauffeurs: you are

-

students

Muko baétudiants: you are

-

journalists

Biko ba journalists: they are

-

home

Sko kunyumba: I am not (at)

-

yours

Hauko Kwako: you are not at

-

Kinshasa

Haiko Kinshasa: He is not in

-

is not in Kalemye

Bubala haiko kalemye: Bubala

-

goat is not a wild animal

Mbuzi haiko Nyama ya pori: a

-

not students

Hatuko baétudiants : we are

To Have: (Ku)wa na

-

have a house in kadutu

Niko na nyumba kadutu: I

-

have a plantation in Butembo

Niko na plantation Butembo: I

-

have some drinking water

Uko na maji ya kunywa: you

To Call: kuita

-

calling you

Minakuita: I call you/ I am

-

Unaniita: you call me

-

Niko na kuita: I am calling you

-

yesterday

Nilikuita jana: I called you

-

Aliniita: He/She called me

-

you

Tuna kuita: we (are) calling

-

Uniite: call me

-

Tuitane: let’s call each other

-

Umuite: call him/her

-

will call you

Atakuita: he is calling you/he

-

Sitakuita: I won’nt call you

-

you going to call me?

Utaniita: Will you call me?/Are

To Drive: Kutembeza

-

driving now

Nikonatembeza saa hii: I am

-

you drive a car/vehicle?

Unatembezaka motogari? : Do

-

how to drive

Sijuwe tembeza: I do not know

-

Tembeza: Drive

-

Unitembeze: Drive me

-

Anatembezaka: He/she drives

-

Alitemebeza: He/she drove

-

(Mi)sitatembeza: I won’t drive

-

drive

Hautatemebza: you won’t

-

Hatutatembeza: we won’t drive

-

Musitembeze: do not drive

The Human body: mwili ya mutu

Kichwa: head

Macho: eyes

Mapuwa: noses

Lipuwa: nose

Lisikio: ear

Masikio: ears

Machafu: cheeks

Mandevu: beard

Ma poils: hairs

Nywele: hair

Buso/sura: face

Kiwiliwili: trunk

Kifua/tolo: Chest

Maziba: breast

Tumbu:belly

Kiuno:waist

Estomac: stomach

Mugongo: back

Libega: shoulder

Mabega: shoulders

Cuisse: tigh

Ligoti: knee

11

Magoti: knees

Piga magoti: kneel down

Mukono: arm

Mikono: arms

Kidole: finger, toe

Bidole: fingers, toes

Lukucha: nail

Makucha: nails

Unikamate mukono: take my hand

Kamata muono: Shake my hand

Kamata mukono: shake my hand

Litako/vodo/fuso: buttock

Matako/Mafuso/ Ma vodo( very

informal Swahili): buttocks

Gouvernement: Government

L’Etat: Authorities, government,

Public Service

Soldat: soldier

Politicien: politician

Député/Parlementaire:

Deputy/Member of Parliament

Gouverneur: governor

Maire (de la ville): mayor

Reference: Wiki