chief ▶ (great) umuganwa
(sub) umutwāre
(to go to with trouble, complaint) gushengera, gushengerera
(to remove) gukōmbōra
(to take someone to for trial or accusation) gushengeza
(sub) umutwāre
(to go to with trouble, complaint) gushengera, gushengerera
(to remove) gukōmbōra
(to take someone to for trial or accusation) gushengeza
En-En dictionary
case ▶ (container) urwūbati
(law) ibūrana
(to declare one's case at a trial) gusāmba
(to know the facts of) guhinyura
(to make another lose his) kuzingirikira
(to take ~ to chief) kubūranya
(to take ~ to chief, knowing one is right) gutara
(to win ~) gutsīnda
(law) ibūrana
(to declare one's case at a trial) gusāmba
(to know the facts of) guhinyura
(to make another lose his) kuzingirikira
(to take ~ to chief) kubūranya
(to take ~ to chief, knowing one is right) gutara
(to win ~) gutsīnda
En-En dictionary
gift ▶ ingabano, ingabire, ishikanwa, itūro, ingemu, ikado
(of appreciation or thanks) ishīmwe, igishīmo
(given on return from journey) iganūke
(nothing expected in return) impāno
(to chief to get something from him) ingororano
(to make up for offending someone) icīru
(to offer ~) gutereka, gutūra
(to pass out ~, distribute) kugaba
(to present, with something expected in return) kugemura
(of appreciation or thanks) ishīmwe, igishīmo
(given on return from journey) iganūke
(nothing expected in return) impāno
(to chief to get something from him) ingororano
(to make up for offending someone) icīru
(to offer ~) gutereka, gutūra
(to pass out ~, distribute) kugaba
(to present, with something expected in return) kugemura
En-En dictionary
wife ▶ umugēnzi, umugore
(abandoned) intabwa
(favorite) inkūndwākazi
(wife of) muka
(wife of king, chief) umwāmikazi
(to bring back ~ after she's gone home) gucūra
(to lose ~ by death) gupfākara
(to send ~ back to husband when she's gone home) gucūrira
(to take) kwābīra
(to take, without marrying her properly) gucīkiza
(abandoned) intabwa
(favorite) inkūndwākazi
(wife of) muka
(wife of king, chief) umwāmikazi
(to bring back ~ after she's gone home) gucūra
(to lose ~ by death) gupfākara
(to send ~ back to husband when she's gone home) gucūrira
(to take) kwābīra
(to take, without marrying her properly) gucīkiza
En-En dictionary
defend ▶ guhāngāza, gutēturura, kuvuna
(another) gukīmbūka
(oneself, take case to chief) kubūranya, kwīkirānura
(to have 2 methods of defending oeself but use one you hadn't planned on) gutēgekanya
(another) gukīmbūka
(oneself, take case to chief) kubūranya, kwīkirānura
(to have 2 methods of defending oeself but use one you hadn't planned on) gutēgekanya
En-En dictionary
gusasa ibwami (-shashe) phr ▶ 1. to go to work for chief or king, 2. to spread grass, 3. to make a bed
kwītwāra (-ītwāye) v ▶ to go to chief or superior for something (see ndakwītwāyeko)
gushengera (-shengeye) v ▶ 1. to go to chief with trouble, complaint, 2. to visit someone important, 3. to pay homage to
gushengeza (-shengeje) v ▶ to take someone to chief (or other), esp. for trial or accusation
kubūranya (-būranije) v ▶ to defend oneself, take case to chief
gushengerera (-shengereye) v ▶ 1. to go to chief with trouble, complaint, 2. to visit someone important, 3. to pay homage to
gushenguruka (-shengurutse) v ▶ to return from visiting chief
skin ▶ uruhu, urukoba, urusāto
(for carrying baby) ingovyi
(worn by king or great chief) inyambarabāmi
(scaly) ibikaragāshi
(to ~) kumyōra, gukungura
(to fall and ~ oneself) gukungagura, gukunguka
(to remove ~ from drying) kubāmbūra
(to stretch out to dry by pegging) kubāmba
(to have something penetrate the) gusesērwa
(crack in foot) ikivutu
(for carrying baby) ingovyi
(worn by king or great chief) inyambarabāmi
(scaly) ibikaragāshi
(to ~) kumyōra, gukungura
(to fall and ~ oneself) gukungagura, gukunguka
(to remove ~ from drying) kubāmbūra
(to stretch out to dry by pegging) kubāmba
(to have something penetrate the) gusesērwa
(crack in foot) ikivutu
En-En dictionary
take ▶ gufata, gucakīra, guhitana
(another's place in watching) kubangūra
(apart what has been stuck together) kumatūra
(authority on oneself) kurēngera
(away) gukūra, gushingūra, gutwāra
(away from) kwāka, kunyaga
(away completely) gukōmbōra, gutōngōra
(away with) kuvāna
(by force) kunyaga
(care of) kubungabunga, kwītwaririka
(care of, very good) kubukabuka
(case to chief or court) kubūranya
(case to chief, knowing one is right) gutara
(child in arms) kurera, gukīkira
(council together) guhūza ināma
(cows uphill) kurārūra
(down) kumanura
(down tent) gupāngūra
(everything for oneself) kwīgūngirako
(far away) kwāmbukana
(firm hold of) kubāngiriza
(from another) kwākīra
(from pocket or other concealed place) kugoborora
(here, take this) enda
(hold of) gufata
(hold of person) gusūmira, gushorerakw amaboko
(home) gutāhāna
(home object or cows after being away long time) kugishūra
(in one's arms) kugūmbīra, gukīkira
(mouthful) gutamira
(oath) kurahīra
(off clothes) kwīyambura
(off lid of basket) kurumūra
(out) gusokōra
(out of) gukūra, gusokorora, kugobōtora
(out of hole in ground what one has put there) kuzīkuruka
(outside) gusohora
(picture) gucapura (Sw.)
(place of another) kwākīra
(quickly) gutebūkana
(someone aside) kwīkebana
(someone to chief for trial or accusation) gushengeza
(something out to an appointed place) gusokorora
(to put away) kwāndūra
(to someone) gushīra
(to someone where he is) gusānza
(turns) kwākīrana, kwākīranwa, kuja imbu, gukūranwa
(up space) gutabarara
(walk) kugēndagēnda
(wife) kwābīra
(wife, without marrying her properly) gucīkiza
(with) kujāna
(another's place in watching) kubangūra
(apart what has been stuck together) kumatūra
(authority on oneself) kurēngera
(away) gukūra, gushingūra, gutwāra
(away from) kwāka, kunyaga
(away completely) gukōmbōra, gutōngōra
(away with) kuvāna
(by force) kunyaga
(care of) kubungabunga, kwītwaririka
(care of, very good) kubukabuka
(case to chief or court) kubūranya
(case to chief, knowing one is right) gutara
(child in arms) kurera, gukīkira
(council together) guhūza ināma
(cows uphill) kurārūra
(down) kumanura
(down tent) gupāngūra
(everything for oneself) kwīgūngirako
(far away) kwāmbukana
(firm hold of) kubāngiriza
(from another) kwākīra
(from pocket or other concealed place) kugoborora
(here, take this) enda
(hold of) gufata
(hold of person) gusūmira, gushorerakw amaboko
(home) gutāhāna
(home object or cows after being away long time) kugishūra
(in one's arms) kugūmbīra, gukīkira
(mouthful) gutamira
(oath) kurahīra
(off clothes) kwīyambura
(off lid of basket) kurumūra
(out) gusokōra
(out of) gukūra, gusokorora, kugobōtora
(out of hole in ground what one has put there) kuzīkuruka
(outside) gusohora
(picture) gucapura (Sw.)
(place of another) kwākīra
(quickly) gutebūkana
(someone aside) kwīkebana
(someone to chief for trial or accusation) gushengeza
(something out to an appointed place) gusokorora
(to put away) kwāndūra
(to someone) gushīra
(to someone where he is) gusānza
(turns) kwākīrana, kwākīranwa, kuja imbu, gukūranwa
(up space) gutabarara
(walk) kugēndagēnda
(wife) kwābīra
(wife, without marrying her properly) gucīkiza
(with) kujāna
En-En dictionary
gutara (-taze) v ▶ 1. to be late (of rains), to not fall, 2. to put near fire to dry, scorch or roast, 3. to put beer in a warm place, 4. to argue and swear that you're right, 5. to take one's case to chief knowing you're right
queen ▶ (wife of king, or of great chief) umwāmikazi
(ruling, mother of king) umugabekazi
(ruling, mother of king) umugabekazi
En-En dictionary
visit ▶ kugēndera, kugēndagēndera, kurāba, gutēmbēra (Sw.), gusēmbēra, guterabiri, kuyāga
(a friend) kubūngirana
(the sick, to go to help one whose house has burned) gusuhūza
(someone important) gushengera, gushengerera
(to retun from visiting chief) gushengurūka
(a friend) kubūngirana
(the sick, to go to help one whose house has burned) gusuhūza
(someone important) gushengera, gushengerera
(to retun from visiting chief) gushengurūka
En-En dictionary
gukanda (-kanze) v ▶ to tell chief that someone sends greetings ('bwakeye')
indāva (in-) 3 class 3
singular: i-,in-
plural: i-,in- ▶ 1. footstool, 2. very nice mat (used by king or chief)
singular: i-,in-
plural: i-,in- ▶ 1. footstool, 2. very nice mat (used by king or chief)
pasture ▶ (belonging to great chief) icānya
(fresh, new shoots of grass) umugutu
(to ~, vi) kwāhuka
(to ~, vt) kuragira, kurīsha
(animals in good place) kwāhura
(in greener pastures, vt) kugisha
(to lead cows to) guturutsa
(fresh, new shoots of grass) umugutu
(to ~, vi) kwāhuka
(to ~, vt) kuragira, kurīsha
(animals in good place) kwāhura
(in greener pastures, vt) kugisha
(to lead cows to) guturutsa
En-En dictionary
gukōmbōra (-kōmbōye) v ▶ to destroy, to take away completely, remove chief
kubūranya (-būranye) v ▶ 1. to defend oneself when accused, 2. to take case to chief or court
umwāmikazi (ab-) 1 class 1
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ 1. queen, 2. wife of great chief or of king
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ 1. queen, 2. wife of great chief or of king
kugendanira (-gendaniye) v ▶ 1. to follow, 2. accompany, 3. obey (a chief or superior)
ingororano (in-) 3 class 3
singular: i-,in-
plural: i-,in- ▶ gift to a chief (in order to get something from him)
singular: i-,in-
plural: i-,in- ▶ gift to a chief (in order to get something from him)
good morning ▶ (greeting) bwakeye, mwaramutse
(to tell chief or superior that someone sends in 'bwakeye') gukānda
(to tell chief or superior that someone sends in 'bwakeye') gukānda
En-En dictionary
go ▶ kugenda, kwigira, kuja
(after) kugīra
(ahead a little) kwūnguruza
(all through a house) kuvōgera
(around) kuzunguruka, gukīkira, gukīkuza, kuzīngūka
(around difficulty) kuzunguruka umutego, gukikuza umutego
(around 'Robinhood's barn') gukingitiranya
(aside with someone to talk privately) kwīkebukana
(astray) kuzimira
(away secretly) kwīdohōra
(back and forth) kunyura
(back on what he said, make one) kurahuruza
(backward) kwītūtānya, kugēnda umugōngo
(backward inadvertently) gufūtānya
(beyond) kurēnga
(by car) kugēnda n'umuduga
(by boat) kugēnda n'ubwato
(by land rather than cross river or lake) guca i musozi
(carefully not knowing path) kwātīra
(elsewhere) kugerēra
(everywhere) gukwiragirana, guhetūra
(far away) kwāmbuka, guhaba
(for food) gusuma
(forward) gutēra imbere
(forward little by little) kwūngururuza, kwūnguruza
(forward steadily) kuramiriza
(for a walk) kugēndagēnda
(from one thing to another) kurārāta
(from place to place) kunyuragiza, kuyugayuga
(gaily) kudayadaya
(here and there, child) kurērēta
(home) gutāha, kuganūka
(home from work) kugodoka
(home, of wife when angry) kugēnda buje
(into danger without regard to oneself) kwīroha
(let's go!) hoji, hogi, tugende
(naked) gufurama, kugēnda amēnya, kugēnda gusa
(on tiptoe) kuyōmbōka
(out, fire, light) kuzima
(out to a certain place) gusokoroka
(outside) gusohoka
(to prepare to go) kwīkora
(quietly) kuyōmbōka
(rapidly) gukinagira
(reluctantly) kwīyumānganya
(right in path, animal) gutōta
(round) gukikuza
(secretly because of fear) kwōmba
(seperate ways) gutāna
(slowly) kugoyagoya
(slowly, of convalescent) kwāndāra
(softly) kuyōmbōka
(steadily forward) kuramiriza
(stealthily) kunyobanyoba, kwiyombayomba, kuyombayomba
(straight forward) gutūmbereza
(through a narrow pass) kunyegētera
(to bed) kuryāma
(to chief or superior for something) kwītwāra, gushengera, gushengerera
(to find food) gusuma
(to help another in his work) gusāsīra
(to meal uninvited) kwigemagema
(to meet) gusanganira, gutegēra
(together to produce food for guests) gutērēra
(together to see, crowd) gukōndōrera
(toward) kurora, kwerekera, kwerekeza
(uncertain of the way) guhushagirika
(uncertainly) kudāguza
(up, as hill) kudūga
(up in smoke) gupfūnduka
(walking, esp. at night) kwīkanya
(to wedding) gutāha ubukwe
(well, to cause to ~) kugēnza
(with) kwāmbukana, kujāna
(after) kugīra
(ahead a little) kwūnguruza
(all through a house) kuvōgera
(around) kuzunguruka, gukīkira, gukīkuza, kuzīngūka
(around difficulty) kuzunguruka umutego, gukikuza umutego
(around 'Robinhood's barn') gukingitiranya
(aside with someone to talk privately) kwīkebukana
(astray) kuzimira
(away secretly) kwīdohōra
(back and forth) kunyura
(back on what he said, make one) kurahuruza
(backward) kwītūtānya, kugēnda umugōngo
(backward inadvertently) gufūtānya
(beyond) kurēnga
(by car) kugēnda n'umuduga
(by boat) kugēnda n'ubwato
(by land rather than cross river or lake) guca i musozi
(carefully not knowing path) kwātīra
(elsewhere) kugerēra
(everywhere) gukwiragirana, guhetūra
(far away) kwāmbuka, guhaba
(for food) gusuma
(forward) gutēra imbere
(forward little by little) kwūngururuza, kwūnguruza
(forward steadily) kuramiriza
(for a walk) kugēndagēnda
(from one thing to another) kurārāta
(from place to place) kunyuragiza, kuyugayuga
(gaily) kudayadaya
(here and there, child) kurērēta
(home) gutāha, kuganūka
(home from work) kugodoka
(home, of wife when angry) kugēnda buje
(into danger without regard to oneself) kwīroha
(let's go!) hoji, hogi, tugende
(naked) gufurama, kugēnda amēnya, kugēnda gusa
(on tiptoe) kuyōmbōka
(out, fire, light) kuzima
(out to a certain place) gusokoroka
(outside) gusohoka
(to prepare to go) kwīkora
(quietly) kuyōmbōka
(rapidly) gukinagira
(reluctantly) kwīyumānganya
(right in path, animal) gutōta
(round) gukikuza
(secretly because of fear) kwōmba
(seperate ways) gutāna
(slowly) kugoyagoya
(slowly, of convalescent) kwāndāra
(softly) kuyōmbōka
(steadily forward) kuramiriza
(stealthily) kunyobanyoba, kwiyombayomba, kuyombayomba
(straight forward) gutūmbereza
(through a narrow pass) kunyegētera
(to bed) kuryāma
(to chief or superior for something) kwītwāra, gushengera, gushengerera
(to find food) gusuma
(to help another in his work) gusāsīra
(to meal uninvited) kwigemagema
(to meet) gusanganira, gutegēra
(together to produce food for guests) gutērēra
(together to see, crowd) gukōndōrera
(toward) kurora, kwerekera, kwerekeza
(uncertain of the way) guhushagirika
(uncertainly) kudāguza
(up, as hill) kudūga
(up in smoke) gupfūnduka
(walking, esp. at night) kwīkanya
(to wedding) gutāha ubukwe
(well, to cause to ~) kugēnza
(with) kwāmbukana, kujāna
En-En dictionary
mat ▶ (grass mat to sit on) umusēzero
(made of slipt papyrus) ikigāra, ikinyāmbuga
(sleeping) ikirago
(small) umukeka
(very nice, used by king or chief) indāva
(worn-out) umusāmbi
(made of slipt papyrus) ikigāra, ikinyāmbuga
(sleeping) ikirago
(small) umukeka
(very nice, used by king or chief) indāva
(worn-out) umusāmbi
En-En dictionary
work ▶ (to ~) gukora
(at several tasks at once) kujuragira
(carelessly wanting to quit) kuregarega
(complainingly) kugimīra
(for king, chief) gusasa ibwāmi
(for oneself) kwīkorera
(hard) gucumukura, gutama
(hard at) kuramiriza
(lazily) kuregarega
(rapidly) gufuruguta
(together) gukorana
(unwillingly, complainingly) kunyinkira, kugimīra
(with earnestness) gushira igikonyo
(with wood) kubāza
(with zeal) gushira igikonyo
(to cease, go home from) kugodoka
(to ~ for another without approval) kuruhira
(to do housework) kugora
(to feign) gushaza
(to put to) kwāhura
(to not keep at the job faithfully) gutenzekanya
(to try to get out of, pretend to work) gushaza
(to have ~ in one place many years) kuzyātira
(at several tasks at once) kujuragira
(carelessly wanting to quit) kuregarega
(complainingly) kugimīra
(for king, chief) gusasa ibwāmi
(for oneself) kwīkorera
(hard) gucumukura, gutama
(hard at) kuramiriza
(lazily) kuregarega
(rapidly) gufuruguta
(together) gukorana
(unwillingly, complainingly) kunyinkira, kugimīra
(with earnestness) gushira igikonyo
(with wood) kubāza
(with zeal) gushira igikonyo
(to cease, go home from) kugodoka
(to ~ for another without approval) kuruhira
(to do housework) kugora
(to feign) gushaza
(to put to) kwāhura
(to not keep at the job faithfully) gutenzekanya
(to try to get out of, pretend to work) gushaza
(to have ~ in one place many years) kuzyātira
En-En dictionary
gucikira (-cikiye) v ▶ to move to another chieftanship, to move away or escape (because of famine for example)
gusasa (-shashe) v ▶ to stay at the king's or a chief's court for a time
inka zishashe amahembe maze of horns
inka zishashe amahembe maze of horns
gutūmbūra (-tūmbūye) v ▶ 1. to cut down banana stalk, 2. to be a widow (of chief, etc.)
icānya (ivy-) 4 class 4
singular: iki-,ic-
plural: ibi-,ivy- ▶ place surrounding great chief's kraal, good pastures
singular: iki-,ic-
plural: ibi-,ivy- ▶ place surrounding great chief's kraal, good pastures
inyambarabāmi (iny-) 3 class 3
singular: i-,in-
plural: i-,in- ▶ king's clothing, esp. animal skins worn by kings or great chiefs, or jewels
singular: i-,in-
plural: i-,in- ▶ king's clothing, esp. animal skins worn by kings or great chiefs, or jewels
itēka (ama-) 5 class 5
singular: i-,iri-
plural: ama- ▶ 1. law, decree, order, 2. judgment, justice, 3. (pl.) amateka word (or commands) sent out by king and spread by chiefs, subchiefs, etc., 4. prescription
singular: i-,iri-
plural: ama- ▶ 1. law, decree, order, 2. judgment, justice, 3. (pl.) amateka word (or commands) sent out by king and spread by chiefs, subchiefs, etc., 4. prescription
kubūngira (-būngiye) v ▶ 1. to search for a buyer for, at, 2. to move to a new chieftanchip in order to be with a certain person
ubutwāre 8 class 8
singular: ubu- ▶ (no pl.) chieftanship, authority
singular: ubu- ▶ (no pl.) chieftanship, authority
umuganwa (aba-) 1 class 1
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ chief, great chief, blood prince
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ chief, great chief, blood prince
umunyekōmbe (aba-) 1 class 1
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ member of chief's council who listens to trials
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ member of chief's council who listens to trials
umurōngōzi (aba-) 1 class 1
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ guide, leader, chief's assistant (esp. in law enforcement)
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ guide, leader, chief's assistant (esp. in law enforcement)
umutwāre (aba-) 1 class 1
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ sub-chief, commander
singular: umu-
plural: aba- ▶ sub-chief, commander
king ▶ umwāmi
(entrance to king's kraal) ikirīmba
(house of) ingoro
(pronouncements or commands sent out to chiefs) amatēka
(to become) kwīma
(to die) gutānga
(to make) kwīmika
(to sit) kuvyāgira
(to speak evil of ~) kurogota
(entrance to king's kraal) ikirīmba
(house of) ingoro
(pronouncements or commands sent out to chiefs) amatēka
(to become) kwīma
(to die) gutānga
(to make) kwīmika
(to sit) kuvyāgira
(to speak evil of ~) kurogota
En-En dictionary
member ▶ (of group) umunywanyi
(of chief's council who listens to trials) umunyekōmbe
(of family) abavandimwe
(of chief's council who listens to trials) umunyekōmbe
(of family) abavandimwe
En-En dictionary
move ▶ (vi) kwīmuka
(vt) kwīmura
(about) gutēmbēra (Sw.)
(things to another place) gutūnda, gutereka
(to another chieftanship) gucikira
(to a new location) kujōnjōra
(to cause to move) gusegenyesha
(vt) kwīmura
(about) gutēmbēra (Sw.)
(things to another place) gutūnda, gutereka
(to another chieftanship) gucikira
(to a new location) kujōnjōra
(to cause to move) gusegenyesha
En-En dictionary
remove ▶ gukūra, gukūraho
(chief) gukōmbōra
(clothing) kwāmbūra
(completely) gutōngōra
(dry leaves from banana trees) gutūtūra
(enchantment) kurogōra
(everything from burning house) gusahura
(foreign body from eye, milk or water) gutosōra
(from cross) kubāmbūra
(from fire or oven) kwōkōra
(from hiding) guhishūra
(from hole in ground, what one has put there) kuzīkuruka
(grass from house) gukākura
(lid of basket) kurumūra
(load from head) gutūra
(skin from drying) kubāmbūra
(sliver for oneself) kwīhāndūra
(taboo) kuzirūra
(things) kuyōra
(things from flesh as witch doctors supposedly do) guhura
(thorn or sliver) guhāndūra
(chief) gukōmbōra
(clothing) kwāmbūra
(completely) gutōngōra
(dry leaves from banana trees) gutūtūra
(enchantment) kurogōra
(everything from burning house) gusahura
(foreign body from eye, milk or water) gutosōra
(from cross) kubāmbūra
(from fire or oven) kwōkōra
(from hiding) guhishūra
(from hole in ground, what one has put there) kuzīkuruka
(grass from house) gukākura
(lid of basket) kurumūra
(load from head) gutūra
(skin from drying) kubāmbūra
(sliver for oneself) kwīhāndūra
(taboo) kuzirūra
(things) kuyōra
(things from flesh as witch doctors supposedly do) guhura
(thorn or sliver) guhāndūra
En-En dictionary
widow ▶ umupfākazi
(disrespectful term) umukēcuru
(to be, of chief, etc.) gutūmbūra
(to become) gupfākara
(disrespectful term) umukēcuru
(to be, of chief, etc.) gutūmbūra
(to become) gupfākara
En-En dictionary
printable PDF files.
This unique dictionary by Betty Cox is known for the deep cultural insight it provides to many Kirundi terms. It has been thouroughly revised, adapted to present-day Kirundi orthography rules and many new words and meanings have been added.
The Kirundi self study course guides you through 125 lessons and makes you learn both the necessary vocabulary and basic grammar.
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