Author: aznimi

Runyankore to English Dictionary – R

rahi adv. where?
raijaraija n. a part time job.
-raingwa adj. long.
reediyo n. radio: an electronic receiver that detects and demodulates and amplifies transmitted signals. Etym: [].
reero conj. then/so that.
-ri- infix. singular class marker for words in the “li-ma” class.
-riho adj. it is there.
rimu adv. it’s there.
ritaari n. altar: a holy table. Var: rutaari. Etym: [].
-riya adv. the other one.
rubaaga-empereka n. a big and long knife especially used in slaughtering.
rubaba n. a name given to cows that have two breasts, the other two do not function.
rubamba n. a bull with grey and white brown colour with white patches on the throat. Var: mbamba, kabamba.
Rubambansi n. His magesty.
rubanda n. an ancient hero like Methuselah.
rubango n. one of the potatoe specie.
rubaraasi n. a brown bull with house patches on the throat.
rubarara adj. something very big.
rubarura-ntojo n. thunder: the idiomatic name for thunder. See: ENKUBA.
rubombo n. a medicinal plant that is very bitter. See: EKIBOMBO.
rubosta n. coffee specie. See: OMWANI.
Rubuga n. a king’s sister in Ankole.
rubura n. rascal: a person especially a man who shows lack of respect for other people playing tricks on them.
rucumu n. a controversial figure.
Rucunya n. a shiny person.
Rucwamihingo n. an achiever, a go- getter: one who does not wait. He or she gets results quickly.
rufu n. death.
ruga adv. to chase someone away from you or call someone in a commanding voice.
rugaaju n. See: GAAJU.
rugaaniira n. musical instrument: a seed tray used as a tambourine or rattle.
rugaba n. God: the almighty.
rugabire n. rubber sandals that are locally made out of car tyres.
rugambwa n. a famous person known by many people because of his deeds.
rugogoma adj. something very big.
rugondo n. a bull or a male calf that has small white spots. Var: kagondo.
rugongo n. flea: a very small jumping insect without wings that bite animals and sucks blood. rugosi ] n. a person who praises his manhood and talks in relation to his manhood. Rugumba n. a big and quiet man. rugungu n. See: AKAHIMBA. ruhaata n. an old monkey.
ruhabo n. that where one goes when they have lost way.
ruhamireeka n. finger millet specie.
Ruhanga n. God: the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions.
ruharaatwa n. one who plays about. ruhaya n. a male goat. See: EMPAYA. ruhega n. famine.
ruhemba n. comet: a bright object in space that has a tail of gas and dust.
ruhembe n. See: ORUHEMBE.
ruhembure n. hair dominated with grey hair.
ruhenda n. a variety of millet which is hard to mingle.
ruhenure n. abuses which include curses. ruhigura adj. rain: a very heavy rainfall. ruhiku n. goodluck: a person who has good luck. ruhima-rwa-ndongo n. a grasshopper specie.
ruhombo n. mould: a fine soft green grey or black substance like fur that grows on old food or in objects that are left in warm or wet air.
ruhondeeza n. a slow lazy person.
ruhumba-ntuutu n. a person who eats everything that he/she comes across.
ruhumbe n. a bull with a single horn. Var: kahembe.
ruhuuga n. a bull with white forelegs. Var: mpuuga.
ruhuura n. a grey bull with dull white spots. Var: kahuura.
ruhuuzimu n. a cow with grey colour or black mixed with white or brown hair.
rujuga n. Adam’s apple.
rujumba n. a male goat with grey-black colour. Var: Njumba, kajumba.
rujwa-mireju n. nasal bleeding.
rukakaare n. weaverbird: Finch-like African and Asian colonial birds noted for their elaborately woven nests.
rukome n. a bull with horns moving forward and upwards. Var: kakome, nkome.
rukomyo ] n. a traditional pot with four openings used by married women in prepration for intercourse.
rukondo n. a bull with horns moving inwards and upwards.
rukonko n. a very weak cow. rukooreera n. up in the sky. rukumi n. one thousand: 1000.
rukundo n. love: a strong feeling of deep affection for somebody especially a member of your family or friend.
rukungu n. a hornless bull. Var: nkungu.
rukunu adj. a very poor family below the poverty line.
rukunya-akatimba n. a name of a cow: this cow looks clean and shiny.
rukura n. a banana disease that makes banana fingers dotted black and ripen before maturity.
rukururana n. trailer: a truck that pulls a container which has wheels.
rukuunya n. a person who works very slowly.
rukuura n. a banana wilt disease that cause them to ripen when they are not grown enough.
Rumwera n. a good cow, so beautiful that it cannot be rivalled.
Runanisa n. a name given to a strong man. runcumite n. one who gossips. runkunku n. a habitual thief.
runonko n. this is where herdsmen used to roast bananas and sweet potatoes from. Pl: runonko.
runuuka n. a name given to a very poor person who cannot afford buying anything.
runyabuza n. a big cow with very small horns.
ruraka n. See: MAHUMAHU.
rurangaanwa n. a famous person known by very many people because of his deeds.
rurara n. sword: a weapon with long metal blade and handle used for cutting.
rureebya n. a person who gives away secrets about their friends, country, etc.
rurega n. a form of therapy: to boil water for cows to drink. In this hot water, they put in anthills and some herbs and boil. This medicine is put in the trough for cows and they drink it hot. The same therapy used to wash people with leprosy. The same therapy would also be used if a cow had got retained placenta.
ruremba n. a bull with a white striped belly. Var: kiremba.
rurembeezi n. a bull with no circles of hair and it is not used for paying bride price.
ruriiya pron. that over there.
Rurombya n. the one who weakens the other side.
rusaaninga adj. a big bad fierce person or animal like a lion.
rushagama1 n. red: the chromatic colour resembling the hue of blood.
rushagama2 n. cancer-like disease that eats up one part of the body like a toe until it breaks off.
rushamaitu n. See: KASHAMAITU.
rushanda n. locust: a big flying insect from Asia and Africa that moves in very large groups, eating and destroying large quantities of plants. See: ENZIGYE.
rushanjuura-mumiro n. a big chunk of food swallowed at ago.
rushongoza n. very sharp tops of horns.
rutaara n. See: KATAARA.
rutaara-omwagaagyi n. a cow that is being caressed.
rutaari n. See: RITAARI. Var: ritaari. rutahikwa-mutoozo n. a molar tooth. rutahikwa-mutozo1 n. a rebellious person who ignores advice.
rutahikwa-mutozo2 n. a term used as an a buse. rutahikwa-mutozo3 n. a large burrowing beetle. rutakirwa n. the title of the King of Kigezi. rutamiisi n. a cassava specie that is poisonous when
eaten raw or when it is not yet dry. rutangirira-bagyenyi phr. a lazy person. rutanyohoka n. a cautious person.
Rutarendeza n. a weak and powerless person.
Rutaromba n. one who perseveres.
rutasanga n. (of cattle) to eat grass or drink water. rutasinziira adj. someone who is alert even in sleep. rutinda-ngyezi n. an idol in the Kinyankore traditon.
rutyaza n. a wild tree with long thorns.
ruuha adj. which one.
ruyonza n. it is a he-goat with small white dots.
ruzaaro n. See: ORUZAARO.
ruzimure n. sorghum porridge made from a certain specie of sorghum; it is made by the Bakiga and Banyankore. Ref: ENKUMB
rwabwamba n. an item used in devination.
rwagati n. middle: the part of something that is at an equal distance from all sides.
rwaheeru int. God forbid.
rwaiguuga adj. a word used to refer to something very big or huge.
rwakibikindi n. See: KIBIKINDI. rwakipumpuru n. a serious cattle disease. rwamigongo n. a banana specie that has big and long banana fingers.
rwango n. hatred: a strong feeling of dislike of somebody.
rwanyamushanda n. See: ENJUBU.
rwaranda n. famine: lack of food fo a long period of time in an area.
rwarwa n. alcohol: a local brew made out of yellow bananas.
rwatamagufa n. a man with great physical strength, especially one who performs feats of strenght as a form of entertainment.
rwebandira n. rebel. See: OMUHEEKYERA.
rwebisingo n. compost pit for garbage collection.
rwecunda n. a bore-hole: a hole or passage made by a drill; usually used to pump water from underground. See: NAIKONDO.
rweganywa n. unbeatable person or system that you cannot fight and defeat.
rweiguuga n. a very big thing. See: RWAIGUUGA.
rwemereza n. it is a type of peas which has big white seeds.
rwemereza-bagyenzi n. something which has yielded highly.
rweziringa1 n. thorn apple. rweziringa2 n. a slow person. rwiba-mutima n. death.
rwigura-mumiro adj. the first thing you eat before eating anything.
rwinika n. a cow with big horns facing forwards.
rwitabataaruuzi n. a period in the evening around 7.00pm.
rwo adj. possessive adjective.
ryari adv. when.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – J

juba adv. hastly, quickly or in a short time

Runyankore to English Dictionary – N

n n. one of the letters of the Roman Alphabet.
na conj. and: used to connect characters, symbols, words, clauses or sentences that are to be taken jointly. Naayeta omwana na nyina. I have called the child and her mother.
nabi n. a prophet: a person who foretells, forecasts or predicts what is going to happen. Banabi bakaranga okwija kwa Yesu Kristo. The prophets announced the coming of Jesus Christ. See: OMURANGI. Pl: baanabi.
nabwo conj. even though. Nabwo ninza kwija n’obu otaanyeta. Even though you did not call me, I will come.
n’ahabw’ekyo conj. therefore: a logical way to introduce something that has just been mentioned. Akagira ngu naaba atariyo n’ahabw’ekyo tindikuzayo. She told me she will not be there, therefore I am not going there.
naikondo n. borehole: a deep narrow hole in the ground made mainly to get water. Bakashashura esente nyingi z’okwombeka naikondo. They paid a lot of money for the construction of the bore hole.
nainga conj. or: used to link alternatives. Nyekyakare nimbaasa kwija nainga ntaija. Tomorrow I might come or not.
nairooni n. cloth: nylon. Etym: []. naiwe pron. you too. Ija naiwe. You too come. nangwa conj. not even.
ndagara int. an exclamatory expression.
nda-nda-nda adj. extremely hard.
nderera n. a variety of sweet potatoes with sticky sap and yields well within three months and after that period, it begins to rot.
ndi phr. I am.
-ndi adj. the reference to the rest of the things.
ndikaitwa int. a word used to show affection and love.
ndori int. the sound made by a stone when it falls in water.
nende n. a brown cow.
n’enki pron. what is it? used to indicate thatsomething is quite the opposite of what is being specified.; Used to indicate that something hs quite tha opposite of what is being specified. Omrishi akamureeba. Ngaaha! Did you see the lady? No! Tlt Var: Tbw. Etym: Xsc. Ahimbisibwe Daisy
nfundo n. a person who has short and fat legs.
nfuruuto n. a pet name for women with stretch marks as a sign of beauty.
nga maawe int. an expression used to say no in a polite way.
ngabira-abanyaata n. large pockets on a man’s trousers. Usage: slang.
ngabo n. a cow with large white and black or white and brown patches all over the body.
ngabusha int. no.
-ngahe suffix. how many. e.g. bangahe(people), bingahe (things), etc.
ngambanyenka n. dictator: a person who does things alone and rejects other people’s advice.
ngarama n. a potatoe variety that grows in swamps and is very big.
ngaro z’abakama phr. fungi: a poisonous mushroom.
ngino y’abahima n. a type of maizi where the cob is purplish close to black and it lookes like black gums.
ngoobe n. brown cow with white patches on the neck. Var: engoobe.
ngu conj. that.
ngugu adj. here he or she is.
ngugwo adj. there he is.
nguri adj. he or she is over there. nguriya adj. that one over there. ngurorushwero n. bean variety. nibwo pron. that is when.
nibyo pron. they are the ones. niinye pron. I am the one. nikwo pron. in that way. nikyo adj. that is the one.
nimarungi int. (greeting) I am fine, or we are alright.
nimwo pron. that is where (referring to inside aninkahoorwe nyabo place).
ninkahoorwe phr. a statement or a word of swearing. Usage: Kiga.
nitwo pron. diminutive: referring to things which are small in size or quantity.
niwe pron. it is him.
niyo pron. it is the one. niyo pron. that is the place. njagu n. a cow with cut ears.
njeru n. a cow which is grey in colour.
njeru ya buremba n. one of king’s drums in Ankole.
njeru-eyera adj. a grey and white cow.
njororo adj. a sound produced when pouring liquids down especially when urinating.
njumba n. a grey-black nanny.
nkaija-na-mbaguta n. a type of eucalyptus tree that is hard.
nkana adv. doing something deliberately. Naamutuma kutaha amaizi yaayanga nkana. I have sent him to fetch water but he has deliberately refused.
nkara n. a cow with a black and brown colour.
nkira-zoona n. tall fingure: the middle finger out of the five fingers of the hand which is longer than the rest.
nkome n. a cow with horns facing forward. nkondo n. a cow with short horns facing forwards. Nkore n. a name that combined the counties of
Kashaari, Isingiro, Nyabushozi and Rwampara.
nkorongo n. a cow with twisted horns.
nkumbi n. a black goat.
nkumuunye n. chancroid: a human infection that is sexually transimitted and attacks the sexual organs. If not treated early, the parts affected fall off.
nkungu n. a hornless animals especially cows and goats. Pl: nkungu.
nkurugutu n. a sheep with no or very small ears.
nkwerere n. off white: a colour that is not exactly white.
nkweshumbire int. go away!
nkyerengye n. a black and brown coloured cow.
nobu conj. even if.
nohiri n. Noel or christmas: a holiday celebrated by Christians as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus on December 25 every year.
nooti n. zero. a numerical number which when added to any number, you remain with the same number.
nseeri n. across from one side to another or the other side. Var: seeri.
nseeri-mayanja n. Var: seeri-mayanja.
nsha adj. the act of being empty handed or not possessing anything.
nshaiga n. a cow with a very big patch from the neck to the tail and the legs, and brown patch from the back to the face and front legs.
nshakama n. a cow with a white patch on the back.
nshamaitu n. a female cow with white spots on both sides of the waist, or neck. Var: kashamaitu, rushamaitu.
nshanju n. seventy: the cardinal number that is the product of ten and seven and written as 70.
nshara n. a cow with small and short loose horns falling downwards.
nsheshera n. a sweet potato variety.
nta adj. how: used as an interrogative word to mean in what way or manner or by what means; used to ask about the extent or degree of something. Ekyoma eki nkitemu nta? How should I insert this metal?
ntaara n. a female cow with horns set apart at a wide angle.
ntabangi n. a cow with mixed spots of white and black colour.
ntabo-yaago n. alcoholic: a person who drinks too much alcohol and is addicted to it. Pl: ntabo-yaago.
ntahi adj. an expression used to show that one does not approve of something.
Ntare n. a name given to one of the kings in Ankole.
ntega-akagyega n. a sweet potato variety with high yields.
nti adv. like this: a word used to demostrate the way something was done.
nturubure n. someone with no ears.
ntyo conj. then: used as a filler.
ntyo conj. empty handed: like that. Nkaija ntyo ntaine sente. I just came like that, without any money.
nurinuri adv. very delicious: tasty food.
nyaabura we phr. please: an expression used in polite request. Nyaabura oteebwa eki naakugambira. Please do not forget what I have told you.
nyabayangwe n. velvet monkey: a primate that lives in trees and is a taboo to some tribes.
nyabeene n. others like these: such people of that calibre.
Nyabihekye n. April: the fourth month of the year.
nyabingi n. a supernatural being who is worshipped by people, particularly a deity thought to control some part of nature.
nyabitote n. a heavy downpour that leaves the place very wet.
nyabo n. madam: a form of address to show respect to a female person.
nyabucureera n. a humble person.
nyabukye adj. someone or something that is very small.
nyaburezi n. one of the traditional small gods or idols invoked in retribution.
nyabwangu adj. a person who works or acts in an excessively hasty manner.
nyabwekonora n. an edible banana variety.
nyabwerundarunda n. a plant whose leaves fold when touched and after a few minutes it turns back to is original form or shape.
nyaigyendwa adj. a highly traversed road. Nyaikoma n. April: the fourth month of the year. Nyairurwe n. July: the seventh month of the year. nyaishaija adj. a male person who possesses or has the qualities.
nyakabara adj. proper: typical of something of or a true replica of something.
nyakaju n. a chief’s small house: a guest room. Nyakanga n. August: the eighth month of the year. nyakashaija n. one of the traditional drums in the
palace of the kingdom of Ankole.
nyakatagara n. a tittle of the traditional doctor among the Banyoro. Pl: banyakatagara.
nyakazaana n. name referring to a female slave.
Nyakazaana ayerinza ogu araakore. A female slave procrastinates over chores she knows she must do.
Nyakazigye n. a person born during the time of locusts.
nyakibaka n. a weather condition where the sun has been hot and very bright.
nyakibazi n. a tree whose bark is chewed to treat cough in human beings.
nyakiinika n. a type of banana plant grown for food.
nyakikoko n. a tree with an outer hard cover that is used to heal stomachache.
nyakimwe n. the head of a colony of monkeys.
nyakinyonyoozo n. Venus: the brightest celestial object after the sun and moon; morning star.
nyakizooba n. name of historical famine.
Nyakubaho n. Lord: the Almighty God.
nyakufa n. the late: the deceased. See:OMUGYENZI; KARIBUTI. Pl: banyakufa.
nyakumirwa n. a word used to curse enemies that they cease to exist in their midst.
Nyakusinga n. See: NYAKUBAHO. nyakwegyendera n. See: NYAKUFA. nyakwenkuru n. See: NYOKWENKURU. nyakwera n. See: KYAKWERA.
nyakwesikurira n. a person who does things andthey backfire.
nyakwetakuriza n. See: NYAKWESIKURIRA.
nyakyetengwa n. a very short banana type.
nyamaarwa n. a tree with succulent fruits. Pl: nyamaarwa.
nyamabondo n. a toad with a big stomach.
nyamagoye n. albino: person with congenital white hair and pink skin.
nyamashore n. (used in Buganda) Queen’s mother. nyamateeka n. fact: something that actually exists. nyamazima adj. a truthful person who says what is true and does not lie.
nyambata adj. something extreme.
nyampara n. foreman: a person who exercises control over laboures. Pl: banyampara. nyamugyendanootwe n. a snail that moves with its shell.
nyamuhaibona n. shooting star: star that disappears as soon as it appears. See: EKIBONWOMWE.
nyamuhanga n. the Creator.
nyamujuni n. a sweet potato variety.
nyamukangayo n. a person who returns promptly when sent on an errand.
nyamukwikwi n. a tiny black insect that is normally found in gardens during evening hours especially in rainy seasons.
nyamunegyere n. only one and nothing more. Ruhanga akoohereza omwana we omwe nyamunegyere kufeera abasiisi. God sent his only begotten son to die for sinners.
nyamunjuuri n. wax bill: a grain eating bird.
nyamuraingwa adj. a tall person in a specified group of people.
nyamurunga n. bishop bird: a white bird with a black patch around its neck.
nyamurungi n. a beautiful person (especially a woman).
nyamutahatwa n. a calabash: a name given to a calabash that is small enough to be carried under the arm.
nyamuteza n. a grave.
nyamwari n. a small round insect that lives in dust.
nyamwegyendaho n. a person who fends for himself with no one else to help him.
nyamwenga n. See: EMPARAATA.
nyamwingi adj. plenty, much, many. Akatunga ente nyamwingi aha bugyenyi bwe bw’okugaitwa. He got many cows on his wedding.
nyang’abaribatyo n. a finger millet species.
nyanga-ente n. a type of panga which has a pointed end.
nyangye n. a locally made carpet on which witchdoctors treat their patients or the mat on which witch doctors practice their magic powers while offering services to their clients.
nyankokora-itahigwa n. an obstinate person.
nyankurukurumbi n. a star that shines 2 hours.
nyantagambirwa n. ill-behaved or stubborn person who cannot heed to people’s advice.
nyantahurira n. See: NYANTAGAMBIRWA.
nyanzika adj. revengeful: keeping a grudge with an intention to hurt someone.
nyarubombwa n. a grass species that grows in forests.
nyaruju n. a big establishment or building e.g a church.
nyarumaga n. a King’s drum.
nyarumaga adj. a word used to refer to someone who cannot keep his/her word, and who is not consistent.
nyaruntu n. a kind of rat that usually lives in potate gardens.
nyarwefoora n. a plant that grows in swampy areas and is reddish-pink in colour. Erangi ei baasiiga enju baagiiha omuri nyarwefoora ei baajunga. The paint they put on the house was got from squeezing the reddish-pink plant got from the swamp.
nyarwegye n. a mature pregnancy between seven and eight months, and about to be born.
nyarwehindura n. a plant which, when cooked, its water turns red.
nyarwehumbarika n. someone who pretends to behave in a particular way.
nyarwehungura n. a plant species which is thorny.
nyarwezambiza n. one who invites trouble to himself or herself.
nyarwino n. a red ant: a mature red ant with a very big head.
Nyeikoma n. See: NYABIHEKYE.
nyekiro adv. night: the time between sunset and sunrise. Ti kirungi kutambura nyekiro. It is not good to move at night.
nyenka adv. me alone: refering to myself. Omu bugyenyi nkazayo nyenka. I went to the party alone.
nyenkyakare adv. tomorrow: the day that follows or that is after today. Usage: Kiga.
nyensya adv. Var: nyentsya. 1) far future: a period of time that is far from the day one is talking about. **2) the day after tomorrow.
nyentsya adv. See: NYENSYA.
nyina n. his or her mother: someone’s female parent. Nyinabo; nyinakyo; nyinago. Their mother; the owner of (a particular thing); the owner (of rice).
nyina n. owner. Nyina n’omushaho. His mother is a nurse.
nyinabangye n. my wife: a word used by someone to refer to his wife.
nyin’abangye n. the mother of my children. See: MUK’ABANGYE.
nyinabwengye n. 1) a woman who exhibits unique and extraordinary characteristics in what she does. **2) (usually used in Mothers’ Union) to refer to mothers.
nyina-iguru n. God: the mother of heaven. See: RUHANGA.
nyinakamanzi n. a sweat potato species. nyinamaka n. mother in the home. nyinamaniina n. a stingy person; not generous. See: MUKONOGAAMU.
nyinamuku n. a grass species.
nyinamwiru n. a legend about a woman with extraordinally features.
nyinarumi n. See: NYOKOROMI. nyinazaara n. his or her mother-in-law. nyindo z’abaraaro n. a sweet potato species.
nyine adv. 1) (used to indicate possession) I have. Nyine abaana bataano abaoojo babiri n’abaishiki bashatu. I have five children, two boys and three girls. **2) an expression used to mean “yes, I agree with you”.
nyineeka n. master of the house or head of the family.
nyinekiriga n. the rightful owner; the one who is in the know.
nyinenda n. womb or uterus: a hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity of females in which babies develop before they are born.
nyinenkuru n. his or her grandmother. See: NYOKWENKURU.
nyinento n. maternal aunt: his/her mother’s sister.
nyinesaasi n. a type of sweet potato.
-nyini adj. exactly: typical of something.
nyoko n. your mother.
nyokoromi n. your maternal uncle. See: MAARUMI. nyokozaara n. your mother-on-law. nyokwenkuru n. your grandmother. See: KAAKA. Var: nyakwenkuru, mawenkuru.
nyokwenkuruza n. the mother of your grandmother.
nyokwento n. See: MAAWENTO.
nyomushana adv. the time when there is natural light between dawn and dusk.
nyomwebazyo adv. yesterday: the day before today.
nyonga n. cow that is black. See: KYOZI.
nyowe pron. 1) me: first person singular pronoun. **2) I: pronoun used to refer to yourself.