Category: Runyankore to English Dictionary

Runyankore to English Dictionary – C

c n. the third letter of the Roman alphabet.
caai n. Etym: Swahili.
cacaca n. sound made by footsteps.
cakucaku n. a sound made when eating with an open mouth. Okurya cakucaku. Eating with an open mouth.
canisi n. playing cards: a set of cards with numbers and pictures printed on one side which and used for playing various games. Etym: [].
cee int. to keep quiet: to be silent. Ku baareebire omwegyesa boona baagira ngu cee. When they saw the teacher, they all became silent.
ceeki n. cheque: a piece of printed paper that authorises a bank to pay a stated amount of money to someone from the drawer’s account. Etym: []. Pl: ceeki.
chapati n. a flat round cake made out of wheat flour, water, salt, onions and oil. Etym: [].
co int. used to express surprise, anger, happiness, etc. co! waaba ota shi? oh! what has happened to you? Usage: KG.
coo int. a sound made by hunters when hunting.
cooka n. Etym: []. 1) a type of soft substance used for writing or drawing on a blackboard. 2) a white substance used for painting walls.
curi int. used to gesticulate putting one’s head down or being subdued.
curucuru adv. See: CUUCUUCU.
cuucuucu adv. an expression used to describe a very bad smell. Ahu barikunaga kasasiro nihanuuka cuucuucu! The place where they throw gabbage smells.
cuucuucu adj. an expression used to describe a very dark. Nairagura cuucuucu. He is very dark.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – D

d n. the forth letter of the Roman alphabet.
daa n. the sound made by a sheep.
daburokara n. double colour. Etym: [].
dainingi n. dining room. Etym: []. demokurasi n. democracy: a type of government, elected by the people who have equal rights in decision making, etc. Etym: [].
dereeva n. driver. Var: duriiva. Etym: []. Pl: baadereeva.
diguri n. degree: a qualification offered by a university to person who has completed a courseof study. Etym: [].
Diisi n. District Commissioner.
diporoma n. diploma: qualification attained in higher institutions of learning. Var: dipuroma. Etym: [].
dipuroma See: DIPOROMA.
disiko n. discotheque. Etym: [].
disiturikiti n. district: a local government administrative unit that heads the counties, sub-counties, parishes, etc. Etym: [].
doboro adj. double: twice as much. Etym: [].doodo ebihagi
doodo n. pig weed: a green vegetable. Amaranthus_Species.
doora n. dollar: the basic monetary unit used in the US and other countries. Etym: [].
duriiva n. See: DEREEVA.
duuka-mukono n. hawker: a person who moves from place to place selling goods.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – E

e n. a fifth letter of the Roman Alphabet, and one of the five vowels.
ebaafu n. plastic basin: a circular open container used for bathing and washing clothes. Etym: [].
ebaara n. bar: a room or a place with a counter where alcoholic drinks are bought and served. See: EINYWERO. Pl: amabaara.
ebaayi n. fluffy: flowers from cotton grass commonly used to make traditional mattresses or pillows. Var: ebaaye, ebaaya, baaya.
ebahaasa n. envelope: a flat paper bag used for sealing letters or documents.
ebakuri n. dish or bowl: a circular open container used to serve sauce or food.
ebaraafu n. a fridge, freezer or cooler.
ebaraza n. Monday: the second day of the week, after Sunday.
ebaruha n. letter: a written or printed message sent from one person to another usually in an envelope. Etym: []. Pl: amabaruha.
ebeeseni n. basin. See: EBAAFU.
ebeeyi n. price: exchange value of a commodity or service. Ebeeyi ya shukaari etembire. The price of sugar has gone up.
ebendera n. a flag: a piece of cloth attached by one edge to a rope or pole and used as a symbol of a country’s sovereignity or organisation’s identity. Ebendera ya Uganda eine erangi ishatu. The Uganda flag has three colours. Var: bendera.
ebi pro. these. Ebintu ebi, ebiro ebi. These things these days
ebibago n. materials (reeds and ropes) used to erect the framework of the roof and the walls. Sing: ekibago.
ebibaiziro n. wood shavings: thin slices or layers from wood after shaving. Ebibaiziro nibihemba gye omuriro. Wood shavings are good for making fire. Sing: ekibaiziro.
ebibanga n. many houses in a row with a fence below them.
ebibembe n. leprosy: a contageous disease that affects the skin, causing discorolation and lumps on the body.
ebiboogi n. regurgitated milk that comes back to the mouth especislly in babies.
ebibuuzo n. Sing: ekibuuzo. 1) examinations or tests. Nitutandika ebibuuzo Orwakataano. We are starting examinations on Friday.**2) questions.
ebicaani n. campfire made for cows.
ebicu n. clouds: white or grey mass of very small drops of water in the sky. Sing: ekicu.
ebicukwe n. food that has too little salt or no salt in it. Emboga ezi n’ebicukwe. This sauce is saltless. See: EBINYIGA.
ebicuncu n. See: EKICUNCU, ENTARE.
ebicuraguzo n. young shoots of plants used to wash milk pots. Sing: ekicuraguzo.
ebicurwe n. rubbish: a collection of waste material.
ebicwanyagurika n. broken pieces. Ekikopo kyayatika kyarugamu ebicwanyagurika. The cup has broken into small pieces.
ebifundikizo n. banana leaves used for covering food while cooking.
ebigaaga n. a special variety of papyrus.
ebigaaga n. bracelets, bangles that people wear.These are worn below the knees.
ebigakirizi n. See: EBISENTE.
ebigambira n. a certain type of majugo made of either copper or brass.
ebigambo n. See: EKIGAMBO.
ebigojo n. fat-wrinkles: layers of excessive fat that develop on one’s body.
ebigyene n. something done excessively. Nkaba ntarikumanya ngu nookunda ogwo mwishiki ebyo bigyene. I did not know that you love that girl that much!
ebihaatiro n. peelings: peelings taken from a fruit. Rundana ebihaatiro by’ebitookye tubihe embuzi. Collect all the banana peelings and we give them to the goat. Var: ebihaatira.
ebihaburo n. pieces of advice. Sing: ekihaburo.
ebihagi n. 1) presumptuous, arrogant and disrespectful behaviour, often transgressing the limits of what is permitted. **2) stubborness or intransigence. Omushaija ogwo aine ebihagi omupooriisi yaamuzibira kurabaho yaayanga yaagyenda. That man is stubborn; the policeman told him not go in but he went ahead anyway. ebihande n. grain particles that are not finely ground. ebihangirwe n. creatures: all things that were
created. Ruhanga akahanga ebihangirwe bitarikushushana. God created different creatures. Var: ebyahangirwe. Sing: ekihangirwe.
ebiharagato n. particles that are scrapped from a pot
which has been used for cooking.
ebihembo n. presents, rewards: something given as a reward. Tinka bamuhaire ebihembo ahabw’okusinga empaka z’okwiruka. Tinka was given a prize for winning the athletic competetion See: EBIRABO, EKICONCO. Sing: ekihembo.
ebihera n. odd numbers. Itaano n’ekihera. Five is an
odd number. Pl: ebihera.
ebihimba n. beans. Var: ebihimbo. Sing: ekihimba.
ebihimbo n. See: EKIHIMBA.
ebihinzi n. mucus: slimy, sticky substance produced by mucus membranes in the nose.
ebiho n. whispers: speaking quietly into somebody’s ears so that others do not hear. Baaba nibagambirana omu biho. They were talking in whispers. See: EBIHWEHWE.
ebihonzi n. secretion from commonly the eyes seen in the morning especially when one has an eye problem. Sing: ekihonzi.
ebihooya n. syphilis: a sexually transmitted disease that causes blisters on private parts and can lead to impotence in men if not treated.
ebihungu n. convulsions: a disease that affects mainly the brain causing uncontrolled body movements. Omwana wangye naarwara ebihungu. My child suffers from convulsions.
ebihurugutu n. ear wax: a brown, sticky substance found in a human ear.
ebihwazi n. impaired vision. Bamuteire oruhi rw’amaisho yaareeba ebihwazi. They slapped him in the face and his vision was momentarily impaired.
ebihwehwe n. whispers: saying something in a whisper so that other people cannot hear. See: EBIHO.
ebiiga n. swellings on cattle hips.
ebiino n. 1) big teeth. **2) “false teeth”- disease: a baby’s first molar buds misinterpreted by mothers as a sign of disease and often crudely extracted causing infection.
ebijaburiro n. fomentations.
ebijaga n. 1) animal disease that attacks the mouth and causes swellings. **2) mouth sores. Ref: EBINWANWA
ebijanja n. mushrooms: edible fungus with a short stalk topped by an umbrella shaped cap and grows on tree trunks. Sing: ekijanja.
ebijengo n. millet bread with excessive water.
ebijengye n. 1) water-logged ground. Bakombeka enju aha bijengye yaagwa. They built a house on water logged ground and it collapsed. **2) millet prepared with a lot of water.
ebijuju n. tsetseflies: flies that bite human beings and animals and spread sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in animals. Sing: ekijuju. ebijuju n. outer covering of a tree, often used tomake fire. Sing: ekijuju.
ebijumeero n. vigour: strength or energy in doing something. Ebijumeero by’abeeshongozi bikaheisa omukoro ekitiinisa. The vigour of singers made the ceremony colourful.
ebijunja n. fringes or tussels: fur that is mainly found around the neck of animals. See: EBIJWENGYE. Sing: ekijunja.
ebijwengye n. fringes of thick hair on an animal especially dog, lion or horse. Embwa ye eine ebijwengye birikwera. His dog has a white fringe think hair.
ebikaafiire adj. obsenities: words that are offensive or indecent.
ebikaafiire n. words associated with private parts.
ebikaca n. cow pox: an acute, highly infectious disease caused by a virus and characterised by hig fever and blisters. Akarwara ebikaca kumara emyaka mingi. He suffered from smallpox for many years.
ebikamuuro n. residues after extracting juice from oranges, passion fruits mangoes etc.
ebikangaga n. dry grass in a swamp.
ebikanja n. dregs: residues after beer or porridge is prepared. Sing: ekikanja.
ebikatsi n. residues from tea that are removed with a sieve. Var: ebikasi.
ebikogoto n. scrapings from the millet bread mingling pot. Akakoresa ekiti okwiha ebikogoto omu nyungu. He used a stick to remove scrappings of millet bread from the cooking pot. Sing: ekikogoto.
ebikonko n. stalks of maize or sorghum plants that remain in the garden after harvesting. Ebikonko by’ebicoori nibyarira gye orutookye. Maize stalks are good for mulching a banana plantation. Sing: ekikonko.
ebikooko n. animals. See: ENYAMAISHWA.
ebikoreso n. Sing: ekikoreso. 1) materials. **2) utensils. Eka yangye eine ebikoreso birikumara omu by’ekiyungu. My hone has enough kitchen utensils.
ebikorogoto n. Sing: ekikorogoto. 1) dry papyrus reeds: dry stems of an acquatic sedge used to make carpets and roofings. Enju ye eshakaize ebikorogoto. His house is thatched with papyrus reeds. **2) papyrus stirrer.
ebikorwa n. Sing: ekikorwa. 1) deeds, acts: goodor bad things one does. Ebikorwa bye bibi bikamutwara omu nkomo. His bad deeds led him to jail. See: EKIKORWA.
ebikorwa n. (Catholic faith) divisions of a rosary.Sing: ekikorwa.
ebikukumbwa n. pieces of grass that remain in the garden after has been prepared for sowing.
ebikumbi n. chuff or husks that remain when grain is removed.
ebikundukundu n. water impurities at the bottom of water in a container.
ebikwatsi n. wild plant whose seeds stick on clothes and skins of animals when they come into contact with it. Embibo z’ebikwatsi nizijaanjazibwa abantu n’enyamaishwa. Var: ebikwasi. Sing: ekikwatsi.
ebimiira n. mucus. See: EBIHINZI.
ebiminyo n. blobs of fat in meat gravy.
ebinana n. a general body weakness, caused by tiredness.
ebindi pron. others: the rest. Bakagura kiro ibiri za sukaari reero ezindi zikaruga Kampala. They bought two kilograms of sugar and others came from Kampala.
ebingonzi n. water waves.
ebinika n. kettle, teaport: a container that is used for boiling or serving liquids, such as water or tea.
ebinombe n. mines where minerals or sand are excavated.
ebinuzi n. the white soft part at the bottom-end of a papyrus reed. Sing: ekinuzi.
ebinwangari n. an abuse used to refer to people with large and wide lips.
ebinwanwa n. 1) mouth disease: goat and sheep disease which attacks the mouth. Embuzi yangye ekarwara ebinwanwa yaaremwa kurya. My goat has a mounth disease and it cannot eat. **2) a disease in humans that attacks the mouth part and causes some swellings.
ebinyaari n. semen: a colourless fluid ejaculated from a female reproductive organ. Var: amanyaari.
ebinyaasi n. Usage: Kiga. See: EBINYAATSI.
ebinyaatsi n. grass: any of the numerous plants characteristically with narrow leaves, jointed stems and spikes or clusters of membranous flowers borne in smaller spikelets. Omushana gwajwa mwingi ebinyatsi nibyoma. Grass dries up during the dry season. Var: ebinyaasi, ebinyansi. Sing: ekinyaatsi.
ebinyaazi n. See: EKINYAAZI.
ebinyandinga n. 1) old people with dipigmented skin. **2) healthy and good looking old women.
ebinyangabo n. edible mushrooms. Ebinyangabo bimera aha kikungu. Edible mushrooms grow on an ant hill.
ebinyansi n. Usage: Nkole. See: EBINYAATSI.
ebinyeebwa n. See: EBINYOOBWA.
ebinyenyero n. bracelets: ornamantal bracelets worn around the waist. Sing: ekinyenyero.
ebinyiga n. saltless food or sauce.
ebinyoga n. soft grases, tender and green; cows like eating them.
ebinyomyo n. support, poles: usually used figuratively. Sing: ekinyomyo. Okweteera ebinyomyo phr. to console oneself.
ebinyoobwa n. groundnuts: plants with compound leaves with fragrant brownish flowers and small edible tubers. Apios tuberosa. See: EKINYOOBWA. Var: ebinyeebwa. Sing: ekinyoobwa.
ebinyoro n. syphilis or yaws: a venereal disease which spreads slowly from sexual organs to all parts of the body.
ebinzaari n. curry powder: a fine mixture of strongly flavoured spices that is yellow used in cooking to give food an aroma. Ebinzaari nibireeta akahooho omu byokurya. Curry powder adds aroma to the food.
ebiraato n. See: EBIRAATWA.
ebiraatwa n. a pair of shoes. Ku yaagiire kutaaha omu nju yaabanza kujuura ebiraatwa. He removed his shoes when he was going to enter the house. Var: ebiraato. Sing: ekiraatwa.
ebiragarikira n. See: OBURAGARIKIRA.
ebirahure n. Var: ebirahuri. Sing:
ekirahure. 1) spectacles. **2) glasses.
ebirahuri n. See: EBIRAHURE. ebirego n. rumours. Sing: ekirego. ebireju n. beards. Sing: ekireju.
ebirema-igamba n. tongue twisters: a phrase or
sentence with many sounds that are difficult to say correctly when speaking quickly. Waaba otari mugambi murungi ebirema-igamba nibikubeera ekizibu. If you are not an elloquent speaker, tongue twisters can be a problem. Sing: ekirema-igamba.
ebirembeero n. lyrics that are emotionaly
exuberant. Sing: ekirembeero. ebirengye n. See: EKIRENGYE. ebirezi n. See: EKIREZI.ebiriga n. See: EKIRIGA.
ebiriibwaruganda n. (usually abbreviated as ebiriibwa) cassava. Usage: slang. See: MUHOGO.
ebiriibwaruganda n. clan secrets shared by a clan. Ebiribwaruganda tibimanywa b’aheeru. The secrets of a clan should not be known by other people. Usage: slang. Sing: ekiriibwaruganda.
ebiriiko n. stoppers or plugs: objects that fit into something e.g. a bottle, and are used to close it. Akata ebiriiko bya pamba omu nyindo kuzibira eshagama kwija. He put cotton wool in the nose to stop his nose from bleeding. Sing: ekiriiko.
ebirika n. glaciers: snow on top of mountains.
ebirimbagirizo n. something that causes one to be perplexed or anxious.
ebirimu n. contents: things that are contained in a receptacle or book.
ebiro n. Sing: ekiro. 1) days of the week. **2) date. Nyenkyakare n’ebiro makumi ashatu by’okwamwenda. Tomorrow is the 30th of September.
ebiroora n. See: EBIROORO.
ebirooro n. a thick layer of impurities on top of water. Var: ebiroora.
ebiroro n. a whitish substance secreted by the eyes. See: EBIHONZI.
ebirungi adj. good things.
ebirungo n. spices.
ebirungye n. food: any food in which cow ghee is put.
ebirwaniso n. weapons. See: EBIKWATO. Sing: ekirwaniso.
ebisaaniiko n. See: EBIFUNDIKIZO. Sing: ekisaaniiko.
ebisaasi n. honey comb: a waxy structure of cells made by bees for holding honey and eggs.
ebisaasingo n. See: EBISINGO.
ebisasi n. See: EKISASI.
ebisasiro n. gabbage collected in a rubbish pit.
ebiseereezo n. See: EKISEEREEZO.
ebisente n. circular patches caused by a fungal disease that normally attacks the head. Omwana akarwaire ebisente omu mutwe. A child has a fungal disease all over the head. Sing: ekisente.
ebisha n. labour pains. Sing: ekisha. ebishaju n. See: EKISHAJU. ebishanda n. See: EBISHANDURIRA.
ebishandurira n. slimmy mucus like liquid excreted by an animal after it has given birth. Var: ebishanda.
ebisheshengo n. nasal sinuses: air cells in bones of the nose and face. Sing: ekisheshengo. ebishesyambwa n. Usage: slang. See: EKITAKURI. Sing: ekishesyambwa.
ebishi int. used to express contempt and disgust. Ebishi mwana wangye oryanzarira akantu. My child, you will cause me trouble one day.
ebisho n. See: EBISO.
ebishogororo n. empty pods of beans after harvesting. Eishaaruura ribaire riri ribi; ebishogororo tibirikwingana n’ebihimba. The harvest has been poor; the empty pods are more than the beans.
ebishoshonkoro n. empty match boxes. Sing: ekishoshonkoro.
ebishuba n. lies: things that one tells while knowing them to be untrue. Ebishuba kikazinduka kare amazima gaabitangayo. Lies woke up early (to go on a journey) but truth arrived (at the destination) before they did. Sing: ekishuba.
ebishuriita n. stringed or thread ends on a cloth or any other material. Naasharisa makaasi ebishuriita ebiri aha mwenda gwe. She is cutting the thread ends on her cloth using a pair scissors.
ebishurugu n. gourd pith: things that are removed from a calabash as it is being prepared for use.
ebishurugutu n. See: EBISHURUGUTURURU.
ebishurugutururu n. ear wax.
ebishushunga n. husks: the dry outer covering of certain nuts, fruits and seeds especially grains.
ebishuuku n. 1) catridges for bullets. **2) the sharp inner part of a cow’s horn.
ebishwagara n. chaff: these are things which remain after harvesting and removing beans from pods. Ref: EBISHUSHUNGA.
ebisigarira n. left-overs. Var: ebitsigarira.
ebisigye n. eyebrows: hair above the human eye. Var:
ebitsigye. ebisingo n. garden rubbish. ebiso adv. See: AHABISO1.
ebisooroora n. aroma from a flavoured meal.
ebisya n. new things.
ebisya n. current affairs or information. Ebisya shi? What’s news? or Any news?
ebisya n. neck: part of a person’s body connecting the head and therest of the body.
ebisyaraazi n. stagnant water: (of water) not flowing. See: EBYAGAANA. Var: ebisyarazi.
ebisyarazi n. See: EBISYARAAZI.
ebitaako n. articles decorated with bead weavings.
ebitaba n. gulleys built to retain and absorb water in a garden. Sing: ekitaba.
ebitakuri n. sweet potatoes. See: EKITAKURI.
ebitanaki n. vomitus: the matter from the stomach. Okugarukira ebitanaki nk’embwa. Returning to (eat) vomit, like a dog. Var: entanaki.
ebitanga n. spots: small round spots. Embuzi ye eine ebitanga birikwera. Her goat has white spots.
ebitara n. granaries: buildings where grain is stored. Sing: ekitara.
ebitaraakira n. left overs: food remaining at the end of the meal.
ebitaraakira adv. 1) poor attendance. **2) objects scattered apart: scanty population. Karamoja eine ebitaraakira by’abantu. Karamoja has scanty a population.
ebitarira n. scattered animal spots. Var:ebitarire.
ebiteera large orimates that lack tail and include chimpazees, gorillas and baaboons.
ebitegye adj. the curved legs of a person. Aine amaguru g’ebitegye. He has curved legs.
ebitingwa n. homosexuals; gays. Sing:ekitingwa.
ebititi n. millet chuff left with some millet that needs further threshing.
ebitobo n. See: ENTOBO. ebitobotobo n. See: ENTOBO. ebitojo n. See: AMATOJO2.
ebitojo n. thicket or shrub of thistles. Embuzi nizikunda kurya ebitojo. Goats like eating shorny shrubs. Sing: ekitojo.
ebitokoozi n. dirty particles in food or drinks
especially when left uncovered.
ebitonatone adj. spots such as those of a hyena or on clothes. Empitsi eine ebitonatone. A hyena has spots.
ebitondoro n. See: EKITONDORO.
ebitongaanwa n. 1) a plant with edible fruits that are red inside. **2) the fruits produced by these plants.
ebitongo n. See: EKITONGO.
ebitoosha n. mushroom: a fungus with a fairly round flat head and a stem. Ebitoosha nibikora emboga nungi munonga. Mushrooms make good sauce.
ebitote adj. flour or mud mixed with excessive quantity of water.
ebitsigarira n. Var: ebisigarira.
ebitsya n. See: EBISYA3.
ebitu n. guest room: a bed room reserved for visitors.
ebituna n. dregs of sweet banana juice. Eshande eine ebituna bingi. Banana juice has too many dregs. ebitungwa n. domestic animals: tamed animals on
the farm or as pets. Sing: ekitungwa.
ebitutu n. See: EKITUTU.
ebiyaago n. tributes: things that you say or do to show that you respect or admire somebody who has died.
ebiyaga n. epilepsy or fits: a human disease of the nervous system that causes short-lived but recurrent convulsions.
ebiyombera n. musical instruments that are worn on the legs, they produce good melody and sound as one dances.
ebomba n. syringe: a device for sucking liquid and forcing it out again.
ebomba n. pump: a mechanical device for putting pressure in the tyre.
eboote n. the aged. Var: boote.
eboroogo n. yell: a loud sharp cry of excitement or pain. Ku yaahuriire amakuru mabi yaateera eboroogo. When he heard of sad news he yelled.
ebuguma n. a she-goat that has already produced.
ebuhwanya n. a coarse trailling vine widely cultivated for its fruit and bears a large pulpy round fruit with a thick orange-yellow ring with numerous seeds. Cucurbita pepo.
ebyafaayo n. history: that which has happened to a person, nation or family in the past.
ebyagaana n. See: EBISYARAAZI.
ebyago n. demons: evil spirits or devils especially one thought to possess a person and torment him or her.
ebyahandiikirwe n. scriptures: religious writings. ebyakwahwa n. armpit hair. Pl: amaahwa. ebyamagara n. concerning the state of health. ebyamaka n. family matters.
ebyanganga n. copperwire formed around a ring of zebra or giraffe’s hair.
ebyari n. rags.
ebyarugamu n. outcomes: the effects or result of the action or event.
ebyatagurika n. pieces of a broken bottle or calabash.
ebyemikono n. an activity involving a special skill of making things with hands.
ebyeteeka n. tufts: grass tufts that stand out. Ref:EKISINDE.
ebyeyariro n. bed clothes and mattresses on which people sleep.
ebyobuhingi n. agriculture: the practice of cultivating the land and keeping animals.
ebyobutegyeki n. politics: matters of politics.
ebyohorongororo n. (of a cow) vaginal discharge before a cow delivers.
ebyokunywa n. drinks: beverages that are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Aha bugyenyi bwe hakaba hariho ebyokunywa bingi. At his wedding there were a lot of drinks.
ebyokurya n. food: any substance that people or animals eat. Ebyokurya birimu omwonyo mwingi. There is too much salt in the food.
ebyondo n. mud: soft sticky mud. Var: ekyondo.
ebyosi n. days of mourning: the period or days of expressing great sadness because someone has died. Sing: ekyosi.
ebyotsyo n. roastings. Var: ebyosyo. Sing:ekyotsyo.
ebyoya n. fur: soft thick hair covering the body of an animal, e.g. sheep or goat. Entaama zaitu ziine ebyoya biraingwa byorobi. Our sheep have long soft fur. Sing: ekyoya.
ecakacaka adj. an area covered with water or the boggy area characterised by high water content mixed with mud especially in wet swamp lands. Ahabw’enjura kugwa omuhanda gwona n’ecakacaka. Because of the rain the whole path is slipperly and wet.
ecupa n. bottle: a glass container usually round with straight sides and a narrow neck used especially for liquids. Omwana yaanywera amate omu cupa. A child is taking milk from the bottle. Pl: ecupa.
edaari n. ceiling: top inner surface of a room. Edaari y’enju yangye neerabwamu amaizi. The ceiling of my house is leaking. Pl: edaari.
edakiika n. minutes: any of the 60 equal parts of an hour. Sing: edakiika.
edebe n. tin: a metal container. Ebihimba abibiikire omu debe. She has stored beans in a tin. Pl: edebe.
ediini n. religion: a belief in God or gods associated with activities of worship and prayer, e.g. Catholicism, Anglicanism. Pl: amadiini.
edirisa n. window: an opening in the wall of a building that allows light and air to come in. Var: eidirisa.
edubu n. bear: a large heavy animal with thick fur. Edubu n’ekikooko ekirikushangwa omu mahanga g’obutiti. a bear is an animal found in temperate countries. Pl: edubu.
eduuka n. shop: a building where trading takes place.Etym: [].
ee adv. yes: affirmative. ee ninza kwija omu mwebazyo. Yes, I will come in the evening. See: EEGO. eego adv. yes: a word used to express acceptance,willingness or agreement.
eego int. oh: an exclamation used to express a variety of emotions, such as surprise, dissappointment and pleasure often as a reaction to something someone has said. Eego nkagabwa mureebire ngu naaza kunyanga. Oh! I knew hewouldn’t pay me.
efa n. bowel or intestinal contents; excrement. excretes of animals: dung from slaughtered animals. Ababaagi baareka hanu efa. Butchers have left here animal excrement.
efaakazi n. a widow: a woman who lost her husband
and decides not to re-marry. Efaakazi egi neeyenda obuyambi. This widow needs help. Var: enfaakazi, omufaakazi.
efaamu n. farm: a reasonable big area together with its buldings, set apart for the growing of crops and/or rearing of animals. Omukozi waitu w’omu faamu tariho eriizooba. Today our farm labourer is not around. Etym: []. Pl: efaamu.
efaana n. tapeworm: a long flat worm with a soft body and no legs that lives in the tube that carries food out of the stomach of humans. Babaagire ente baashanga efaana omunda yaayo. They slaughtered a cow and found tapeworms in its stomach.
efaani n. fan: an object that uses electric power to circulate cool air. Ekyoya kyaba kingi taho faani. It is too hot, put on the fan. Etym: []. Pl: efaani.
efato n. a combination of being disorderly, dirty, lazy
especially on the side of a woman in a family. Efato ye ekamuremesa amaka. Her untidiness made her fail to maintain a family. Pl: efato.
efeeza n. silver: a valuable grey metal that is used for making things like jewellery and coins. Ajwaire empeta y’obuguzi bwingi y’efeeza. He has an expensive silver ring. Pl: efeeza.
efoobe n. someone who is new to a school or any other place and does not mind about himself or others, or simply takes things easy. Akashwera omukazi w’efoobe. He married an un interested woman. See: ENGATA. Pl: efoobe.
efoomu n. a form, bench: a long usually hard seat for two or more people often found in public places. Efoomu ei tubaire tushitamireho omu bugyenyi ehendekire. The bench we were seated on at the party broke down. Pl: efoomu.
eforogo n. forked hoe: a type of hoe that is fork shaped, and is used to dig in stony or hard rocky areas. Var: forogo.
efotogoro adj. something that is disorganised by many but uncoordinated organisers. Embaga yaawe ekaba efotogoro. Your party was disorganised or disorderly.
efuka n. hoe: a garden tool used for tilling the soil or removing weeds from the garden. Pl: efuka.
efukuzi n. mole: a rat like animal that stays underground and destroys peoples garden’s of cassava, potatoes, etc. Efukuzi neekunda kurya ebitakuri. A mole likes eating sweet potatoes.
efumbatwa n. See: ENYOGORI.
efumbi n. a disease (common among lod people) which attacks some parts of the body like teeth, bones, etc.
efumbi n. lymph node: each of the small swellings in the lymphatic system where lymph is filtered and lymphocytes multiply in response to infection. Bakabaaga ente baashanga eine efumbi nyingi. The cow they slaughtered had a lot of lymph nodes.
efuuti n. compound: courtyard, a well tended garden. Var: fuuti.
efuuti n. foot: unit of measurement. Var: fuuti. Etym: [].
efuuzi n. orphan: a child whose parents are dead. Pl: amafuuzi.
egaaju n. a brown cow. Var: gaaju.
egaari n. bicycle: a two wheeled cycle.
egaari y’omwika n. train: a chain of wagons used for transporting people or bulky commodities.
egaashe n. a type of grass that grows in grasslands.
egabo n. meal: a meal or type of food that has been prepared for a special occasion.
eganduura n. robe: a long garment worn for official or ceremonial occasions.
egashani n. royal tomb: a large vault for burrying kings, especially used in Ankole.
egiigya n. type of loan grass.
egiraasi n. a transparent object used to make windows, bottles and other objects. Emeeza egi ekozirwe omu giraasi. This table is made of glass. Etym: [].
egirikani n. a plastic container with a handle on top. See: EKIDOMORA. Var: egirikaani. Etym: [].
egirita n. a razor blade: a thin metal used especially for treaming nails and for shaving hair. Var: akagirita.
egobore n. zither: a musical instrument with many strings stretched over a flat wooden box and played with the fingers.
egomborora n. sub-county: a political or regional division which is below the county and above the parish. Var: eigomborora. Etym: []. Pl: amagomborora.
egoobe n. a kind of whistling where hands are used to create a high-pitched sound.
egoya n. See: ENYUNGU-EGOYA.
egunga n. a specie of grass.
eguniya n. sack: a bag made out of strong rough materials usually sisal commonly used for carrying and storing millet, beans, flour, etc. Var: egutiya.
egunu n. that person, animal or plant that is much smaller than the usual size.
egyaga n. a big container that is used fo keeping and serving porridge or other liquid warm drinks. Etym: [].
egyambiya n. machette. See: OMUHORO. Var: gyambiya.
egyora n. cloth: a roll of cloth.
egyuri n. spirit: diluted local potent gin called waragi.
ehaagu n. salty water given to cows. Akeeshere ente amaizi g’amanure. He gave cows salty water.
ehee int. a word used to express emotions such as surprise, anger, etc. Ehee! abeegi kabakozire gye ebigyezo! Eh!, surprisingly students passed well their exams!
ehiira n. porriedge: sour porridge. Aha bugyenyi bakagabura ehiira. They served sour porridge at the party.
ehindaneegwa n. eggs: rotten eggs which are left over unhatched.
ehirira n. occuring with a lot of force or vigour. Embaga etyo ehirira. The party happened with a lot of vigour.
ehirizi n. African traditional medicine, usually sewn in a small piece of cloth, and used for protective purposes.
ehoteeri n. hotel: a building where you pay to have a room to sleep in and where you can eat meals. Var: hoteeri. Etym: [].
ehuruuru n. campaign for some programme or ideology. Bateire ehuruuru ya poliyo. They made a campaign against polio.
ehuuma n. cutlery: folk; kitchen utensil used for eating food.
ehuuru n. dwarf: a person, animal or any other creature of usually small size. Obwana bwe bwona n’ehuuru. All her children are dwarfs. See: EGUNU.
ehuuzi n. thread. a long thin strand of cotton, nylon or other fibres used in sewing or weaving.
eibaagiro n. abattoir: a place where animals are slaughtered. Pl: amabaagiro.
eibaare n. stone: a hard and impamiable solid rock. Pl: amabaare.
eibaare n. a song written and released by musicians as part of a music album. Pl: amabaare.
eibaati n. iron sheet: metalic sheet used for roofing houses. Var: eibaate. Pl: amabaati.
eibabi n. leaf of a plant.
eibaiziro n. carpentry workshop: a place where wooden items like chairs, tables, doors and windows are made. Naamushanga arikuza omu
eibaiziro rye. I found him going to his carpentry workshop.
eibambiro n. 1) a place where cattle and animal skins are dried. **2) a shrine or alter.
eibanga n. mystery. Katwature eibanga ry’okwikiriza. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith. Usage: CATHOLIC. Pl: eibanga.
eibanga n. honour: respect a person gets because of his integrity.
eibanga n. slope: rising or falling sharply not gradually. Eibanga eri ryandusya munonga. This steep slope has made me very tired. Pl: amabanga.
eibango n. hunchback: a back deformed by a sharp forward angle forming a hump, caused by collapse of one or more vertebrae.
eibanja n. Pl: amabanja. 1) debt: something owed by one person to another e.g. money. **2) the state of owing someone something e.g. favour. Nyine eibanja ry’okukutaayaayira. I owe you a visit.
eibano n. a shaft of an arrow.
eibara n. Pl: amabara. 1) a spot: a mark or design on the surface of something. Ekiteeteeyi kye kiine amabara marungi. Her dress has a good design **2) a stain.
eibaraza n. veranda: covered area outside a house often enclosed by a low wall.
eibatirizo n. font: a place designated for baptising people.
eibega n. shoulder: the joint connecting the arm with the trunk. Pl: amabega.
eibiba n. sowing season. Okwezi kwa mwenda n’eibiba ry’oburo. September is the sowing season for millet.
eibiikiro-ry’ebitabo n. library: a place where books are kept.
eibinja n. a disease that attacks plants making the leaves dry up.
eiboroboro adj. insisting on doing things that are above one’s level. Akeeteera eiboroboro kushwera akiri muto amaka gaamurema. He insisted on marrying when he was young and the family broke up.
eibugane n. See: AMABUGANE.
eibugane n. a disease that attacks the skin, believed to be caused by stepping on a grave or place where twin rituals have been performed.
eibumba n. clay: a fine grained soil that is soft and permeable when wet. Enyungu nizikorwa omu ibumba. Pots are made of clay.
eibunu n. doing things reluctantly. Pl: amabunu.
eibutika n. large quantity of saliva spat out in one go.
eicanda n. See: AMACANDA.
eicuba n. a container used to draw water from the well to the watering trough for animals.
eicumbi n. a camp: a place of residence.
eicumu n. a spear: a sharp pointed weapon with a long shaft. Eicumu ni kimwe aha bintu ebirikukozesibwa kuhiiga. A spear is one of the hunting tools. Pl: amacumu.
eicwamba n. hair that grows on one’s legs.
eicwero n. a court house. Bakamutwara omu icwero ry’emishango. They took him to the court house.
eidinda n. pleat: designs of folds on a cloth. Var:
eivunya. Pl: amadinda.
eifa n. widespread famine. Pl: amafa.
eifa n. edible fruit that is oval shaped. Pl: amafa.
eifo adv. below, down there. Eiziba bakaritimba eifo y’omusiri. The well was dug below the garden.
eifukunkura-marira n. a period of misery. Omwegyemure ku gwatweire amaju g’abantu haabaho eifukunkura marira omu kyaro. There was a period of misery when the floods washed away people’s houses.
eigabuka n. state of hapinnes or joy.
eigabuka n. honeymoon: the first few months after one’s wedding. Pl: amagabuka.
eigana n. 1) a hundred: the cardinal number written as 100 in Arabic numerals. **2) a herd. Aine eigana ry’ente. He has a big herd of cattle
eigaro n. handful; a quantity that fills the hand. Omukazi akampereeza eigaro ry’omwonyo. The woman gave me ahandful of salt.
eigobe n. mating season for dogs. Embwa niziza omu igobe nyekiro. Dogs always mate at night.
eigomero n. a holding place for cattle.
eigomezo n. a place that is impossible to reach place.
eigosi n. testicle: either of the two oval organs enclosed in the scrotum behind the penis that produces sperms in men and other male mammals. Pl: amagosi.
eigufa n. bone: any of the pieces of hard whitish tissue making up the skeleton of humans and other animals. Pl: magufa.
eigundu n. braging: to talk in a boastfull manner.
eiguru n. 1) atmosphere: the sky and outer space seen from the earth. Eiguru ririmu enyonyozi. There are stars in the sky. **2) heaven. Usage

Runyankore to English Dictionary – F

f n. the sixth letter of the Roman alphabet.
fa adv. just. Fa kuzayo. Just go there.
faa adj. carelessly, doing something anyhow. Omurimo akagukorera eryo faa. He did the work anyhow.
fene n. jack fruit: a tropical fruit with a hard cover.
foomu n. form. Etym: [].
forogo n. See: EFOROGO.
furungu n. corduroy: a type of cloth material that has stripes not of any other colour but stripes with the plain colour of the material itself.
furuweero n. free wheel. Etym: English.
fuuti n. feet: a unit used for measuring length. Etym:

Runyankore to English Dictionary – L

lita n. measurement: litre; a unit of measuring volume or liquids. Nimbaha lita itaano z’amate buri izooba. I give them five litres of milk

Runyankore to English Dictionary – K

k n. the eleventh letter of the English alphabet.
ka v. let, short form of reka.
kaabandize n. the first born child: name usually given to the first born twin.
kaabutumbiguru adv. sky wards. kaahakaira n. a person that is a native of a place. kaahereera n. the last born child. See: BUCURA. kaaka n. grandmother.
kaaki n. 1) cloth: cotton fabric of a dull brownish-yellow colour. **2) a dull brownish colour. Ajwaire empare ya kaaki. He is putting on khaki.
kaamugye n. squirrel: an animal with a long tail in the class of rats.
kaamunywamaizi n. curlew large wading bird of the sand piper family with a long curved bill brown streaked plumage and frequently a distinctive ascending two-note call.
kaamurari n. See: ESHENDA.
kaamuruguya n. a very small portion of food.
kaamushungushungu n. crested eagle: a bird seen with a group of feathers standing on its head.
kaamuterengye n. bird: any of several African birds with predominantly black plumage and a long tail feathers. It is also called window bird.
kaanyonza n. robin: a bird that is orange at the chest and grey at the top.
kaaririirwe n. a girl with attractive qualities that every man wishes to marry.
kaarureeta n. rogue: a person who habitually causes trouble to others.
kaaruziika n. the official residential house of the king of Bunyoro and Tooro.
kaarwenda n. an evergreen caniferous tree with small rounded woody cones and flattened shoots bearing small scale-like leaves.
kaaryasha n. a plant which grows in hilly places.
kaasha n. a heifer which has small white spots on the forehead.
kaasha-k’abakwe n. a good looking heifer fit for offering as a prime gift in the process of securing a bride.
kaashangirwe n. a person who has lived many years in an area compared to other people .
kaashwa conj. how much easier.
kaatambuga n. February: the second month of the year.
kaatankoro n. style of tying a person with arms behind him or her. See: KAFUBA 2.
kaaturi n. catapult: a Y shaped stick with a piece of elastic rubber for shooting stones.
kaawa n. coffee: roasted and grounded coffee used as a bevarage.
Kabakangyagara n. a tree specie that is normally planted in compounds.
kabakura n. a medicinal plant that is given to children to cure stomachache.
kabamba n. cattle: a heifer with grey and white patches.
kabambura n. drum: Ankole regalia drum.
kabamugobe n. a type of grass that looks like emburara.
kabango n. a heifer with a prominent hump.
kabara adj. typical.
kabaragara n. yellow bananas.
kabeera n. a type of irish potatoes.
kabeerera n. an old cow that has been in calf.
kabegi n. cabbage: any of various types of cabbage.Etym: [].
Kabembura n. a name to one of the royal drums of Ankole kingdom. See: BAGYENDANWA, MAYUMBU 1.
kabiiko n. a chamber below the fire place to catch charcoal embers.
kabiri adv. twice: two times.
kabogo n. a name fora claf or heifer with wide head like that of a buffalo.
kabohe n. fox: a carnivorous mammal of the dog family, with a pointed muzzle and bushy tail.
kabohe n. nagana: a cattle disease where a cow makes a sound like that of a fox and sleeps all the time. See: OMUBYAMO.
kabujeeme n. a certain design of a mat. kabukunyukye adv. speaking of yourself. kabumba n. anus: the excretory opening of the elementary canal.
kabunu-mpamaguru adv. very fast.
kaburamuriro n. prison: a place where people are kept as a punishment for crime.
kabuuti n. raincoat: a long big coat used to proect one from rain.
kabwanjare n. traditional beer: a liquid with high alcoholic content especially the local brew. Usage: slang.
kabweseeri n. a variety of beans with red seeds.
kabwondera n. a type of rat.
kacu-kakye adv. a short while.
kacweka n. name of a cow with horns broken or cut at the tips.
kafaana n. nut grass: a weed that has long leaves, brown flowers.
kafiifi adj. something that is small and ugly.
kafoora n. sore throat: an infectious disease of the throat, causing difficulty in breathing.
kafuba n. tuberclosis: a seriuos infectious transmitted by air which causes swellings on the body tissues, especially the lungs.
kafuba n. See: KAATANKORO.
kafumba n. macdonald eye weed: a flowering weed with medium size leaves and a weak stem. It is eaten by rabbits.
kagaaju n. name of a brown heifer.
kagaaju n. a brown heifer. See: gaaju.
kagaama n. a type of lice that is found in pubic hair of unclean people.
kagaaza n. someone who causes confusion. kagambigambi n. See: KAGAMBIRIZI. kagambirizi n. commentetor: a person who
comments on a game or an activity e.g. on a radio or television.
kaganga adj. gigantic: exceedingly large or
extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth (usually to do with human beings).
kagarura n. See: KABOHE.
kagire-enkuru n. stock phrase used by a listener to express his/her interest in the story.
kagodo n. a domestic or wild animal with different skin colours, short legs, a broad nose and a short tail. See: EMPUNU.
kagoma n. bateleur eagle: a short tailed African eagle with mainly black plumage and a bare red face.
kagondo n. a spotted snake.
kagondo n. a type of cow with small white spots.
kagoobe n. grey and white brown cow.
kaguma n. a type of finger millet.
kagyampunu n. a low growing plant that produces many underground bulbs. Oxalis latifolia.
kagyega n. root tuber: a specie of potatoes. kagyenza-nda n. a thorny plant with small leaves. kahangaare int. benediction: a word used to show
appreciation to someone who has given you something and you bless him or her.
kahara-karwegiriire n. a purple orchid.
kahaya n. name of the king of Nkole who welcomed colonialists to the kingdom.
kahaya-ka-ruguru int. a way of showing surprise.
kahaya-ori int. exclamation used when something happens suddenly or un expectedly.
kahega n. desire for food.
kahembe n. a girl who is playful or cunning and does not respect people.
kahembura n. a variety of sorghum.
kahembwe n. a type of locust.
kahendarwiko n. a variety of finger millet that is sticky when it is being baked.
kahindurabisya n. a goat that is given to the bride’s family by the bridegroom’s family as a fine for taking their daughter at night.
Kahingo n. June: the sixth month of the year.
kahonaho n. survivor: one who lives through affliction.
kahoora n. a certain specie of grass.
kahumpuri n. plague: an infection mostly transmitted by the rat flea.
kahunda n. 1) safari suit: a set of outer clothes made of the same fabric and design to be worn together. **2) a short sleeve suit.
kahungyezi n. a type of sweet potatoe with a pink colour.
kahurire n. a type of irish potatoe that is round and has a white colour.
kahuruga n. yellow bananas which are small in size.
kahuuba n. wheel barrow: a large open cart with one wheel and two handles that is used for moving loads.
kahuura n. a name of a female calf or a young heifer with mottled white and brown colour.
kaicokomba n. hopping on one leg.
kaije adj. a word used when people are greeting; usually said when one is holding another one’s hand or hugging and used mostly if people’s have spent a long time without meeting.
kaikorokonyo adv. See: EIKOROKONYO.
kaimire n. an insect usually found in coffee plantations.
kainganabusha n. something very small or little in quantity.
kaingi adv. often doing something many times.
kaisho-mpande v. look with an intention of doing something wrong and serves as a warning. kaishondeeba-nyenka n. an expression meaning “if the eye was to say whatever it see…”.
kajagaata n. a name of a female goat with long fur.
kajanja n. a type of edible banana plant.
kajeregye n. a variety of beans with small seeds and usually black and white in colour.
kajugujugu n. helicopter: a type of aircraft with large revolving blades but no wings.
kajukaanyima n. the place behind the house. kajumba n. a goat with a grey-black colour. kajunde n. a banana disease that darkens a banana
fruit and causes it to ripen premarurely.
kajurujuru n. a name of a female kid brown in colour.
kajwengye n. with much hair, like a lion.
kajwiga n. something small and ugly.
kakari n. a sickness in human beings that makes someone urinate frequently.
kakire int. a word said when someone sneezes or stumbles on something.
kakoba n. a certain variety of potatoe or cassava; they originated from Kakoba in Mbarara.
kakobe n. purple: the colour of red and blue mixed together.
kakome adv. (of horns of cattle) that are facing each other. See: KAKONDO 2.
kakome n. (of contestants) to end in a draw. kakondo adj. shoes: high heeled shoes. kakondo n. a cow with inward and upward shaped
horns. See: KAKOME 2.
kakooto n. anthrax: a skin disease in animals.
kakunga n. fox: a name given to a carnivous mammal of the dog family with a pointed muzzle and bushy tail, for its cunningness. Usage: slang.
kakuyege n. campaign: house to house or person to person campaign: a serries of planned activities that are inteded to achieve a social or political aim. Abantu bari omu kakuyege k’oburuuru. People are in election campaign. Etym: [].
kakwisi n. dog: one of the names given to a dog. kakyakyanyi n. a variety of cassava. kakyerengye n. name of a grey female calf or young heifer.
kamaramahano n. a medicinal plant given to people to protect them from the effects of a bad omen.
kamba n. sisal.
Kamena n. September: The nineth month of the year, after August.
kamera n. camera: an apparatus for taking photographs, moving pictures or television pictures.
kamereere int. a word used to wish someone an everlasting li ‘may you live longer’.
kameshu n. a wooden chair that can be folded common among Banyankore.
kamina n. pit latrine: a place or lavatory where someone can go for convenience usually dug in the ground. Usage: euphemism.
kamosho n. cattle: a cow with horns that are facing in front or foward and not matching.
kampeyini n. an organised course of action aimed at achieving something either social, political or commercial. Etym: [].
kampu n. camp: a place for temporary accomodation usually made of tents or grass thatched houses. Etym: [].
kampu n. a group of people with the same ideas. Etym: [].
kampuni n. company: people working together or united for business purposes. Etym: [].
kamutungutungu n. the top or apex of something.
kamuzinzi n. bird: a brown African marsh bird related to the storks, which has a crest that looks like a backward projection of the head.
kana adv. four times or four days.
kanaaba n. a name of a cow with a white patch on the face going around the head.
kandi conj. and: a word used to bring together two sentences, phrases, clauses, etc.
kanduro n. candle: a stick of wax, enclosing a wick or string which is burnt to give light. Etym: English.
kanena n. a round white vegetable with brown or red skin.
kankomangwa n. woodpecker: a bird with a long beak which it uses to make holes in dry trees when it is looking for insects to eat and for breeding.
kankurye-mbarukye n. a variety of beans small, round and brown in colour that enlarges after it has been cooked.
kanuuka n. a plant used to chase away bees and red safari ants because of its strong smell. See: MUKAZI-MUROFA.
kanwakagamba n. the person speaking.
kanyaamunyu n. a bird of a black-and white variety of the white wagtail.
kanyaananga n. caterpillar: a small worm that feeds on leaves and developes into a butterfly.
kanyaanya n. (used to refer to a young brother or sister) a daughter or son of the same parents as oneself or the person mentioned.
kanyaasi n. potatoes: a variety of potatoes with long divided leaves and a long tuber whose outer part is red. Var: kanyansi.
kanyabibaya n. a type of tree whose stem is used for making baking sticks.
kanyabwengye n. encyclopaedia: a book or set of books giving information on many subjects or on many aspects of one subject arranged alphabetically.
kanyamuhebe n. See: AKANYAMUHEBE. kanyamushungushungu n. secretary bird. kanyansi n. See: KANYAASI. Etym: kanyaasi. kanyantwarire n. a big basket usually made by the bride when she is going to get married.
kanyarurimi n. linguist: a person who studies and writes about the whole system and structure of a langauge.
kanyeenye n. type of fine salt that is added into food.
kanyogombwa n. a worm that feeds on maize stalks or cobs.
kanyogombwa n. See: ESHOKONDWA. kanyoobwa n. plant: a type of weed. kanywataabe n. a small bird with a thin long beak
that feeds on honey and juice from flowers.
kapere adj. checked design: a design of strips at right angles to each other.
kapuripwisi n. cypress tree: a type of tall thin tree that is ever green.
Karaca n. favour seeker.
karadaari n. mustard seed: a small plant with yellow flowers grown for its seeds that are crushed to make mustard.
karakita n. tractor: a motor vehicle with large back wheels and thick tyres used on farms for pulling machinery and for ploughing fields. Etym: [].
karamaare int. a word used to wish someone long life. See: KAHANGAARE.
karanda n. a wondering shrub which produces foam when squeezed and was used for washing clothes in ancient days.
kare adj. adjectival phrase: belonging to ancient days. Omu biro bya kare abantu bakaba bataine nkaito. Long ago people did not have shoes.
kare adj. alright: a word used to express assent, agreement or acceptance. Kare nitwija
kukumanyisa. Alright we shall inform you.
kare adj. goodbye.
kareebi n. witness: a person who sees an event take place and is therefore able to describe it to others. Omushaija ogu ni kareebi w’omushango gwangye. This man is my courtcase witness.
karema n. lent: the month or period of fasting for christians. Omu bwire bwa karema abantu nibaza munonga omu Kerezia. During the period of lent people regularly go to church.
kaributi n. deceased: a polite way of referring to the dead. See: OMUGYENZI, NYAKUFA.
karicumu n. a horny plant that produces fruits with thorns around them and is used to clean baby’s eyes when they have a lot of secretion.
kariigobe adv. a sitting posture where one puts a leg on top of the other.
kariishoriisho n. Inspector of Governmen; Ombudsman: a governmemnt official whose work is to recieve reports and complaints made by ordinary citizens, investigate them and make recommendations to government or public authorities.
karimi-kagamba n. See: KANWAKAGAMBA.
karindagire int. an abusive word used when wishing someone to become mentally deriled.
karituusi n. eucalyptus: a fast-growing evergreen soft tree commonly used for firewood and building.
karondoozi n. researcher: a person who does systematic investigations into something in order to establish facts and conclusions. Owaahandiikire katondoozi egi akaba ari karondoozi murungi. The person who wrote this dictionary was a good researcher.
karongyero n. See: AKARONGYERO.
karonkwa n. thief: a person with a natural habit of stealing other people’s things. Ogwo mushaija n’omushuma karonkwa. That man is a habitual thief.
karoori n. marabou stock: a scavenger bird.
karoti n. carrot: a tapering orange coloured root eaten as a vegetable.
karukaata n. compacter: a machine that compacts soil and makes the place very smooth. It is usually used in road making and compound levelling.
karwenda n. a cypress-like evergreen tree that grows in warm climate with needle like leaves.
karyabusaire n. a person who does not want to be involved in preparing food but wants to eat.
karye-okahurire n. a charm that is put in food with an ill intention. Omushaija ariire karye- okahurire omu byokurya atyo yaaba omugweiraro. The man ate a charm in food and became mad.
kasaano n. a type of banana that is very white.
kaseeri n. a game of wrestling. Akoojo kakye kaateera omwojo muhango kaseeri. The small boy wrestled one big boy to the ground.
kasesa n. skin rash. Akarwaa kasesa yaateekateeka ngu n’obusheru. He suffered from skin rash and thought it was measles.
kashaato n. a woman with small breasts that do not contain enough milk to breast feed by a child.
kashagama n. a varety of maize with red seeds.
kashaho n. a variety of tree that has small leaves and fruits; it is usually found on anthills.
kashamaitu n. a dark brown heifer with white spots between the legs and the abdomen.
kashatu adj. three times; thrice.
kasheenyanku n. fern caterpillar.
kashenda n. ash that remains after something especially tobacco or firewood has burnt. Iju rya kashenda. White ash.
kashinya n. a type of salt mined from lake Kashenyi.
kashoboorozi n. dictionary: a book in which words are listed alphabetically with their meanings.
Kashwa n. October: the tenth month of the year. Naateekateeka kwija kushwerwa omukwezi kwa kashwa. she is planning to get married in the month of october.
kasiina n. a brown heifer. Enyana yaitu kasiina neeyenda kwema. Our brown heifer is on heat.
kasiitagirizi n. See: KARUKAATA.
kasimba-bwara n. See: KAHUUBA. kasinga n. an old person who is not yet married. kasingye int. a word expressing praise. kasuku n. African grey parrot.
kasurubana n. a fish variety which is bonny and with a long and sharp mouth.
kasyosyo n. the hottest part of a hot spring.
kataano adv. five times. Akamaara kataano owa mukuru we. She spent five days at her sister’s place.
kataara n. a cow with small horns facing backwards. Var: rutaara.
katacweka adj. something that cannot break or tear however much one pulls.
katagyeshwa n. a variety of finger millet with hard stems which are hard to harvest.
kataitwa-munigo n. a person with very short neck. katamba-mahano n. a shrub that grows in short bushes and is believed to prevent bad omen. Obu yaareeba enju neesya, bakamugira ngu arye katamba-mahano. When she saw the house burning, she was avised to eat a weed that grows in short bushes to prevent bad omen.
katanga n. it is a white spotted young she-goat which has not yet given birth.
katara n. local beer that has been brewed with insufficient sorghum. See: OMUCEERI.
kataranga n. branded item. empare yangye nkagitaho kataranga obunagigura. I labelled my trouser when I bought it.
kataza n. a small tree that has thorns and normally grows in savana land.
kateerana-nganda n. trouble causer: someone who causes conflicts among people.
kateera-rume n. go between: a person who represents a bridegroom in the girl’s home to ask the girl’s parent for their daughter’s hand in marriage.
kateerweiju n. a type of banana that has a greyish colour.
kateete n. a name given to a person born near lemon grass.
kateeyamba n. a disabled person. Mukuru w’eihanga akaragaanisa baakateeyamba ebyokurya bya busha kumara omwaka. The president promised the disabled people free food for one year.
katema-mbiire n. a pair of trousers that is not too long to reach the feet and not short to be called shorts.
katembwe n. tallish and small person. ogu omwojo nikatembwe. this boy is tall and small.
katendeere n. a type of fish.
kateta n. a dumb person. See: EKITETA.
katiina-bakwe n. a small plant that opens and closes the leaves when it is touched. See: SHEREKA.
katika v. to overwork. Eriizooba waakatika kuhinga aha hoona. Today you have worked beyond your capacity to dig the whole of this.
katobo n. a female goat that has spots. See: KATANGA.
katondoozi n. See: KASHOBOOROZI.
katongana n. index finger: a finger next to the thumb. Akarabura omutabani arikumworekyereza akakumu ka katongana. He cautioned his son pointing at him with his index finger.
katu-katu adv. a sound made by moving animals. katuku n. a skin disease common among children. Katumba n. March: the third month of the year.
Hakabaho enjara omu kwezi kwa Katumba.
There was famine in the month of March.
katungurucumu n. garlic: a vegetable of the onion family with very strong smell and taste used for cooking to give flavuor to food. Katunguru- cumu neeyamba abarwaire b’omutima. Garlic helps high blood pressure patients.
katungye int. an expression used to wish someone prosperity.
katunkuma n. a variety of eggplants that produces small sour berries.
katwara-mafuuni n. a type of rat that collects things and takes them to its dwelling place.
katwara-maju n. a heavy storm which takes away houses. See: EIHUNGA.
kavuuvu adj. very black.
kayenje n. a black heifer with white patches. kayongo adj. (of complexion) a very dark person. kazengyerera n. a game played by children by
rotating in the same position.
kazinio n. a style of wrestling. Pl: kazinio.
kaziriikwe n. a type of banana.
kazooba n. one of the names of God who is believed to have created the universe. Kazooba niwe yaahangire abantu boona. All people were created by God.
keenyini adj. exact. ninyenda ongurire akateteeyi nk’akaawe keenyini. I want you to buy me a dress like yours exactly.
keera a white goat.
ki int. what: an interrogative adjective asking for information. Yaija nairuka naamubuuza ngu haabaho ki? He came running and I asked him what happened.
kibaako n. a kind of local brew that is a result of double distillation.
kibabi n. green colour. John aguzire esaati ya kibabi. John bought a green shirt.
kibenyi adv. illegally: doing something in an illegal way.
kibibi n. a cow with a patch on any part of the body.
kibikindi n. a person being talked about spitefully in his presence. See: RWAKIBIKINDI.
kibirikibi adj. an ugly person.
kibooko n. 1) coffee beans which still have their husks. **2) whip: a thin stick used for caning people.
kibuzi n. a banana tree that has long and curved fruits.
kibwankurata n. a charm allegedly used by women to make their husbands love them.
Kicuransi n. August: the eighth month of the year.
kifaaru n. a devil that some people worship and is believed to have power over nature and control over human affairs and is owned by individuals.
kifeerwa n. a person who has lost a family member, friend, relative, etc. Kifeerwa agarukire. The person who lost someone has come back.
kifuba adv. forcefully: the act of getting an activity done by means of force. Akataaha omu nju kifuba. He entered the house forceully.
kigabo n. something with spots.
kigamba n. a person who is talking or who talked. Kigamba byona ashutami aha naitwe. The person who said everything is seated with us here.
kigamba-obugyenyi n. See: KATEERA-RUME.
kigambo-kya-diisi n. a delegate with high authority. Kigambo-kya-diisi yaashoma aha rupapura ebi atumirwe byonka. The delegate only read what he was asked to deliver.
kigingi n. turnboy: someone who loads and off loads luggage on the vehicle and keeps an eye on the load as the vehicle moves especially lorries.
kigufa n. a type of sorghum.
kigutiya n. an infection in form of skin rush.
kihababirwa n. a defendant: a person or authority in a trial who is accused of committing a crime or who is being sued by another.
kihaha n. a disease in cows that affects the lungs.
kihana n. a person who counsels or gives advice to others.
kihendwangisha n. a person who is most favoured. Pl: baakihendwangisha.
Kihimba n. title of a district administrative officer in the former Ankole kingdom.
kihongwa adj. yellow colour. Ajwaire esaati ya kihongwa. He is putting on a purple colour.
kihooza n. tax collector: a person who collects money on behalf of government.
kihuguura adj. a person who advises other people and brings them to the correct path. Akabona kihuguura yaamuhuguura. He got someone to guide him.
kihuura adj. colour of white and red mottled streaks.
kihwehwe n. someone who talks a lot and usually tells lies.
kiihuza n. a creditor. Kiihuza akaba naatwihuza esente zirikuhika akakaikuru. The creditor was demanding for money worth one million.
Kiiza n. a name given to a person who is born after the twins.
kijubwe adj. green: having the colour that resembles grass.
kijurijuri adj. a very dark colour.
kikanda-ky’omurofa adj. a dirty person.
kikara adj. black: the dark colour that resembles charcoal. Akaija ajwaire empare ya kikara. He came putting on a black pair of trousers.
kikazi adj. it is used to refer to a girl or woman with affectionate passion. Webare kikazi. Thank you my dear.
kikora n. workman.
kikumi n. one hundred.
kikwaya adj. a person who lacks courage to face a dangerous or tough situations. Ogwo mushaija ni kikwaya, ku arikuhika aha barwaire. He is a terrible corward when it comes to dealing with sick people.
kimbo n. cooking fat. Etym: [].
kimere n. a rough skin caused by foot and mouth disease and similar ailments.
kimwe adj. completely. Akeyererera kimwe byona byahwamu. He swept everything completely.
kinganente n. a variety of beans with seeds which are big and dark in colour.
kinyoozi n. barber: a person whose job is to shave or cut people’s hair. Ninza owa kinyoozi kushara eishokye. I am going to the barbers shop to have my hair cut.
kinyubure n. a cow whose end position of its tail is white.
kinywani kya-bwita n. food in combinination of baked cassava and fish sauce.
kinzaari n. orange.
kiraarira-oseire n. one who is lazy and detests work and wants to be in company of those who can offer him something, especially food.
kirahura n. a person who commits an offence or causes a fight. N’obu araabe yaasingire omushango niwe yaabaire ari kirahura. Although he won the case, he was the offender.
kireereetsi n. vagabond: a person who is lazy and does not work but moves aimlessly. Omwana yaaba atakuziibwe kurungi, naaba kireereetsi. When a child is not brought up well he/she becomes an idler.
kiremba n. a brown or black cow with white patches covering both sides of the hind body.
kiriibwa-mbeba n. root-tuber: a variety of sweet potato.
kiriibwa-ogwejegyeire n. a type of beans. kiriro v. a type of bananas grown for sweet bananas. kiriya adj. that (thing) over there. Ndeetera kiri kintu. Bring me that thing over there.
kiruuku n. type of plant that is very bitter but used as a vegetable. See: ESHWIGA.
kishaayuura n. a wild and medicinal plant that bears orange flowers.
kishoga n. type of beans. Kishonga enuzire. This kind of beans is very nice.
kishurira adj. a situation where one is among strangers. Akafa kishurira. He died among strangers.
kitaara n. a cow with big horns spreading sideways.
Kitami n. legendary: a woman who is believed to have founded the kingdom of Mpororo. She is believed to have become a god.
kitanga-kya-mbaare n. a big goat.
kitapo n. game: a hide and seek game.
Kitara n. The ancient Bunyoro kitara kingdom, which originally covered present day Bunyoro, Toro Ankore and Karagwe.
kitiini n. coward: a person who cannot control his fear and who runs away from danger.
kitiiri n. a large intestine. Bakamushemeza orura rwa kitiri. Her large intestine was operated upon.
kitika n. a banana plant type.
kiziriziri adj. extremely black. Munywani wangye ajweire empare ya kiziriziri. My friend is wearing a black pair of trousers.
kondakita n. bus or taxi conductor. Etym: [].
konsityushoni n. constitution: a system of laws and principles according to which a state or other organisation is governed. Mukuru w’eihanga ahindwire konsityushoni. The president has changed the constitution. See: ENGYENDERWAHO. Etym: [].
koona n. Football: corner-kick. Etym: English.
kooro n. admission letter: a written statement accepting a person into an institution of learning. Kooro za siniya zaashohora. Admission letters for senior one are out. Etym: []. kooyakooya adj. lukewarm: moderately warm.
Amaizi gaaba kooyakooya. The water is getting luke warm.
kopi n. copy: something made to look like somethingelse. Egi niyo kopi ei nyine. This is the only copy I have. Etym: [].
Kristu n. Christ.
ku conj. if or when. Ku oraazeyo, omugambire aije. When you go there, tell him to come.
kuba akaramata phr. to become attached to someone or something.
kubi adv. badly: a word used to express how serious a situation or an event was. Akafa kubi. He died badly.
kunu conj. while. Naaba niimugambira kunu we ari omu bye. I was talking to him while he was doing other things.
kunu adv. this side, this way. Ija kunu. Come this side/this way.
kureka conj. except. Boona bakahikira omu idaara ry’okubanza kureka omwegi omwe. They all passed in first grade except one student. See: KWIHAHO.
kuri adv. if. Tukaba nitwija kuheza ogu murimo kuri twabaire twine okukwatanisa. If twe were united, we would have finished this task. See: KURIIYA.
kuriiya adv. there. Tihaine eki naareebire obu naaza kuri. There is nothing I saw when I went there.
kurungi See: GYE.
kuruza n. Irish potatoes: a type of irish potatoes.
kushi int. a sound used while scaring a way things like birds.
kusukusu int. See: ESI.
kuteerwa amahungu phr. See: AMAHUNGU. kutu-kumwe v. a type of grass with one leaf. kutwaza maguru-makye phr. the situation where rain has started to rain slowly at the end. Enjura yaija neetwaza maguru-makye. The rain is almost stopping to fall.
kwekwekwe adv. a way of laughing: to laugh heartly.
kwete n. local brew: a local brew made out of maize flour.
kweteera-eishaija v. self-made: to be brave and courageous. See: EIBOROBORO.
kwezi-kumwe n. potatoes. a variety of potatoes that grow quickly.
kwoga v. to bathe. Ninyenda Kwoga. I want to bathe.
kwokwo int. existing or occuring as a fact. Kwokwo aboneire. She is really beautuful.
kwombeka v. to build: to put up a structure or to make a building. Ku araakure naaza kwombeka eirwariro.. When he grows up, he will build a hospital.
kwonka conj. but. Noobaasa kumweta aha bugyenyi kwonka otagambira munywani munywani. You can invite him to the party but please don’t tell his friend.
kwonka conj. just/only. Noobaasa kumweta aha bugyenyi kwonka otagambira munywani munywani. You can invite him to the party but please don’t tell his friend.
kya adv. refering to a specific person or things especially when he or she is not near the speaker. Kya kintu. That thing.
kya pron. derogative prefix.
kyabahezi n. May: the fifth month of the year.
kyakahiire adv. fortunately; by good luck. Akaba yaaza kuhambira omwana omu nju kyakahiire omuntu yaateera kodi. He was about to defile anyoung girl in the house but fortunately someone knocked at the door.
kyakasaana n. finger millet: one of the types of finger millet.
kyakiro n. supper: the last meal of the day eaten before going to bed. Tuze ahari kyakiro. Let us go for supper.
kyakutema n. meningitis: a disease which affects the neck and makes it stiff. See: OMURARAMO.
kyakwera n. a light skinned woman. Omugore ni kyakwera. The bride has a light complexion. See: NYAKWERA.
kyamubambaigwa n. gleeful play of children.
Kuteera kyamubambaigwa. To gamble.
kyamukwikwi n. a coffee brown caterpillar with a sharp head.
kyamushana n. lunch: a meal eaten in the middle of the day. Niturya kyamushana shaaha mushanju z’eihangwe. We eat lunch at 1.00Pm.
kyamutabura n. a bean type.
kyamutwara-bwaseesire n. a type of hut: a very small temporary hut where the occupants do not fit with ease.
kyangwe n. a reddish vegetable type.
kyankaraata n. sorghum bread. Nkarya kyankaraata nteine mboga nyingi. I ate sorghum bread without sauce and it chocked me.
kyankoote n. millet type.
kyantsya n. breakfast: the first meal of the day. Erizooba tinaatunga kyansya. I did not have breakfast today.
kyanyeherere n. a type of sorghum.
kyapa-mbaraasi n. a brand of oil which is used to massage the body to reduce pain. Etym: [< Luganda. kyapambaraasi>].
kyarimwe adv. completely: for good. Omukazi we akagyendera kyarimwe. His wife went away for good.
kyasha n. KYASHA-KYEBEMBERA
kyasha-kyebembera n. a cow with awhite spot on its forhead which normally moves infron of the rest.
kyasha-rukamwa n. a cow with a white spot on the forehead.
kyasooka n. cigar: tobbacco which is rolled in a piece of paper or a dry banana leaf.
kyata-nombe n. a type of Irish potatoes.
kyatootera int. used to refer to something that has become a routine and is irritating. Yashabiriza kyarugaho kyatootera. His begging has become a daily routine and it is beginning to irritate.
kyatwa n. spear: name given to a spear with broad, short blade. Akamucumitisa kyatwa. He pierced him using a spear with broad, short brade.
-kye adj. (dimunitive) an adjectival stem for small in size or quantity. Omwana akateema obutokye bukye munonga bwonka. The child harvested only small-sized banana bunches.
kyebembera n. See: KATEERA-RUME.
kyegarikye n. a person who is too stubborn, bigheaded and strong and does not take advice from others. Omuhara ni kyegarikye nikyo kyatumire yaatwara. His daughter is stuborn that is why she became pregnant.
kyegoya adj. a way of walking, slowly and graceful. Omwishiki ogu naatambura kyegoya. This girl walks so slowly and gracefully.
kyenda n. ninety: written in Roman as 90.
kyereeta n. drum: one of the royal drums of the Ankole kings which is of a medium size.
kyetutumura n. a type of sweet potatoes.
kyeyagarire adv. an ‘I dont care’ attitude. Ogu mukozi naakora kyeyagarire. This employee does th

Runyankore to English Dictionary – J

juba adv. hastly, quickly or in a short time

Runyankore to English Dictionary – I

ibiri n. two: a cardinal number equivalent to the sum of one and one.
igana n. one hundred, ten ten times.
ihinda n. a cow with large white patches on the face.
ijo adv. the day before yesterday.
ijweri adv. three days ago.
ijweriho adv. two days before yesterday. ikumi1 n. ten: the tenth numeral . ikumi2 n. to catch or to arrest.
ikuura n. exaggeration. Aine nyinazaara n’omurogi ikuura. She has a mother-in-law who is an outstanding witch.
imwe pron. you: used to refer to people that the speaker is addressing.
ina n. four: equivalent to the product of two and two, one more than three.
-ingi adj. an adjectivial root for many.
ira adv. formerly: long time ago.
-ire perfective aspect or the present perfect tense. twiz-ire, twari-ire. we have come, we eaten.
irooko v. go: move from one place or point to another.
Irooko oze aha ishomero. Go to shool.
ishabareeberezi n. archbishop: a bishop of the highest rank, responsible for all the churches belonging to a religious group in particular.Usage: Anglican Church.
ishatu n. three: equivalent to the sum of one and two, one more than two.
ishe n. his or her father.
ishe-abaramuzi n. chief justice: a public officer who heads those appointed to decide cases in law court.
ishebo n. their father.
ishe-butaka phr. a phrase used to mean down on the ground..
ishenkuru n. his or her grandfather.
ishento n. his her paternal uncle: a brother to one’s father. Akeeta ishento tareetsire nyinarumi. He invited his paternal uncle and did not invite his maternal uncle.
ishezaara n. father-in-law: the father of one’s husband or wife.
itaano n. five: equivalent to the sum of two and three, one more than four or half of ten.
itwe pron. we or us: the first person plural:.
iwe pron. you: second person pronoun singular.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – K

ha! int. often used to show annoyance.
ha! int. a word often used to express surprise.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – Z

zaabu n. gold: a yellow precious metal, chemical, element of atomic number 79 valued especially for use in jewellery and decoration and to guarantee the value of currencies.
zibure-nkurye n. a leather bag.
zigi-zigi adj. black: something that is very black.
zo adj. them, they.