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 – Y

yaaya n. baby seater: someone who looks after a young baby.
yaayaayaaya n. a word used to indicate an affirmative response.
yunifoomu n. uniform: a special set of clothes worn by all members of an organisation or institution. Etym: [].

Runyankore to English Dictionary – A

a n. first letter of the Roman alphabet.
aa int. a word used to express wonder, surprise or astonishment.
aba adj. these: used to refer to more than one person.
Aba n’aboojo. These are boys.
aba prep. of, for: belonging to a person or place. Aba Kampala. The ones of Kampala.
abaana n. See: OMWANA. abaana school children. abaanyu n. someone’s relatives.
abaawe n. a word used to refer to one’s family members.
abacwezi n. a group of people who are believed to have lived in the ancient Nkole kingdom and were associated with spiritual powers. Sing: omucwezi.
abahitsi n. undertakers for burrying a king. Sing: omuhitsi.
abahuruzi n. warriors: soldiers with experience and skill in fighting especially in the past. Abahuruzi baaraba aha beekoreire ebintu ebi baanyaga. Worriors have passed here carrying loot. Sing: omuhuruzi.
abaitu n. our relatives: a word used to refer to my relatives.
abambari n. (in Ankole kingdom) favoured male people who used to work in the palace. Sing: omwambari.
abaregye n. enemies: people who are not on one’s side, opposers, competitors. Pl: omuregye.
abaregyera n. a type of cows that are known for moving very fast and can move long distances.
abarongo n. See: AMAHASHA.
abaroreezi n. onlookers: uninvited people who watch what is going on at a ceremony. Sing: omuroreezi.
abarungi adj. Sing: omurungi. 1) beautiful or good looking people. **2) good hearted people.
abaryakamwe n. intimate friends: people who share common interests.
abashendekyereza n. See: abashendekyeza.
abashendekyeza n. people who accompany a bride when she is getting married. See: ENSHAGARIZI. Var: abashendekyereza. Sing: omushendekyeza.
abashomi n. believers or religious people those who have faith. Sing: omushomi.
abashomi n. See: OMUSHOMI.
abatangaaza n. a name that was given to the cows for Ntare one of the former kings of Ankole.
abatangaazi n. people who brought cows to Buganda when there was drought in Ankole in the first half of the 20th century. Sing: omutangaazi.
abateruzi n. Sing: omuteruzi. 1) potters: men
who carry luggage. **2) people who used to lift makeshift brides.
abatuukurani n. (in ancient times) people who were killed by swords or spears. Sing:omutuukurani.
Abayonga n. dark people especially of the Bahinda clan. Sing: Omuyonga.
abaziiki n. mourners: people who attend a burial. Sing: omuziiki.
abaziiki n. undertakers. Sing: omuziiki.
abeeteeraine n. people who come together for a common cause.
agandi int. greeting: how are you? Agandi sebo? How are you, sir?
ahaasi prep. See: AHANSI.
ahabiso adv. an unclosed place and abit distant. Var: ebiso.
ahabiso adv. in future.
ahabw’okuba conj. because. Var: ahakuba.
ahagati adv. 1) between: bordered by two things. **2) being at the centre.
ahaifo adv. a place at a lower level compared to the other.
ahaiguru adv. above: the space above something.
ahakuba conj. See: AHABWOKUBA.
ahamaisho n. face: front part of the head that comprises of the eyes, nose and the mouth.
ahamusikye adv. See: AHARUBAJU.
ahamweija adv. a word used to refer to a place already talked about and known to two or more people.
ahandi pron. 1) somewhere: undisclosed place.**2) elsewhere: another place.
ahansi adv. the place beneath, or under. Usage: Kiga. Var: ahaasi.
ahantu pron. an area, or part of region or place.
ahanyima adv. indicating sequence of events. Ahanyima ho tukaba twateisize ngu tuze kumutaayaayira. Earlier on we had agreed to go and visit her. See: ENYIMA. Var: bwanyima.
ahanyima adv. afterwards.
aharubaju adv. on the side out of other people’s hearing. See: AHAMUSIKYE.
aharuguru adv. raised area: an area that is above the other in terms of position.
aheekiikire adv. a place which cannot be easily seen or accessed.
aheeru adv. 1) outside: out of a designated place. **2) aheeru adv.
aho adv. there: at a particular position of a place.
ahonaaho adv. 1) quickly: acting swifly. **2) increasing on the pace of doing something.**3) doing something in time.
ai int. 1) often used when a person is annoyed or shocked. **2) a response to something bad, e.g. pain.
ai-nuunu phr. expression to mean oh, how good! ai nuunu phr. expression to mean oh, how good! aima int. expression of disgust: shame up on you!
aitu adj. us/our: belonging to or connected with a group that one is part of. Ente yaitu ebuzire. Our cow got lost.
akaabunga n. up in the sky.
akaakiiro n. thirst: too much urgue for something to drink. See: EKYAKA.
akaaku n. trunk of an elephant that it uses for feeding and protection.
akaamunaana n. exaggeration: explaining beyond the truth of the matter.
akaanirampanga n. hawk: a bird of prey with hooked bill and sharp eye sight.
akaano n. valley: low lying part between hills. Enjura egwire akaano kaijura amaizi. It rained and filled the valley.
akaanya n. 1) shortest period of time. Nimbaasa kugambaho naiwe akaanya kakye? Can I talk to you for a moment? **2) distance: space between people or things. Kuruga aha irwariro kuhika owaabo hariho akaanya. It is a bit far from the hospital to their home.
akaanya-bwanya n. a short time: shortest time possible.
akaara-kahera n. toe or inger: small finger. empeta akagijwara omu kaara-kahera. He put the ring in the smallest finger. Pl: obwara-buhera.
akaari n. ululation: a loud cry of happiness or excitement.
akaaro n. small village: a group of households in a rural setting. See: EKYARO. Pl: otwaro, obwaro.
akaatika n. small crack: a line on the surface of something along which it has split. Enyungu egi eine akaatika. This pot has got a crack. Pl: obwatika.
akaaya n. a type of swamp.
akabaaho n. Pl: otubaaho, obubaaho.1) small piece of timber: a sawed piece of wood.**2) a designed piece of wood that is inserted in the nose of a calfto stop it from suckling. See: ORUBAAHO.
akabaaho n. gallows: a place where convicts arehanged.
akabaare n. blackstone: a small stone used for sucking venon from the body.
akababa-bahiigi n. a small caterpillar.
akababagazi n. initial stage of flowering. Obushaza bwahika aha kababagazi. Peas have reached the flowering stage.
akabanda n. pancake: a thin flat round cake of sweetened dough, yellow bananas and cassava flour. Usage: NK. Pl: otubanda, obubanda.
akabi n. danger or trouble: likehood of being injured or killed.
akabibiro n. small basket: small seed basket that is used in sowing. Usage: Nkole.
akabibiro n. verandah: covered area outside a house which is often enclosed.
akabindi n. nose of a buffalo or hyena.
akabindirano adv. to be taken in an impromptu manner. Bamutwarire omu kabindirano k’okukwata embura-mukoro. He was taken in an impromptu operation to arrest idlers.
akabindirano adv. unditional excessive love: love galore.
akabogye n. sitting sideways with legs tucked inward. Omushaija yaashitama kabogye. The man is seated with his legs tucked inward.
akabonero n. 1) a sign: a sign of a cross. Yaakora akabonero k’omusharaba arikutaaha omu iramizo. He made a sign of the cross when he was entering the church. **2) a mark used to show evidence or meaning of something. See: AKAMANYISO.
akabubi n. hymen: vagina membrane.
akabumbuzo n. calm place: a place where everything is peaceful.
akaburyo n. hillock: small hill.
akabuuza n. question mark: a punctuation mark used to pause a question. Pl: otubuuza, obubuuza.
akaca n. sparrow-hawk. Akaca kaatwara akaana k’enkoko. A sparrow-hawk has taken a chick. Pl: obuca.
akacabari n. the act of stroking the clitoris during sexual intercourse.
akacancabari n. rags: an old torn cloth. Pl:
otucancabari, obucancabari.
akacebe n. See: AKAGARANI. Pl: otucebe, obucebe.
akaceceko n. lull, silence: a quiet moment.
akacencuzo n. a sieve. Pl: obucencuzo.
akaceremete n. a person who is thin and short.Var: ekiceremete.
akacookore n. blemish.
akacookorekane n. detail: many small facts about something or someone.
akacuju n. a very old cloth. Usage: Nkole. Pl: otucuju, obucuju.
akacumu n. pen: instrument for writing in ink. Omushomesa yaahandiikisa akacumu karikutukura omu kitabo kyangye. The teacher has written in my book with a red pen. Pl: obucumu.
akacurama n. bat: a flying mammal. Usage: Kiga.Pl: obucurama.
akacwa mabunu n. penis. Usage: euphemism.
akacwabazaire n. millipede: very small insect with a long narrow body and many pairs of legs. Usage: Nkole. Etym: [].
akacwa-mboro n. See: AKACWA-BAZAIRE. akacwa-mburara n. a type of snake. akacwankoni n. a noctunal bird that whistles. akacwano adj. something done excessively.
Rukondo yaabo n’ey’akacwano. They love each other so much.
akadeeya n. a sack made of sythentic fibres.
Eibiikiro riijwire obudeeya bw’ebicoori. The store is full of sucks of maize. Var: akadeeyi, akareeya. Pl: obudeeya, otudeeya.
akadobo n. pail or bucket. Titwayeshera nte
ahabw’okuba akadobo kaatikire. We have not given water to the cows because the bucket got broken. Pl: otudobo, obudobo.
akaduukuru n. cell: a small room in a prison.akafuba n. See: KAFUBA 2.
akafubire n. pornography: written or pictorial matter intended to arouse sexual feelings.
akafubire n. a task beset with unusual problems.
akafunzi n. fire-finch: a tiny reddish bird. Pl:obufunzi.
akagarani n. an air tight sealed container for preserving food, made of a tin plate or aluminium. Pl: obugarani.
akagayano n. See: AKAJOOGO.
akagiigya n. a certain type of grass normally planted in the compound.
akagiiko n. tea spoon: small spoon used for stirring tea. Pl: obugiiko.
akagirita n. razor blade: a sharp small razor that is used to shave or cut. Var: egirita. Pl: obugirita.
akagombambure n. ankle: a protruding bone where the leg is joined to the foot. Var:
akagombamburi. akagombamburi n. See: AKAGOMBAMBURE. akagoroda n. bungle: a bracelet.
akagwe n. calamity: unexpected bad situation.
akagyega n. basket with handles, used for shopping.
akagyegyena n. sieve: instrument used for seperating solids from liquids, coarser from finer particles. Pl: otugyegyena, obugyegyenda.
akagyenda-kahiire n. a brownish grasshopper. Naakwata eseeneene nyingi kwonka akagyenda kahiire ni kamwe. I have gathered many grasshoppers but there is only one brownish grasshopper.
akagyogo n. a small bottle of 250ml used for measuring spirits. Pl: obugyogo.
akahararo n. infatuation: the act of befriending or being in love with someone or something that is still new for a short period of time.
akahatano n. competetion for something. Nyomwabazyo haabaireho akahatano k’okuvuga emotoka. Yesterday there was a motor rally.
akaheehe n. excitement: a condition where someone gets excited on hearing or getting something good. Ti kirungi kugira akaheehe ebintu ebi bitakarabiremu. It is not good to get excited over things you have not yet recieved.
akaheehe n. peer influence: the act of doing something due to influence from people of the same age.
akahimba n. clitoris. Pl: obuhumba.
akaho n. an eye disease that causes temporaryloss of sight temporarily.
akahoiho n. a small moth. Akahoiho kagwa omu mate. A small moth has fallen in the milk. Var: akahwihwi.
akahoiho n. See: EBIHO. Var: akahweiho.
akahugye n. 1) confusion: a state of uncertainity about what is happening, what should be done, what something means, etc. Naashusha nk’oine akahugye. **2) mental disorder. Omwana akazaarwa aine akahugye. A child was born with a mental disorder.
akahumbi n. one billion: a number of things equivalent to one thousand millions; 1,000,000,000. Pl: obuhumbi.
akahuna n. a state of confusion. Omukazi akagwa omu kahuna ku baamazire kwiba enshaho ye. The woman was in a state of confusion after stealing her bag.
akahuna n. a game played by children where one taps another and the tapped child runs after the other to tap him or her also. Var: akahuuna.Pl: obuhuna.
akahundu n. Usage: Nkole. See: AKACURAMA. Pl:otuhundu, obuhundu.
akahungabeebe n. a small flying termite. Var:
akahungambeba. Pl: obuhungabeebe. akahungambeba n. See: AKAHUNGABEEBE. akahuumuro n. a short break from daily routine. akahuuna n. See: AKAHUNA2.
akahwihwi n. Pl: obuhwihwi, otuhwihwi.
akaiba n. a small dove which stays in the bush. Pl:obwiba, otwiba.
akaibo n. a small basket in which mingled millet is served. Pl: obwibo, otwibo.
akaicokombe n. See: AKAICOKOMBA.
akaimukiriro n. upraising: a state of confusion where people move up and down to show their disagreement.
akainiko n. the act of helping someone to complete the task.
akaishebakami n. space between the leg and the udder in a cow.akaisikonda n. See: AKASIKINA.
akaitanda n. a tiny snake-like lizard with a very smooth skin and normally found in dry grass. Pl: obwitanda.
akaitanyenje n. insect repellant: a tablet used to deter crawling insects from destroying clothes. Pl: obwitanyenje.
akajagararo n. See: AKAIMUKIRIRO. Pl:obujagararo.
akajagiro n. market: a place where people meet to buy and sell their goods. Pl: obujagiro. akajengyeijo n. See: AKAKYENCUZO. Pl:obujengyeijo.
akajoina n. See: AKACUJU. Pl: obujoina, otujoina.
akajoogano n. See: AKAJOOGO. akajoogo n. contempt. Pl: obujugo. akajugo n. a pen cover.
akajuma n. tablet: a small solid piece of medicine that is swallowed.
akajuma n. a small seed. Pl: obujuma.
akajunde n. stench: an unpleasant smell. Omu nju omu nihanuukamu akajunde. There is an unpleasant smell in this house.
akakaikuru n. one million. Nguzire eitaka naashashura akakaikuru kamwe. I bought land at one million shillings. Pl: obukaikuru.
akakangaasi n. See: AKAGOMBAMBURE. akakangaatsi n. See: AKAGOMBAMBURE. akakiiko n. Pl: obukiiko. 1) council, committee or subcommittee: a group of people elected to do a certain task. **2) short meeting. Twagiraho akakiiko k’eshaaha emwe. We had a short meeting for one hour.
akakiro n. a small hillock. Okutemba akakiro nikurusya. It is tiresome to climb a hillock. Pl: obukiro.
akakoki n. a small water course or a gulley: a small valley.
akakoma n. a rubber or plastic bracelet. Omwishiki ajwaire akakoma aha mukono. The girl is putting on a rubber or plastic bracelet on her arm.
akakondo n. a small cooking pot for beans that is made of clay. Pl: obukondo.
akakondo n. bolt: a sliding bar or metal for fastening a door or window. Pl: obukondo.
akakondo n. a high-heeled shoe. Pl: obukondo.
akakooko n. insect: a creature with six legs and body divided into three parts. Pl: obukooko.
akakooko n. germ, bacterium, virus: a living thing often too small to be seen without a microscope that causes infectious diseases in human beings, animals and plants. Bamukyebeire baashanga aine akakooko ka siriimu. They tested him and found that he has a virus that causes AIDS. Pl: obukooko.
akakwate n. relationship: the connection between two people or two things. Omushaija ogu mwineho akakwate kahango. I have a strong relationship with this man.
akakyencuzo n. sieve: a tool used for seperating larger solids from smaller ones. Oburo baabuta aha kakyencuzo kwihamu amabaare. They have put millet on the sieve to remove stones. Pl: obukyencuzo.
akakyenkye n. seed-tray musical instrumental: a traditional musical instrument in Kigezi and Ankole which produces sound after shaking. Pl: obukyenkye.
akame n. rabbit, hare: a small animal with soft fur, long ears, and a short tail which is kept by people as a pet or for food. Var: wakame. Pl: obume.
akameshu n. rat trap: a device used for trapping animals especially rats. Pl: obumeshu, otumeshu.
akamoori n. ventilator: an opening in the wall, especially on top of the window, which allows air in and out of the house. Ahaiguru y’edirisa hariho akamoori. There is a ventilator above the window. Pl: obumoori, otumoori.
akamwenyo n. smile: an expression of happiness expressed on one’s face. Ku baamugambira amakuru marungi, yaagira akamwenyo ahamaisho. When they told him the good news, there was a smile on his face.
akanaara n. booster: a device that helps to transmit sound in telecommunication equipment. Omu kyaro kyaitu harimu akanaara ka reediyo. There is a radio booster in our village. Pl: obunaara.
akanga-kaizi n. neither there nor here, just in between. Akagwa omu kanga kaizi. He had no specific place.
akangara-teete n. to suffer: to lead a hard life;staying outside with no shelte, living under harsh conditions.
akangari adj. plenty: a large number of things.Eriizooba yaateeka akangari k’ebitakuri. Today she has cooked a lot sweet potatoes.
akanono n. tip of the roof: the topmost part of the house. Bakatandikira aha kanono ku baabaire nibasheenya enju. When they were demolishing the house, they started from the top most part. Pl: obunono.
akanuriirizi n. sweet taste. Akanuriirizi k’omu switi kagikundisa abaana bato. The sweet taste in a sweet makes children like it.
akanwa n. mouth: the opening in the face used for speaking eating etc.
akanwa kabi adj. 1) foul mouth: saying things that are rude or offesive. **2) saying bad things which happen.
akanyaiganja n. an animal with paws such, as a cat, lion, dog, leopard, e.t.c.
akanyamakaakya n. one of the plants from whose stems a walking stick is made.
akanyampagara n. poor quality bunch of banana. Endeeberera mbi y’orutookye neetuma rwateera obunyampagara. Poor farming methods lead to poor quality bananas.
akanyampatiira n. state of being over crowded. Akanyampatiira k’abantu tikaanyikiriza kureeba purezidenti. I failed to see the president due to the presence of very many people.
akanyampira n. a small insect that stings the eye when it falls there.
akanyampiringita n. something shorter or smaller than others of the same type. Omukazi akazaara obwana bugufu bw’obunyampiringita. A woman gave birth to short dwarf children.
akanyamuhebe n. a small black and white bird with a long tail. Var: kanyamuhebe. Pl: obunyamuhebe.
akanyamukara n. nut grass.
akanyamukira n. dung maggot.
akanyamukira n. tad pole: a small amphibious creature that lives in water and developes into a frog.
akanyamuniini n. a fresh fried grasshopper.
akanyamuntinda n. small snail. See: EKINYANTINDA.
akanyamurera n. flute: a musical instrument. See: OMUKURI.
akanyamwenyi n. squirrel. See:AKATIINA-MUGOGO.
akanyancooni n. an undeveloped banana.
akanyangarara n. crack: a crack on a breakable item such as a door, glass, pot, calabash that lifespan is rendered uncertain. Enkyeka ey’akanyangarara otatamu amaizi. Do not put water into the cracked calabash .
akanyankogote n. tortoise: an animal that walks slowly and can pull its head and legs into the shell on its back. Nkashutamira akanyankogote nkeetsire eibare. I sat on the tortoise thinking it was a stone.
akanyantebo adv. hitting someone with a kick.
akanyarugondo n. 1) type of snake which is not poisonous. **2) spotted lizard found in sandy areas such as beaches, coasts or sand mines.
akanyarukira n. a black and white bird with a long tail.
akanyarutookye n. lourie: a type of bird commonly found in banana plantations.
akanyarutwe n. See: AKANYAMUKIRA.
akanyegyero n. See: AKATEMBO.
akanyiriri n. 1) verse or line: a group of words that form one section in the Bible. Usage: Catholics. **2) small line.
akanyitsi n. value: the minimum worth of something. Ogwo mwenda otagunaga gukiinemu akanyitsi. Do not throw away that cloth, it still has value.
akanyoga n. a banana in its early stages of development.
akanyomo n. a feeling of uncertainty. displeasure.
akanyongotoko adv. being over cooked or over ripe. Ebihimba byasya akanyongotoko, tibyanura. Beans were overcooked, they are not tasty.
akanyoomo n. contempt.
akanyoomoozano n. continuous disturbance or provocation.
akanyororo n. a tall, thin and slender person.
akanyuunya n. a type of grasshoppers which are not edible. Akanyuunya nikatamba kunyaara aha kitanda. The non edible grass hoppers cure bed wetting. Pl: obunyuunya.
akanyuunyambuzi n. a type of weed eaten by goats. Ageratum Conyzoides. Pl: obunyuunyambuzi.
akanyuunyarume n. shrub eaten by goats.
akanywanisa n. (grammar): hyphen (-). Pl: obunywanisa.
akanywero adj. a very tight cloth. Ajwaire empare y’akanywero. He is putting on tight trousers.
akapampari n. small piece resulting from much chipping.; (especially of machines) overused piece of metal. Egaari ye akagitomeza yaahinduka akapampari. He crashed his bicycle and rendered it almost useless.
akapiira n. condom: a thin rubber sheath that a man uses to cover his penis during sex, in order to prevent a woman from getting pregnant or for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Pl: obupiira.
akapiira n. any ball game, e.g. football, netball, volleyball, basketball when refered to endearingly. See: OMUPIIRA.
akapimpiri n. dwarf: (of people) a short and small person. Pl: obupimpiri, otupimpiri.
akaraba mw’ishengyero phr. unintended interruption in a group.
akaradaari n. mustard seed.
akaragarika n. a crumb: a small fragment of bread or cake fallen under a table; that which has fallen e.g. leaves, grains, etc. Oburagarika bw’omugaati. Bread crumbs. Pl: oburagarika.
akaragariso n. a broom used to clean a baking pot. Pl: oburagariso.
akaragariso n. a wiper. Naakoresa akatambaara k’omungaro nk’akaragariso k’ebigyere. She uses a handkerchief to wipe her feet. Pl: oburagariso, oturagariso.
akaragwa n. inherited trait. Pl: oburagwa.
akaramata n. goose grass: a plant yielding red dye that can be made into ink.
akaranda-rugo n. a climbing plant that grows on fences. Akaranda-rugo aka kakuzire n’akokutema. This climbing plant has over grown it needs trimming.
akarande n. inherited character or trait. See: AKASHUSHO.
akarangizo n. a raised place from where one can view a surounding area. Makanga n’akarangizo karungi k’orurembo Kabale. Makanga is a good view of Kabale town.
akarebure n. a slunderous utterance.
akareega n. Pl: obureega. 1) bra: a lingerie used to support a woman’s breasts. **2) a tool used to straighten spokes of a bicycle.
akareesu n. a piece of cloth especially used by women to wrap their shoulders or tied around the waist to cover the rest of the body. Var: akareeso. Pl: obureesu.
akaregyeya n. Pl: oburegyeya, oturegyeya. 1) a hanging flap of a skin on an animal’s neck.
akaregyeya n. dewlap: a small sixth finger on some people’s hands. Ogwo mwojo aine akaregyeya aha ngaro. That boy has a dewlap on his hand. Pl: oburegyeya.
akareka n. tongue-tie: a vein under the tongue that causes impairment in speech. Omwana waaba otamushazire akareka tarikugamba gye. Unless you cut the vein under a child’s tongue, he will get impaired speech. Pl: obureka.
akarenga-bazaana n. dusk: time of day when the sun is almost setting. Yaija omu karenga- bazaana. He arrived at dusk. Var: ekirenga-bazaana.
akarengo n. a small measurement especially of grain or fruits.
akarengutuko n. a steep slope.
akarenzyo n. sarcasm. Ka noogambisa akarenzyo.You have a sarcastic tongue. akarera-baana n. See: OMUNYAAFU. akari n. lust for sex.
akaribareeta n. bonus: something good that you get in addition to what you have paid for. Nkagura ekitabo, bampa akaribareeta. I bought a book and was given bonus. Pl: oburibareeta.
akarigime n. 1) having bad company. **2) immorality caused by peer pressure.
akarigito n. See: ENDIGITO, AKAHEEHE.
akariibe n. peer pressure. Abaana bakabingwa ahabw’akariibe. Students were suspended from school because of peer group. See: AKARIGIME, AKAKUNGU.
akariigobe adv. a way of posturing which reflects carelessness; way of sitting. Ku yaaherize kurya yaashutama yaateera akariigobe yaayebwa ngu ashemereire kukora emirimo endiijo. After eating he sat carelessly, forgetting that he had to do other chores.
akariigobe adv. kind of whistling where lips are pressed between hands, and the breath forced through fingers to emit sound.
akariinyiriro n. pathway for riding or sliding especially using wooden or banana trees. Var: akariinyiro. Pl: oburiinyiriro.
akariinyiro n. See: AKARIINYIRIRO.
akarimi n. a minute or hour hand. Akarimi k’eshaaha kafiire. The minute hand of the clock does not work.
akarimi n. a small tongoue. Enjoka eine akarimi kakye. A snake has a small tongoue. Pl: oturimi, oburimi.
akarimi adj. way of talking, e.g. sweet-talking or lying. Akarimi kanyu karyabareeterera. Your toung will lead you into trouble. **2) pleading on behalf of someone. Nterayo akarimi. Please plead for me.
akarimi n. a nib.
akarindi n. See: AKARIIBE.
akarindi n. a small handle of a machete or knife. See: EKIRINDI.
akarogoijo n. anxiety: to be extremely worried or excited.
akarondo n. lineage. Omushaija akarondoora akarondo k’obuzaare bwabo. A man traced the lineage of their relationship.
akarongyero n. a hole on the side of a pit where they smoke bananas to ripen. Ebitookye byangye byangire kusya ahabw’okuba tindateire karongyero aha rwina. My bananas have not ripened because I did not put a hole hole next to the pit. Var: karongyero.
akarooro n. a wingless insect found on hens. Pl: oburooro.
akarugu n. one of the corners of the house. Pl: oburugu.
akarundirundi n. a rod of a bicycle that holds a pedal. Omwojo akatsindika egaari ahabwokuba ekaba etaine karundirundi. The boy pushed the bicycle because it did not have a pedal rod.
akarungi adj. something good, or beautiful. Kaaro karungi. A beatiful village.
akaruuru n. Pl: oburuuru. 1) elections. **2) a vote. akarwariro n. a clinic. Omu kyaro kyaitu harimu akarwariro akakye kamwe. There is only one clinic in our villge. Pl: oburwariro.
akasheeshe n. the period from the day break up to around 11am.
akashorya n. part of the structures that make the roof of a house . Omuyaga gw’amaani munonga guhuuhire gwatwara akashorya k’enju. A strong wind blew off the apex of the roof. Pl: obushorya, otushorya.
akashutamo n. a customs post: a border crossing associated with tax collection for countries.
akashuumo n. a steep slope. See: AKATSIRIMUKO. Pl: obushuumo.
akasikina n. hiccup: a sharp repeated sound in the throat caused by a sudden movement of the diaphram.
akasirimuko n. See: AKATSIRIMUKO.
akasooroora n. strong wind which moves in circular motion when there is an imbalace in the atmospheric pressure.
akataahira n. a young jigger that has just entered a person’s body. Akataahira akamutaahire omu kigyere nikamusaasa. The young jigger which entered his foot is paining him.
akatabarwa n. trillion: one of the cardinal numerals represented by 1, followed by 15 zeros “1,000,000,000,000,000. Pl: obutabarwa.
akatare n. Pl: obutare. 1) market: a place where goods and services are sold and bought. See: AKAJAGIRO. **2) a high demand for goods and services. Ebicoori biine akatare ebi biro. Maize have a high demand these days.
akatembo n. a steep hill or road.
akatiina-mugogo n. a kind of rodent black in colour and having a long bushy tail which climbs and runs on banana leaves. See: KAAMUGYE. Pl: obutiina-mugogo.
akatiina-mugogo n. a squirrel. See: AKANYAMWENYI.
akatima n. valve for a tyre. Pl: obutima.
akatima-kakye adv. inability or failure to resist temptation. Esente ezo otazireka aha meeza ow’akatima kakye naija kuzitwara. Do not leave that money on the table, someone who may not be able to resist temptations can pick it.
akatimba n. 1) a mesh is used to fence. Bazitiize ekiju ky’enkoko akatimba. The chicken’s house was fenced with wire mesh. **2) net: an open mesh material made of twine, code, rope usually typically for catching fish or trapping animals or birds. Bategire ekitimba omu ihamba kukwata enyamaishwa. They laid a net in the forest to trap animals. **3) wedding gown, dress.
akatimba n. Pl: obutimba. 1) wire mesh. Bazitiize ekiju ky’enkoko n’akatimba. The chicken’s house was fenced with wire mesh.**2) materials made of strings or ropes woven into a loose pattern with spaces in it for usage in fishing. Ekyenyanja kikwateire omu katimba. The fish is hurked by a net. **3) a material tha stops mosquitoes from entering a house or bed.**4) a wedding gown or dress.
akatindi n. a small hut. See: AKAFUUHA.
akatogo n. 1) African: a dish or type of food prepared by mixing food with sauce. Akatogo k’emondi zitahaasire n’ebihimba kanuzire munonga. A mixed meal of unpealed irish potatoes and beans is very deliciuous. **2) a mixture or a combination of many different things. Ku naagiire kutaahamu, naashanga kari akatogo k’Abatooro, Abakiga hamwe n’Abanyankore. When I entered I found it was a mixture of Batooro, Bakiga and Banyankore.
akatonera n. See: OMUTONERA. Pl: obutonera.
akatoonyezo n. full stop or period: a dot that indicates the end of a sentence. Pl: obutoonyezo.
akatsintsimuko n. a sloppy place. Usage: Nkole. Var: akasinsimuko.
akatsirimuko n. a gentle slope: a gentle slope along the road or path. Akatsirimuko aka ni karungi k’abavugi b’egaari. This gentle slope is good for cyclists. Var: akasirimuko.
akatuyo n. stench: a distinctive smell that is produced by rotten things.
akaveera n. plastic sheeting. Pl: obuveera, otuveera.
akavugankande n. creeping plant: a plant that creeps on other plants in the bush and covers a wide area.
akavumba n. offals of a pig: internal organs of a pig.
akavuruga n. See: AKAVURUGYE. Pl:obuvurugye.
akavurugye n. confusion: a state of disorder that results into inability to think clearly or to know what to do. Okufa kwa ishebo kukareeta akavurugye omuka yaabo. The death of their father brought total confusion in their home.
akavurugye n. eye cataract: a disease which, if not treated early results into a white spot in the eye. Var: akavuruga. Pl: obuvurugye.
akayengo n. small basket: a small weaved container made for carrying or measuring things. Maama ampaire akayengo k’oburo. My mother gave me millet in a small basket.
akaze n. habbit: something that you do often and is normally hard to stop.
akazoore n. madness: a condition that is associated with mental illness. Var: akazoori.
akeediimo n. a strike: an organised boycott. Bakongeza ebishare by’eishomero, abaana baakora akediimo kumara esande yoona. They increased school tuition and students went on strike for a week.
akeerenguturo adv. emptying a container by gulbing its contents.
akooya n. the act of eating food when one has not done anything to deserve it. Eriizooba waariira akooya. Today you have eaten but you did not contribute anything. Allah n. God in Islamic religion.
amaani n. power, strength: being healthy; having energy to do something.
amaarwa n. beer: an alcoholic drink.
amabano n. the end of the arrow used to put a wire or a coil. See: EIBANO.
amabara n. spots of different colours. Njweire esaati y’amabara maingi. I am wearing a multi coloured shirt. Sing: eibara.
amabwabwa n. dog teats.
amacanda n. sunflower: plants with yellow flowers that produce edible seeds rich in oil. Amacanda ni kimwe aha bintu ebirikukorwamu buto. Helianthus_Annuus. Sun-flower is one raw material of cooking oil. Sing: eicanda.
amacunda n. milk that remains after ghee has beenextracted.
amacwa n. See: AMAHIIMA.
amacwante n. saliva: the fluids in the mouth.
amadaara n. Sing: eidaara. 1) ladder. **2) staircase.
amadaraka n. being stylish.
amafa n. a period of severe famine. Omushana gukajwa gwasiga amafa omu kyaro. Drought left much famine in the village.
amafakubi n. faeces: waste from the body of human beings. Ref: AMAZI Usage: euphemism.
amafaranga n. Rwandese currency. Etym: []. Sing: eifaranga.
amafura n. hospitable people. Sing: efura. amagaari n. See: EGAARI. Sing: egaari. amagana n. used to refer to many things, usually more than one hundred. Taata aine amagana ana g’embuzi. My father has four hundred goats. Sing: eigana.
amaganga n. cattle urine: waterly animal excrete that is discharged through the urethra.
amaganya n. sorrow: a feeling of distress or sadness as a result of deep loss, disappointment or calamity.
amagara n. life or health: the ability to produce, grow new forms that distinguishes living animals and plants from dead ones and rocks.
amagarama n. the stage in the growth of beans when it has about three leaves.
amagezi n. knowledge: the information, understanding and skills that a person has acquired through experience or education. Omwana muto taine magyezi g’okutaanisa ekibi n’ekirungi. A baby has no knowledge of good and bad. Var: amagyezi.
amagingo n. time: any time of day or night. Amagingo aga, barahi? Where are they at this time.
amagoba n. profits or interests.
amagondo n. spots. Ente yangye y’amagondo ebuzire. My spotted cow is lost. Sing: eigondo.
amagyani n. tea leaves: a plant whose leaves are harvested, ground and put in hot water to be drunk as a beverage.
amahaane n. conflicts, intrigues, etc.
amahame n. facts: matters of the heart.
amahanga n. 1) countries or nations. **2) different peoples or tribes.
amahanga n. a place described to be at a distance.
amahano n. See: EIHANO.
amahasha n. twins: two children born at the same time to the same mother. Var: emphasha.
amahaze n. abomination: doing something that is against one’s culture and tradition. Bahemika akozire amahaze g’okuhamba nyina. Bahemuka comitted

Runyankore to English Dictionary – W

wakame n. See: AKAME.
waringa n. scarecrow: an object made in such a way that it resembles a human figure, set up to scare birds away from the garden.
waadiroopu n. wardrope: a large cupboard for hanging clothes which is either made of furniture or built into the walls.
wambuba n. a shrub.
wandandara adj. big and not shaped. See:MADABADA.
warubeba n. rat: the name used in stories for a small animal with a long tail.
Warugwe n. leopard: the name used for leopards in stories.
Warujojo n. elephant: the name used in story telling to refer to elephant.
we pron. a word used to mean she or he.
weena adj. wholly, completely (of people): the whole of one’s heart, soul and body.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – B

baaburangahi n. a person who likes going to parties.
baamwana n. parents of the bride and bridegroom.
baasi n. bus: a big vehicle that transports passangers.Etym: [].
baazina n. namesake. Pl: baazina.
Bagyendanwa n. royal drum: the largest drum in the royal palace in Ankole used for ceremonial purposes.
bahungu n. eyelashes: short curved hairs growing on the upper eye lid.
Baiburi n. Bible: the sacred writings of the Christian religions.
baitu conj. but: a word that introduces something in contrast or unexpected.
bakihuuta n. a person who does things quickly especially in talking: someone who is annoying because he or she talks too much in an offensive way.
bambe adj. a word used to express pitty and sympathy for someone’s misfortune. Etym: [].
banda n. a group of musicians who play popular music together. Etym: [].
banka n. bank: an institution that keeps money. Etym:[].
baro n. your husband: a man to whom a woman is married.
bbiringanya n. egg plant: a big oval purple fruit or vegetable.
bendera n. See: EBENDERA.
bi adj. bad: adjectival root which means having undesirable or negative qualities.
bibiri See: MAGANA ABIRI.
bigahwa adj. empty handed: faillure to obtain or achieve what one wanted.
biguru-by’empitsi adv. speedy: done or occurring quickly.
bihogo n. a uniformly dark brown cow. Pl:bihogo.
biika-oguze n. savings and credit institution; organised groups of people that save and give credit to their members on small interest rates.
biizi-bitootsya n. (colloq) meat of a sheep. binkwatiireki adv. doing something carelessly. binzaari n. orange colour.
birindi adv. the state of someone when he or she is drunk.
birundura n. hyena: a dog-like scavenger with the front leg longer than the hind ones.
Biruuru n. January: the first month of the year.
bishatu n. See: MAGANA ASHATU.
bishunga n. a cow with very white horns, horns.
bitaano n. See: MAGANA ATAANO.
bituri-bingi n. a tool with many holes, which is used to grip and turn nuts or bolts.
biya n. alcohol: a drink made out of sorghum or barley. Etym: [].
bo pron. them: the people mentioned earlier.
bogoya n. banana fruit: a type of banana eaten when ripe.
bombi pron. both: used to refer to two people.
bombiri pron. See: BOMBI. bonka adj. only them: on their own. bonshatu adj. three of them. bontaano pron. five of them.
booda-booda n. bicycle or motorcycle taxi. [Note: Origin: In the 1970s, when bicycles were first used to transport people and goods across the Uganda-Kenya border at Maraba and Busia.]
boodingi n. See: GOMESI. Etym:[].
boodingi n. a secondary or primary school which often has accomodation facilities for students. Etym: [].
booma n. government ground or station.
boona adj. a word used to mean ‘all the people’.
boona-bashome n. a government program aimed at provoding free education to all.
boote-boote adj. senile: a very old person. bucunku n. a type of banana with small clusters. bucura n. last born: a child born last in a family.Macura waitu n’omwojo. Our last born is a boy. Var: macura.
bucuracuriro n. See: BUCURA.
bucuranda n. See: BUCURA.
bucuzi adv. upside down.
bucwekye adv. to be left with nothing: to become destitute.
bucwekye adv. to talk using bad language.
bufunyankobe n. African edible root tuber of sweet potato variety. Ipomea batatas. See: EKITAKURI.
bufuuzi adv. a condition of having no parents.
bugango adj. 1) something of large size. **2) a great extent.
bugiigi adj. not easy to break, bend or deal with.
bugingo n. personification of life.
bugondo n. a cow with small spots.
bugubugu adv. behaviour: doing something with haste. Bugubugu tiguba muriro. Haste does not always achieve effeciency.
bugufu adv. in a short manner; briefly .
buguru-butakora-hansi adv. moving very fast; going helter-skelter. Omushuma abapoorisi bakamukwata buguru-butakora hansi. The policemen arrested the theief and whisked him off.
bugyendandara adv. to walk sluggishly.
bugyengye n. 1) to be in a state of uncertainty, danger or panic. **2) the state of being at risk.
buheekwa n. vehemence.
buhooro adv. serenity/peace; all right: a disposition free from stress or emotion or the absence of mental stress or anxiety. Muri buhooro. Are you all right? Var: obuhooro.
bujenjebere adv. something that is shaky. bujinja n. a sheep without ears. bujumeera n. a good singing voice.
bukabuka n. plant: a type of medicinal plant that is traditionally used to heal different diseases.
bukara n. plant: a type of weed with small brown leaves that grows in banana plantations.
bukarasa n. a cassava variety originally developed in Bukalasa Agricultural College. Etym: [].
bukiika adv. lying horizontally or diagonally.
bukiizi n. sideways: facing or coming from the left or right side.
bukizi-bwa-bumosho n. See: AMASHUUMA. bukizi-bwa-buryo n. See: AMATEMBA. bukunya adv. state when all or part a person or partof the body is exposed, without clothes.
bukuru adv. 1) length of time one has lived.**2) maturity.
bumosho adv. left hand side.
burahanda n. pan cake: a flat round cake made with baking flour. Usage: KG. See: AKABANDA.
burangiti n. blanket: a woolen covering used especially on bed for keeping people warm while they are sleeping. Etym: [].
burengyerwa-izooba n. West: the direction where the sun sets.
buri adv. 1) that time. Buri obu oija, okaba noomanya ngu ari hanu. Last time when you came, did you know that he was here. **2) each: every. Buri omwe. Everyone, each person.
buriijo adv. See: BURIIZOOBA.
buriizooba adv. everyday: a word used to mean everyday. Buriizooba nindya enyama. I eat meat everyday.
burikooti n. black wattle: a hard black tree from whose black shoe polish is made.
buroro adv. behaviour: bad way of bringing up a child. Ogu mwana bakamukuza buroro. This child was badly brought up.
burugwa-izooba n. East: the direction from which the sun rises.
burungi-bwansi n. a government policy that encourages voluntary unpaid communal labour. Abantu baaza kukora burungi-bwansi omu ruguuto. People have gone to clean up the road.
bururu adj. blue: the colour of the clear sky or the sea in the sunlight. Etym: [].
buryo n. 1) the right hand side. **2) on or to the right side of something.
busha n. 1) nothing: something with no value. **2) for free. Akakorera busha. He worked for free.**3) empty. Omwo harimu ki? Harimu busha.What is in there? It is empty.
bushoberwa n. 1) misery or dejection: great suffering or discomfort of mind or body.**2) desparation.
busimba adv. See: BUTSIMBA.
buso-bwa-ntaama adv. head on collision.
busya adv. afresh; once more.
butaamisi n. a type of cassava that is often sour.Var: rutaamiisi.
butandu n. accident: unpleasant event that happens unexpectedly and causes damage or loss of life. Abantu baingi bakafeera omuri butandu bwa motoka. Many people died in a car accident.
butsimba adv. upright: something that is straight.Var: busimba.
butunu adv. face-to-face: in each other’s presence.
butwe-bwa-ntaama adj. See:BUSO-BWA-NTAAMA.
buzima adv. truly: in a sincere and genuine way.
bwa adv. to speak openly. Akagamba bwa omu rukiiko. He spoke openly in the meeting.
bwahara adj. big or huge: very large in size. Aine ente bwahara. He has a large herd of cattle.
bwakyeire-bwaizire adv. now and then. Akaba anyihuza bwakyeire-bwaizire. He would ask money every now and then.
bwana adj. master: tittle of a person who has authority over others. Etym: [].
bwanamukuru n. a parish priest. Usage: Catholic.
bwangu adv. quickly.
bwanyima adv. afterwards; later. Haine ebi nkiriyo ninkora, oije bwanyima. I am still busy, come later.
bwara n. plant: a thorny wild tree whose pods produce gum.
bwasheesha n. period of time: the day after tomorrow. Oije bwasheesha nkuheereze esente zaawe. Come the day after tomorrow and I’ll give you your money. Usage: NK. See: BWATAHO.
bwataho adv. See: BWASHEESHA.
bwatu adv. doing something openly. Ekimukundira we agamba bwatu. I like her because she speakes openly.
bwemi adv. standing upright. Yemerera bwemi.Stand upright.
bwereere n. a very young baby. Var: omwereere.
bwesherekye adv. doing something secretly or in hiding. Ekitabo kye naakishoma bwesherekye. I read his book secretly.
bwino n. a coloured liquid that is used in writing, drawing, printing, etc. Akacumu kangye kahweiremu bwino. My pen has no ink.
bwino n. first hand information. Usage: slang.
bwiraninkonda n. wood pecker: a very small black bird.
bwizi adv. filling something to the brim.
bwohe n. temptation.
byafandimu adv. See: BINKWATIIREKI.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – U

u1 n. the 21st letter of the Roman alphabet.
u2 n. one of the five vowels; it is the fifth one.
ushi adj. sound made in expression of pain or coldness.
uuh int. indicates an affirmative response. See: EEGO.

Runyankore to English Dictionary – T

t n. the twentieth letter of the English alphabet.
taapu n. tap: a device for controlling the flow of water from a pipe. Pl: taapu.
taata n. father: a male parent of a child.
taata n. dad: a child’s word for a father.
takisi n. taxi: a car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money.
tanka n. tank: a container used for storing large amounts of water..
taratara n. drum: a percussion instrument sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands typically cylindirical, barrel-shaped with a tout membrane over one or both sides and is small in size used for decoration.
taru-taru adj. a jumpy person who cannot sit in one place and keeps moving here and there.
tata n. See: TAATA. Pl: batata.
tataitwe n. 1) God: God our father. 2) Our father.
tatazaara n. father-in-law: the father of your spouse. Pl: batatazaara.
tatenkazi n. paternal aunt: the sister of your father or mother. Pl: batatenkazi.
tatenkuru n. grandfather: the father of your father or mother. Pl: batatenkuru.
tatento n. paternal uncle: the brother of your father. Pl: tatento.
tayaari adj. to be ready. Etym: [].
ti adv. a word used to join the negative to the verb.
tiitiiti adj. something that is very white.
tiivi n. television: an electronic device that receives signals and displays them on a screen.
tikwo conj. not so?
tindemwa n. a banana specie with short fingers.
tinfeerwa-kangye n. egocentric: a self-centred person with little regard for others.
tinshengyera n. drosophila: small brown flies that multiply very fast and hover around sweet foods or beer.
tipuhu adj. a voice made by someone spitting.
tiri-tiri adj. a sound that is heard when something is running.
tkaabusimba n. a type of house or building.
toduura n. a disease that attacks coffee and banana plantations.
togo-togo n. a sound made by food when boiling.
tonto n. local beer: beer made out of ripe bananas and left to ferment.
tori adj. a sound when something is thown in water.
tsyoi adj. to run all of a sudden.
tsyoi-tsyoi adj. birds sound/singing.
tubura n. a certain plant specie.
tuku-tuku adj. a situation of being so pure in colour.
tungutungu adj. to spend a sleepless night due to problems, fear or security situations.
turiya adj. those ones.
turusaka n. a wild animal which eats hens by traping them in its anus which has cereal liketwara-tugyende zo substance; when a hen come to pick it, it closes the anus and rus away with it. See: EKITEGARUHENDE, ORUHURA.
twara-tugyende phr. a phrase used to mean all the rest.
twa-twa-twa adj. a sound made by bullets.
twena adj. all of us.
twenka adj. only us.
twente n. a bean specie red in colour with dots.