Category: Runyankore to English

PRONOUNS – Runyankore to English

Ou; Whom
Abo; They/them
Nyowe; I
Iwe; You
We ;He/she
itwe; We
Imwe; You (pl)
Bo ;they
N ; I, me
Tu ; we
O ; You
Mu ; You
A ; he/she
Ba – They
Ndi ;I am
Ori; You are (singular)
Ari ;He/she is
Turi; We are
Muri; You are
Bari; They are
Naanye; And I Naitwe Mu-ba
Naiwe ;And you Naimwe Mu-ba
Nakyo; And he/she Nabo Mu-ba
Nakwo ;And it Nabyo Mu-ba
Nabwo; And it Nago Bu-ma
Naryo ;And it Nago Ri-ma
Nagwo;And it Nayo Mu-mi
Narwo; And it Nazo Ru-n
Nako ;And it Nabwo Ka-bu
Nayo ;And it Nazo n-n
Kyo;It Byo Ki-bi
Kwo ;It Go Ku-ma
Bwo ;It Go Bu-ma
Ryo ;It Go Ri-ma
Gwo ;It Yo Mu-mi
Rwo ;It Zo Ru-n
Ko ;It Bwo Ka-bu
yo ;it Zo n-n
Nyenka; I alone Twenka We alone
Wenka; You
alone; Mwenka
Wenka; He/she alone
Bonka ;They alone
Nkaita enjoka nyenka;I killed a snake alone.
Baagyenda bonka.;They have gone alone.
Aine ebitabo byonka.;He has books only.
Mukarya embuzi ibiri zonka.;You ate two goats only.
Ente nizirya zonka.;Cows are grazing alone.
Wangye ;Mine Bangye(plural)
Kyangye ;Mine Byangye(plural)
Kwangye ;Mine Gangye(plural)
Bwangye ;Mine Yangye(plural)
Gwangye ;Mine Gangye(plural)
Ryangye; Mine Zangye(plural)
Kangye ;Mine Bwangye(plural)
Yangye; Mine Zangye(plural)
Nyine; I have(postive) Tiinyine(negative)
Oine ;you have (singular) toine(negative)
Aine ;he/she has taine(negative)
Twine; we have titwine(negative)
Mwine ;you have (plural) timwine
Baine ;they have tibaine(negative)
Kiine ;it has biine(plural)
Kwine ;it has gaine(plural)
Gwine ;it has eine(plural)
Riine ;it has gaine(plural)
Rwine; it has ziine (plural)
Kaine ;it has bwine(plural)
Eine ;it has
Kiine; it has biine(plural)
Kwine; it has gaine(plural)
Gwine; it has eine(plural)
Riine; it has gaine(plural)
Rwine; it has ziine (plural)
Kaine; it has bwine(plural)
Eine ;it has

EXPRESSIONS – Runyankore to English

Kukunda ;To love/like
Tukunda ;We love
Nkunda; You love
Mukunda; You love
Akunda; He loves
Bakunda; They love
Agandi; what is the news
Ni; marungi it is good, well
Eego;Yes
Ngaaha; No
Omuka ;Home, at home
-ta ;How?
Ndyaho ;I am there, I am okay
Turyaho; We are there, we are okay
iwe ;You (singular)
Ndigye; I am fine
Oriyo ;Are you there?
Niiwe ;It is you (singular)
Niinye ;It is me
Ryangye; My/mine
Ryawe; Yours (singular)
Oha?; Who?
Owaanyu; Your home
Owaitu; Our/my home
-ti ;That (when reporting)
Baranyeta; They are calling you
barakweta; They call me
Ogumeho; Stay well, bye bye
kare;okay
Turimu; We are in
Wangye; Mine
Haihi; near
Kodi kodi; Knock at the door
Omu/omuri ;Is in, into
Waawe; Yours
Buri; Every
Bingi ;Many
Munonga ;Very much
Ka ngyende; Let me go
Naanye; And me/I
Eriho; It is there (N class)
Harimu; In which there is
Nikwo; It is (emphatic ku class)
Obwo ;Then; when
Kaije!; Welcome! (let you come)
Buhooro?; Are you well? (safety; well-being)
Hoona; Even; yet
Ninyetwa ;They call me (my name is…)
Na mbwenu; And now
Tikwo?; Isn’t it: is it now so?
Turiyo ;We are there
Bambe!; Dear me! Please!
Ngu ;That (when reporting)
Bambe; Please, dear you
Nyaabura’we ;(pl. nyaabura’mwe, please)
Tikiine ; it doesn’t have
Webare ; thank you
Munonga ; very, very much
Ahabw’enki;why?

PREPOSITIONS – Runyankore to English

Nka ;Like, be like
Kuhitsya; until

DAYS OF THE WEEK – Runyankore to English

Monday ;orwokubanza
Tuesday; Orwakabiri
Wednesday; orwakashatu
Thursday; Orwakana
Friday ;orwakatano
Saturday ;orwamukaga
Sunday ;Sande saabiiti

RANDOM – Runyankore to English

Kubara; To count
Kuheza; To finish
Kurira ;To cry
Kukora; To do/to work
Kubura ;To get lost
Kubaaga; To slaughter
Kuteeka ;To cook
Kuhiiga; To hunt
Kuroota ;To dream
Kubuuza; To ask
Baitu; But
Sun;Kubuuza
Kwetomboita ;To grumble
embogo – buffalo
Ecupa – bottle
Kufa – to die
Kugwa – to fall (hard)
Kuhandiika – to write
Enjojo – elephant
Kureeba – to see
Ekitabo – book
Emiti – trees

FAMILY – Runyankore to English

Taata/ tata ;My father Baataata(plural)
Maama/ maawe ;My mother Baamaama/baamaawe(plural)
Munyaanyazi My sister, brother Banyaanyazi(plural)
Munyaanya; His/her sister, brother Banyaanya(plural)
Munyanyaanyako; Your (sing) sister,brother Banyaanyako(plural)
Munyanyaakoimwe; Your sister, brother Banyaanyakoimwe(plural)
Munyanyaaziitwe; Our sister, brother Banyanyaziitwe(plural)
Mukuru wangye; My elder brother,sister Bakuru bangye(plural)
Murumuna; wangye My younger brother, sister Barumuna bangye(plural)
Shwento/ tatento; My paternal uncle Baashwento/ baatatento(plural)
Ishento ;His/her paternal uncle Baishento(plural)
Ishentobo; Their paternal uncle Baishentobo(plural) Nyakoromi/ maarumi
My maternal uncle; Baanyakoromi(plural)
Nyinarimi; His/her maternal uncle Baanyinarimi(plural)
Nyinarimibo; Their maternal uncle Banyinarimibo(plural)
Shwenkazi/ Tatenkazi;My paternal aunt Baashwenkazi(plural)
Ishenkazi ;His/her paternal aunt Baishenkazibo(plural)
Ishenkazibo; Their paternal aunt Baishenkazibo(plural)
Nyakwento/maawento ;My maternal aunt Banyakwento(plural)
Nyinento; His/her materal aunt Banyinento(plural)
Nyinentobo; Their materal aunt Banyinentobo(plural)
Sho ;Your (sing) father Baasho(plural)
Ishe ;His/her father Baishe(plural)
Tataitwe; Our father Baatataitwe(plural)
Shoimwe; Your (pl) father Baamaaweitwe(plural)
Maaweitwe; Our mother Baamaaweitwe(plural)
Nyoko ;Your (sing) mother Baanyoko(plural)
Nyokoimwe; Your (pl) mother Baanyina(plural)
Nyina; His/her mother Baanyinabo(plural)
Nyinabo; Their mother Baanyinabo (plural)
Tatenkuru/ ishenkuru; Grandfather Bashwenkuru(plural)
Maawenkuriitwe ;Our grandmother Baanyakwenkuruitwe(plural)
Nyokwenkuriimwe; Your (sing) grandmother Banyokwenkuru iimwe(plural)
Maazaara; My mother-in-law Baamazaara(plural)
Mazaaraitwe ;Our mother-in-law Baamazaaraitwe(plural)
Tatazaara; My father-in-law Baatatazaaraitwe(plural)
Tatazaaraitwe; Our father-in-law Baatazaaraitwe(plural)
Nyokozaara; Your (sing) motherin- law Baanyinazaara(plural)
Nyokozaaraimwe; Your (pl) motherin- law Baanyokozaaraimwe(plural)
Tatazaara; My father-in-law Baatatazaara(plural)
Nyinenkuru; His/her grandmother Baanyineenkuru(plural)
Ishenkuru ;His/her grandfather Baaishenkuru(plural)
Nyokoromi; Your (sing) maternal uncle Baanyokoromi(plural)
Mwijukuru; His/her grandchild Abaijukuru(plural)
Muramu ;Brother/sister-inlaw(plural)
Omuramu; His/her sister-inlaw Abaramu(plural)
Omuhara; His/her daughter Abahara(plural)
Mutabani wa; Son of Batabani ba(plural)
Omutabani ;His/her son Abatabani(plural)
Omukwe ;Son-in-law abakwe(plural)
Omukamamwana ;Daughter-in-law Abakaamwana(plural)
Muka ;Wife of Baka(plural)
Omukyara ;Lady, wife, Mrs, Miss
Abakyara;(plural)
Omwami; Gentleman, Mr, Master, chief, husband
Abaami;(plural)
Iba; Her husband Baiba(plural)
Baro; Your (sing) husband
Baabaro;(plural)
Ibanyi; My husband Baibanyi(plural)
Ibanyiitwe; Our husband Baibanyiitwe(plural)
Omugurusi; Old woman Abagurusi(plural)
Omukaikuru; Old woman?? abakaikuru(plural)
Omutsigazi; Young man, bachelorAbatsigazi;(plural)
Empangare; Young lady Empangare(plural)

PROFESSIONS – Runyankore to English

Omushaho; Doctor Abashaho Mu-ba
Inginiya ;Engineer Bainginiya Mu-ba
Naasi ;Nurse Baanaasi Mu-ba
Omujanjabi;omubaizi Carpenter Ababaizi Mu-ba
Omwombeki; Builder Abombeki Mu-ba
Omujubi; Fisherman Abajubi Mu-ba
Omushomesa; Teacher Abashomesa Mu-ba
Omwegyesa; Farmer Abahingi Mu-ba
Omushuubuzi; Trader Abashuubuzi Mu-ba
Makanika; Mechanic Baamakanika Mu-ba
Omuteeki; Cook Abateeki Mu-ba
Dereeva; Driver Baadereeva Mu-ba
Omuriisa; Herdsman Abariisa Mu-ba
Omuzaarisa; Midwife Abazaarisa Mu-ba
Omuzihi; Swimmer Abazihi Mu-ba
Omweshongozi; Singer Abeeshongozi Mu-ba
Omubaagi; Butcher Ababaagi Mu-ba
Omwibi/ omushuma; Thief Abaibi/ abashuma Mu-ba
Omuserukare;Soldier Abaserukare Mu-ba
Omubaziizi ;Tailor Ababaziizi Mu-ba
Omufukaani ;Wrestler Abafukaani Mu-ba
Omufumu; Traditional medicineman Abafumu Mu-ba
Omuhiigi; Hunter Abahiigi Mu-ba
Omuhingisa ;Agriculturalist Abahingisa Mu-ba
Omwegi; Student Abeegi Mu-ba
Omuzaani; Player Abazaani Mu-ba

TIMES OF THE DAY – Runyankore to English

Today; Erizooba
Tomorrow; Nyenkyakare
Morning ;Akasheshe
Daytime after noon; Omwihangwee
Yesterday; Nyemwebazyo
evening; omumwaabazyo
Night; nyekiro
Tonight; zekiro
Noon; Eihangwe
Eshaaha; Hour/time/clock
Shaha emwe yakashese(singular);7 am
Shaha ibiri zakashese; 8 am
Shaha ishatu zakashese; 9 am
Shaha ina zakashese; 10 am
Shaha itaano zakashese;11 am
Shaha mukaaga zihangwe;12 noon
Shaha mushanju zihangwe;1 pm
Shaha munaana zihangwe;2 pm
Shaha mwenda zihangwe;3 pm
Shaha ikumi zihangwe ;4 pm
Shaha ikumi nemwe zomwabazyo;5 pm
Shaha ikumi nibiri zomwabazyo;6 pm
Shaha emwe yomwabazyo;7 pm
Shaha ibiri zomwabazyo; 8 pm
Shaha ishatu zomwabazyo;9 pm
Shaha ina zekiro ;10 pm
Shaha itaano zekiro ;11 pm
Shaha mukaaga zekiro; 12 midnight
Shaha mushanju zekiro; 1 am
Shaha munaana zekiro; 2 am
Shaha mwenda zekiro; 3 am
Shaha ikumi zekiro ;4 am
Shaha ikumi nemwe zekiro;5 am
Shaha ikumi nibiri zakasheshe;6 am
Ninza kukareba shaha munaana nekicweka zihangwe.;I will see you at 2.30 pm.
Ninza kuzikuha orwarataano.;I am going to give you money on Friday.
Ninza kukikuha orwakataano.;I will give you (item) on Friday.
Eshaha;Time
Shaha;Hour
Minutes;nedakika
Munaana; nedakika
ikumi nitaano;8.15
Munaana nekicweka; 8.30

THINGS – Runyankore to English

Chair; Entebbe
Table; Emeza
Book; Ekitabo (echitabo)
Rain; Enjura
Paper;Orupapura empapura(plural)
room ;ekyishengye
Garden ;Omusiri Emisiri (plural)
Customer/buyer; Omuguzi Abaguzi(plural)
Thirst; Eiriho
Man; Omushaija Abashaija(plural)
Fire; Omuriro Emiriro
Time-space; Omwanya emwanya(plural)
Half/part; Ekicweka Ebicweka(plural)
habit; Omucwe Emicwe(plural)
Problem; Enshonga
Dress; Ekiteteyi
Skirt; Sikati skart
Shirt; Esati
Trousers; Empare ningwa(plural)
engufu??Shoes Enkito(plural)
Omuringo;Kind, sort, type Emiringo(plural)
Orugyendo; Journey Engyendo (plural)
Omuhanda ;Path/ way Emihanda(plural)
Eirwariro; Hospital Amarwariro(plural)
Ekigyere; Foot Ebigyere(plural)
Obusingye; Peace/ freedom Obusingye(plural)
Dereva;Driver Baadereva(plural)
Bureeki ;Brake Bureeki(plural)
Eshaaha; Time/ watch/ hour Eshaaha(plural)
Kondakita ;Conductor Baakondakita(plural)
Edakiika ;Minutes Edakiika(plural)
Ekicweka; Half/ space/ piece Ebicweka(plural)
Eihangwe ;Noon/ daytime Eihangwe(plural)
Omwanya ;Place/ space/ time/room
Emyanya ;Akasheeshe Morning Akasheeshe(plural)
Ekiro; Night/ day & night Ebiro(plural)
Ekintu; Thing Ebintu(plural)
Obwira ;Haste Obwira(plural)
Makanika;Mechanic Baamakanika(plural)
Posta ;Post office Posta(plural)
Paaka ;Park Paaka(plural)
Omugyenyi ;Visitor/ stranger Abagyenyi(plural)
Banka ;Bank Banka(plural)
Ruhanga; God Ruhanga(plural)
Omuporiisi ;Policeman Abaporiisi
Ekibira ;Forest Ebibira(plural)
Orutindo; Bridge Entindo(plural)
Ekyombeko; Building Ebyombeko(plural)
Eibaati; Corrugated ironsheet Amabaati(plural)
Ekishaayi; Airfield Ebishaayi(plural)
Oruguuto; Road Enguuto(plural)
Enteeraniro; Join/ joint Enteeraniro(plural)
Entaaniro ;Crossroads Entaaniro(plural)
Ahamaisho; Face Ahamaisho(plural)
Omukono; Arm/ hand Emikono(plural)
Ekisharara; Swamp Ebisharara(plural)
Eikorero ;Factory/ workshop Amakorero(plural)
Eitafaari; Brick Amatafaari(plural)
Eitegura; Tile Amategura(plural)
Omugisha; Blessing/ luck Emigisha(plural)
Koregi ;College Koregi(plural)
Ekanisa; Church (protestant) Ekanisa(plural)
Ekrezia; Church (catholic) Ekrezia(plural)
Orubaju; Side/ rib Embaju(plural)
Omuti; Tree Emiti(plural)
Omuyembe; Mango Emiyembe(plural)
Oburaaro; Accommodation/lodging Eburaaro(plural)
Ekishengye; Room Ebishengye(plural)
Risiiti; Receipt Risiiti(plural)
Ekinaabiro; Bathroom Ebinaabiro(plural)
Ekitanda; Bed Ebitanda(plural)
Enyanja; Lake/ sea Enyanja(plural)
Emeeza ;Table Emeeza(plural)
Omuheereza; Waiter/ servant Abaheereza(plural)
Omushaabazi; Passenger Abashaabazi(plural)
Eshaho ;Bag/ pocket/ sack Enshao(plural)
Omufarasi; Mattress Emifarasi(plural)
Tikiti ;Ticket Tikiti(plural)
Enjura; Rain Enjura(plural)
Endamutsyo ;Greeting Endamutsyo(plural)
Ekigaaniiro; Conversation/dialogue Ekigaaniiro(plural)
Akasheesh;e Morning Akasheeshe(plural)
Ekigambo ;Word Ebigambo(plural)
Eiziina; Name Amaziina(plural)
Munywani; Friend Banywani(plural)
Omugyenyi; Visitor Abagyenyi(plural)
Sebo ;Sir Basebo
Nyabo ;Madame Banyabo
Nyineeka;Host/head of house Banyineeka
Omushomesa; Teacher Abashomesa(plural)
Eka ;Home Amaka
Omuntu; Person Abantu
Takisi; Taxi Takisi(plural)
Baasi ;Bus Baasi(plural)
Egaari; Bicycle Egaari(plural)
Egaari y’omwika; Train Egaari z’omwika(plural)
Omwika; Smoke/ gas Emiika(plural)
Roore ;Lorry Roore(plural)
Enyonyi ;Aeroplane Enyonyi(plural)
Obwato; Boat/ canoe Amaato(plural)
Emeeri; Steamer Emeeri(plural)
Omugyera; River Emigyera(plural)
Eibaare; Stone Amabaare(plural)
Mairo; Mile Mairo(plural)
Orushozi; Mountain/ hill Enshozi(plural)
Oruhanga; Valley Empanga(plural)
Orufunjo; Papyrus swamp Enfunjo(plural)
Omuzigiti; Mosque Emizigiti(plural)
Akatimba; Net Obutimba(plural)
Ensiri; Mosquito Ensiri(plural)
Ekinyonyi; Bird Ebinyonyi(plural)
Emotoka; Car Emotoka(plural)
Enio; Anus Enio(plural)
Omwoyo; Anus Emyoyo(plural)
Enza; Genital/pubic hair Enza(plural)
Amazi;Dung; feces Amazi(plural)
Emana; Vagina Emana(plural)
Emboro ;Penis Emboro(plural)
Enkari; Urine Ekari(plural)
Omusino; Clitoris Emisino(plural)
Ekimira; Mucus Ebimira(plural)
Eizinio; Butt Amazinio(plural)
Eigosi; Testes Amagosi(plural)
Encugura; Slimy dung/feces(plural)
Ekinyampo; Fart/ gas Ebinyampo(plural)
Karenda ;calendar karenda(plural)
Omwaka ;year emyaka(plural)
Ekiro; day and night/ night ebiro(plural)
Ebiro ;by’okwezi month/ moon ebiro by’okwezi(plural)
Tauni; town tauni(plural)
Omwenda; cloth emyenda(plural)
Noiri; Christmas noiri(plural)
Ekiro kukuru; Christmas day ebiro bikuru(plural) Sikuukuru} sikukuru(plural)
Omushomesa; teacher abashomesa(plural)
Omwegi; Student Abeegi(plural)
Paasika ;Easter Paasika(plural)
Eshaaha ;Hour, time, watch Eshaaha(plural)
Omukuru ;Old, important Abakuru(plural)
Embaga ;Party? Embaga(plural)
Omwabazyo; Afternoon, evening Emyabazyo(plural)
Obugyenyi; Party? Amagyenyi Bu-ma
Eishomero; School Amashomero (plural)
Omushuubuzi; Trader Abashuubuzi(plural)
Empare; Trouser, shorts Empare(plural)
Eibare; Stone Amabaare (plural)
Ekintu; Thing Ebintu(plural)
Edakiika; Minute Edakiika(plural)
Omuteeki; Cook Abateeki(plural)
Munyani; Friend Banywani(plural)
Siniya;Senior Siniya(plural)
Omukazi; Woman Abakazi(plural)
Omwana; Child Abaana(plural)
Esande; Week Esande(plural)
Omuntu; Person Abantu(plural)
Omujungu; European, white Abajungu(plural) person
Obwire;Time Obwire(plural)
Akatare; Market Obutare(plural)
Enkaito; Shoe Enkaito(plural)
Akajuma; Tablet Obujuma(plural)
Amaizi; Water Amaizi(plural)
Orutookye; Banana plantation Entookye Ru-n
Omurimo ;Work/ job Emirimo(plural)
Omushaija; Man Abashaija(plural)
Omwojo; Boy Aboojo(plural)
Omwishiki ;Girl Abaishiki(plural)
Enju;House Enju(plural)
Ekyapa ;Sign post Ebyapa(plural)
Omuzaire; Parent Abazaire(plural)
Omujigaijo ;Firstborn Abjigaijo(plural)
Ebaruha; Letter Ebaruha(plural)
Enshao ;Bag, pocket Enshaho(plural)
Omushango;Criticism/judgement/ caseEmishango(plural)
Orukiiki; Meeting Enkiiko(plural)
Karenda; calendar karenda(plural)
Omwaka; year emyaka(plural)
Ekiro; day and night/ night ebiro (plural)
Ebiro; by’okwezi month/ moon ebiro by’okwezi (plural)
Tauni; town tauni(plural)
Omwenda ;cloth emyenda(plural)
Noiri; Christmas noiri(plural)
Ekiro; kukuru Christmas day ebiro bikuru(plural)
Omushomesa ;teacher abashomesa(plural)
Omwegi ;Student Abeegi(plural)
Paasika; Easter Paasika(plural)
Eshaaha ;Hour, time, watch Eshaaha(plural)
Omukuru ;Old, important Abakuru(plural)
Embaga; Party? Embaga(plural)
Omwabazyo; Afternoon, evening Emyabazyo(plural)
Obugyenyi ;Party? Amagyenyi(plural)
Eishomero; School Amashomero(plural)
Omushuubuzi; Trader Abashuubuzi(plural)
Empare ;Trouser, shorts Empare(plural)
Eibare ;Stone Amabaare(plural)
Ekintu; Thing Ebintu (plural)
Edakiika; Minute Edakiika(plural)
Omuteeki; Cook Abateeki(plural)
Munyani; Friend Banywani(plural)
Siniya; Senior Siniya(plural)
Omukazi ;Woman Abakazi(plural)
Omwana; Child Abaana(plural)
Esande ;Week Esande(plural)
Omuntu; Person Abantu(plural)
Omujungu; European, white Abajungu(plural)
Obwire; Time Obwire(plural)
Akatare; Market Obutare(plural)
Enkaito; Shoe Enkaito(plural)
Akajuma ;Tablet Obujuma(plural)
Amaizi ;Water Amaizi(plural)
Orutookye ;Banana plantation Entookye(plural)
Omurimo ;Work/ job Emirimo(plural)
Omushaija ;Man Abashaija(plural)
Omwojo ;Boy Aboojo(plural)
Omwishiki; Girl Abaishiki(plural)
Enju ;House Enju(plural)
Ekyapa; Sign post Ebyapa (plural)
Omuzaire ;Parent Abazaire(plural)
Omujigaijo; Firstborn Abjigaijo(plural)
Ebaruha ;Letter Ebaruha(plural)
Enshao ;Bag, pocket Enshaho(plural)
Omushango; Criticism/judgement/ case Emishango;(plural)
Orukiiki; Meeting Enkiiko(plural)

UTENSILS – Runyankore to English

Ehuuma; fork ehuuma(plural)
Akagiiko ;teaspoon obugiiko(plural)
Ekigiiko ;spoon ebigiiko(plural)
Omusyo; knife emisyo mu-mi
Esohaani ;plate esohani(plural)
Ekikopo ;cup ebikopo(plural)
Egiraasi; glass egiraasi(plural)
Ebakuri ;bowl ebakuri(plural)
Jaaga ;jug jaaga(plural)
Ebinika; kettle ebinika(plural)
Akasoosi; saucer akasoosi(plural)
Engaro; hand engaro(plural)