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