Silozi-English dictionary
This dictionary is contained in five files:
A
A.
a, pronounced a as in fat.
a,
hort. part. : liseli a li be teni, let there be light. A lu yeni, let us go. a!
interj, of surprise or protest: ha!
a,
pron. subj. (class mu-ba) 3rd pers. sing: He, she, in negative, dependant,
narrative, subjunctive and potential tenses: H'a buleli, he does not speak. A
ka ya. he may go.
a,
(1) pron. subj. and obj. of nouns which have the plural in ma- (class bu-ma,
li-ma, lu-ma) they, them: Maoma a lila. the royal drums are sounding: ni a
utwile, I have heard them. (2) poss. part. with nouns of same classes: Mabizo a
bona, their names; masimu a ka, my gardens. (3) dem. pron. pl. (1st degree)
with nouns of same classes, these: Mandu a, these houses. (4) rel. pron. subj.
and obj. with nouns of same classes: Malu a mansu, black clouds; those which:
Mandu a ni bona (also, mandu e ni bona) the houses which I see.
a !
a ! interj. meaning disapproval or dissent: not so; syn. ha ku cwalo. -aba
(abile) v.t. to distribute, to allot, to divide into parts, to share, to
dispense: Ba abile nama. they distributed meat. der: muabi, kabelo, siabelo,
buabi. rel. -abela (abezi) to distribute, to make an offering to. caus. -abisa (abisize) to order
or to help to divide. int. -abe-lela (abelezi) to distribute the whole lot.
rec. -abelana (abelani) to share among themselves. ref. -lka-ba (ikabile) to
split up. (rel) -ikabe-la (ikabezi) to share out: Ba ikabezi
acha
! interj. of pain.
achu
! interj. of pain.
afi
? inter. adj. with nouns which have the plural in 'ma', what, what sort, which:
Mabaka ki afi? What are the reasons?
-akaleza
(akalelize) v.t. Sotho. to sum up, to abbreviate, to summarise; to speak not
very accurately, to estimate der. kakalezo.
akalikule
Luyana exp. a-ka-li-kule (used in river transport) (lit: the bottom is too far)
Let us cease poling, let us paddle, it is too deep to pole. cf. banji.
-akana
(akani or akanile) v.t. to rush for, to charge for: Bana ba akana lico, the
children are rushing for the food. caus. akanisa (akanisize) to cause to ~.
-akela
(akezi) v.t. (1) to lift up (a divining bone) (2) to catch an object which is
thrown: Nja ye ha i koni ku akela, this dog is not able to catch; Akela ye,
catch this! (syn. -akwela)
-akisa
(akisize) v.t. to show off: Musali yo u
lata hahulu ka akisa mwan'a hae, this woman likes to show off her child very
much. rel. -akiseza (akiselize) to
present for people's admiration.
ako...
keye, expression used when proposing and answering riddles. (lit: there it
comes . . . let it come!)
aku,
abber. for: a u ke u will you: A ku ni fe, please give me. The pl is: a mu ke
mu (same as nangu)
-akufa
(akufile) v.i. to hurry up, to make haste to be quick. cf. -cibilika, -feuka.
rel. -akufela (akufezi) to hasten to, to hasten for: Ni akufele, come to me
quickly caus. -akufisa (akufisize) to cause to be quick, to hasten; to urge
forward, to accelerate: Akufsa sico, hurry up with the food. rel. -akufiseza
(akufiselize) to cause to hasten to. freq. -akufanga to go on hastening: Ya
akufanga, one who is agile.
-akula
(akuzi) v.t. to inhale: Ku akula musi, to inhale smoke; ka akula butuku, to
catch a disease by breathing in the germs. rel. -aku-lela (akulezi) to breathe
on someone else: U sike wa ni akulela, do not breathe on me.
-akuleza
(akulezi) v.t. to stretch out the hands, to catch something thrown.
-akwela
(akwezi) v.t. to take off: Akwela tapi! Take the fish off the spear; to catch
an object in mid-air. syn. -akela.
-alaba
(alabile) v.t. to answer, to reply, to respond: Alaba puzo ya ka, answer my
question. der. kalabo, musabelo caus. -alabisa (alabisize) to cause to answer.
rec. -alabana (alabani or alabanile) (1) to answer each other. (2) to roll over
and over; to writhe in pain. syn.
-pitika. ref. -ikalabela (ikala-bezi) to
answer for oneself, to pre sent one's own defence.
alabanya
(alabanyize) to throw down someone in wrestling.
-alafa
(alafile) v.t. to doctor, to give medicine to, to nurse, to treat, to dress a
wound: Ku alafa mukuli, to treat a patient. der. -mualafi, kalafo, bualafi
mualafelo. rel. -alafela (alafezi) to nurse for: Ni alafele mwan'a ka, nurse my
child for me. caus. -alafisa (alafisize) to order or to help to nurse. int.
-alafelela (ala felezi) to give everyone medical treatment: ba alafelezi munzi
kau-fela, they have treated everyone in the village. ref. -ikalafa (ikalafile)
to take medical care of oneself, to treat oneself.
-alakanya
(alakanyize) v.i. to think about, to consider thoughtfully; to purpose: U
alakanyani? What are you considering?
-alanana
(alaani) v.i. (1) to be prominent, jutting out: Mba ya hae i ala nani, he is
pot-bellied. (2) to become constipated, costive.
-alauka
(alaukile) or -aloka (alokile) v.t. and v.i. to shake violently. caus.
-alaukisa (alaukisize) (1) to cause a canoe to wobble through defective
paddling (2) to cause swaying (said of a kilt, as worn by the Malozi).
ale,
dem. pron. pl. (class: bu-ma, li-ma, lu-ma) (4th degree). those over there
Mahobe ale kaufela ki a bo mani? Whose are those portions of buhobe over there?
aleka, n. eng. (Script) ark.
-aluhana
(aluhani) v.i. to part, to separate. cf. -kauhana.
-aluhanya
(aluhanyize) v.t. to separate, to divide. cf. -kauhanya.
-aluka
(alukile) or -alauka (alaukile) v.i. to turn over and over: Mukuli u alauka fa
mumbeta wa hae, the patient is turning over and
over in his bed. cf. -pindumuka.
-alula1
(aluzi) v.t. to divide: Ba aluzi
-alula2
(aluzi) v.t. to finish the con- struction of a bow-net by fixing the upper
ring. der. mwaluli, mwalo.
-alumuna
(alumuzi) v.t. to roll, to remove: Alumuna
-alunguta
(alungutile) v.t. to sort out things in order to find something required. der.
mualunguti. rel. -al-ungutela (alungutezi) to ~ for someone. caus. -alungutisa
(alungu-tisize) to help to sort out things, to order to get things sorted out.
int. -alungutelela (alungutelezi) to sort out things from all boxes, etc.
-ama
(amile) v.t. (1) to touch. to catch, to grasp, to hold. syn. -swala. (2) to
mention: Taba ha i si ka bulelwa, i amilwe fela, the matter has not been
discussed, it has only been mentioned Mutu yo, h'a si ka ama kwateni, this man
said nothing on this subject. rec. -amana (amani ) to refer to: taba ye i amana
ni yani ye ne lu bulela mabani, this matter refers to what we were talking
about yesterday.
-ama-ama
(ama-amile) v.t. to grudge, to give unwillingly, to be unwilling to par with:
N'a lata ku nga mwana. kono mahe a mu ama ama, he wanted to take the child but
the mother was unwilling to part with him.
amata
(amatile) v.t. Luyana. to hold lightly (as when holding a baby).
-amba
( ambile ) v.i. Luyana. to speak. der. yambelwa. syn. -bulela inv. -ambulula
(ambuluzi) to change one's mind.
-ambakana
(ambakani) v.t. to cover all things (flood-water, etc): Mezi a munda a ambakani
libala kaufela, the flood-water covers the whole plain. fig. to be omnipresent.
to be present everywhere: Kamita mutu yo u ambakani mwa litaba kaufela, this
man is always involved in all affairs. der. Muambakani (God)
-ambalala
(ambalalile or -ambalaza (ambalalize) v.t. to stretch out arms, to extend
wings, to spread: U sike wa ambalala mazoho kwa mulilo u ka ca, do not stretch
out your hands to the fire, you may get burnt.
-ambamana
(ambamanine) v.t. to cover. cf. -ambeka.
amba-za-unyanga,
n.pl. Mbunda. hunters' dance. (in Silozi: lipina za manyanga).
-ambeka
(ambekile) v.t. (1) to be leaguer, to surround, to encircle, to cover: Ba
ambekile munzi, they beleaguered the village
-ambelela
(ambelezi) v.t. (1) to cast a spell by using a medicine and incantations
(witchcraft): Butuku bwa hae ki bwa ka ambelelwa, his illness is due to a spell
cast over him (2) to order a crocodile to bring back its prey by incantation
-ambola
(ambozi) or-ambaula (am bauzi) v.i. to talk, to gossip, to chat, to discuss.
der. muamboli, ngambolo. rel. -ambolela (ambolezi) to tell, to talk to, to tell
someone, to speak on behalf of: A mu ni am-bolele litaba, tell me the news.
caus. -ambolisa (ambolisize) to converse. to hold a conversation with, to make
conversation to: Mu ambolise baenyi, make conversation with the guests.
rec -amboli-
-ambuka
(ambukile) v.t. to put aside a matter; to leave someone alone, keep away from
someone: Mu ambuke libyana za mutu, leave the man's personal effects. caus.
-ambusa (ambusize) to keep some one away from: Na ba ni ambusize mwa litaba za
milelo ya bona, they have kept me out of their plans. ref -ikambusa
(ikambusize) to keep oneself out of trouble.
-ambula
(ambuzi) v.t. to stretch out to the full length: Mbande i ambuzi mafufa, the
eagle stretched out its wings.
-ambula2
(ambuzi) v.i. to sit up, to stay up, to keep awake all the night: Lu il'o bu
ambula mane sekee: We sat up the whole night till dawn!
-ambwela1
(ambwezi) v.t. not to do or say again; to stop doing something: U ambwele ku
bulela manzwi ao, do not say those words again.
-ambwela2
(ambwezi) v.i. to remove harm attached to a taboo by saying or doing something.
cf. -mbamba.
-amenena
(amenezi) v.t. (1) to take for oneself, as one's own, things which wer meant to
be shared: U amenena liluo, he is
keeping the whole property for himself. syn. -habelela. (2) to stand by
someone, to assist, to speak in favour of: Kamita mushemi u amenena mwan's hae,
the parent always stands by his child.
-amuba
(amubile) v.i. to lose savour. to become insipid: Busunso bo bu amabile, this
relish is tasteless. syn. -sampuka. rel. -amubela (amu-bezi) to be insipid to:
Sico se sa ni amubela. to me this food is tasteless. caus. -amubisa (amubisize)
to make insipid.
-amuha
(amuhile) v.t. to take from by force, to deprive, to disposess: Mun'a munzi u
mu amuhile simu, the village headman has taken away a garden from him. rel.
-amuhela (amuhezi) to deprive in favour of or on someone's behalf. caus.
-amuhisa (amuhisize) to cause someone's deprivation: Ba mu amuhisize simu ka
busawana, they dispossessed him of his garden through false reports. int.
-amuhelela (amuhelezi) to deprive completely.
-amuhela
(amuhezi) v.t. to receive, to take, to accept; to entertain; to welcome: Ku
amuhela mpo, to accept a gift. Ku amuhela muenyi, to welcome a guest. der.
kamuhelo, luamuhelo. rel. -amuhelela (amuhelezi) to reccive for. and on behalf
of: Mulena Lewanika u amuhelezi Buloz Linzwi la Mulimu, King Lewanika welcomed
the Word of God on behalf of his country. caus. -amuhelisa (amuhelisize) to
help to receive. rec. -amuhelana (amuhelani) to receive each other. spec. exp.
Ku amuhelana ka manzwi, to converse. Ku amuhelana ka ku opela, to sing together
(one sing ing the solo and others singing the chorus).
-amuka1
(amukile) v.i. to breathe with difficulty, to feel pain in the chest: U amukile
mwa sifuba, he feels stabbing pains in his chest. caus. -amukisa (amukisize) to
cause to.
-amuka2
(amukile) v.i. to have one's fill, to be satiated. syn. kula2.
-ana-ana
(ana-anile) v.i. to be ill-mannered, uncivil, forward: Mutu yo wa ana-ana, this
person has no manners. syn. -ana-ana. rel. -ana-anela (ana-anezi) to show
uncivility against someone. caus. -ana-anisa) to cause to Yani se si mu
ana-anisa cwalo ki kuli u fumile, it is the fact that he is well off that gives
that person such self-importance.
-anda
(andile) v.t. (1) to freeze, to chill; to damage: Silami si andile licalo, the
frost has damaged the seedlings (2) to become rigid or tight as a rope: Muhala
u andile, the rope is tight. caus. -andisa (andisize) to stretch out (a rope,
etc) -andala (andile or andazi) v.t. to strike, to give a blow to.
-andalala
(andalalile) v.i. (1) to be rigid, to be stiff: Mulala wa hae u andalalile mi
h'a koni ku talima kwa: mulaho, he has such a stiff neck that he is unable to
look behind. (2) to look fixedly. caus. - andalalisa (andalalisize) to cause
stiffness
-andamena
(andamezi) v.t. to wait for someone or something: to expect to inherit: Ki yena
ya anda-mezi situlo sa ndat'ahe, he is the one likely to succeed his father.
der. mwandamena.
-andamisa1
(andamisize) v.t. to expel: to chase: Mushimani yo ba mu andamisize kwa sikolo,
this boy has been expelled from school.
-andamisa2
(andamisize) v.t. to beat the Litunga's drums at fixed times: Utwa, ba
andamisa, Mulena u zwela fande; listen to the drums, the Litunga is coming out
of the palace.
-andauka
(andaukile) v.i. to resound (as a gun when many shots are fired one after the
other, or drums strongly beaten).
-andaula
(andauzi) v.t. to cut into small pieces (firewood, etc).
-andeka
(andekile) v.t. to stretch a reed mat between reed fishing traps. der. muandeko.
aneu!
interj. stop! (used for stopping spans of oxen.)
-anga
(angile) v.t. to conclude marriage negotiations by paying the usual fee to the
girl's parents: Ba angile ka Kwacha i linwi, they have paid K1.00 to seal the
agreement. Musali yo s'a angilwe kwa bashemi ba hae, this woman is engaged to
be married.
-angabala
(angabalile or angabezi) v.t. to be out of one's wits: Mutu ya angabezi h'a
buleli ze nde kwa batu, a man out of
his wits does not say pleasant things to other
people. der. buyanga, siyangano. rel. -anga-balela (angabalezi) to talk
nonsense to, to speak nonsense in the presence of people. caus. -angabalisa
(angabalisize) to drive someone out of his wits: se si mu angabalisize ki ku
loiwa, it is because he has been bewitched that he is out of his wits.
-angamana
(angamani) v.i. to sit or walk with the nose in the air. cf. -nanguka, -inuka.
caus. -angamanisa (angamanisize) to cause to ~.
-angata
(angatile) v.t. Luyana. to walk awkwardly carrying things in both hands. cf.
-mangata. rel. -angatela (angatezi) to carry for someone with both hands.
-anguluka
(angulukile) v.i. to cease being sad, to recover, to be well again (as after
illness or a relative's death): Mulili u angulukile kwa maswabi a hae, the
mourner has got over his sorrow. rel. -angulukela (angulukezi) to show pleasure
again, to enjoy: Mukuli s'a angulu-kela batu, the patient shows pleasure again
in being visited. caus. -angulukisa (angulukisize) to comfortt Balikani ba hae
ba mu angulukisize, his friends comforted him.
ani,
dem. pron. pl. (class: bu-ma, li-ma, lu-ma) 3rd degree; those: Malao ani mu a
sabe! Mind those wasps!
-anjuka
(anjukile) v.i. to look fixedly. syn. -ndwenduka. rel. -anjukela (anjukezi) to
stare at: Bona mbututu mw'a anjukezi baenyi, look how the baby stares at the
visitors.
-anya1
(anyize) v.t. to suck from the breast or cow's udder: Mbututu u anya hande, the
baby is in good health (lit: the baby sucks satisfactorily) der. muanyisi
muanyisezo. syn. -zwepa. rel. -anyeza (anyelize) to suck someone's cow. caus. anyisa (anyisize) to suckle, to nurse at the
breast, to help a child drink directly from a cow; to allow cows to suckle
calves: Mushemi u anyisa mwan'a hae, the mother is suckling her child. fig. to
act in a way which will put someone in dif- ficulty, to exploit syn. -lumeha.
rel. -anyiseza (anyiselize) to suckle for someone: Ni anyiseze mushimani yo,
suckle this boy for me.
-anya2
(anyize) v.t. to beat, to whip, to thrash: Ni mu anyize ka papa, I beat him
with a whip. U ni anyize lubaka, he gave me a violent slap. freq. -anyaula
(anyauzi) to beat repeatedly and severely, to thrash: U mu anyauzi hahalu, he beat him severely
caus-anyaulisa (anyaulisize) to cause or to help to beat: A ku t'o ni anyaulisa
mulisana yo, come and help me to beat this herdsman.
-anya-anya
(anya-anyize) v.t. to touch anything lightly: U tiise kwa ku swala, u sike wa
anya-anya feela; hold fast, not so lightly.
-anyuka1
(anyukile) v.i. to be lying unconscious after being strangled. caus. -anyuna
(anyuzi) v.t. to strangle someone into unconsciousness: u mu anyuzi ka baka la
bu-maswe bwa hae. he strangled him because of his bad behaviour.
-anyuka2
(anyukile) v.i. to come out from behind a cloud (sun, moon, star): Ku se ku
anyumukile, cwal silami si felile: the sun is warming up now, it is no longer
cold. rel. pass -anyumukelwa (anyumukezwi) to get warm in the morning sun; to
dry up (as the morning dew): ki ko kunde ku zuma linyunywani li si ka
anyumukelwa kale, it is good to hunt birds when they are still drowsy in the
early morning.
-auka
(aukile) v.i. to be fostered or brought up by a relation (sometimes: to be
adopted) Mwan'a ka u anuka ku kaizel'a ka, my child is being brought up by my
sister.
-aula
(auzi) v.t. to foster, to adopt, to bring up: Mutu yo u anuzi ba banata b
lusika lwa habo, this person has brought up many of his relations. Ka anula,
foster parent. Ya anulela (anulezi) to bring up for; ku anulela mutu mwan'a
hae, to bring up someone's child. caus. -aulisa (aulisize) to cause to, to
help to bring up: U mu anulisize kwa lindiala, he helped him to bring up some
orphans.
ao,
dem. pron. pl. (class: bu-ma. li- ma, lu-ma) 2nd degree; those: manaka ao ni a
boni, ki a mande hahulu: I saw those tusk, they are superb.
-apala
(apezi) v.i. and v.t. to dress, to wear, to put on: Kacenu u apezi hande, today
he is well dressed. der. siapalo, muapalelo. (fig. mui-kapali) cf. -tina. fig.
exp. Ku apala batu, to take people by surprise, to invade (as during a war).
-apesa
(apesize) v.t. to clothe someone, to dress, to cover: Musali u apesize mwan'a
hae sweta, the woman has dressed her child with a pullover; Munda u apesize
libala, the flood has covered the plain. int. -apeseleza (apeselelize) to cover
fully. rec. fig to become locked in close fighting: Banna ki kale ba apalana,
the men are already coming to blows! syn. -swalana ref. -lkapesa (ikapesize) to
clothe, to dress oneself.
-apuha
(apuhile) v.i. to be uncovered, to lie open: Mukuli wa hao u apuhile, u mu
apese kubo; your patient is lying uncovered, put a blanket on him. Malu a apuhile,
the sky is clear.
-apula
(apuzi) v.t. to uncover, to undress, to strip; to open: U mu apuzi ndelesi mi u
mu siile mapunu, he has taken off her dress and left her naked. Ku apula buka,
to open a book for someone: U tusize ka apulela sibofu buka ya sona, he helped
the blindman to open his book. caus. -apulisa (apulisize) to cause to uncover
or to help to open. int. -apulelela (apulelezi) to open fully; to uncover
completely: U mu apule-lezi likubo za hae kaufela, he has taken off all his
blankets.
-apea
(apeile) v.t. (also apeya) to cook, to stew; to make boil: Ku apea bucwala, to
brew beer; ku apea nama, to stew meat,
der. muapei, buapei, siapeiso, muapeelo. syn. -tateha. rel. -apeela (apeezi) to
cook for: Ku apeela bakuli lico, to cook food for the patients. caus. -apeisa
(apeisize) to order or to help to cook: Ku apeisa lico za bafuluhi, to help to
cook food for the paddlers. int. -apeelela (apeelezi) to cook all: Ku apeelela
nama, to cook all the meat. ref. -lkapeela (ikapeezi) to cook for oneself.
asha!
interj. expressing denial or used to deride someone
-asuka
(asukile) v.i. to speak angrily and loudly; to cry very loudly (baby) rel.
-asukela (asukezi) to speak loudly to: ;. Ku asukela mutu, to speak angrily to
someone. freq. -asoka (asokile) to speak loudly and repeatedly. rel. -asokela
(asokezi) to speak angrily again and again to someone: Muatuli a asokela ya n'a
zekiswa, the judge spoke angrily many times to the accused. caus. -asokisa
(asokisize) to cause to speak angrily: U asokisizwe ki mushiman'a hae, his boy
caused him to speak angrily. U asokisizwe ki ku utwa manzwi a maswe, he spoke
angrily because of the bad language he heard.
-ata
(atile) v.i. to become more abundant, to increase, to multiply, to be common:
Libyana se li atile hahulu mwa mantolo, goods have become more abundant in the
stores. rel. -atela (atezi) to become abundant for someone:
-atama
(atami) v.i. to open the mouth, to be wide open: Nuka i atami, the river is
wide Libita li atami, the grave is open. der. muatamelo, buatamo, rel. -atamela
(atamezi) to open the mouth in order to get food: Linyunywani za bana li
atamela m'a zona h'a taha kwa siyaleto, the fledglings open their mouths for
food when the mother bird comes to the nest. caus. -atamisa (atamisize) to
cause to open the mouth: Atamisa mulomo, u nwe mulyani, wo, open your mouth and
drink this medicine int. -atamelela to open themouth and be ready to catch (as
a crocodile waiting for its prey)
-atameza
(atamezi) v.t. Sotho. to bring near: Atameza mukuli ku mualafi, bring the
patient near the i doctor. syn. -suteleza a-ta-mba-ku-ngwana, Luyana. Some day
I will get my revenge. (lit. They-will-find-me.). idiom. exp. used by somebody
who is ill treated.
-atuka
(atukile) v.i. to be coarse, to be rough: to get discoloured: Buhobe bo bu
atuka mwa hanu, this buhobe is rough in the mouth. Lisila le li atukile kapili,
this fabric has faded quickly. caus. -atukisa (atukisize) to cause to: Mu sefe
bupi hande, mu ka ha atukisa, sift the
flour well lest it remains coarse.
-atula
(atuzi) v.t. to judge, to pass sentence, to arbitrate: to condemn: Mu atule
taba ye, judge this case, der. muatuli, katulo, muatulelo, rel. -atulela
(atulezi) (1) to judge in favour of, to acquit: Kuta i mu atulezi, the court
acquitted him; (2) to condemn or sentence to: Ku atulela mutu lifu, to sentence
a person to death. caus. -atulisa (atulisize) to help to judge, to assist in
trying cases: Manduna ba atulisa Ngambela, councillors assist the Ngambela in
trying cases.
-atumela
(atumezi) v.t. to get near: Ku atumela munzi, to get near the village. caus.
-atumeza (atumelize) to cause to come near. ref. -lkatu-meza ( ikatumelize) to
come near to someone (der) buikatumezo.
-atumuluha
(atumuluhile) v.i. to be well stretched; to be wide: Mukwakwa u atumuluhile,
the road is wide. caus. -atumulusa (atumulusize) to stretch well: Atumulusa
mulomo ni kumule lino la hao, open your mouth wide so that I may pull out your
tooth. Ku atumulusa mukwakwa, to widen the road
au!
interj. expressing surprise: what! is that so!
awa,
adv. no. syn. batili.
ayaya!
interj. expressing fatigue, weariness.
-aya-aya
(aya-ayile) v.i. to be unable to speak clearly through fear or stammering: Mutu
yo ki wa sikukuma, u aya-aya feela, this man is stammering and cannot speak
clearly.
ayeka
(ayekile) v.t. Luyana. to acknowledge salutations (said of the Litunga when
greeted by relatives) pass. -ayekwa (ayekilwe): Ba ayekilwe, their salutation has been accepted.
caus. -avekisa (ayekisize) to order someone to acknowledge the salutation.
B
b,
Generally soft. Somtimes almost pronounced as v: buhobe. After m, has an
explosive sound: mba.
ba,
(1) pref. pl (class mu-ba) (2) pers. pron. 3rd pers. pl. subj and obj.: they,
them: Ba ni bona, they see me: u ba tusize, he has helped them. (3) rel. pron.
(same class) those who: Mu tiise lipilu za ba ba lila, comfort those who mourn.
(4) dem. pron. pl. (same class) 1st degree; these: Bana ba, these children. (5)
poss. part. pl. (same class): Bana ba luna, our children. (6) In plural
denoting respect: Bo ndate ba kula, my father is ill.
ba!
interj. of instant request: Mu tise mwanana yo kwanu ba! Do bring this child
here, quick!
-ba
(bile) v.i. defective, used alternately with corresponding verb -li, as in
dependent clauses and imperfect tenses. (1) to be: Ku ba teni, to be there. Ku
ba siyo, not to be there; ba is not expressed in 1st and 2nd persons of present
tense: Ni mutu, I am a person. Mu ba bande, you are good (or beautiful or
handsome). In the 3rd person sing and pl' ki replaces the pronoun: Ki mutu, he
is a person; ki ba bande, they are good. (2) to exist: Na li ka ba mutu, from
the time I came into existence. (idiom. exp. used in denial, meaning:
never, not at any time) (3) to become:
Likota ze ha li ka ba ze tuna li ka be a hahulu, when these trees become big,
they will bear much fruit. (4) When used as an auxiliary verb, ba gives the
meaning of 'eventually' or 'until': Na ba na mu fa
-ba
ni, v.t. (1) to have (to be with): Ku ba ni mata, to have strength. Also formed
by use of auxiliary verb -na ni (to sit with) in indicative and conditional
moods: Ni na ni bana, I have children. Kaba ni na ni
-baama
(baamile) or baamana (baamani) v.i. to bar the way: Noha i baamile mwa nzila,
the snake is lying across the path. caus. -baamisa (baamisize) or baameka
(baamekile) to cause to bar the way: U side was baameka munsi mwa munyako, do
not put the pestle across the door. Ba
baamisize ndembela ye fubelu ku kwala mukwakwa, they have positioned the red
flag, closing the road.
-baba
(babile) v.i. (1) to be bitter: Nkwinini ya baba, quinine is bitter. rel.
-babela (babezi) to be bitter to: Sico se sa ni babela mwa hanu, this food has
a bitter taste in my mouth. (2) to itch: Lukwekwe lwa baba, scabies itch. caus.
-babisa (babisize) to make bitter: Ba babisize busunso ka lizwai le lin ata,
they made the relish bitter by sprinkling on too much salt.
-babaila
(babailile or babaezi) v.i. to walk with difficulty, with sore feet: Mutu yo u
babaila inge ya na kulile linda, this person walks as if he suffered from
jiggers (chigoes) syn. -babalika. caus. -babailiseze) to help someone who walks
with difficulty: Ku babailisa mukuli, to help a patient to walk.
-babalela
(babalezi) v.t. to take care of, to look after, to attend to, to provide: Ku
babalela mbututu, to take care of a baby. Ku babalela likomu, to look after the
cattle. der. mubabaleli, pabalelo. syn. -tokomela. rel. -babalelela
(babalelezi) to take care of on someone'e behalf. caus. -babalelisa
(babaleli-size) to help to ~. rec. -babalelana (babalelani) to take mutual
care, to take care of each other. ref. -ipabalela (ipabalezi) to take care of
oneself.
-babata
(babatile) v.i. and v.t. to grope, to feel one's way, to poke, to look for a
thing in darkness or under water: Sibofu si ba bata mu-nyako, the blindman is
groping for the door. syn. -pupuleza. rel. -babatela (babatezi) to grope for
someone. caus. -babatisa (babatisize) to help, to assist in groping: T'o
ni babatise mankisi wa luna, come and
help me to look for our matches (in darkness).
-babaza
(babazize) v.t. Sotho. to admire, to wonder at, to praise: Ne ba mu babaza ka
sishemo sa hae, they praised him for his kindness. cf. -lumba.
-babuha
(babuhile) or -babuka (babukile) v.i. (1) to be singed, slightly roasted:
Milili ya ka i babuhile, my hair got singed. (2) to be frost-bitten (of young
plants) freq. -babauka (babaukile) to be singed all over or in many places.
-babula
(babuzi) v.t. (1) to singe, to rast slightly. (2) to injure by frost: Silami si
babuzi licalo, the frost has nipped the seedlings. der. sibabu-lani fig. to
scold bitterly. caus. -babulisa (babulisize) to cause to singe, to help someone
to burn something: U t'o ni babulisa sului, come and help me destroy the red
ants with burning grass.
bafi?
inter. pron. pl. (class: mu-ba) who? which? Bana ba mina ki bafi? Which are
your children?
bafi
ni bafi, indef. pron. (class: mu-ba) whichever: Batu bafi ni bafi, whoever
these people are, whoever they may be. By extension: all, without any
exception.
bahabo
(sing. wa -) bona: Bahabo luna, our relations; bahesu, my relations, bahenu,
Your relations.
baikale,
n. pl. (batu baikale), the people of old, ancestors.
baikulu,
n. pl. grandsons or granddaughters.
baikulu-ba-baikulu,
n. pl. progeny, descendants, offspring, lineage. -baka (bakile) v.i. to change
one's mind; to repent, to be penitent; to amend: Ni bakile, I repent. (Ku baka,
used as noun means: repentance. Ku sa baka. impenitence) rel. -bakela (bakezi) to repent for, to give
up: Bakela lihi za hao, give up your evil ways. caus. -bakisa (bakisize) to
cause to repent (through punishment) rel. -bakiseza (bakiselize) to punish on
someone-s behalf: T'o ni bakiseze mwanana yo, come and punish this child for
me. int. -bakelela (bakelezi) to give up one's evil ways for good.
-bakanya
(bakanyize) v.t. to arrange, to put in order, to tidy, to prepare: Lu bakanyize
hande libyana mwa sintolo, we have put the goods tidily in the store. syn.
-lukisa. rel. -bakanyeza (bakanyelize) to prepare for: Lu bakanyeze haenyi ndu,
let us get the house ready for the guests. caus. -bakanyisa (bakanyisize) to
help to: Musizana yo u ni bakanyisize lipeu, this girl has helped me to get the
seeds ready. stat. -bakanyeha (bakanyehile) to be in order, to be tidy: Ndu i
bakanyehile hande, the house is in good repair. int. -bakanyeleza
(bakanyelelize) to put completely in order ref. -lpakanya (ipakanyize) to
prepare oneself, to get ready.
Bakenisa
prep; (lit: mwa sibaka-sa, in the place of) instead of~,on account of, on
behalf of: U.sebeze bakenisa ku bulela, do some work instead of talking.
baki
(li-) n. coat, jacket: U apezi baki ye nde, she is wearing a fine coat.
-bakula1
(bakuzi) v.t. to beat with the open hand, to slap on the face or on the body: U
mu bakuzi f lilama, he has slapped him on the cheek. rel. -bakulela (bakulezi)
to for someone: Ni bakulele yena, slap him for me. freq. -bakaula (bakauzi) to
slap repeatedly.
-bakula2
(bakuzi) v.t. to take meal out of a mortar to be sifted. rel. -bakulela
(bakulezi) to ~ for someone
-bala
(balile) v.t. (1) to read: Ku bala buka, to read a book (2) to count, to
reckon: Lu balile likomu za luna, we have counted our cattle. der. mubali, palo,
lipalo, mubalelo. rel.-balela (balezi) to read to, to read for: to count for: U
ba balele 1inolo le, read this letter for them caus. -balisa (balisize) to
teach someone to read; to help someone to count. int. -balelela (balelezi) to
read or count completely. inv. -balulula (baluluzi) to read or count again and
again. ref. -lpalela (ipalezi) to ~ for oneself.
-bala-bala
(bala-balile) v.t. to talk nonsense, to talk a lot in order to hide thc truth.
rel. -bala-balela (bala-balezi) to talk nonsense to. caus. -bala-balisa
(bala-balisize) to cause to talk nonsense: Tala i mu bala-balisa zenata, hunger
causes him to talk a lot.
-baleha
(balehile) v.i. to run away, to flee: Ba balehile nwa ndwa, they fled from the
war. der. mubalehi, mubaleheli, paleho, baleho. cf: saba rel. -balehela
(balehezi) to flee to, to take refuge in; to flee from: Mulena Lewanika n'a
halehezi kwa Mashi, King Lewanika fled to Mashi. caus, -balehisa ( balehisize
to cause to ~.
baleho,
(li-) n. flight!,escape (from: -baleha)
-balekela
(balekezi) v.t. to put other pots on the fire: Balekela piza kwatuko, put the
pot on the fire close to the other one.
balela1
(balezi) v.t. to get into the windpipe (larynx): Mezi a ni balezi, the water
has half choked me. caus. -balelisa (balelisize) to cause to ~: U ni balelisa mezi ka ku ni sehisa, you
cause the water to go down the wrong way when you make me laugh.
-balela2
(balezi) v.t. to put laths in a wall or a roof: Ku balela lapa, to strengthen
the grass enclosure with laths. der. libalelo or lubalelo. rel. -balelela (
balelezi ) to ~ for someone caus. -balelisa(balelisize) to help ~: U t'o ni
balelisa lapa la ka, come and help me to put laths on my grass enclosure.
balimu,
n. pl. ancestral spirits.
-baluka1
(balukile) v.i. to have the ears cocked (as dogs when roused by a distant
sound). (Also said of people with protruding ears): Mwana ya balukile lizebe u
talimeha ku ba ni butali, a child whose ears stick out is likely to be clever
fig. to be all ears, to prick up one's ears.
-baluka2
(balukile) v.i. to get split off as a splinter, to be chipped syn. -pazuha.
-bama
(bamile) v.i. to be irregular or roughly sewn: Museme wo u bamile, this mat has
been roughly sewn. cause. -bamisa (bamisize) to sew roughly.
-bamala
(bamazi) v.t. to beat, to strike: U mu bamazi ka mulamu, he beat him with a
stick syn. -nata.
-bamba1
(bambile) v.t. to bind round tightly with bark, string, etc. Ba bamhile pizana
ka makumba, they have bound the pot round with bark. rel. -bambela (bambezi) to
~ for someone.
-bamba2
(bambile) v.t. Luyana. to catch; to handcuff. rel. -bambela (bambezi) to hold
for someone. caus. -bambisa (bambisize) to help someone to hold.
bambaba1
(bambabile) v.i. to show a bad character in speaking: Mutu ya bambabile ku tata ku mu twaelela, it is
difficult to become intimate with someone who is all the time speaking in
anger.
-bambaba2
(bambabile) v.i. to be hard-hearted, bad tempered. der. bubamba.
-bambana
(bambani) v.i. to fight: Lu ta bambana ha u ni lwaha, we shall fight if you
insult me. syn. -lwana. rel. -bambanela (bambanezi) to fight for a definite
reason or purpose.
-bambeka
(bambekile) v.t. to treat or regard with favour: Mulena u mu bambekile hande,
the Litunga has shown him favour. caus. -bambe-kisa (bambekisize) to recommend
someone, to help someone to be well-treated.
-bambela
(bambezi) v.t. to bind a spear, a fishing spear etc., to prevent it from
getting loose from its handle. rel. -bambelela (bambelezi) to ~ for someone.
fig to force someone to stay where he does not like. cause. -bambelisa (bambelisize)
to help to ~.
-bambiliketa1
(bambiliketite) v.t. to force somebody to do something against his will: Ku
bambiliketa mwana kwa sa lati ku ina, to force a child to stay where he does
not like. cf. -bambela, -tamelela.
-banda1
(bandile) v.i. to threaten to fight (esp. hippo or bull) (see: -ipanda)
-banda2
(bandile) v.t. to escape, to pass through a danger: folofolo i lu bandile, the
animal escaped from us. der. lubandangoti. caus. -bandisa (bandisize) to help
to escape, to let someone go: Ba bandisize batu ba banata, they let many people
get through.
-banda3
(bandile) v.t. to strike someone on the head with the palm of the hand: Ku banda mutu lubaka, to give
someone a slap on the head.
-banda4
(bandile) v.t. to cut roughly into shape, to start carving: U banda
-bandaeza
(bandaezize) v.t. to clean a plate with the last portion of 'buhobe' at the end
of a meal.
-bandamena
(bandamezi) v.t. to watch for someone, to hide oneself in order to attack
someone, to ambush: Ba mu bulaile ka ku mu bandamena, they have killed him in
an ambush. caus. -bandamenisa (bandamenisize) to help to ~.
-banduka
(bandukile) v.i. to split off (as an animal from a herd) to get free from harm,
to escape when others don't: Lo bandukile mwa ndwa, we got through the war
without harm rel. -bandukela (bandukezi) to escape in a certain way: U
bandukezi fo ku nyinyani, he had a narrow escape. caus. -bandukisa (bandukisize)
to enable someone to escape danger; to rescue.
-bandutula
(bandutuzi) v.t. (1) to put things in order to set in order: Ku bandutula liluo
la mutu, to organise the right distribution of a dead man's property. (2) to
bring convincing arguments into a case: Mwa muzeko wa mubu ku tokwahala ya ziba
ka bandutula hande, in a land contestation a clever witness is needed.
-bandumuka
(bandumukile) v.i. to escape, to disappear.
-banga
(bangile) v.t. Luyana. to nurse, to doctor, to give medicine to der. mubangi,
nganga. rel. -bangela (bangezi) to nurse for someone. caus. -bangisa
(bangisize) to help to ~.
-bangoka
(bangokile) v.i. not to listen to, to be mischievous; to be fond of spoiling
things, of fighting der. sibangoki. caus. -bangokisa (bangokisize) to cause to
~.
-bangula
(banguzi) v.t. to cut barbs on fishing spears.
bani,
dem. pron. pl. (class: mu-ba) 3rd degree; those: bashimani bani ba ezani? What
are those boys doing?
-banja
(banjize) v.t. to take grain out of the granary in order to stamp it: Ku banka
mulalelo, to get out some grain for supper. der. mubanji. rel. -banjela or
-banjeza (banjelize) to give someone grain from the granary for stamping.
banji,
Luyana exp. meaning: the bottom is near (used in river transports when paddlers
must cease rowing and start poling) cf. akalikule.
-banjo
(li-) n.
bapala
(bapalile) v.i. to plays to amuse oneself. der. mubapali papali, sibapaliso,
mubapalalo, libapalelo. fig. to be in good health: Banana ba bapala hande, the
children are in good health. rel. -bapalela (bapalezi) to play at, to play on;
to pull someone's leg, to trifle" Ku bapalela batu, to jeer at people.
caus. -bapalisa (bapalisize) to amuse, to play with, to entertain: U bapalisa
mwana, he is playing with the child; u sike wa bapalisa libizo la Mulimu, you
must not take the name of the Lord in
vain. rel. -bapaliseza (bapaliselize) to cause to play for, at, in. U sike wa
bapaliseza banana mwa ndu, do not play with the children in the house.
bapana
(bapani) v.i. to be near one another: Mandu a luna a bapani hahulu, our houses
are too close. der. mabapa ni.
-bapanya
(bapanyize) v.t. (1) to put things side by side or to put people in one line as
in a race. (2) to compare: U sike wa bapanya mutu ya lukile ni silumba sani, do
not compare a good man with that rascal.
-bapisa
(bapisize) v.t. to compare, to illustrate, to give an example: N'a bapisa komu
ya ka ni ya hae, he was comparing my cow to his. ref. -lpapisa (ipapisize) to
compare oneself to.
-bapaza
(bapazize) v.t. to barter, to exchange, to offer for sale, to advertise: U
bapaza komu ya hae, he is offering his cow for sale. der. papazo. syn.
-fundota. rel. -bapazeza (bapazelize) to for someone.
-bapuha
(bapuhile) v.i. to be well stretched: Maoma a bapuhile hande, the skin covering
the royal drums is well stretched.
-bapula
(bapuzi) v.t. to stretch with pegs, to peg, to put a hide on a drum: Ba bapuzi
tente, they have pegged out the tent. der. mubapuli, sibapuliso. syn. -takisa.
fig. to throttle someone until all his limbs are outstretched. rel. -bapulela
(bapulezi) to for someone. caus. -ba-pulise (bapulisize) to help to. inv.
-bapulula (bapuluzi) to take off pegs from a stretched skin, etc.
-basa
(basize) v.t. to paint. to put colours on, to dye, to decorate: Musali yo u
basize hande lipiza za hae, this woman has artistically decorated her pots.
der. mubaso, sibasiso. fig. to transmit
colour by breeding: Ki ifi poho ye basa cwana? Which bull is it that produces
stock of such a colour? rel. -baseza (baselize) to paint for someone. caus.
-basisa (basisize) to help to paint.
basi,
(li-) n.
basu
! interj. expressing fright, wonder, instant request: Mu n'o akufa basu! Do
hurry up! (same as besu, basuni, basunu, which are slightly more polite.)
bata!
n.
-bata1
(batile) v.t. (1) to seek, to look for; to wish, to require, to desire: Ni bata
-bata2
(batile) v.i. (1) to be cool or cold:
-bata3
(batile) v.i. to be tasteless, to be insipid: Busunso bo bwa bata, this relish
is tasteless.
-bata4
(batile) v.t. to strike (usually on the head): U mu batile lituma, he has
wounded him on the head. rel. -batela (batezi) to beat at, in freq. -bataka
(batakile) to strike repeatedly in several places.
-bateka
(batekile) v.t. to hang something on a forked pole, to place under the eaves,
to hold between one's legs (a drum, etc.:) U bateke swaki ya mezi kwa lifata,
hang the water bag on the forked pole
bati!
interj. of surprise Ha!
batili,
adv. no (polite word of refusal or denial) syn. awa. (impolite not used to
superiors)
-batula
(batuzi) v.t. Luyana. to cut. der. sibataulo. syn. -puma. rel. -batulela
(batulezi) to ~ for someone. caus. -batulisa (batulisize) to help to ~. freq.
-bataula (batauzi) to cut into pieces.
-baula
(bauzi) v.t. to go across a river. syn. -sila. caus. -baulisa (baulisize) to
take across a river.
-bayula1
(bayusi) v.i. to overflow (of rivers and canals) freq. -bayaula (bayauzi) to
overflow in many places when the flood arrives.
-bayula2
(bayuzi) v.t. to strike with a stick or
knobkerry: Ba mt bayuzi fa pata, they struck him on the face. fig. to speak
plainly: Ku bayula taba, to explain the matter straight forwardly
-bea
(beile) v.t. (1) to put, to place, to set up: Buka ye u y'o i bea fa tafule, go
and put this book on the table (2) to install: Ku bea mutu fa bulena, to crown
a king. (3) to bear fruit, to produce, to yield: Likota za luna li beile
hahulu, our trees have produced, much fruit. der. mubei, sibeiso, peo. rel.
-beela (beezi) (1) to keep for someone: Mu y'o ni beela, go and keep some food
for me, I am coming. (2) to put poison in someone's food. der. mabeela. caus.
-beisa (beisize) (1) to help to put things in their places: T'o ni beise
libyana mwa ndu, come and help me put things in the house. (2) to make
fruitful; to have green fingers: Wena ya beisa, u t'o ni calela, as you have
green fingers, please come and sow my seeds. ref. -lpea (ipeile) (1) to submit
oneself: Mutu kaufela a ipee mwatasi a ba ba busa, let everybody be subject to
the higher power. (2) to be self confident, to presume: Mutu yo u ipea ya
lukile. this man believes in his own right-eousness.
-beba1
(bebile) v.t. to give a smooth finish to woodwork (spear handle, paddle, etc.
der. mubebi, sibebiso, mubebelo. syn. -yenga rel. -bebela (bebezi) to ~ for
someone. caus. -bebisa (bebisize) to help to ~ ref. -lbebela (ibebezi) to ~ for
oneself
-beba2
(bebile) v.i. Luyana. to play. der. sibebiso. syn. -bapala.
-bebuluha
(bebulukile) v.i. to stray from the right direction; to miss the aim in
shooting: Lilumo li bebulukile, the shot has missed the target. rel. -bebulukela (bebulukezi) to turn
away, to deviate towards. caus. -bebulukisa (bebulukisize) to cause to ~ : U
sike wa bebulukisa mukolo, don't cause the canoe to deviate.
-beka
(bekile) v.t. to cut meat into small pieces, to make biltong or thongs. der.
mubeki, sibekiso, mubekelo. rel. -bekela (bekezi) to ~ for someone. caus.
-bekisa (bekisize) to order or to help to ~ fig to overwork: Ba ni bekisize
musebezi ni li nosi, they ordered me to do all the work alone. ref. - fig -
ipekisa (ipekisize) to take too much upon oneself: Mu sike mwa ipekisa taba mu
nosi, don't bear the trouble alone.
-beka-beka
(beka-bekile) v.t. to spoil a child: Musali yo u bekabeka hahulu mwan'a hae,
this woman spoils her child far too much.
-bela
(bezi) v.t. to grind millet: Ba bela lukesha fa licwe, they grind red millet on
a flat stone. rel. -belela (belezi) to ~ for someone. caus. -belisa (belisize)
to assist in grinding or to order to grind.
-beleka1
(belekile) v.i. to work for wages. der. mubeleki, mubelekisi, sibelekiso,
peleko, pelekiso, mubeleko, pelekelo. cf. -sebeza. rel. -belekela (belekezi) to
work for someone or for some definite purpose: Ni belekela mwan'a ka
I am working in order to find money to pay my tax.
-beleka2 (belekile) v.t. to file or rasp metals. der.
libeleko rel. -belekela (belekezi) to ~ for someone caus. -belekisa
(belekisize) to help to ~.
-belela
(belezi) v.i. (1) to be transparent due to thinness or wear (as cloth or a
thatched roof which lets in light; also of a forest near its edge): Kwa belela,
lu tuha lu punya mushitu, we can see light through the trees, so we shall
shortly be at the edge of the forest. (2) (of cloth) to be diaphanous or
transparent. Lisila le la belela, this material is diaphanous.
-belemeka
(belemekile) v.t. to cheat, to deceive. syn. -pelemeka, -puma, onga, etc.
-belenga
(belengile) v.t. (1) to exterminate by witchcraft or war: Ki muloi, u belengile
batu ba banata, he is a wizard he has killed many people. (2) to work hard, to
get through a lot of work in a short time: Munna yo u belengile likota mwa
litema, this man felled all the trees in the cassava garden in no time at all.
rel. -belengela (belengezi) to exterminate on someone's behalf. caus.
-belangisa (belengi-size) to cause extermination.
-belengana
(belengani) v.i. to be visible through (as light through a thatched roof or
trees): Ndu ye ya belengana, the thatch of this house lets the light through.
-beluka
(belukile) v.i. to pass quickly before the eyes and disappear: Ni boni mwanana
ya n'a beluka fa, I have just seen a child flashing past. der. mubelukela.
-bemauka
(bemaukile) v.i. to be lured out of one's way, to be drawn on, to be led astray
(as by magic power). caus. -bemauna (bemauzi) or -bemaukisa (bemauki size) to
lure, to draw on, to induce by magic power: Sesi mu bemauzi ki sika mani? What
has lured him into danger?
-bemba
(bembile) v.t. to frighten, to terrify by threats: Mushemi u bembile mwan'a hae
kuli a tuhele mikwa ya hae ye maswe, the parent has frightened his child out of
his bad ways. rel. -bembela (bembezi) to threaten someone on another's behalf.
caus. -bembisa (bembisize) to cause to ~.
-bembula
(bembuzi) v.i. to be scared of fighting, to fear and avoid fighting.
-bena-bena
(bena-benile) v.i. to go here and there, begging for food: to look for someone
(as an angry person anxious to fight) der. mubena-beni caus. -bena-benisa
(bena-benisize) to cause to ~
benda
(bendile) v.i. (1) to be angry, to do serious damage, to be given to violence
or lust (as a man set on raping women) Mwa silalo sa luna ku na ni tau ye
benda, in our district there is a fierce lion. (2) to look for an object placed
under the roof of a hut, to search, to look around, to find. rel. -bendela
(bendezi) to be very angry with someone. caus. -bendisa (bendisize) to cause to
~. freq. -bendana (bendanile) to move
angrily from place to place.
-benga
(bengile) v.t. to make a slit in a grass enclosure in order to peep through, to
push aside high grass or reeds in order to pass through
-benjuka
(benjukile) v.i. (1) to be odd, not according to rule or standard: Mutu yo u
benjukile pile (moya), this person is a queer character. (2) to be flay-footed:
Mushimani yo u benjukile mautu, this boy is flay-footed. (3) to be crooked: Ndu
ye i benjukile situwa, the roof of this
house is crooked.
-
benya (benyize) v.i. to shine. to glitter, to be bright: Masenge a ndu ya ka a
benya, the tin roof of my house is shining. syn. kanya. caus. -benyisa (benyelize,
today he was severely scolded lit. today the scorching sun (kazazi) has shone
on him.) freq. -benyauka (benyaukile) to be frequently irritated, to be
flashing again and again as lightning during a storm.
-besa
(besize) v.t. to roast. der. mubesi. rel. -beseza (beselize) to roast for
someone. caus. -besisa (besisize) to help to roast. ref. -lpeseza (ipeselize)
to roast for oneself.
besu,
besunu, see: basu.
-beta1
(betile) v.t. to carve, to hew; to plane: Ku beta mukolo, to make a canoe. der.
mubeti, bubeti, sibetiso, mubetelo, libetelo. rel. -betela (betezi) to ~ for
someone. caus. -betisa (betisize) to order or to help to ~. ref. -lpetela (ipetezi) to ~ for oneself: Ki
na ya ipetezi ona mukolo wo, I have made myself this canoe.
-beta2
(betile) v.t. Luyana. to fold the legs of a dead or dying person.
-beteka
(betekile) v.t. Sotho. to betray, to have bad designs against someone, to lead
someone into trouble or danger: U betekile mwana habo, mi u mu bulaisize, he
betrayed his brother and caused his death. der. mubeteki syn. -oka, -puma.
-beula
(beuzi) v.t. to shave: U sike wa beula mbututu ka kabemba, don't shave the
baby's hair with a razor blade. fig. to cut off: Ni ta ku beula zebe ka mulamu!
I will cut off your ear with a stick. den mubeuli, sibeuliso. rel. -beulela
(beulezi) to ~ for someone. ref. -lpeula (ipeuzi) to shave oneself.
-
-bewama
(bewami) v.i. to sit down, to approach somebody in order to give him a false
statement: Mutu yani u bewami ku Ngambela ku bulela buhata, that man has
approached the Ngambela to give him a false statement. der. kabewa. -beta
(beyile) v.t. as: -bea.
-beyeka
(beyekile) v.t. as: -beteka.
bi,
(1) pref. pl. (class: si-bi) giving a noun a meaning of wretchedness: Bindu,
delapidated houses, (2) pron. pl. subj and obj. (same class) they, them: Biseme
byani bi lekisizwe kaufela, those poor mats have been sold out: bitapi bye, ya
bi lekile ki mani? Who has bought such bad fish? (3) rel. pron. pl. (same
class): those which: bisholi bye be bi bulelwa ki bifi? Who are these robbers
the people are speaking of?
-biama
(biami or biamile v.i. To have a bent for something, to refuse advice, to act
against orders. spec. exp.: Mutu yo u biami pilu, this man is very obstinate.
rel. -biamela (biamezi) to have the mind bent on: Mutu yo pilu ya hae i biamezi
kwa musebezi, this person is intent upon his work. caus. -biamisa (biamisize)
to cause someone to be bent upon.
Bibele,
(li-) n.
biemba-bya-nalikwanda
n. idiom. exp. (used as a fearful oath): U pazuhe biemba-bya-nalikwanda, may
you split like fragments of the Nalikwanda.
-bifa
(bifile) v.i. to be angry: fig. exp. Nuka i bifile, the river is rough. der.
mabifi. rel. -bifela (bifezi) to be angry against. caus. -bifisa (bifisize) to
cause to ~. int. -bifelela (bifelezi) to
be persistently angry against int. (pass) -bifelelewa bifelezwi) to be set against someone.
-biha
(bihile) v.t. to report, to announce, to make known: Mu y'o biha taba ye kwa
kuta, go and report this matter to the court. der. mubihi, piho. rel. bihela (bihezi)
to report to. ref. -lpiha (ipihile) to
present oneself to, to report for duty.
-bikuka
(bikukile) v.i. (1) to stand up, to move: Munna yo h'a na ku bikuka kapili f
inzi, this man is not going to move quickly from where he is sitting. (2) to
get up-rooted (of trees).
-bikula
(bikuzi) v.t. to raise, to lift up a heavy load, to up-root syn. -bikumuna rel.
-bikulela (bikulezi) to lift up for someone. caus. -bikulisa (bikulisize) to
help to lift up.
-bikumuka
(bikumukile) v.i. to bank up, to pile up (clouds, etc.) to get lifted up:
-bikumuna
(bikumuzi or bikumunile) v.t. to raise a heavy thing: U bikumuzi sinkuzi, he
has lifted up a very heavy, stout person. syn. -bikula.
-bikutula
(bikutuzi) v.t. to be lucky in catching large fish.
-bila
(bilile) v.i. to boil; to ferment: Mezi a bila, the water is boiling fig. to
sweat much: Ni fufulezwi maswe, mane na bila, I am absolutely pouring with sweat
lit. I am sweating badly even to boiling-point. pass. to be afflicted or
troubled with: Wena u bilwa ki sika mani? What ails you? caus. -bilisa
(bilisize) to cause to ~. rel. -biliseza
(biliselize) to ~ for someone.
-bilaela
(bilaezi) v.i. (1) to be dissatisfied, disappointed; to murmur, to grumble: Ni
bilaela ka mupuzo wa ka, I am
dissatisfied with my wages; (2) to be anxious: U bilaela ka ya kwa sipatela, he
is anxious to go to the hospital; (3) to complain, to lodge a complaint: Ni
bilaela ka mutu ya uzwize mali a ka, I am complaining about the person who
stole my money; (4) to be suspicious, to hesitate: Ni bilaela ka Nyambe kuli
mwendi ki yena ya uzwize mali a ka, I suspect that Nyambe perhaps stole my
money. Der. mubilaeli, pilaelo. rel. -bilaelela (bilaelezi) to complain about.
caus. -bilaeza (bilaelize or bilaezize) or -bilaelisa (bilaelisize) to cause
dissatisfaction, anxiety. ref. -ipilaeza (ipilaelize) to fear the consequence
of one's own actions.
-bilauka1
(bilaukile) or-biloka (bilokile) v.i. to boil much: Mbonyi ya bilauka mwa piza,
the grain is boiling over in the pot; to be much agitated: Lutaka lu bilauka
mwa sibuba, the reeds are swaying up and down in the current.
-bilauka2
(bilaukile) v.i. to be unusually large (eye): Meto a hae a bilauka, the whites
of his eyes make them look large and beautiful; to be turned up (as the eyes of
a dying person) caus. -bilaula (bilauzi) or -bilaukisa (bilaukisize) to turn
one's eyes all around (of a person in a fit).
-bilima
(bilimile) vi. to move fast (as a wheel turning round quickly); to walk or
dance lightly: Mutu yani u bilima inge mota, that person walks as fast as a
car. rel. -bilimela (bilimezi) to move quickly towards. caus. -bilimisa
(bilimisize) to cause to move quickly.
bilingana
(bilingani) v.i. to get excited, to be quick-tempered: Mutu yo u bilingana
fela, this person easily loses his temper. caus. -bil inganisa (bilinganisize)
to cause to ~.
-bilingela
(bilingezi) v.t.to use medicine in order to bewitch; to provide a charm to
prevent a person from being bewitched, to remove a spell. rel. -bilingelela
(bilingelezi) to bewitch on someone's behalf. caus. -bilingelisa
(bilingelisize) to cause to ~.
bilu!
ideoph. referring to the leap of a fish.
-biluka1
(bilukile) v.i. to come to the surface, to leap or suddenly turn over (fish)
sp. exp.: Ku biluka kwa pilu, to feel like vomiting, to feel a spasmodic move
of the stomach. der. bilu! caus. -bilula (biluzi) to raise sand or mud (like
fish trying to hide).
-biluka2
(bilukile) Luyana. v.i. to undergo a change of shape (as human beings believed
to have the power to change into beasts) der. mukubilu. caus. -bilula (biluzi)
to cause to ~. ref. -lpilula (ipiluzi)
to ~ oneself.
-bima
(bimile) v.t. to bring misfortune or cause an accident by a spell cast over
someone from a distance. syn. -shia. rel. -bimela (bimezi) to ~ against
someone. cause. -bimisa (bimisize) to cause to ~.
bimbandungulu,
n. pl. old broken wooden dishes.
bimingi-mingi.
n. pl. small portions of fish.
-bina
(binile) v.i. to dance: Ni ziba ku bina Ngomalume, I know how to dance the
Ngomalume (Lozi men's dance). der. mubini, pina, sibiniso, mubinelo. syn.
-funya, funyungula. rel. -binela (binezi) to dance for somebody to sing to: Ku
binela Mulena, ku mu opelela lipina, to dance for the Litunga, to sing songs for him. caus, -binisa (binisize) to
join someone dancing; to clap hands for someone dancing; to conduct singing.
int. -binelela (binelezi) to dance for a gift or for food: Mubini yo u binelela
lico, this dancer is dancing for food. red.-bina-bina (bina-binile) to dance
for a short time.
-binda
(bindile) v.t. to fold, to wind or roll into a ball: Mandui ba binda kanyandi,
the fishermen are folding up their net. rel. -bindela (bindezi) to ~ for. caus.
-bindisa (bindisize to help someone to ~.
int.-bindelela (bindelezi) to ~ completely.
-binda-binda
(binda-bindile) v.i. to try to do a difficult thing; to be unequal to.
-bindana
(bindani) v.i. see: -bingana.
-bindekela
(bindekezi) v.i. to try hard, but in vain: Lu li ka bindekela, ha lu koni,
though we try hard, we do not succeed. cf. -lika.
-bindela
(bindezi) v.t. (1) to cause someone to trip. (2) to take a fish by the head
when caught in a net in order to kill it. (3) to steer a canoe with a paddle in
order to keep it steady. der. mabindela.
bindele,
n. an illness, no longer occurring, associated with superstitious beliefs.
-bindula
(binduzi) v.t. (1) to move the eyes slightly: Mukuli u sa bindula meto, the
patient is still conscious. (2) to stir, when making beer (namala) der.
kabindu. rel. -bindulela (bindulezi) to stir beer for someone. caus. -bindulisa
(bindulisize) to help someone to stir beer.
bingana
(binganile) v.i. to be unable to stay still; to move continually (as a large
fish etc). to work under great pressure. fig. to talk ceaselessly. caus.
-binganisa (binganisize) to cause to
move; to make efforts: to perform.
-binguta
(bingutile) v.t. to collect the Litunga's share when fishing der. mubinguti,
mubingu, mubingutelo. rel. -bingutela (bingutezi) to put aside, for the Litunga.
his share of a catch of fish. caus. -bingutisa bingutisize) to order or to help
someone to take from a catch the fish intended for the Litunga.
-bipa
(bipile) v.t. (1) to let soaked grain ferment. (2) to keep food to one's self,
to keep in store for someone. rel. -bipela (bipezi) to let soaked grain ferment
for someone. inv. -bipulula (bipuluzi) to let fermented grain dry up. ref.
-lpipela (ipipezi) to let soaked grain ferment for oneself.
bipelwa
(bipezwi) v.i. to be constipated, to be flatulent, to have wind. fig. exp: U
bipezwi ki taba, he is overwhelmed by the evidence. rec. -bipelana (bipelani)
to be constipated: to be blocked (bowels) caus. -bipelisa (bipelisize) or
-bipeza (bipelize) or -bipezwa (bipelizwe) to cause flatulence.
bishopu,
(bo-) n.
bisikiti
(Ma-) n.
-bita1
v.i. Luyana. to pas syn. -fita.
-bita2
(bitile) v.t. Luyana. to throw a wrestler on the ground: U palezwi ku mu bita,
he has failed to throw him down. syn. -wisa.
bitihela
(bitihezi) v.t. to plaster with dung the stopper of a container (grain
container, beer container, etc) fig. to keep a secret: Taba ye u i bitihele mwa
pilu, please, keep this matter secret. rel. -bitihelela (bitihelezi) to ~ for
someone: U t'o ni bitihelela sifalana sa ka, come and smear my grain bin for
me. caus. -bitihelisa (bitihelisize) to help someone to ~.
-bituka
(bitukile) v.i. to be taken to, to be taken on a journey, or even to death (as
in the case of a person who has taken the 'mitu' medicine.
-bitula
(bituzi) v.t. Luyana. to take, to take with to kill fig: to take other people
to the grave when one dies (said of someone who has taken 'mitu' or 'muvenabo'
medicine: also said of a lion which does not die alone). rel. -bitulela
(bitu-lezi) to convey for someone: U ni bitulele linolo la ka, please take this
letter to the addressee for me. caus. -bitulisa (bitulisize) to help someone to
take or to carry. int. -bitulelela (bitulelezi) to take away the whole lot.
-bitulula
(bituluzi) v.t. to remove the plaster from the opening of a clay bin; to take
out the grain from the bin. fig. to reveal hidden or long-forgotten things.
rel. -bitululela (bitululezi) to ~ for someone. cause. -bitululisa
(bitululisize) to help someone to ~.
-biuka
(biukile) v.i. to change direction, to turn aside (as a canoe badly manned)
rel. -biukela (biukezi) to turn towards. caus. -biula (biuzi) or -biukisa
(biukisize) to cause to turn, to turn a canoe in a different direction.
biati,
n. pl. Luyana. straps fixing a load to a stick used to carry things on the shoulder.
syn. makulekelo.
-biza
(bizize) v.t. (1) to call: U y'o biza bo ndat'aho, go and call your father. (2)
to name: Mwanana yo mu ta mu biza mani? What name will you give this child?
der. pizo, libizo, mubizezo. rel. -bizeza (bizelize) to call for someone int.
-bizeleza (bizelelize) to call everybody. rec. hizana (bizani) to call each
other. ref. -lpiza (ipizize) as rec. rel. -ipizeza (ipizelize) to call
upon oneself: Ku loba mulao ki ku
ipizeza bumai, to break the law leads to trouble.
bo,
conj. sometimes: ibo, bul, however syn. kono. When following a noun or a
pronoun in interrogative clauses: what about: Na bo? What about me? Likomu bo?
What about the cattle?
bo,
pref. pl. (class: mu-ba): Kaufel'a mina mu y'o bulelela bo ndat'a mina ,all of
you go and tell your fathers. pref. of respect when addressing a single person:
Bo ndate. sir (my father) pref. pl. of some nouns beginning with i, na, sha,
etc: Bo imuyulu, knob-billed ducks: bo nalwange, cattle egrets; bo shakame,
rabbits.
bo,
dem. pron. sing. (class: bu-ma) 1st degree; this: Buhobe bo ki bo bunde hahulu,
this 'buhobe' is excellent.
bo,
rel. part. sing. (class: bu-ma) that, which: Butali bo bu komokisa, amazing
intelligence. Also with adj accompanying nouns of same class: Buitumelo bo
bunde, well appreciated thankfulness.
-boba
(bobile) v.i. to walk in rather deep water.
-bobonga
(bobongile) v.t. see: poponga.
-bobotoka
(bobotokile) v.i. to talk heedlessly, without reserve, (as a person mourning
the dead or after drinking to excess) rel. -bobotokela (bobotokezi) to speak at
random to someone. caus. -bobotokisa (bobotokisize) to cause to ~.
-bofa
(bofile) v.t. Sotho. to bind, to inspan: Ku bofa lipulu, to inspan oxen. der.
libofo. syn. -pana. rel. - bofela (bofezi) to inspan for. caus. -bofisa (bofisize)
to help to inspan. int. -bofelela (bofelezi) to inspan all oxen. inv. -bofolola
(bofolozi) or -bofulula (bofuluzi) to
outspan.
boi,
n. shyness, timidity, cowardice: Boi bwa hae ki bo butuna hahulu, his cowardice
is excessive.
-boloka1
(bolokile mwa mazoho, the pot has dropped from his hands. syn. -bolomoka. fig.
exp. Lilimi li ni bolokile, I made a slip of the tongue, fig. to remain (one
out of many): Bana ba hae ba felile ku shwa, ku tokwa nihaiba a li munwi ya
bolokile fateni, all his children have died, not even a single one has remained
alive.
-boloka2
(bolokile) or-booloka (boolokile) v.t. to pass by a person or a place without
stopping; to overlook, to disregard: U boolokile munzi wa bona ka ku saba
lindwa, he by-passed their village for fear of quarrels. rel. -bolokela
(bolo-kezi) to offend someone by overlooking him: S'o ni bolokezi ki sika mani?
Why did you pass me by? caus. -bolokisa (bolokisize) to cause to pass by. fig
to deprive: Ku boolokisa mutu litukelo za hae, to deprive someone of his
rights.
bololo!
interj. expressing amazement at an unusual catch (fish) or shooting (birds,
animals) syn. pyatiti! cabau! (from: bolomeka)
-bolomana
(bolomani) v.i. to sit in great numbers: Ni fumani batu ba bolomani fa Kuta, I
found a large crowd sitting in front of the Court. rel. -bolomanela
(bolomanezi) to sit at, to sit in front of someone. caus. -bolomanisa
(bolomanisize) to cause to ~.
-bolomeka
(bolomekile) v.t. to kill many at a time (fish, animals etc.): ba bolomekile
lifolofolo zen ata, they killed a lot of game. der. ka-bololo, bololo.
-bolomoka
(bolomokile) v.i. to drop from the hands, to fall inadver tently: Komoki i ni
bolomokile mwa lizoho, the cup has just fallen from my hand. syn. -boloka. fig.
to escape: U bolomokile kwa lilumo, he got through the battle unharmed. rel.
-bolomokela (bolomokezi) to drop in, at. caus. -bolomokisa (bo-lomokisize) to
let fall, to drop.
-boma1
(bomile) v.t. to smash, to kill many things at once (as by lightning); to break
many things at a time, to crush. syn. -pyata rel. -bomela (bomezi) to break
many of somebody's things. caus. -bomakisa (bomakisize) to cause to break; to
help to kill. freq. -bomaka (bomakile) to break repeatedly. int. bomakelela
(bomakelezi) to break all.
-boma2
(bomile) v.i. to remain out, not to find room, to be left over: Mutise kwanu
lico ze bomile, bring here the food left over.
Boma
(Li-) n. Swahili. District Secretary's Office. (By ext: any place where there
is such an office.)
-bomba
(bombile) vi.i. (1) to be exhausted: Lipulu li bombile, the draught oxen are
exhausted. syn. -tamba, -topwela. (2) (in the 'muba' dance) to pray the spirit
to leave the patient alone: A lu bombe ku 'muba', let us pray to the 'muba'
spirit.
bo-mbonezikai,
n. pl. dwarfs.
bomu,
n. purpose, deliberate intention usually taken as ill-meant: U ezize ka bomu,
he did it on purpose. (see: mabomu)
bona,
emph. pron. (class: mu-ba) 3rd person plural: they, them, themselves: Bona ba
fitile ka nako, they themselves arrived in time. Also emph. pron. sing (class:
bu-ma) it, itself: Bona busihu bo, on this very night.
-bona
(boni or bonile) v.t. (1) to see, to look, to behold: Ni ba boni, I saw them; u t'o bona se, come and see this;
bona, u ta holofala! Look out or you will hurt yourself. (2) to perceive, to
notice: Ni bona kuli mutu yo h 'a buleli niti, I notice that this person does
not speak the truth. (3) to find: Ni ka bona kai
-bonda
(bondile) v.t. Luyana. (1) to kill, to hang up by the neck. (2) to twist
'mashandi' roots or fibre to make string; to twist bark to make rope. (3) to
stir (porridge): Ku bonda ndima. to stir 'buhobe' der. mubondi, mubonda. cf.
-soka. rel. -bondela (bondezi) to ~ for someone. caus. -bondisa (bondisize) to
help to ~. ref. -lponda (ipondile) to
commit suicide syn. -ipulaya.
-bondakana
(bondakani) v.i. (1) to fall down (dilapidated house) (2) to be assembled in
large numbers (as mourners, birds flocking together or cattle in a garden): Ni
fumani linyunywani li bondakani mwa mulapo. I found a flock of birds grouped in
a stream.
-bondauka (bondaukile) v.i. (1) (