Animals

1. Imbwa

   Dog

   Usage

   Used to point to a dog; "Imbwa shibili" means "two dogs"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-). Singular and plural look the same; the plural shows in the agreement on the next word (shi-)

2. Ing'ombe

   Cow / cattle

   Usage

   Used to point to a cow; it also covers cattle in general

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-). "ng'" is one nasal sound; without the apostrophe it is a different sound

3. Imbushi

   Goat

   Usage

   Used to point to a goat

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-); the form without the initial vowel, "mbushi", is also written

4. Impaanga

   Sheep

   Usage

   Used to point to a sheep

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-). It is sometimes written "impanga", but the sheep word is written with a long vowel, "impaanga"

5. Inkumba

   Pig

   Usage

   Used to point to a pig; some people avoid pork

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-). A different word, "ngulube", also exists, but "inkumba" is the usual one

6. Kabalwe

   Horse

   Usage

   Used to point to a horse; the plural takes the people prefix, as in "ba kabalwe"

   Grammar Note

   A class 1a noun (no prefix). A second word, "mfwalashi", is also used for horse

7. Inkalamo

   Lion

   Usage

   Used to point to a lion

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-)

8. Insofu

   Elephant

   Usage

   Used to point to an elephant; the plural shows on the next word, as in "insofu shibili"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-); singular and plural look the same

9. Insoka

   Snake

   Usage

   Used to point to a snake, for example to warn others in long grass

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun (prefix in-); the form without the initial vowel, "nsoka", is also written

10. Pushi

    Cat

    Usage

    Used to point to a cat

    Grammar Note

    A loan word from English "puss". For the cat family in general the form "ifipuushi" is used. Native review recommended

11. Icuni

    Bird

    Usage

    Used to point to a bird; the plural is "ifyuni"

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 noun (prefix ici-); the plural is the class 8 form "ifyuni". Other forms such as "iconi" and "akoni" also exist

12. Fulwe

    Tortoise

    Usage

    Used to point to a tortoise

    Grammar Note

    A class 1a noun (no prefix)

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