Body Parts

1. Umutwe

   Head

   Usage

   Used to point to the head; the plural is "imitwe"

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix umu-); the plural is the class 4 form "imitwe"

2. Umushishi

   Hair

   Usage

   Hair; the plural "imishishi" is the form heard most often when talking about someone's hair

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix umu-); the plural is the class 4 form "imishishi"

3. Icinso

   Face

   Usage

   Used to point to the face

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 noun (prefix ici-); it sounds close to "ilinso" (eye), so keep them apart

4. Ilinso

   Eye

   Usage

   One eye; for both eyes or eyes in general use the plural "amenso"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun (prefix ili-); the plural is the class 6 form "amenso"

5. Ukutwi

   Ear

   Usage

   One ear; the plural is "amatwi"

   Grammar Note

   A class 15 noun (prefix uku-); the plural is the class 6 form "amatwi"

6. Akanwa

   Mouth

   Usage

   Used to point to the mouth

   Grammar Note

   A class 12 noun (prefix aka-); it shares its root with the verb "ukunwa" (to drink)

7. Ululimi

   Tongue

   Usage

   Used to point to the tongue, for example when describing a sore mouth

   Grammar Note

   A class 11 noun (prefix ulu-)

8. Umukoshi

   Neck

   Usage

   Used to point to the neck; "mu mukoshi" means "on the neck"

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix umu-)

9. Ukuboko

   Hand / arm

   Usage

   Used to point to the hand or arm; both hands are "amaboko"

   Grammar Note

   A class 15 noun (prefix uku-); the plural is the class 6 form "amaboko". The same word covers hand and arm

10. Umunwe

    Finger

    Usage

    Used to point to a finger; the plural is "iminwe"

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix umu-); the plural is the class 4 form "iminwe"

11. Icifuba

    Chest

    Usage

    Used to point to the chest; it is also used for chest illnesses such as a cough or tuberculosis

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 noun (prefix ici-)

12. Ulufumo

    Belly

    Usage

    Used to point to the outside of the belly; with a place marker it appears as "pa lufumo"

    Grammar Note

    A class 11 noun (prefix ulu-). The inside of the belly (stomach, intestines) is a different word, "amala"

13. Ulukasa

    Foot

    Usage

    One foot; both feet are "amakasa"

    Grammar Note

    A class 11 noun (prefix ulu-); the plural is the class 6 form "amakasa"

14. Inkanda

    Skin

    Usage

    Skin; useful when pointing at a rash or sunburn

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun (prefix in-); the same word is used when speaking of skin colour

15. Ifupa

    Bone

    Usage

    Used for a bone; the plural is "amafupa"

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun (prefix i-); the plural is the class 6 form "amafupa"

16. Umulopa

    Blood

    Usage

    Used for blood, for example to report bleeding or an injury

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix umu-)

17. Umutima

    Heart

    Usage

    The heart; it is also widely used for the mind or feelings. The plural is "imitima"

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix umu-); the plural is the class 4 form "imitima"

18. Umubili

    Body

    Usage

    The whole body; useful for saying the whole body aches or is unwell

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix umu-)

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