Basic Nouns

1. Amenshi

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word when asking for drinking water, e.g. "Mpeelako amenshi ya kunwa" ("Give me some water to drink")

   Grammar Note

   "ama-" is a plural/mass prefix; the form without the first vowel, "menshi", is also written

2. Ifyakulya

   Food

   Usage

   The general word for food, used when looking for or ordering something to eat

   Grammar Note

   Literally "things for eating"; it is sometimes written as two words, "ifya kulya"

3. Umuti

   Medicine

   Usage

   The word for medicine; traditional herbal remedies are called the same thing

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "imiti". Follow with "umuti wa ..." ("medicine for ...") to name the problem. A tree is a different word, "icimuti"

4. Tiketi

   Ticket

   Usage

   A ticket for transport or entry, for use at a ticket window

   Grammar Note

   A loanword; native review recommended. The plural is written "ama tiketi"

5. Lamya

   Phone

   Usage

   The phone itself, e.g. the thing you ask to borrow

   Grammar Note

   A loanword; native review recommended. "Foni" is also used for the same thing, but "lamya" is the more frequent word in everyday descriptions

6. Cipatala

   Hospital

   Usage

   Where you go when sick or hurt; also used when asking the way

   Grammar Note

   A loanword; native review recommended. "icipatala" with the initial i also occurs. "mu cipatala" means "in the hospital"

7. Bakapokola

   Police

   Usage

   The police (plural), for when you need to ask for help

   Grammar Note

   "ba-" marks plural people; one officer is "kapokola". It is sometimes written "ba kapokola"

8. Umuputule

   Room

   Usage

   A room in a lodging or building

   Grammar Note

   With a purpose added, as in "umuputule wa kusambilamo", it means a bathroom. The form "muputule" without the first vowel also appears

9. Umusebo

   Road

   Usage

   A road or street where vehicles pass

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "imisebo"; "pa musebo" means "on the road"

10. Ulupwa

    Family

    Usage

    A family or extended family group

    Grammar Note

    A noun with the prefix "ulu-"; a possessive word follows the noun

11. Ishina

    Name

    Usage

    The word for a name, when giving or asking for one

    Grammar Note

    A possessive follows: "ishina lyandi" (my name), "ishina lyenu" (your name, polite)

12. Amenso

    Eyes

    Usage

    For describing an eye problem to a doctor or pharmacist

    Grammar Note

    Normally used in the plural; a single eye is "ilinso"

13. Ameno

    Teeth

    Usage

    For describing tooth pain

    Grammar Note

    A plural form; it is sometimes written with a long vowel, "ameeno"

14. Amala

    Stomach

    Usage

    For describing stomach pain or an upset stomach

    Grammar Note

    A plural noun in "ama-"; after the place word "mu" it is written "mu mala" ("in the stomach")

15. Hotela

    Hotel

    Usage

    Your lodging; useful as a destination for transport or directions

    Grammar Note

    A loanword; native review recommended. The plural is "ama hotela"

16. Cibansa ca ndeke

    Airport

    Usage

    The airport; say it to a driver as a destination

    Grammar Note

    Literally "field of aeroplanes". It also occurs with the initial i, "icibansa ca ndeke"

17. Maliketi

    Market

    Usage

    A market for shopping or finding food; "pa maliketi" means "at the market"

    Grammar Note

    A loanword; native review recommended. "ncende ya makwebo" ("place of trade") is another way to say it

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