Kikongo

Language Details
Family Niger-Congo

Hebrew Comparisons

Word Meaning Hebrew Word Transliteration Hebrew Meaning
ngâmbu side (of river), shore, bank אֲגַם ʼăgam from an unused root (meaning to collect as water); a marsh; hence a rush (as growing in swamps); hence a stockade of reeds; pond, pool, standing (water).
ndamu blood אָדַם ʼâdam to show blood (in the face), i.e.; flush or turn rosy; be (dyed, made) red (ruddy).
ndengele foundation (of a house), ground course אֶדֶן ʼeden from the same as אָדוֹן (in the sense of strength); a basis (of a building, a column, etc.); foundation, socket.
nga I, me אֲנִי ani lemma אֲנַי second vowel, corrected to אֲנִי; contracted from אָנֹכִי; I; I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who.
vuta to spend the night, to rest for the night; to lodge overnight בּוּת bûwth (Aramaic) apparent denominative from בַּיִת; to lodge over night; pass the night.
bika to cry, to mourn, to wail בֶּכֶה bekeh from בָּכָה; a weeping; [idiom] sore.
bela to be tired, to get tired, to become weak בְּלָא bᵉlâʼ (Aramaic) corresponding to בָּלָה (but used only in a mental sense); to afflict; wear out.
kubɛla to be sick בְּלָא bᵉlâʼ (Aramaic) corresponding to בָּלָה (but used only in a mental sense); to afflict; wear out.
-ola to rot, decay בָּלָה bâlâh a primitive root; to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend); consume, enjoy long, become (make, wax) old, spend, waste.
mwana child, offspring בֵּן bên (Aramaic) corresponding to בֵּן; {a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense}; child, son, young.
bonga to make ready, put in order, repair בָּנָה bânâh a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.
buya to swell; be swollen בָּעָה bâʻâh a primitive root; to gush over, i.e. to swell; (figuratively) to desire earnestly; by implication to ask; cause, inquire, seek up, swell out.
bita to strike, beat, hit בָּעַט bâʻaṭ a primitive root; to trample down, i.e. (figuratively) despise; kick.
beta to hit, beat, strike, play (an instrument) בָּעַט bâʻaṭ a primitive root; to trample down, i.e. (figuratively) despise; kick.
bala to marry (of a man taking a wife); to become a husband בָּעַל bâʻal a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַל; to be master; hence, to marry; have dominion (over), be husband, marry(-ried, [idiom] wife).
kubala to marry (of a man); to take a wife בָּעַל bâʻal a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַל; to be master; hence, to marry; have dominion (over), be husband, marry(-ried, [idiom] wife).
mbiza pool; pond; natural pool (especially muddy, stagnant) בִּצָּה bitstsâh intensive from בֹץ; a swamp; fen, mire(-ry place).
kata to cut בָּתַק bâthaq a primitive root; to cut in pieces; thrust through.
bata to split, strike בָּתַר bâthar a primitive root,; to chop up; divide.
kibaku forehead גִּבֵּחַ gibbêach from an unused root meaning to be high (in the forehead); bald in the forehead; forehead bald.
fa die (archaic/less common, often kufwa) גָּוַע gâvaʻ a primitive root; to breathe out, i.e. (by implication) expire; die, be dead, give up the ghost, perish.
kala heap, pile up (as verb) גַּל gal from גָּלַל; something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves); billow, heap, spring, wave.
kala lump, clod גָּלָל gâlâl from גָּלַל; dung (as in balls); dung.
ngoma reed-like plant material גֹּמֶא gômeʼ from גָּמָא; properly, an absorbent, i.e. the bulrush (from its porosity); specifically the papyrus; (bul-) rush.
galata to pare, peel, scrape off skin (from root vegetable, etc.) גָּרַד gârad a primitive root; to abrade; scrape.
kata to cut גָּרַז gâraz a primitive root; to cut off; cut off.
nzaia kite (bird), Milvus migrans דָּאָה dâʼâh from דָּאָה; the kite (from its rapid flight); vulture. See רָאָה.
kubika to sacrifice, to offer (ritually, e.g. to spirits/ancestors) דְּבַח dᵉbach (Aramaic) corresponding to זָבַח; to sacrifice (an animal); offer (sacrifice).
ndage small fish דָּגָה dâgâh feminine of דָּג, and meaning the same; {a fish (often used collectively)}; fish.
dinga to give birth to, to multiply (children, creatures) דָּגָה dâgâh a primitive root; to move rapidly; used only as a denominative from דָּג; to spawn, i.e. become numerous; grow.
kangala to show, exhibit, display, make visible דָּגַל dâgal a primitive root; to flaunt, i.e. raise a flag; figuratively, to be conspicuous; (set up, with) banners, chiefest.
zahabu gold דְּהַב dᵉhab (Aramaic) corresponding to זָהָב; gold; gold(-en).
duma be silent, be quiet דָּהַם dâham a primitive root (compare דּוּחַ); to be dumb, i.e. (figuratively) dumbfounded; astonished.
ndura hut, dwelling, temporary shelter דּוּר dûwr (Aramaic) corresponding to דּוּר; to reside; dwell.
ndunga judge; arbiter; law-officer דַּיָּן dayân (Aramaic) corresponding to דַּיָּן; {a judge or advocate}; judge.
dísa to thresh grain דַּיִשׁ dayish from דּוּשׁ; threshing-time; threshing.
baka to press, press down, to squeeze, oppress, pressurize דָּכָה dâkâh a primitive root (compare דַּךְ, דָּכָא); to collapse (phys. or mentally); break (sore), contrite, crouch.
dikidi large wave, breaker דֳּכִי dŏkîy from דָּכָה; a dashing of surf; wave.
dala to be poor, suffer, be in need דַּלָּה dallâh from דָּלָה; properly, something dangling, i.e. a loose thread or hair; figuratively, indigent; hair, pining sickness, poor(-est sort).
waka to burn, to be on fire דָּלַק dâlaq a primitive root; to flame (literally or figuratively); burning, chase, inflame, kindle, persecute(-or), pursue hotly.
dima to be silent, to be still, to rest (refrain from speaking or activity) דָּמָה dâmâh a primitive root; to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy; cease, be cut down (off), destroy, be brought to silence, be undone, [idiom] utterly.
mayele wisdom, intelligence, cleverness דֵּעָה dêʻâh feminine of דֵּעַ; knowledge; knowledge.
kubuka to break דָּקַק dâqaq a primitive root (compare הָדַךְlemma הָדךְ missing vowel, corrected to הָדַךְ); to crush (or intransitively) crumble; beat in pieces (small), bruise, make dust, (into) [idiom] powder, (be, very) small, stamp (small).
dɛta to sprout, to come out (of a plant) דֶּתֶא detheʼ (Aramaic) corresponding to דֶּשֶׁא; {a sprout; by analogy, grass}; tender grass.
vulu air, vapor, breath, atmosphere הֶבֶל hebel or (rarely in the abs.) הֲבֵל; from הָבַל; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb; [idiom] altogether, vain, vanity.
ndasi a type of small aromatic shrub (not always myrtle, but includes shrubby plants with fragrant uses in rituals) הֲדַס hădaç of uncertain derivation; the myrtle; myrtle (tree).
vua to become, to happen, to exist הָוָא hâvâʼ or הָוָה; a primitive root (compare אָוָה, הָיָה) supposed to mean properly, to breathe; to be (in the sense of existence); be, [idiom] have.
mvè bad luck, misfortune, something evil הַוָּה havvâh from הָוָא (in the sense of eagerly coveting and rushing upon; by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin; calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous (thing), naughtiness, naughty, noisome, perverse thing, substance, very wickedness.
ayi expression of pain, lament, surprise; 'alas', 'oh!' (cry of distress) הִי hîy for נְהִי; lamentation; woe. (For hiyr. See הוּא, הוּא.)
leka to pass, to leave, to let pass, to allow (esp. transit context) הֲלָךְ hălâk (Aramaic) from הֲלַךְ; properly, a journey, i.e. (by implication) toll on goods at aroad; custom.
kuma to make a loud noise, resound, ring (bell), clang, or sometimes to shout הָמָה hâmâh a primitive root (compare הוּם); to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor; clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar.
vanga to kill, to slaughter הָרַג hârag a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely.
zua to take, to receive זְבַן zᵉban (Aramaic) corresponding to the root of זְבִינָא; to acquire by purchase; gain.
zinga to shine, to be bright זֹהַר zôhar from זָהַר; brilliancy; brightness.
ziba to be dirty, to soil זוֹב zôwb from זוּב; a seminal or menstrual flux; issue.
tala to plant, to fix (propagate by planting, sometimes used for taking root or spreading) זָחַל zâchal a primitive root; to crawl; by implication, to fear; be afraid, serpent, worm.
kumbuka to remember, call to mind זָכַר zâkar a primitive root; also as denominative from זָכָר; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male; [idiom] burn (incense), [idiom] earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, [idiom] still, think on, [idiom] well.
zanga to make noise; cry out זָעַק zâʻaq a primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly; assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed.
zanga to cough, to have a cough זָרַר zârar a primitive root (compare זוּר); perhaps to diffuse, i.e. (specifically) to sneeze; sneeze.
kumbata to embrace, hug, enfold with arms חָבַק châbaq a primitive root; to clasp (the hands or in embrace); embrace, fold.
kela to lack, to be in want, to fail, to cease (doing something) חֶדֶל chedel from חָדַל; rest, i.e. the state of the dead; world.
kuka to encircle, to go around (to wind around, surround) חוּג chûwg from חוּג; a circle; circle, circuit, compass.
kata to cut חָטַב châṭab a primitive root; to chop or carve wood; cut down, hew(-er), polish.
katuka to cut חָטַב châṭab a primitive root; to chop or carve wood; cut down, hew(-er), polish.
kitaba maize, grain, sometimes used for 'bread grain' (mod. usages after introduction of maize) חִטָּה chiṭṭâh of uncertain derivation; wheat, whether the grain or the plant; wheat(-en).
kuka to hook, to catch (with a hook); also 'ukuka' = a hook חַכָּה chakkâh probably from חָכָה; a hook (as adhering); angle, hook.
ndilaka loincloth, strip of cloth חַלֻּק challuq from חָלַק; smooth; smooth.
kosa to err, to sin, to miss the mark חַלָּשׁ challâsh from חָלַשׁ; frail; weak.
kaama to be warm, to be hot (of sun, day, weather); to be heated חָם châm from חָמַם; hot; hot, warm.
kama heat; to be hot, burn; parching heat; also 'the sun' in some idioms חַמָּה chammâh from חָם; heat; by implication, the sun; heat, sun.
kima sacred stone, fetish, object of ritual power (especially as a physical mediator of spiritual force) חַמָּן chammân from חַמָּה; a sun-pillar; idol, image.
kima to run away, to escape, to flee חָמַק châmaq a primitive root; properly, to wrap; hence, to depart (i.e. turn about); go about, withdraw self.
kumala to rise (of yeast); to become swollen or foamy (baking, fermentation) חָמַר châmar a primitive root; also as denominative (from חֵמָר); properly, to boil up; hence, to ferment (with scum); to glow (with redness); to smear with pitch; daub, befoul, be red, trouble.
kana to pity, to take pity (on), to have mercy חָנַן chânan a primitive root (compare חָנָה); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition); beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very.
kosa to lack, to be without, to deceive חָסֵר châçêr from חָסֵר; lacking; hence, without; destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want.
kemba to hurry, to be quick, to rush חָפַז châphaz a primitive root; properly, to start up suddenly, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, to fear; (make) haste (away), tremble.
kesa to divide, cut, split חָצָה châtsâh lemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה; a primitive root (compare זֵד)); to cut or split in two; to halve; divide, [idiom] live out half, reach to the midst, participle
kasa to cut, separate, divide חָצַץ châtsats a primitive root (compare חָצָהlemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה); also as denominative from חֵץ; properly, to chop into, pierce or sever; hence, to curtail, to distribute (into ranks); to shoot an arrow; archer, [idiom] bands, cut off in the midst.
kaka to scratch, engrave, incise, mark with a sharp instrument חָקָה châqâh a primitive root; to carve; by implication, to delineate; also to entrench; carved work, portrayed, set a print.
kelela to tremble, to shiver (with fear or cold) חָרֵד chârêd from חָרַד; fearful; also reverential; afraid, trembling.
kala to burn, be hot, to roast, to bake חָרָה chârâh a primitive root (compare חָרַר); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy; be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See תַּחָרָה.
kala to roast, to scorch חָרַר chârar a primitive root; to glow, i.e. literally (to melt, burn, dry up) or figuratively (to show or incite passion); be angry, burn, dry, kindle.
kata to cut חָתַךְ châthak a primitive root; properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) to decree; determine.
ntanu son-in-law חָתָן châthân from חָתַן; a relative by marriage (especially through the bride); figuratively, a circumcised child (as a species of religious espousal); bridegroom, husband, son in law.
kota to fear, to be afraid חֲתַת chăthath from חָתַת; dismay; casting down.
koba to kill, to massacre, to slaughter טֶבַח ṭebach from טָבַח; properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter); [idiom] beast, slaughter, [idiom] slay, [idiom] sore.
tuba to kill, to slaughter טֶבַח ṭebach from טָבַח; properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter); [idiom] beast, slaughter, [idiom] slay, [idiom] sore.
temba fault, blame, accusation טָמֵא ṭâmêʼ from טָמֵא; foul in a religious sense; defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean.
tene basket (for carrying produce) טֶנֶא ṭeneʼ from an unused root probably meaning to weave; a basket (of interlaced osiers); basket.
tama to taste (food); to relish, savor טְעַם ṭᵉʻam (Aramaic) corresponding to טָעַם; to taste; causatively to feed; make to eat, feed.
mpanu breadth, width טֹפַח ṭôphach from טָפַח (the same as טֵפַח); {a spread of the hand, i.e. a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm)}; hand-breadth (broad).
mutolo load טֹרַח ṭôrach from טָרַח; a burden; cumbrance, trouble.
tala to pluck, tear off, break off (esp. fruit/food from tree or source) טָרָף ṭârâph from טָרַף; recently torn off, i.e. fresh; pluckt off.
yasa to become tired, to give up, to get worn out; (contextually, to be resigned or exhausted of effort) יָאַשׁ yâʼash a primitive root; to desist, i.e. (figuratively) to despond; (cause to) despair, one that is desperate, be no hope.
kububila weep aloud, cry loudly יָבַב yâbab a primitive root; to bawl; cry out.
mbala to lead, to bring (especially as in to take someone to a place, to usher) יְבַל yᵉbal (Aramaic) corresponding to יָבַל; to bring; bring, carry.
kubela to show, to indicate, to reveal יָבַל yâbal a primitive root; properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp); bring (forth), carry, lead (forth).
mbale river, large waterbody יָבָל yâbâl from יָבַל; a stream; (water-) course, stream.
yidika to praise, to thank, to confess (esp. God) יָדָה yâdâh a primitive root; used only as denominative from יָד; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands); cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).
lela to cry יָלַל yâlal a primitive root; to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one); (make to) howl, be howling.
naka to suck, to nurse, to breastfeed (esp. for children at the breast) יָנַק yânaq a primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk; milch, nurse(-ing mother), (give, make to) suck(-ing child, -ling).
yala to appoint; to set, to place in authority; to rule יָעַד yâʻad a primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage); agree,(maxke an) appoint(-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time).
-yala become weak יָעַף yâʻaph a primitive root; to tire (as if from wearisome flight); faint, cause to fly, (be) weary (self).
shima to put, to place יָשַׂם yâsam a primitive root; to place; intransitively, to be placed; be put (set).
nkadi pot, cooking pot (rare, Kongo-Yombe dialects; sometimes generalized as 'vessel') כַּד kad from an unused root meaning to deepen; properly, a pail; but generally of earthenware; a jar for domestic purposes; barrel, pitcher.
kukula to grow, to grow up, to mature כֶּלַח kelach from an unused root meaning to be complete; maturity; full (old) age.
kumuka to burn, to be hot, scorch כָּמַר kâmar a primitive root; properly, to intertwine or contract, i.e. (by implication) to shrivel (as with heat); figuratively, to be deeply affected with passion (love or pity); be black, be kindled, yearn.
kina louse, body louse (Pediculus humanus) כֵּן kên from כָּנַן in the sense of fastening; (from infixing its sting; used only in plural (and irregular in Exodus 8:17,18; Hebrews 13:14)); a gnat; lice, [idiom] manner.
kana to plant, to sow כָּנַן kânan a primitive root; to set out, i.e. plant; [idiom] vineyard.
kansa to put together, to assemble, to pile up כָּנַס kânaç a primitive root; to collect; hence, to enfold; gather (together), heap up, wrap self.
-kana refuse, deny כָּנַף kânaph a primitive root; properly, to project laterally, i.e. probably (reflexive) to withdraw; be removed.
kupa to bend, to fold כָּפָה kâphâh a primitive root; properly, to bend, i.e. (figuratively) to tame or subdue; pacify.
kúfúla to cleanse, to purify כָּפַר kâphar a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel; appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
kele stomach; belly (internal organ) כְּרֵשׂ kᵉrês by variation from קָרַס; the paunch or belly (as swelling out); belly.
kataba to write (archaic, also used in texts or ceremonial contexts; modern form is 'kanga' in Congo, but 'kataba' is attested in missionaries' and early colonial records) כְּתַב kᵉthab (Aramaic) corresponding to כָּתַב; {to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)}; write(-ten).
kita partition, wall, divider (especially an interior wall or panel, can mean fence in some dialects) כְּתַל kᵉthal (Aramaic) corresponding to כֹּתֶל; {a wall (as gathering inmates)}; wall.
kasa to pound, beat, triturate (food, e.g. in a mortar) כָּתַשׁ kâthash a primitive root; to butt or pound; bray.
luta to hide, to go unobtrusively לָאט lâʼṭ from לָאַט (or perhaps for active participle of לוּט); properly, muffled, i.e. silently; softly.
luwa plank, board, slab (of wood, sometimes stone), flat surface (class 11 'lu-' prefix) לוּחַ lûwach or לֻחַ; from a primitive root; probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal; board, plate, table.
lata to press, to compress, to put under pressure לַחַץ lachats from לָחַץ; distress; affliction, oppression.
luta to hide, to keep secret לָט lâṭ a form of לָאט or else participle from לוּט; properly, covered, i.e. secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb) covertly; enchantment, privily, secretly, softly.
kɛti noose, snare לֶכֶד leked from לָכַד; something to capture with, i.e. a noose; being taken.
lemba to teach, educate, instruct לָמַד lâmad a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive); (un-) accustomed, [idiom] diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -ing).
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