Welcome to Kisii, a beautiful region in Western Kenya known for its lush highlands and vibrant culture. To help you get started, here are 100 commonly used words and their translations in the Kisii language:
Greetings and Common Phrases
- Bwakire buya – Good morning
- Bwairire buya – Good night
- Mbuya muno – Thank you
- Ng’aki ongederete – How are you?
- Buya – Good/very well
- Ng’aki – Hello (mostly used by youths)
- Tororane – Goodbye/See you later
- Tigara buya – Remain well
- Korancheko – Please
- Ng’acheri – Excuse me
- Ng’abere – Sorry
- Yaya – No
- Eeh – Yes
- Nigwachete – I love you
Questions
- Inki? – What?
- Arari? – Where?
- Ase ki? – Why?
- Naki? – How?
- Ase eng’encho – Because
- Naki okorokwa? – What is your name?
- Irenga? – How much?
- Rigori irenga? – How much does it cost?
- Birenga bire? – How much are these?
- Tagete kogora – I want to buy
- Rigori rinene – Very expensive
Actions and Commands
- Inchu – Come
- Genda – Go
- Tara – Walk
- Minyoka – Run
- Ogokwania – Greet
- Tegerera – Listen
- Rigereria – Look
- Nkonye – Help
- Rika – Write
People and Family
- Omonto – Person
- Abanto – People
- Omosacha – Man
- Omokungu – Woman
- Omomura – Boy
- Omoiseke – Girl
- Tata – Father
- Mama – Mother
- Momura ominto – Brother
- Moiseke ominto – Sister
- Bamwabo – Cousin
- Omwana – Child
- Omosani one – My friend
Time and Days
- Rero – Today
- Igoro – Yesterday
- Mambi – Tomorrow
- Ewiki ege – This week
- Ewiki ya erete – Last week
- Ewiki egocha – Next week
Body Parts
- Omotu – Head
- Omonu – Mouth
- Enkoro – Heart
- Enda – Stomach
- Erisu – Eye
- Omogongo – Back
- Okogoro – Leg
Food and Drink
- Endagera – Food
- Obokimo – Ugali (a stiff meal made of corn flour)
- Chinyeni – Vegetable
- Enyama – Meat
- Omogati – Bread
- Echae – Tea
- Amache – Water
- Amabere – Milk
- Obori/Wimbi – Finger millet
- Ebituma – Maize
- Amarabwani – Sweet potatoes
- Omonyo – Salt
- Omochere – Rice
- Esukari – Sugar
- Ritoke – Banana
- Egesukari – Sweet banana
Animals
- Engoko – Hen
- Etwoni – Cock
- Engombe – Cow
- Esese – Dog
- Ekebusi – Cat
- Enyoni – Bird
Objects and Places
- Ekebee – Left
- Okorio – Right
- Esimi – Phone
- Chibesa – Money
- Obwansu – Sweet
- Emesa – Table
- Ekerogo – Chair
- Edirisa – Window
- Enyasi – Wall
- Ekerama – Roof
- Egetabu – Book
- Ekaramu – Pen
- Egetanda – Bed
- Ebikoroto – Shoes
- Erongi – Trousers
- Esuti – Shirt
- Esigati – Skirt
- Omurangu – Door
Enjoy your visit to Kisii, the land of bananas! Good luck!
