Kavunuuzi yʼorunyankore/rukiga omu rungyereza. Runyankore/Rukiga - English Dictionary

213 Pages·2009·1.648 MB·Institute of Languages, Makerere University

by  coll.

Authors
Yoweri Museveni,
Manuel J.K. Muranga,
Alice Muhoozi,
Aaron Mushengyezi
Gilbert Gumoshabe

Editors
Yusuf Mpairwe
Gordon Kahangi

Typing and shoebox program managers
Gerald Lubega
Allen Asiimwe

Illustrations
Peter Kasamba

Cover design
Robert Kibuuka

Project coordinator
Fumiko Ohinata, UNESCO Nairobi

© 2009, Institute of Languages, Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

ISBN: …………………………………

This project received financial assistance from the UNESCO/Japanese Funds in Trust
cooperation project “Writing a Runyankore/Rukiga-English Dictionary for the
preservation of the language”, which was implemented by UNESCO Nairobi, and
logistical assistance from the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO.

All rights reserved. No part of this dictionary may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in
any form or by any means without prior permission in writing of the Institute of
Languages, Makerere University.
Version: 1 June 2009
i
a aharubaju

A - a

a n. first letter of the Roman alphabet. for Ntare one of the former kings of Ankole.
aa int. a word used to express wonder, surprise or abatangaazi n. people who brought cows to
astonishment. Buganda when there was drought in Ankole in
aba adj. these: used to refer to more than one person. the first half of the 20th century. Sing:
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Aba n'aboojo. These are boys. omutangaazi.
aba2 prep. of, for: belonging to a person or place. Aba abateruzi n. Sing: omuteruzi. 1) potters: men
Kampala. The ones of Kampala. who carry luggage. 2) people who used to lift
abaana1 n. See: OMWANA. makeshift brides.
abaana school children. abatuukurani n. (in ancient times) people who
2
abaanyu n. someone's relatives. were killed by swords or spears. Sing:
abaawe n. a word used to refer to one's family omutuukurani.
members. Abayonga n. dark people especially of the Bahinda
abacwezi n. a group of people who are believed to clan. Sing: Omuyonga.
have lived in the ancient Nkole kingdom and abaziiki n. mourners: people who attend a burial.
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were associated with spiritual powers. Sing: Sing: omuziiki.
omucwezi. abaziiki2 n. undertakers. Sing: omuziiki.
abahitsi n. undertakers for burrying a king. Sing: abeeteeraine n. people who come together for a
omuhitsi. common cause.
abahuruzi n. warriors: soldiers with experience and agandi int. greeting: how are you? Agandi sebo?
skill in fighting especially in the past. Abahuruzi How are you, sir?
baaraba aha beekoreire ebintu ebi baanyaga. ahaasi prep. See: AHANSI.
Worriors have passed here carrying loot. Sing: ahabiso adv. an unclosed place and abit distant.
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omuhuruzi. Var: ebiso.
abaitu n. our relatives: a word used to refer to my ahabiso adv. in future.
2
relatives. ahabw'okuba conj. because. Var: ahakuba.
abambari n. (in Ankole kingdom) favoured male ahagati adv. 1) between: bordered by two things.
people who used to work in the palace. Sing: 2) being at the centre.
omwambari. ahaifo adv. a place at a lower level compared to the
abaregye n. enemies: people who are not on one's other.
side, opposers, competitors. Pl: omuregye. ahaiguru adv. above: the space above something.
abaregyera n. a type of cows that are known for ahakuba conj. See: AHABWOKUBA.
moving very fast and can move long distances. ahamaisho n. face: front part of the head that
abarongo n. See: AMAHASHA. comprises of the eyes, nose and the mouth.
abaroreezi n. onlookers: uninvited people who ahamusikye adv. See: AHARUBAJU.
watch what is going on at a ceremony. Sing: ahamweija adv. a word used to refer to a place
omuroreezi. already talked about and known to two or more
abarungi adj. Sing: omurungi. 1) beautiful or good people.
looking people. 2) good hearted people. ahandi pron. 1) somewhere: undisclosed place.
abaryakamwe n. intimate friends: people who 2) elsewhere: another place.
share common interests. ahansi adv. the place beneath, or under. Usage: Kiga.
abashendekyereza n. See: abashendekyeza. Var: ahaasi.
abashendekyeza n. people who accompany a bride ahantu pron. an area, or part of region or place.
when she is getting married. See: ahanyima adv. indicating sequence of events.
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ENSHAGARIZI. Var: abashendekyereza. Ahanyima ho tukaba twateisize ngu tuze
Sing: omushendekyeza. kumutaayaayira. Earlier on we had agreed to go
abashomi1 n. believers or religious people those who and visit her. See: ENYIMA. Var: bwanyima.
have faith. Sing: omushomi. ahanyima2 adv. afterwards.
abashomi2 n. See: OMUSHOMI. aharubaju adv. on the side out of other people's
abatangaaza n. a name that was given to the cows hearing. See: AHAMUSIKYE.
UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary 1
aharuguru akaceceko
aharuguru adv. raised area: an area that is above 2) a designed piece of wood that is inserted in
the other in terms of position. the nose of a calfto stop it from suckling. See:
aheekiikire adv. a place which cannot be easily ORUBAAHO.
seen or accessed. akabaaho n. gallows: a place where convicts are
2
aheeru adv. 1) outside: out of a designated place. 2) hanged.
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aheeru adv. akabaare n. blackstone: a small stone used for
2
aho adv. there: at a particular position of a place. sucking venon from the body.
ahonaaho adv. 1) quickly: acting swifly. akababa-bahiigi n. a small caterpillar.
2) increasing on the pace of doing something. akababagazi n. initial stage of flowering.
3) doing something in time. Obushaza bwahika aha kababagazi. Peas have
ai int. 1) often used when a person is annoyed or reached the flowering stage.
shocked. 2) a response to something bad, e.g. akabanda n. pancake: a thin flat round cake of
pain. sweetened dough, yellow bananas and cassava
ai nuunu phr. expression to mean oh, how good! flour. Usage: NK. Pl: otubanda,
ai nuunu phr. expression to mean oh, how good! obubanda.
aima int. expression of disgust: shame up on you! akabi n. danger or trouble: likehood of being injured
-aitu adj. us/our: belonging to or connected with a or killed.
group that one is part of. Ente yaitu ebuzire. Our akabibiro n. small basket: small seed basket that is
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cow got lost. used in sowing. Usage: Nkole.
akaabunga n. up in the sky. akabibiro n. verandah: covered area outside a house
2
akaakiiro n. thirst: too much urgue for something to which is often enclosed.
drink. See: EKYAKA. akabindi n. nose of a buffalo or hyena.
akaaku n. trunk of an elephant that it uses for akabindirano adv. to be taken in an impromptu
feeding and protection. manner. Bamutwarire omu kabindirano
akaamunaana n. exaggeration: explaining beyond k'okukwata embura-mukoro. He was taken in an
the truth of the matter. impromptu operation to arrest idlers.
akaanirampanga n. hawk: a bird of prey with akabindirano adv. unditional excessive love: love
hooked bill and sharp eye sight. galore.
akaano n. valley: low lying part between hills. akabogye n. sitting sideways with legs tucked
Enjura egwire akaano kaijura amaizi. It rained inward. Omushaija yaashitama kabogye. The
and filled the valley. man is seated with his legs tucked inward.
akaanya n. 1) shortest period of time. Nimbaasa akabonero n. 1) a sign: a sign of a cross. Yaakora
kugambaho naiwe akaanya kakye? Can I talk to akabonero k'omusharaba arikutaaha omu
you for a moment? 2) distance: space between iramizo. He made a sign of the cross when he
people or things. Kuruga aha irwariro kuhika was entering the church. 2) a mark used to show
owaabo hariho akaanya. It is a bit far from the evidence or meaning of something. See:
hospital to their home. AKAMANYISO.
akaanya-bwanya n. a short time: shortest time akabubi n. hymen: vagina membrane.
possible. akabumbuzo n. calm place: a place where
akaara-kahera n. toe or inger: small finger. empeta everything is peaceful.
akagijwara omu kaara-kahera. He put the ring in akaburyo n. hillock: small hill.
the smallest finger. Pl: obwara-buhera. akabuuza n. question mark: a punctuation mark
akaari n. ululation: a loud cry of happiness or used to pause a question. Pl: otubuuza,
excitement. obubuuza.
akaaro n. small village: a group of households in a akaca n. sparrow-hawk. Akaca kaatwara akaana
rural setting. See: EKYARO. Pl: otwaro, k'enkoko. A sparrow-hawk has taken a chick.
obwaro. Pl: obuca.
akaatika n. small crack: a line on the surface of akacabari n. the act of stroking the clitoris during
something along which it has split. Enyungu egi sexual intercourse.
eine akaatika. This pot has got a crack. Pl: akacancabari n. rags: an old torn cloth. Pl:
obwatika. otucancabari, obucancabari.
akaaya n. a type of swamp. akacebe n. See: AKAGARANI. Pl: otucebe,
akabaaho1 n. Pl: otubaaho, obubaaho. obucebe.
1) small piece of timber: a sawed piece of wood. akaceceko n. lull, silence: a quiet moment.
2 UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary
akacencuzo akahuna
akacencuzo n. a sieve. Pl: obucencuzo. akagombamburi.
akaceremete n. a person who is thin and short. akagombamburi n. See: AKAGOMBAMBURE.
Var: ekiceremete. akagoroda n. bungle: a bracelet.
akacookore n. blemish. akagwe n. calamity: unexpected bad situation.
akacookorekane n. detail: many small facts about akagyega n. basket with handles, used for
something or someone. shopping.
akacuju n. a very old cloth. Usage: Nkole. Pl: akagyegyena n. sieve: instrument used for
otucuju, obucuju. seperating solids from liquids, coarser from finer
akacumu n. pen: instrument for writing in ink. particles. Pl: otugyegyena,
Omushomesa yaahandiikisa akacumu obugyegyenda.
karikutukura omu kitabo kyangye. The teacher akagyenda-kahiire n. a brownish grasshopper.
has written in my book with a red pen. Pl: Naakwata eseeneene nyingi kwonka akagyenda
obucumu. kahiire ni kamwe. I have gathered many
akacurama n. bat: a flying mammal. Usage: Kiga. grasshoppers but there is only one brownish
Pl: obucurama. grasshopper.
akacwa mabunu n. penis. Usage: euphemism. akagyogo n. a small bottle of 250ml used for
akacwabazaire n. millipede: very small insect with measuring spirits. Pl: obugyogo.
a long narrow body and many pairs of legs. akahararo n. infatuation: the act of befriending or
Usage: Nkole. Etym: [<Runyoro- being in love with someone or something that is
Rutooro.akacwabazaire>]. still new for a short period of time.
akacwa-mboro n. See: AKACWA-BAZAIRE. akahatano n. competetion for something.
akacwa-mburara n. a type of snake. Nyomwabazyo haabaireho akahatano k'okuvuga
akacwankoni n. a noctunal bird that whistles. emotoka. Yesterday there was a motor rally.
akacwano adj. something done excessively. akaheehe n. excitement: a condition where
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Rukondo yaabo n'ey'akacwano. They love each someone gets excited on hearing or getting
other so much. something good. Ti kirungi kugira akaheehe
akadeeya n. a sack made of sythentic fibres. ebintu ebi bitakarabiremu. It is not good to get
Eibiikiro riijwire obudeeya bw'ebicoori. The excited over things you have not yet recieved.
store is full of sucks of maize. Var: akadeeyi, akaheehe2 n. peer influence: the act of doing
akareeya. Pl: obudeeya, otudeeya. something due to influence from people of the
akadobo n. pail or bucket. Titwayeshera nte same age.
ahabw'okuba akadobo kaatikire. We have not akahimba n. clitoris. Pl: obuhumba.
given water to the cows because the bucket got akaho n. an eye disease that causes temporaryloss of
broken. Pl: otudobo, obudobo. sight temporarily.
akaduukuru n. cell: a small room in a prison. akahoiho n. a small moth. Akahoiho kagwa omu
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akafuba n. See: KAFUBA 2. mate. A small moth has fallen in the milk. Var:
akafubire1 n. pornography: written or pictorial akahwihwi.
matter intended to arouse sexual feelings. akahoiho2 n. See: EBIHO. Var: akahweiho.
akafubire n. a task beset with unusual problems. akahugye n. 1) confusion: a state of uncertainity
2
akafunzi n. fire-finch: a tiny reddish bird. Pl: about what is happening, what should be done,
obufunzi. what something means, etc. Naashusha nk'oine
akagarani n. an air tight sealed container for akahugye. 2) mental disorder. Omwana
preserving food, made of a tin plate or akazaarwa aine akahugye. A child was born with
aluminium. Pl: obugarani. a mental disorder.
akagayano n. See: AKAJOOGO. akahumbi n. one billion: a number of things
akagiigya n. a certain type of grass normally equivalent to one thousand millions;
planted in the compound. 1,000,000,000. Pl: obuhumbi.
akagiiko n. tea spoon: small spoon used for stirring akahuna n. a state of confusion. Omukazi akagwa
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tea. Pl: obugiiko. omu kahuna ku baamazire kwiba enshaho ye.
akagirita n. razor blade: a sharp small razor that is The woman was in a state of confusion after
used to shave or cut. Var: egirita. Pl: stealing her bag.
obugirita. akahuna2 n. a game played by children where one
akagombambure n. ankle: a protruding bone taps another and the tapped child runs after the
where the leg is joined to the foot. Var: other to tap him or her also. Var: akahuuna.
UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary 3
akahundu akamwenyo
Pl: obuhuna. meeting for one hour.
akahundu n. Usage: Nkole. See: AKACURAMA. Pl: akakiro n. a small hillock. Okutemba akakiro
otuhundu, obuhundu. nikurusya. It is tiresome to climb a hillock. Pl:
akahungabeebe n. a small flying termite. Var: obukiro.
akahungambeba. Pl: obuhungabeebe. akakoki n. a small water course or a gulley: a small
akahungambeba n. See: AKAHUNGABEEBE. valley.
akahuumuro n. a short break from daily routine. akakoma n. a rubber or plastic bracelet. Omwishiki
akahuuna n. See: AKAHUNA2. ajwaire akakoma aha mukono. The girl is
akahwihwi n. Pl: obuhwihwi, otuhwihwi. putting on a rubber or plastic bracelet on her
akaiba n. a small dove which stays in the bush. Pl: arm.
obwiba, otwiba. akakondo n. a small cooking pot for beans that is
akaibo n. a small basket in which mingled millet is made of clay. Pl: obukondo.
served. Pl: obwibo, otwibo. akakondo1 n. bolt: a sliding bar or metal for
akaicokombe n. See: AKAICOKOMBA. fastening a door or window. Pl: obukondo.
akaimukiriro n. upraising: a state of confusion akakondo2 n. a high-heeled shoe. Pl: obukondo.
where people move up and down to show their akakooko n. insect: a creature with six legs and
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disagreement. body divided into three parts. Pl: obukooko.
akainiko n. the act of helping someone to complete akakooko n. germ, bacterium, virus: a living thing
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the task. often too small to be seen without a microscope
akaishebakami n. space between the leg and the that causes infectious diseases in human beings,
udder in a cow. animals and plants. Bamukyebeire baashanga
akaisikonda n. See: AKASIKINA. aine akakooko ka siriimu. They tested him and
akaitanda n. a tiny snake-like lizard with a very found that he has a virus that causes AIDS. Pl:
smooth skin and normally found in dry grass. obukooko.
Pl: obwitanda. akakwate n. relationship: the connection between
akaitanyenje n. insect repellant: a tablet used to two people or two things. Omushaija ogu
deter crawling insects from destroying clothes. mwineho akakwate kahango. I have a strong
Pl: obwitanyenje. relationship with this man.
akajagararo n. See: AKAIMUKIRIRO. Pl: akakyencuzo n. sieve: a tool used for seperating
obujagararo. larger solids from smaller ones. Oburo baabuta
akajagiro n. market: a place where people meet to aha kakyencuzo kwihamu amabaare. They have
buy and sell their goods. Pl: obujagiro. put millet on the sieve to remove stones. Pl:
akajengyeijo n. See: AKAKYENCUZO. Pl: obukyencuzo.
obujengyeijo. akakyenkye n. seed-tray musical instrumental: a
akajoina n. See: AKACUJU. Pl: obujoina, traditional musical instrument in Kigezi and
otujoina. Ankole which produces sound after shaking. Pl:
akajoogano n. See: AKAJOOGO. obukyenkye.
akajoogo n. contempt. Pl: obujugo. akame n. rabbit, hare: a small animal with soft fur,
akajugo n. a pen cover. long ears, and a short tail which is kept by
akajuma n. tablet: a small solid piece of medicine people as a pet or for food. Var: wakame. Pl:
that is swallowed. obume.
akajuma2 n. a small seed. Pl: obujuma. akameshu n. rat trap: a device used for trapping
akajunde n. stench: an unpleasant smell. Omu nju animals especially rats. Pl: obumeshu,
omu nihanuukamu akajunde. There is an otumeshu.
unpleasant smell in this house. akamoori n. ventilator: an opening in the wall,
akakaikuru n. one million. Nguzire eitaka especially on top of the window, which allows
naashashura akakaikuru kamwe. I bought land air in and out of the house. Ahaiguru y'edirisa
at one million shillings. Pl: obukaikuru. hariho akamoori. There is a ventilator above the
akakangaasi n. See: AKAGOMBAMBURE. window. Pl: obumoori, otumoori.
akakangaatsi n. See: AKAGOMBAMBURE. akamwenyo n. smile: an expression of happiness
akakiiko n. Pl: obukiiko. 1) council, committee expressed on one's face. Ku baamugambira
or subcommittee: a group of people elected to do amakuru marungi, yaagira akamwenyo
a certain task. 2) short meeting. Twagiraho ahamaisho. When they told him the good news,
akakiiko k'eshaaha emwe. We had a short there was a smile on his face.
4 UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary
akanaara akanywanisa
akanaara n. booster: a device that helps to transmit akanyamuntinda n. small snail. See:
sound in telecommunication equipment. Omu EKINYANTINDA.
kyaro kyaitu harimu akanaara ka reediyo. There akanyamurera n. flute: a musical instrument. See:
is a radio booster in our village. Pl: OMUKURI.
obunaara. akanyamwenyi n. squirrel. See:
akanga-kaizi n. neither there nor here, just in AKATIINA-MUGOGO.
between. Akagwa omu kanga kaizi. He had no akanyancooni n. an undeveloped banana.
specific place. akanyangarara n. crack: a crack on a breakable
akangara-teete n. to suffer: to lead a hard life; item such as a door, glass, pot, calabash that
staying outside with no shelte, living under lifespan is rendered uncertain. Enkyeka
harsh conditions. ey'akanyangarara otatamu amaizi. Do not put
akangari adj. plenty: a large number of things. water into the cracked calabash .
Eriizooba yaateeka akangari k'ebitakuri. Today akanyankogote n. tortoise: an animal that walks
she has cooked a lot sweet potatoes. slowly and can pull its head and legs into the
akanono n. tip of the roof: the topmost part of the shell on its back. Nkashutamira akanyankogote
house. Bakatandikira aha kanono ku baabaire nkeetsire eibare. I sat on the tortoise thinking it
nibasheenya enju. When they were demolishing was a stone.
the house, they started from the top most part. akanyantebo adv. hitting someone with a kick.
Pl: obunono. akanyarugondo n. 1) type of snake which is not
akanuriirizi n. sweet taste. Akanuriirizi k'omu switi poisonous. 2) spotted lizard found in sandy areas
kagikundisa abaana bato. The sweet taste in a such as beaches, coasts or sand mines.
sweet makes children like it. akanyarukira n. a black and white bird with a
akanwa n. mouth: the opening in the face used for long tail.
speaking eating etc. akanyarutookye n. lourie: a type of bird commonly
akanwa kabi adj. 1) foul mouth: saying things found in banana plantations.
that are rude or offesive. 2) saying bad things akanyarutwe n. See: AKANYAMUKIRA.
which happen. akanyegyero n. See: AKATEMBO.
akanyaiganja n. an animal with paws such, as a cat, akanyiriri n. 1) verse or line: a group of words that
lion, dog, leopard, e.t.c. form one section in the Bible. Usage: Catholics.
akanyamakaakya n. one of the plants from whose 2) small line.
stems a walking stick is made. akanyitsi n. value: the minimum worth of something.
akanyampagara n. poor quality bunch of banana. Ogwo mwenda otagunaga gukiinemu akanyitsi.
Endeeberera mbi y'orutookye neetuma rwateera Do not throw away that cloth, it still has value.
obunyampagara. Poor farming methods lead to akanyoga n. a banana in its early stages of
poor quality bananas. development.
akanyampatiira n. state of being over crowded. akanyomo n. a feeling of uncertainty. displeasure.
Akanyampatiira k'abantu tikaanyikiriza kureeba akanyongotoko adv. being over cooked or over
purezidenti. I failed to see the president due to ripe. Ebihimba byasya akanyongotoko,
the presence of very many people. tibyanura. Beans were overcooked, they are not
akanyampira n. a small insect that stings the eye tasty.
when it falls there. akanyoomo n. contempt.
akanyampiringita n. something shorter or akanyoomoozano n. continuous disturbance or
smaller than others of the same type. Omukazi provocation.
akazaara obwana bugufu bw'obunyampiringita. akanyororo n. a tall, thin and slender person.
A woman gave birth to short dwarf children. akanyuunya n. a type of grasshoppers which are
akanyamuhebe n. a small black and white bird not edible. Akanyuunya nikatamba kunyaara aha
with a long tail. Var: kanyamuhebe. Pl: kitanda. The non edible grass hoppers cure bed
obunyamuhebe. wetting. Pl: obunyuunya.
akanyamukara n. nut grass. akanyuunyambuzi n. a type of weed eaten by
akanyamukira n. dung maggot. goats. Ageratum Conyzoides. Pl:
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akanyamukira2 n. tad pole: a small amphibious obunyuunyambuzi.
creature that lives in water and developes into a akanyuunyarume n. shrub eaten by goats.
frog. akanywanisa n. (grammar): hyphen (-). Pl:
akanyamuniini n. a fresh fried grasshopper. obunywanisa.
UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary 5
akanywero akarimi
akanywero adj. a very tight cloth. Ajwaire empare animal's neck.
y'akanywero. He is putting on tight trousers. akaregyeya n. dewlap: a small sixth finger on
2
akapampari n. small piece resulting from much some people's hands. Ogwo mwojo aine
chipping.; (especially of machines) overused akaregyeya aha ngaro. That boy has a dewlap on
piece of metal. Egaari ye akagitomeza his hand. Pl: oburegyeya.
yaahinduka akapampari. He crashed his bicycle akareka n. tongue-tie: a vein under the tongue that
and rendered it almost useless. causes impairment in speech. Omwana waaba
akapiira n. condom: a thin rubber sheath that a man otamushazire akareka tarikugamba gye. Unless
1
uses to cover his penis during sex, in order to you cut the vein under a child's tongue, he will
prevent a woman from getting pregnant or for get impaired speech. Pl: obureka.
protection against sexually transmitted diseases. akarenga-bazaana n. dusk: time of day when the
Pl: obupiira. sun is almost setting. Yaija omu karenga-
akapiira n. any ball game, e.g. football, netball, bazaana. He arrived at dusk. Var:
2
volleyball, basketball when refered to ekirenga-bazaana.
endearingly. See: OMUPIIRA. akarengo n. a small measurement especially of
akapimpiri n. dwarf: (of people) a short and small grain or fruits.
person. Pl: obupimpiri, otupimpiri. akarengutuko n. a steep slope.
akaraba mw'ishengyero phr. unintended akarenzyo n. sarcasm. Ka noogambisa akarenzyo.
interruption in a group. You have a sarcastic tongue.
akaradaari n. mustard seed. akarera-baana n. See: OMUNYAAFU.
akaragarika n. a crumb: a small fragment of bread akari n. lust for sex.
or cake fallen under a table; that which has akaribareeta n. bonus: something good that you
fallen e.g. leaves, grains, etc. Oburagarika get in addition to what you have paid for.
bw'omugaati. Bread crumbs. Pl: Nkagura ekitabo, bampa akaribareeta. I bought a
oburagarika. book and was given bonus. Pl:
akaragariso1 n. a broom used to clean a baking pot. oburibareeta.
Pl: oburagariso. akarigime n. 1) having bad company. 2) immorality
akaragariso n. a wiper. Naakoresa akatambaara caused by peer pressure.
2
k'omungaro nk'akaragariso k'ebigyere. She uses akarigito n. See: ENDIGITO, AKAHEEHE.
a handkerchief to wipe her feet. Pl: akariibe n. peer pressure. Abaana bakabingwa
oburagariso, oturagariso. ahabw'akariibe. Students were suspended from
akaragwa n. inherited trait. Pl: oburagwa. school because of peer group. See:
akaramata n. goose grass: a plant yielding red dye AKARIGIME, AKAKUNGU.
that can be made into ink. akariigobe adv. a way of posturing which reflects
1
akaranda-rugo n. a climbing plant that grows on carelessness; way of sitting. Ku yaaherize kurya
fences. Akaranda-rugo aka kakuzire yaashutama yaateera akariigobe yaayebwa ngu
n'akokutema. This climbing plant has over ashemereire kukora emirimo endiijo. After
grown it needs trimming. eating he sat carelessly, forgetting that he had to
akarande n. inherited character or trait. See: do other chores.
AKASHUSHO. akariigobe2 adv. kind of whistling where lips are
akarangizo n. a raised place from where one can pressed between hands, and the breath forced
view a surounding area. Makanga n'akarangizo through fingers to emit sound.
karungi k'orurembo Kabale. Makanga is a good akariinyiriro n. pathway for riding or sliding
view of Kabale town. especially using wooden or banana trees. Var:
akarebure n. a slunderous utterance. akariinyiro. Pl: oburiinyiriro.
akareega n. Pl: obureega. 1) bra: a lingerie used akariinyiro n. See: AKARIINYIRIRO.
to support a woman's breasts. 2) a tool used to akarimi n. a minute or hour hand. Akarimi
1
straighten spokes of a bicycle. k'eshaaha kafiire. The minute hand of the clock
akareesu n. a piece of cloth especially used by does not work.
women to wrap their shoulders or tied around akarimi n. a small tongoue. Enjoka eine akarimi
2
the waist to cover the rest of the body. Var: kakye. A snake has a small tongoue. Pl:
akareeso. Pl: obureesu. oturimi, oburimi.
akaregyeya1 n. Pl: oburegyeya, akarimi3 adj. way of talking, e.g. sweet-talking or
oturegyeya. 1) a hanging flap of a skin on an lying. Akarimi kanyu karyabareeterera. Your
6 UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary
akarimi akatsintsimuko
toung will lead you into trouble. 2) pleading on akatabarwa n. trillion: one of the cardinal numerals
behalf of someone. Nterayo akarimi. Please represented by 1, followed by 15 zeros
plead for me. "1,000,000,000,000,000. Pl: obutabarwa.
akarimi4 n. a nib. akatare n. Pl: obutare. 1) market: a place where
akarindi1 n. See: AKARIIBE. goods and services are sold and bought. See:
akarindi2 n. a small handle of a machete or knife. AKAJAGIRO. 2) a high demand for goods and
See: EKIRINDI. services. Ebicoori biine akatare ebi biro. Maize
akarogoijo n. anxiety: to be extremely worried or have a high demand these days.
excited. akatembo n. a steep hill or road.
akarondo n. lineage. Omushaija akarondoora akatiina-mugogo n. a kind of rodent black in
akarondo k'obuzaare bwabo. A man traced the colour and having a long bushy tail which
lineage of their relationship. climbs and runs on banana leaves. See:
akarongyero n. a hole on the side of a pit where KAAMUGYE. Pl: obutiina-mugogo.
they smoke bananas to ripen. Ebitookye akatiina-mugogo n. a squirrel. See:
byangye byangire kusya ahabw'okuba tindateire AKANYAMWENYI.
karongyero aha rwina. My bananas have not akatima n. valve for a tyre. Pl: obutima.
ripened because I did not put a hole hole next to akatima-kakye adv. inability or failure to resist
the pit. Var: karongyero. temptation. Esente ezo otazireka aha meeza
akarooro n. a wingless insect found on hens. Pl: ow'akatima kakye naija kuzitwara. Do not leave
oburooro. that money on the table, someone who may not
akarugu n. one of the corners of the house. Pl: be able to resist temptations can pick it.
oburugu. akatimba n. 1) a mesh is used to fence. Bazitiize
akarundirundi n. a rod of a bicycle that holds a ekiju ky'enkoko akatimba. The chicken's house
pedal. Omwojo akatsindika egaari ahabwokuba was fenced with wire mesh. 2) net: an open mesh
ekaba etaine karundirundi. The boy pushed the material made of twine, code, rope usually
bicycle because it did not have a pedal rod. typically for catching fish or trapping animals or
akarungi adj. something good, or beautiful. Kaaro birds. Bategire ekitimba omu ihamba kukwata
karungi. A beatiful village. enyamaishwa. They laid a net in the forest to
akaruuru n. Pl: oburuuru. 1) elections. 2) a vote. trap animals. 3) wedding gown, dress.
akarwariro n. a clinic. Omu kyaro kyaitu harimu akatimba n. Pl: obutimba. 1) wire mesh.
akarwariro akakye kamwe. There is only one Bazitiize ekiju ky'enkoko n'akatimba. The
clinic in our villge. Pl: oburwariro. chicken's house was fenced with wire mesh.
akasheeshe n. the period from the day break up to 2) materials made of strings or ropes woven into
around 11am. a loose pattern with spaces in it for usage in
akashorya n. part of the structures that make the fishing. Ekyenyanja kikwateire omu katimba.
roof of a house . Omuyaga gw'amaani munonga The fish is hurked by a net. 3) a material tha
guhuuhire gwatwara akashorya k'enju. A strong stops mosquitoes from entering a house or bed.
wind blew off the apex of the roof. Pl: 4) a wedding gown or dress.
obushorya, otushorya. akatindi n. a small hut. See: AKAFUUHA.
akashutamo n. a customs post: a border crossing akatogo n. 1) African: a dish or type of food prepared
associated with tax collection for countries. by mixing food with sauce. Akatogo k'emondi
akashuumo n. a steep slope. See: zitahaasire n'ebihimba kanuzire munonga. A
AKATSIRIMUKO. Pl: obushuumo. mixed meal of unpealed irish potatoes and beans
akasikina n. hiccup: a sharp repeated sound in the is very deliciuous. 2) a mixture or a combination
throat caused by a sudden movement of the of many different things. Ku naagiire
diaphram. kutaahamu, naashanga kari akatogo k'Abatooro,
akasirimuko n. See: AKATSIRIMUKO. Abakiga hamwe n'Abanyankore. When I entered
akasooroora n. strong wind which moves in I found it was a mixture of Batooro, Bakiga and
circular motion when there is an imbalace in the Banyankore.
atmospheric pressure. akatonera n. See: OMUTONERA. Pl: obutonera.
akataahira n. a young jigger that has just entered a akatoonyezo n. full stop or period: a dot that
person's body. Akataahira akamutaahire omu indicates the end of a sentence. Pl:
kigyere nikamusaasa. The young jigger which obutoonyezo.
entered his foot is paining him. akatsintsimuko n. a sloppy place. Usage: Nkole.
UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary 7
akatsirimuko amahanga
Var: akasinsimuko. ni kimwe aha bintu ebirikukorwamu buto.
akatsirimuko n. a gentle slope: a gentle slope along Helianthus_Annuus. Sun-flower is one raw
the road or path. Akatsirimuko aka ni karungi material of cooking oil. Sing: eicanda.
k'abavugi b'egaari. This gentle slope is good for amacunda n. milk that remains after ghee has been
cyclists. Var: akasirimuko. extracted.
akatuyo n. stench: a distinctive smell that is amacwa n. See: AMAHIIMA.
produced by rotten things. amacwante n. saliva: the fluids in the mouth.
akaveera n. plastic sheeting. Pl: obuveera, amadaara n. Sing: eidaara. 1) ladder.
otuveera. 2) staircase.
akavugankande n. creeping plant: a plant that amadaraka n. being stylish.
creeps on other plants in the bush and covers a amafa n. a period of severe famine. Omushana
wide area. gukajwa gwasiga amafa omu kyaro. Drought left
akavumba n. offals of a pig: internal organs of a pig. much famine in the village.
akavuruga n. See: AKAVURUGYE2. Pl: amafakubi n. faeces: waste from the body of
obuvurugye. human beings. Ref: AMAZI Usage:
akavurugye n. confusion: a state of disorder that euphemism.
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results into inability to think clearly or to know amafaranga n. Rwandese currency. Etym: [<French
what to do. Okufa kwa ishebo kukareeta via Kinyarwanda>]. Sing: eifaranga.
akavurugye omuka yaabo. The death of their amafura n. hospitable people. Sing: efura.
father brought total confusion in their home. amagaari n. See: EGAARI. Sing: egaari.
akavurugye n. eye cataract: a disease which, if not amagana n. used to refer to many things, usually
2
treated early results into a white spot in the eye. more than one hundred. Taata aine amagana ana
Var: akavuruga. Pl: obuvurugye. g'embuzi. My father has four hundred goats.
akayengo n. small basket: a small weaved container Sing: eigana.
made for carrying or measuring things. Maama amaganga n. cattle urine: waterly animal excrete
ampaire akayengo k'oburo. My mother gave me that is discharged through the urethra.
millet in a small basket. amaganya n. sorrow: a feeling of distress or sadness
akaze n. habbit: something that you do often and is as a result of deep loss, disappointment or
normally hard to stop. calamity.
akazoore n. madness: a condition that is associated amagara n. life or health: the ability to produce,
with mental illness. Var: akazoori. grow new forms that distinguishes living
akeediimo n. a strike: an organised boycott. animals and plants from dead ones and rocks.
Bakongeza ebishare by'eishomero, abaana amagarama n. the stage in the growth of beans
baakora akediimo kumara esande yoona. They when it has about three leaves.
increased school tuition and students went on amagezi n. knowledge: the information,
strike for a week. understanding and skills that a person has
akeerenguturo adv. emptying a container by acquired through experience or education.
gulbing its contents. Omwana muto taine magyezi g'okutaanisa ekibi
akooya n. the act of eating food when one has not n'ekirungi. A baby has no knowledge of good
done anything to deserve it. Eriizooba waariira and bad. Var: amagyezi.
akooya. Today you have eaten but you did not amagingo n. time: any time of day or night.
contribute anything. Amagingo aga, barahi? Where are they at this
Allah n. God in Islamic religion. time.
amaani n. power, strength: being healthy; having amagoba n. profits or interests.
energy to do something. amagondo n. spots. Ente yangye y'amagondo
amaarwa n. beer: an alcoholic drink. ebuzire. My spotted cow is lost. Sing:
amabano n. the end of the arrow used to put a wire eigondo.
or a coil. See: EIBANO. amagyani n. tea leaves: a plant whose leaves are
amabara n. spots of different colours. Njweire esaati harvested, ground and put in hot water to be
y'amabara maingi. I am wearing a multi drunk as a beverage.
coloured shirt. Sing: eibara. amahaane n. conflicts, intrigues, etc.
amabwabwa n. dog teats. amahame n. facts: matters of the heart.
amacanda n. sunflower: plants with yellow flowers amahanga n. 1) countries or nations. 2) different
1
that produce edible seeds rich in oil. Amacanda peoples or tribes.
8 UNESCO Runyankore-Rukiga English Dictionary