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Kwanyama Phrasebook

  1. Greetings and Leave-Takings
  2. Introductions
  3. The Classroom
  4. People
  5. Requests for Help
  6. Food and Drink
  7. Days
  8. Numbers and Time
  9. Weather and Seasons
  10. Shopping and Adjectives
  11. House
  12. Directions, Locations, and Prepositions
  13. Animals, Insects and Plants
  14. Verbs

Topic: Greetings and Leave-Takings

Greetings

Morning, one person

Morning, more than one person

A. Wa lelepo? B. Ee.

A. Mwa lelepo? B. Ee.

A. Nawa tuu? B. Ee.

A. Nawa tuu? B. Ee.

B. Ove wa lelepo (yoo)? A. Ee.

B. Ove wa lelepo? A. Ee.

B. Nawa tuu? A. Ee, onawa.

B. Nawa tuu? A. Ee, onawa.

Afternoon, one person

Afternoon, more than one

A. Wa uhala po? B. Ee.

A. Mwa uhala po? B. Ee.

A. Nawa tuu? B. Ee.

A. Nawa tuu? B. Ee.

B. Ove wa uhala po? A. Ee.

B. Ove wa uhala po? A. Ee.

B. Nawa tuu? A. Ee, onawa.

B. Nawa tuu? A. Ee, onawa.

Evening, one person

Evening, more than one person

A. Wa tokelwa po? B. Ee.

A. Mwa tokelwa po? B. Ee.

A. Nawa tuu? B. Ee.

A. Nawa tuu? B. Ee.

B. Ove wa tokelwa po? A. Ee.

B. Ove wa tokelwa po? A. Ee.

B. Nawa tuu? A. Ee.

B. Nawa tuu? A. Ee.

Adult or superior

Adult/superior, more than one

A. Wa lelepo tate/meme?

A. Wa lelepo, ootate/oomeme?

B. Ee, ove wa lelepo?

B. Ee, ove wa lelepo?

A. Wa lelepo tatekulu/meekulu?

 

B. Ee, ove wa lelepo?

 

Informal

 

A. Ongaipi (wani)? B. Onawa. B. Ongaipi (kaume)? A. Onawa.

A. (Ove) opo (nga) uli? (Opongaho uli?) B. Ee (opo ndili).

A. Ongahelipi hano? B. Onawa. Ove ongahelipi? A. Onawa.

A. O(m)uli (ngoo) nawa? / Oto nangalapo ngoo nawa? B. Ee (ondili nawa / ohai nangalapo nawa).

A. Opo eli/veli? Okuli/okeli/oveli ngoo nawa? B. Okuli nawa lela.

 

Leave-Takings

Morning, one person

Morning, more than one person

A. Shilwapo nawa.

A. Shilweipo nawa.

B. Na ave shilwapo nawa.

B. Na ave shilweipo nawa.

A. Kashilwepo nawa.

A. Kashilweipo nawa.

B. Na ave kashilwepo nawa.

B. Na ave kashilweipo nawa.

Afternoon, one person

Afternoon, more than one

A. Uhalapo nawa.

A. Uhaleipo nawa.

B. Na ave uhalapo nawa.

B. Na ave uhaleipo nawa.

A. Kauhalepo nawa.

A. Kauhaleipo nawa.

B. Na ave kauhalepo nawa.

B. Na ave kauhaleipo nawa.

Evening, one person

Evening, more than one person

A. Tokelwapo nawa.

A. Tokelweipo nawa.

B. Na ave tokelwapo nawa.

B. Na ave tokelweipo nawa.

A. Nangalapo nawa.

Goodbye Kalapo nawa.

B. Na ave nangalapo nawa.

 

A. Kanangalepo nawa.

 

B. Na ave kanangalepo nawa.

 

Topic: Introductions

Phrases

What is your name?

(Edina loyo) oove lye?

My name is Greg.

Aame Greg.

Where are you from?

Owa dya peni?

I am from America.

Onda dya koAmerica.

What are you doing in Namibia?

Oto ningi shike moNamibia?

I am a Peace Corps volunteer.

Ame omuliyambi wo Peace Corps.

Are you married? (to a man)

Owa hombola?

Are you married? (to a woman)

Owa hombolwa?

How long will you be in Namibia?

Oto kala mo efimbo lifike peni moNamibia?

I will be in Namibia for two years.

Ohandi kala eedula mbali moNamibia.

Where do you work?

Oho longo peni?

I work at Ponhofi.

Ohandi longo koPonhofi.

How old are you?

Ouna eedula ingapi?

I am 29 years old.

Ondina eedula omilongo mbali nomugoi.

What are you doing?

Oto ningi shike?

What do you want?

Owa hala shike?

Where are you going?

Oto i peni?

Where are you coming from?

Oto di peni?

Are you a student?

Ove omulongwa?

Where do you go to school?

Ohoi kofikola peni?

I am a school teacher.

Ame omulongi fikola.

What village are you from?

Komukunda weni openi?

Where do you live?

Oho kala peni?

I live in Ohangwena.

Ohandi kala kOhangwena.

What are your names?

Onye oolye?

Vocabulary

volunteer

omuliyambi

teacher

omulongi

name

edina

student

omulongwa

organization

ehangano

school

ofikola

year

odula

years

eedula

work

longa(o)

what

oshike

study

lilonga(o)

where

openi

yes

ee

   

okay

eewa

   

no

ahawe/aaye

   

conversation

epopyo

   

my birthday

edalo lange

   

Topic: The Classroom

Phrases

Any questions?

Opena epulo?

Listen (to a group).

Haiti! Pwilikineni nawa.

Speak in English.

Popya moshiingilisha.

Repeat.

Endululamo.

I don't know.

Kandishishi.

I don't understand.

Kandiuditeko.

Be quiet (to a group).

Mweneni.

Sit down (to one student).

Kala omutumba.

Stand up (to one student).

Fikama.

Come in the classroom (to a group).

Ileni mongulu fikola. Ileni mokalasa.

I am writing a letter.

Ohandi shange ombapila.

You worked well today.

Nena omwa longa nawa.

Now we start our lesson in English.

Paife ohatu tameke moshilongwa shetu moshiingilisha.

What have we learned today?

Otwelilonga shike nena?

What are you laughing at?

Oto/otamu yolo shike?

Where were you?

Owa li peni? Owa kala peni?

I was at school.

Onda kala kofikola.

Vocabulary

speak

popya

slowly

kashona

hear

udako

loudly

mokule

understand

uditeko

please

alikana

repeat

endulula(mo)

thank you

tangi (unene)

study

lilonga

excuse me

ombili

learn

lesha

I am sorry

ombili

teach

longa/kalonga

question

epulo

read

lesha

problem

oupyakadi oudyu

know

shiiva

lesson

oshilesho

write

shanga

(note) book(s)

oshifo/oi- embo/oma-

draw

faneka

teacher

omulongi fikola

think

dilaadila

student

omulongwa / omuna fikola

listen

pwilikina

exam

ekonakono

ask

pula

homework

oilonga yokeumbo

answer

nyamukula

answer

enyamukulo

work

longa(o)

pen

opena

hurry

endelela

pencil

opena yekala

table

oshitaafula

paper

ombapila

chair

oshipundi

notebook

embolo kushanga

chalkboard

oshipelende

bag

ondyato

chalk

omya/ee-

rubber/duster

okadimifo

class

ongudu

classroom

ongulu

principal

omukulunhu fikola

office

ombelewa

Topic: People

Phrases

This is my brother.

Ou omumwameme(mati).

This is my sister.

Ou omumwameme(kadona).

These are my brothers.

Ava ovamwameme(mati).

This is my father.

Ou otate.

This is my husband.

Ou omushamane wange.

These are my neighbours.

Ava ovashiinda vange.

Where are your parents?

Ovakulunhu voye oveli peni?

Are you the only child?

Oove auke wadalwa?

No, we are two.

Aaye, otuli vavali.

No, we are three.

Aaye, otuli vatatu.

This is my friend Jim.

Ou okaume kange Jim.

I have two sisters.

Ondina ovamwamemekadona vavali.

How many siblings do you have?

Ouna ovamwanyoko vangapi?

Who are they?

Ovo oo lye?

What is your father's name?

Tate woye oye lye?

Vocabulary

father(s)

(o)tate

husband

omushamane/ova-

mother(s)

(o)meme

wife

omukulukadi/ova-

child(ren)

okaana/ounona

parent

omukulunhu/ova-

man

omulumenu

woman

omukulukadi

grandfather

tatekulu

person/people

omunhu/ova-

grandmother

meekulu

grandchild(ren)

omutekulu/ova-

boy(s)

okamati / omumati/ova-

brother

omumwameme-mati/ova-

girl(s)

okakadona / omukadona/ou-

sister

omumwameme-kadona/ova-

neighbour(s)

omushiinda/ova-

friend(s)

(o)kaume

first born

oshiveli

only child

ewifa

middle born

onhowele

my younger

okandenge kange

last born

onghelo

my older

omukulu wange

family

mwanyoko

   

Topic: Requests for Help

Phrases

Please help me.

Alikana kwafenge.

I am hungry.

Ondafya ondjala.

I am thirsty.

Ondafya enota.

I am lost.

Onda kana.

What can I do for you?

Ohandi ku kwafa shike?

What do you want?

Owahala shike?

I want water.

Ondahala omeva.

I need help.

Ondapumbwa ekwafo.

Help! Thief!

Kwafeinge! Ombudi!

I don't feel well.

Ondi udite nai.

I am sick.

Ohandi vele.

Can you help me?

Oto dulu okukwafange?

I need a doctor.

Ondapumbwa ondokotola.

Vocabulary

who

olye

   

what

oshike

   

where

openi

here/there

apa/opo

when

onaini

   

why

ngeenge

because

shaashi

how

ngaipi

   

how much

-ngapi

   

which one

-lipi

   

Topic: Food and Drink

Phrases

Yes, I want it.

Ee, ondahala.

No, I don't want it.

Aaye, inandihala.

Thank you, the food was good.

Tangi, oikulya oyali iwa.

Thank you, I am full (satisfied).

Tangi, ondakuta.

I like meat.

Ondihole ombelela.

I don't like vegetables.

Kandihole oikwambidi.

Please pass the salt.

Penge omongwa alikana.

I am hungry/thirsty.

Ondafya ondjala/enota.

I like to cook.

Ondihole okuteleka.

I want/need to eat.

Ondahala/ondapumbwa okulya.

What do you want to eat?

Owahala okulya shike?

I want the menu, please.

Kwafenge omenu.

I want to pay the bill now.

Ondahala okufutwa paife.

Where is my change?

Oshendja yange oili peni?

Where can I find a market?

Omaalaka oili peni?

No, I ordered a pizza.

Aaye, ondapula opiza.

Vocabulary

food

oikulya

drink

oikunwa

to eat

okulya/li

to drink

okunwa/nu

lunch

oshuumbululwa

water

omeva (omeya)

dinner

ouvalelo

milk

omashini

meat

ombelela / onyama

tea

otee

vegetables

oikwambidi

coffee

okoofi

fruit

oiimati

cool drink

onamunate

bread

omboloto

beer

obila

rice

olwishi

fruit juice

ojuice

potatoes

oihakauto oshikapa

sugar

oshuuka

beans

omakunde

salt

omongwa

macaroni

omakoloni

sweets

ouleke

fish

oshi/ee-

wheat flour

oufila weemboloto

cow/beef

ongobe

corn flour

oufila wepungu

chicken

oxuxwa

millet flour

oufila womahangu

goat

oshikombo

butter

ombuta

sheep

odi/ee-

cheese

ochisa/eshini

pork

ombelela yoshingulu

guava

ekwaava

bacon

omuhaka

banana

ebanana

onion

onyanga

watermelon

enuwa

tomato

omadamate

apple

oshiapula/oi- ehapula/oma-

cabbage

ombidi

orange

elemuna

crushed leaves

evanda

grapes

omandjebele

peanuts

eembudukufwa

mango

emango

maize meal

oshifima

pear

okapiela

homebrew

omalodi

   

Topic: Days

Phrases

January is the first month.

Januali omwedi wotete.

School is not going to start in April.

Ofikola ita ikatameka muApilili.

The eleventh month is November.

Omwedi omutimulongo na imwe oNovemba.

People go to church on Sunday.

Ovanhu ohavai kongeleka moSoondaxa.

Monday will be my birthday.

Omaandaxa otali kala efiku ledalo lange.

I was very tired yesterday.

Ondali ndaloloka onghela.

Last month I was in Tsumeb.

Omwedi wadyako ondali moTsumeb.

What day is today?

Nena eti ngapi?

What is today's date?

Omafiku okuli angapi nena?

Days of the week

omafiku oko shivike

Vocabulary

Monday

omaandaxa

day

efiku

Tuesday

etivali

week

oshivike

Wednesday

etitatu

month

omwedi

Thursday

etine

year

odula

Friday

etitano

yesterday

onghela

Saturday

olomakaya

today

nena

Sunday

osoondaxa

tomorrow

mongula

January

Januali

last week

oshivike shadyako

February

Febululuali

this week

oshivike eshi

March

Maalitsa

next week

oshivike tashiya

April

Apilili

last month

omwedi wadyako

May

Mai

this month

omwedi ou

June

Juni

next month

omwedi tauya

July

Juli

last year

odula yadyako

August

Auguste

this year

odula ei

September

Septemba

next year

odula taiya

October

Octoba

morning

ongula

November

Novemba

afternoon

omutenya

December

Desemba

evening

onguloshi / okomatango

   

night

onguloshi / omafiku

Topic: Numbers and Time

Phrases

It is half past three.

Etatalo nhee.

It is now 8 o'clock.

Ovili paife ohetatu.

There are just five minutes left.

Okuna ashike ominute nhano.

What time is it?

Ovili ingapi?

It is quarter to 12.

Okuna omulongo na nhano ko/okulonga omulongo na mbali.

One o'clock, two o'clock

Oimwe, ombali

Can I have 10 sweets?

Kwafenge ouleke omulongo.

Vocabulary

1

imwe

300

omafele atatu

2

mbali

400

omafele anee

3

nhatu

1000

eyovi

4

nhee

2000

omayovi avali

5

nhano

   

6

hamano

   

7

heyali

   

8

hetatu

   

9

omugoi

   

10

omulongo

   

11

omulongo na imwe

   

12

omulongo na mbali

   

19

omulongo nomugoi

   

20

omilongo mbali

   

21

omilongo mbali na imwe

   

30

omilongo nhatu

   

44

omilongo nhee na nhee

   

100

efele (limwe)

   

101

efele na imwe

   

200

omafele avali

   

Topic: Weather and Seasons

Phrases

I am hot.

Ondi udite oupyu.

It is not cold today.

Nena kakuna outalala.

Vocabulary

spring

okwenye

summer

okulombo

autumn

oitemadulu

winter

okufu

rain

odula

rainy

otai loko

clouds

oilemo

cloudy

okuna oilemo

sun

etango

sunny

okuna oupyu

wind

omhepo

windy

okuna omhepo

hot

okuna oupyu

cold

okuna outalala

hail

ondau

seasons

omafimbo odula

Topic: Shopping and Adjectives

Phrases

Do you sell shirts here?

Ounamo eehema?

Yes, I have them.

Ee, ondina.

I need that shirt.

Ondapumbwa ohema oyo.

How much does this t-shirt cost?

Okambidya aka okena ingapi?

Do you have those shoes in size 7?

Ouna eenghaku odo onomola oheyali?

Do you have blue trousers?

Ouna eembulukweya dimbulau?

Do you accept checks?

Oho tambula eecheck?

I want my change.

Ondahala oshendya yange.

It is cheap.

Oina ombiliha.

It is expensive.

Odina ondilo.

It is beautiful.

Oshiwa.

How much does this cost?

(Oshinima) eshi oshina ingapi?

What is this (in Kwanyama)?

Oshike eshi (moshikwanyama)? Oshinima eshi oshike?

What do you call this?

Eshi oho shiifana shike?

How much do these shoes cost?

Eenghaku edi odina ingapi?

Conversation at the market

Epopyo peshala lomalandifilo

Vocabulary

clothes

oikutu

this/these

aka/ava

shirt(s)

ohema/eehema

that/those

oyo/odo

shoes

eenghaku

money

oimaliwa

trousers

eembulukweya

change

oshendya

t-shirt

okambidya

check

ocheke

socks

oikaifino

Namibian dollar(s)

odola/eedola da/ya Namibia

tie

otai

I want

ondahala

jacket

ondyakete

I need

ondapumbwa

dress

oshikutu

to open

okupatulula

hat

embale

to close

okupata

watch

ovili

to buy

landa

   

to sell

landifa

cent(s)

oshenda/oma-

ten cents

ofilinga/oi-

   

five cents

oshepenifa

white

-toka

black

-laula

red

-tilyana

blue

-mbulau

yellow

-shunga

green

-twima

tall

-le

short

-xupi

big

-nene

small

-shona

clean

-yela

dirty

-kaka

old

-kulu

new

-pe

beautiful/ good

-wa

ugly/bad

-i

hard

-kukutu

soft

-pu

heavy

-dyu

light

-pu

Topic: House

Phrases

Things in the home

Oinima yo meumbo

The telephone is ringing.

Ongadi otai fana.

The telephone is broken.

Ongadi oya teka.

Vocabulary

(my) house

eumbo (lange)

stove

ofitola

room

ongulu

refridgerator

okila

room

onduda

oven

efiya

sitting room

olupale/oseti

toilet

okandjuwo

dining room

onduda yokulila

bathtub

oshiaxa

kitchen

epata/ekulo/ ekombifa

shower

oshawa

bedroom

onduda yokunangala

sink

ezinga

bathroom

okalikoshelo

mirror

eshipili

door/gate

omuvelo

plate

oshiaxa/ okayaxa

window

ekende

fork

olufoloko

ceiling

odaka

spoon

o(ka)lunguto

floor

ofulula

knife

ombele

wall

ekuma

cup

okakopi

roof

odaka

bowl

okayaxa

chair

oshipundi

napkin

okatishu

table

oshitaafula

trash can

ohalasha yoshimbodi

sofa

etyofa

cooking pot(s)

ombiya yokutelekela/ eembiya dokutelekela

carpet

emate

wooden goblet

eholo/oma-

radio

oladio

glass

o(ka)halasha

television

otivi

blanket

ekumbafa

Topic: Directions, Locations, Prepositions

Phrases

The school is east of the post office.

Ofikola oili koushilo woopoosa.

Which way is it to the Katutura location?

Ondjila ei yauka kolukanda lakatutula oili peni?

The hospital is between the bank and the bookstore.

Oshipangelo oshili pokati kombaanga nofitola yomambo.

Is the market far from here?

Omaalaka oili kokule okudja apa?

It is very far. It is not near.

Okokule unene. Kakushi popepi.

Are you going to Ohangwena?

Otoi kOhangwena?

Can you take me that far?

Ota shidulika utwaalelenge?

I am going up to Okongo.

Ohandii fiyo okOkongo.

How much do people pay?

Ohapa futwa ingapi?

When will we arrive?

Ohatu kafika pongapi?

We will arrive at two.

Ohatu kafika pombali.

I get off here.

Ohandi helukile apa.

I am lost.

Onda kana.

Vocabulary

here

apa

there

opo

near

popepi

far

kokule

left

omulosho

right

olulyo

north

oumbangalanhu

south

oumbuwanhu

east

oushilo

west

ouninginino

straight

yukilila

ahead

komesho

behind

konima

in front of

komesho

above

kombada

below

pombada

inside

meni

outside

kondje/pondje

between

pokati

among

mokati

on

po

in

mo

at

ko

across

kambakana

village

omukunda

city

odoolopa

region

oshitopolwa

country

oshilongo

road

ondjila

building

etungo/oma-

hill

oshindudu

mountain

ondudu

river

omulonga

lake

etale

school

ofikola

church

ongeleka

bank

ombaanga

post office

opoosa

hospital

oshipangelo

supermarket

omaalaka

petrol station

oservice

bottle store

obotola ofitola

bookstore

ofitola yomambo

covered market

omatala

house

eumba

outdoor market

omalandifilo

car

ohauto/oshituwa/oshitukutuku

bicycle

ombashikela

bus

obesa

lorry

elori

bakkie

obakkie

combie

okumbi

taxi

otaxi

aeroplane

odila

boat

oskepa

train

eshina

Topic: Health

I am hurt (in pain).

Ohandi ehama.

I am sick.

Ohandi vele.

I have a headache.

Ohandi vele omutwe.

I need a doctor.

Ondapumbwa ondokotola.

He/she is sick.

Yee ota vele.

Can you help me?

Oto dulu okukwafange?

My leg is broken.

Okuulu kwange okwateka.

I have a fever.

Ondina eshikisha.

I have malaria.

Ohandi vele omalaria.

I have an allergy.

Ohandi nyuwa.

I have a stomach ache.

Ohandi vele medimo.

I have diarrhea.

Ohandi vele oshimela.

I am vomiting.

Ohandi kunga.

I need to get a shot.

Ondapumbwa okuvendwa.

Are you sick?

Oto vele? Owa loloka?

Treat this patient.

Panga omunaudu ou.

Why are you so quiet?

Oshike (m)wamwena?

Are you hungry/thirsty?

Owafya ondyala/enota?

Close/open the door.

Idila/yuulula omuvelo.

How are you feeling?

Oudite shike?

I am not feeling well.

Inandi nangalapo nawa.

Go lie on that bed.

Ka nangale pombete penya. Nangala kombete oko.

Where is the hospital?

Oshipangelo oshili peni?

Vocabulary

head

omutwe

doctor

ondokotola

face

oshipala

nurse

onesa/omupangi

eye(s)

eisho/omesho

hospital

oshipangelo

ear(s)

okutwi

dentist

ondokotola yomayoo

nose

eyulu

pain

ouehame

mouth

okanya

medicine/tree

omuti

tongue (mother language)

elaka (la meme)

needle/injection

ovenda

tooth/teeth

eyoo/oma-

to stay alive

okukala nomwenyo

chin

eendjedi

die

okufya

hair

eexwiki

death

efyo

neck

ofingo

danger

oshiponga

shoulder

epepe

bed

ombete

back

ombuda

lie down

nangala

arm(s)

okwooko/okahoko/oma-

x-ray

okuminikilwa

elbow

ongolo

blood test

kakufwe ohonde

hand(s)

eke/oma-

pharmacy

okafamasi

finger(s) nails

omunwe/onyala oipanyala

ward

onduda yo vaneudu

stomach

edimo/epunga

cough

kolola

heart

omutima

(parts of) body

(oinima yok) olutu

legs

okuulu/oma-

to be sick

okuvela (e)

foot/feet

omadi/ee-

chest

onhulo

skin

oshipa

throat

omunino

Topic: Animals, Insects and Plants

Phrases

Mosquitoes are biting.

Eemwe otadi lumata.

My dog is black.

Ombwa yange oilaula.

I am scared of the snake.

Onda tila eyoka.

The pig is ugly.

Oshingulu oshii.

Lions eat people.

Onghoshi ohai li ovanhu.

Cheetahs do not eat people.

Ongwe ihai li ovanhu.

Vocabulary

animals

oinamwenyo

insects

oipuka

dog

ombwa

mosquito

omwe/ee-

cat

okambishi

fly

odi/ee-

horse

onghambe

tick

ona/ee-

cow

ongobe

spider

eluviluvi

pig

oshingulu

scorpion

ondje

donkey

ondoongi

moth

onyanga yofiku

chicken

oxuxwa

millipede

ongongololo

bird

okadila

plants

oimeno

ostrich

omho

grass

omwiidi

elephant

ondjaba

tree(s)

omuti/omi-

lion

onghoshi

flower

eengala

tiger (leopard)

ongwe

leaf/leaves

efo/oma-

cheetah

ongwe

banana tree

omuti womabanana

crocodile

ongadu

palm tree

omulunga

baboon

ondjima

thorn bush

eno

zebra

ongolo

sheep

oshikapa

giraffe

onduli

   

mouse

omuku

   

rabbit

ondiba

   

Topic: Verbs

Vocabulary

work

longa(o)

buy

landa

play

danauka

sell

landifa

walk

enda

stop

tula

run

tondoka

climb (in)

londa (mo)

come

uya/ila/di

get (out)

oku dja (mo)

go

ya/inda/i

take

tambula

sing

imba

give

eta

dance

ndaanisha

make a ball

ma (e)

give

pa/yandya

make a fire

tema (omudilo)

take

tufa

measure

meta (e)

open/unlock

yuulula/patulula

fear

tila

close/lock

idila/pata

look

tala (e)

start

tameke/toto

beat

denga (e)

finish

mana

say

ta (i)

search

konga

   

find/see

mona (o)

   

laugh

yola (o)

   

cry

kwena/lila (i)

   

sleep

nangala

   

wake up

penduka