Animals

1. Mubwa

   Dog

   Usage

   A dog; the plural takes the ba- form "babwa"

   Grammar Note

   A class 1 noun (prefix mu-) used for people and animals. The dictionary also lists "munkala" for a dog

2. Ing'ombe

   Cow / cattle

   Usage

   A cow or cattle; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "ng'ombe"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun used for both bulls and cows. It is written with ng' and an apostrophe (plain ng is a different sound)

3. Moombe

   Calf

   Usage

   A calf

   Grammar Note

   A class 1 noun (prefix mu-). The long vowel is written oo. The dictionary also lists the same form with the meaning "edge"

4. Impongo

   Goat

   Usage

   A goat; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "mpongo"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun. It is often paired with the sheep (imbelele) as "sheep and goats"

5. Imbelele

   Sheep

   Usage

   A sheep; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "mbelele", which is also the form for several sheep

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun. The form "mbelele" is common for both one sheep and many

6. Ingulube

   Pig

   Usage

   A pig; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "ngulube". Pork is "nyama ya ngulube"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun. A useful word if you need to say you do not eat pork

7. Ibbiza

   Horse

   Usage

   A horse; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "bbiza"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun. The bb is a double consonant and is not written with a single b

8. Imbongolo

   Donkey

   Usage

   A donkey; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "mbongolo"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun

9. Inkuku

   Chicken

   Usage

   A chicken; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "nkuku". A hen is "nkuku nseke"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun. A rooster has its own word, "mukombwe"

10. Mukombwe

    Rooster

    Usage

    A rooster; "mukombwe wakalila" means "the rooster crowed"

    Grammar Note

    A class 1 noun (prefix mu-). It means the bird that crows

11. Syuumbwa

    Lion

    Usage

    A lion; the dictionary also lists the spelling "syuumba"

    Grammar Note

    A class 1 noun. It begins with sy and has the long vowel uu

12. Kayuni

    Bird

    Usage

    A small bird, used to point out a bird

    Grammar Note

    A class 12 noun (prefix ka-, which marks small things). The dictionary glosses it as "small bird"

13. Kabanze

    Scorpion

    Usage

    A scorpion

    Grammar Note

    A class 12 noun (prefix ka-)

14. Kaaze

    Cat

    Usage

    A cat; the dictionary also lists "mangoye" for a cat

    Grammar Note

    A class 12 noun (prefix ka-). The long vowel aa is written. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

15. Civwubwe

    Hippo

    Usage

    A hippo, an animal of rivers and lakes. The dictionary also lists "civubwe" and "imvwuvwu"

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 noun (prefix ci-). The spelling varies. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

16. Ciwena

    Crocodile

    Usage

    A crocodile; the dictionary also lists "intale". An animal to watch for on river and lake shores

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 noun (prefix ci-). Which word is the more common one is not confirmed. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

17. Imbizi

    Zebra

    Usage

    A zebra; the dictionary also lists the form "cibizi"

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

18. Inyanti

    Buffalo

    Usage

    A buffalo, the wild kind; the dictionary also lists the form "munyati"

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

19. Siluwe

    Leopard

    Usage

    A leopard

    Grammar Note

    A class 1 noun. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

20. Sokwe

    Baboon

    Usage

    A baboon; the dictionary also lists the same form with the meaning "woodlot"

    Grammar Note

    A class 1 noun. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

21. Nsenya

    Mosquito

    Usage

    A mosquito; the dictionary also lists the forms "masenya" and "mansenya"

    Grammar Note

    Listed as a class 6 noun (the dictionary classes are not reliable). Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

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