Body Parts

1. Mutwe

   Head

   Usage

   Used to point to the head; the plural is "mitwe"

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix mu-); the plural is the class 4 form "mitwe"

2. Masusu

   Hair

   Usage

   Hair; this is the plural form, and a single hair is "isusu"

   Grammar Note

   A class 6 plural (prefix ma-) with the singular "isusu". For hair on the head one can say "masusu aakumutwe" (hairs of the head)

3. Busyu

   Face

   Usage

   The face; "to wash the face" is also said "kusamba kumeso"

   Grammar Note

   A class 14 noun (prefix bu-). "Kumeso" (the plural "meso", eyes, with the locative ku-) is also used to mean the face

4. Liso

   Eye

   Usage

   An eye; the plural is "meso"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun (prefix li-); the plural is the class 6 form "meso". The spelling "linso" also occurs, but "liso" is used here

5. Kutwi

   Ear

   Usage

   An ear; the plural is "matwi"

   Grammar Note

   A noun with the ku- prefix (class 15); the plural is "matwi"

6. Impemo

   Nose

   Usage

   A nose; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "mpemo"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun. The dictionary lists both "impemo" and "mpemo"

7. Mulomo

   Mouth / lip

   Usage

   The mouth or the lip; the plural is "milomo"

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix mu-); the plural is the class 4 form "milomo". The dictionary also lists "kanwa" for the mouth

8. Mulaka

   Tongue

   Usage

   The tongue; the plural is "milaka"

   Grammar Note

   A class 3 noun (prefix mu-). The dictionary also lists a separate word "lulimi" for the tongue

9. Lino

   Tooth

   Usage

   A tooth; the plural is "meno". The same form "lino" is also very common for "now", so rely on context

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun (prefix li-); the plural is the class 6 form "meno"

10. Insingo

    Neck

    Usage

    The neck; in a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "nsingo"

    Grammar Note

    A class 9 noun. The locative form is "munsingo" (on the neck)

11. Kuboko

    Arm

    Usage

    The arm; the plural is "maboko"

    Grammar Note

    A noun with the ku- prefix (class 15); the plural is "maboko". The hand itself is "janza"

12. Ijanza

    Hand

    Usage

    A hand; the plural is "maanza". In a sentence the initial i- drops and it is written "janza"

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun. The plural is the class 6 form "maanza". The right hand is "janza lyalulyo" and the left hand is "janza lyalumwensyi"

13. Munwe

    Finger

    Usage

    A finger; the plural is "minwe"

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix mu-); the plural is the class 4 form "minwe"

14. Ida

    Stomach

    Usage

    The stomach or belly; for pain, the pattern is "Ida lyangu lilaciswa" (my stomach hurts)

    Grammar Note

    A class 5 noun (prefix li-). The dictionary also lists "bula" for the stomach

15. Kuulu

    Foot / leg

    Usage

    The foot or leg; the plural is "maulu"

    Grammar Note

    A noun with the ku- prefix (class 15); the plural is "maulu". The same word covers the foot and the whole leg

16. Musana

    Back

    Usage

    The back of the body; the plural is "misana"

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix mu-); the plural is the class 4 form "misana"

17. Cifwuwa

    Bone

    Usage

    A bone; the plural is "mafwuwa". The dictionary also lists the spellings "ifwuwa" and "cifuwa"

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary lists three forms: "cifwuwa", "ifwuwa" and "cifuwa". The plural is the class 6 form "mafwuwa"

18. Bulowa

    Blood

    Usage

    Blood

    Grammar Note

    A class 14 noun (prefix bu-); it is a mass noun with no plural

19. Moyo

    Heart

    Usage

    The heart, also used for the mind or feelings; the plural is "myoyo"

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix mu-); the plural is the class 4 form "myoyo". In talk about feelings it means the inner self

20. Mubili

    Body

    Usage

    The body; the plural is "mibili". For how you feel, the pattern is "Mubili wangu ..." (my body ...)

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun (prefix mu-); the plural is the class 4 form "mibili"

21. Cikanda

    Skin

    Usage

    The skin; it also means the hide or leather of an animal

    Grammar Note

    A class 7 noun (prefix ci-). The dictionary also lists "cipaya" with the same meaning. Source: dictionary only; native review recommended

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