Culture & Etiquette

1. Bantu balazyana.

   People are dancing.

   Usage

   Describes people dancing at a celebration or gathering

   Grammar Note

   "Ba-" is the subject marker for the class 2 noun "bantu", "-la-" marks the present, and "-zyana" means "dance". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Kuzyana

   Dancing / to dance

   Usage

   Dancing; often heard at celebrations

   Grammar Note

   A verb infinitive, beginning with ku-; the root is "-zyana". The dictionary also lists many names of particular dances

3. Ndiyanda kuzyana.

   I want to dance.

   Usage

   Says that you would like to join in the dancing, for example at a celebration

   Grammar Note

   "Ndiyanda" is followed by a verb in the "ku-" infinitive. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Nyimbo

   Songs / music

   Usage

   Songs or music; normally used as a group

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun. The dictionary also lists the singular "ciimbo" (song) and the plural "ziimbo"

5. Ndiyanda kuswiilila nyimbo.

   I want to listen to music.

   Usage

   Says that you would like to listen to music or songs

   Grammar Note

   "Swiilila" means "listen". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Kwiimba

   To sing

   Usage

   To sing

   Grammar Note

   A verb infinitive. The root is "-imba", and with ku- it becomes "kwiimba"

7. Pobwe

   Feast / festival

   Usage

   A gathering with food and celebration, such as a feast or festival

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun. "Pobwe lyabwiinga" means a wedding feast

8. Bwiinga

   Wedding

   Usage

   A wedding; the bridegroom is "sibwiinga" and the bride is "nabwiinga"

   Grammar Note

   A class 14 noun (prefix bu-)

9. Cilengwa

   Custom / tradition

   Usage

   A local custom or tradition

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 noun (prefix ci-)

10. Kusekelela

    To celebrate / rejoice

    Usage

    To celebrate and be glad

    Grammar Note

    A verb infinitive, beginning with ku-; the root is "-sekelela"

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