The Giriama are a tribe in Kenya that is one of the nine sub-groups of the Mijikenda community. They reside in the coastal region of Kenya, particularly in Kilifi and Malindi. They are well known for their cultural heritage, especially their traditional dances, like the Kaya and Mwenjele dances. This tribe is estimated to have a population of 1 million within Kenya.
Here is a list of the top 101 Giriama words and phrases and their translations.
- Udzalamkadze? – Good morning?
- Nidzalamka simanya uwe – Good morning to you, what about you?
- Lamka – Good
- Ndo vidzo – That’s great
- Udzasindadze – Good afternoon/evening
- Nidzasinda simanya uwe – Good, what about you?
- Sinda – I am good too
- Ni tototo – I am fine
- Sindato/kala na siku mbidzo – Have a good day
- Naederera tototo – I am doing great
- Vidze? – Hi/Hello
- Ni vidzo kukona – Nice to meet you
- Hundaonana si kapindi – See you soon
- Hundaonana baadaye – See you later
- Nakuhenza _ I love you
- Nakuhenza sana – I love you so much
- Namala nikone – I want to see you
- Uhiko – Where are you?
- Wakwendahi – Where did you go?
- Unendahi? – Where are you going?
- Were uhiko? – Where were you?
- Udze? – How have you been?
- Unadzisikiradze? – How are you feeling?
- Ni nyingahi? – How much?
- Unaifwa hani? – What is your name?
- Siku yo udzakaladze? – How was your day?
- Usikuwo udzakaldze? – How was your night?
- Namvera – Thank you
- Pore – Sorry
- Nisamehe – Excuse me
- Unakaribishwa – You are welcome
- Mulungu akuhase – God bless you
- Mulungu akurinde – May God protect you
- Mulungu ni mudzo – God is good
- Nzo hano – Come here
- Simanya – I don’t know
- Tafadhali nisaidhia – Please help me
- Tsenzi – I don’t want
- Nadza karibuni – I am coming soon
- Ni karakara – It is okay
- Mosi – one
- Hiri – two
- Hahu – three
- Inne – four
- Tsano – five
- Handahu – six
- Fungahe – seven
- Nane – eight
- Chenda – nine
- Kumi – ten
- Na – and
- Hedu – or
- Shoma – read
- Ona – see
- Gula – buy
- Enda – go
- Nena – speak
- Andhika – begin
- Angira – enter
- Nguwo – clothes
- Ndani – inside
- Ngira – road
- Rya – eat
- Hendza – like
- Kanisa – church
- Mudzi – home/village
- Miti – trees
- Nyumba – house
- Bahari – sea
- D’uka – shop
- Kazi – work
- Kithabu – book
- Muvulana – boy
- Musichana – girl
- Asichana – girls
- Mutu – person
- Atu – people
- Mwana – child
- Kahoho – small child
- Uhoho – small children
- Muzhazi – parent
- Musena- friend
- Muvuhi – fisherman
- Kit’u – thing
- Vit’u – things
- Andza – start
- Gonya – finish
- Sikuli – school
- Munda – farm
- Muho – river
- Mulume – man
- Muche – woman/wife
- Mwana – son
- Baba – father
- M’ama – mother
- Ndugu – sibling
- H’awe – grandmother
- Mutsedza – parent-in-law (of man)
- Bizhala – father-in-law (of woman)
- Mizhala – mother-in-law (of woman)
- Rikumba – big fish
Enjoy the journey of learning this beautiful language!