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Translation – Common Kikuyu Words

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Translations

ENGLISH KIKUYU

Greetings – Natya – Nì atìa
Greetings – Ni kwega
Greetings [one person] – Wemwega – Wì mwega?
Greetings [more than one person] Muriega – Mùrì ega?

Yes – Niguo
No – Asha

Today (this day) – Umuthi
Tomorrow – Ruciu
Yesterday – Ira

Chicken – Nguku – Ng’ondu
Cow – Ng’ombe
Fish – Thamaki –  Kìùngùyù
Goat – Mburi
Sheep – Ndurume

Church – Caci – Kanitha
Food – irio
Bed – uriri

person – mùndù
people – Andù
woman – mùtumia
man – mùthuri

kikuyu has seven vowels: a,e,i,ì,o,u and ù

  • a-pronounced as a in the word about
  • e-pronounced as e in enter
  • i-pronounced as i in inn
  • ì-pronounced as a in ate
  • o-pronounced as o in omit
  • u-pronounced as u in uganda(name of a country in africa)
  • ù-pronounced as o in oat.

*with the above someone read this:wathiì kù?( where are you going?)

Note: in writing kikuyu there is no F L P Q S V X and Z

SEE ALSO – Top 100 Kikuyu Words Translations

Need your help – please submit other Kikuyu Words and their translations

Comments

  1. Ngotho wa Gathu says

    mùndù-person
    Andù-people
    irio-food
    mùtumia-woman
    mùthuri-man
    Note: in writing kikuyu there is no F L P Q S V X and Z
    kikuyu has seven vowels: a,e,i,ì,o,u and ù
    a-pronounced as a in the word about
    e-pronounced as e in enter
    i-pronounced as i in inn
    ì-pronounced as a in ate
    o-pronounced as o in omit
    u-pronounced as u in uganda(name of a country in africa)
    ù-pronounced as o in oat.
    with the above someone read this:wathiì kù?( where are you going?)

  2. Tami Sigman says

    If “gutiri mundu” means ‘There is no one”, how do I finish that with “to take your place” in Gikuyu (Kikuyu).

    Thank you so much!

  7. Wambuguh says

    Whereas I appreciate this site we are missing some important G?k?y? spellings. Please allow me to correct some.

    N? at?a instead of natya
    W? mwega instead of wemwega
    M?r? ega ” muriega
    N? g?o ” niguo
    Aca ” asha.
    These are just a few and an eye opener. Please note that G?k?y? has 7 vowels and not 5 like for English language. G?k?y? is a unique language…or is it an enterprise! The vowels are : a e i o u ? ?.

  8. PI76 says

    I need something a co-worker texted me translated to English. I’ve tried translation sites and no luck. Warning~I’m pretty positive it’s something dirty so I’m sorry for posting it but if anyone could please help I’d highly appreciate it!!! The text sent to me said = “Amsha rasa msee”. I’m told it’s a mixture of Swahili, kikuyu, and English. Slang terms possible. PLEASE HELP!!! Thank you!!!

  10. Githinji says

    Correct words and pronunciation:

    Sheep – Ng’ondu
    Fish – Kìùngùyù
    Church – Kanitha
    Greetings – Nì atìa
    Greetings – Wì mwega?
    Greetings (many) – Mùrì ega?

    Note: While the greetings sound as one word, they are actually two words that are pronounced as one word.

  13. Serena Dunn says

    Hello, Can you please translate this question to Kikuyu for me please?
    “Hi Ian, hope you are well. Do you have a private mobile number you use?”

  15. mùùkarimani(interpreter) says

    @serena.
    Nìatìa Ian. Ngwìhoka ùrì mùhoro(or ngwìhoka wì mwega)
    no ùkorwo na namba ya mwanya(or ya hitho) ya thimù ya guoko(or ya mùùngùriù) ùhùthagìra?

  16. arim says

    God is amazing and is my peace ira, muthi na ruciu, amen
    How do say the above In kikuyu please,

  17. dero says

    please translate this for me:

    “look at this small dog”

    my attempt was (and don’t laugh btw):

    “tarone kagui gaka”

  18. Fiona says

    Hey everyone! Any idea what the following would be in Kikuyu:

    “For my family: past, present and future”

    Thanks!

  26. Wambugu says

    @ Sal (Mwana ?cio n?m?thaka n?arak?ra naihenya.) Please follow Ngotho Wa Gathu’s explanation of vowels in November 11, 2013.

  27. Josep Wambugu says

    @Sal (Mwana úcio nímúthaka níarakúra wega.) Please, follow Ngotho Wa Gathu’s explanation of vowels above in November 11, 2013.

  28. Nombulelo says

    I am trying to learn Kikuyu but it’s not easy because the Internet does not provide much. I want to surprise my boyfriend by learning a few sentences (hope he’ll teach me the rest). how do I say the following:
    1. I miss you
    2. I love you
    3. I care about you
    4. Goodnight
    5. Good morning
    6. how are you?
    6. where are you?
    7. are you at home?
    8. are you at work?
    9. Please call me
    10. I am home safely

  31. Edd says

    @nombulelo
    Miss you- nìndi-raku-irireria mùno
    Love you -nìngwendete
    I care about you-nigwiciragia wega
    Goodnight -koma thayu(lala wega)
    Good morning-wimwega rucini
    How are you -wimwega
    Where are u -wikù?
    Are you at home -wi.muciì
    Are you at work -wi wira- ìnì
    Please call me-hurìrã thimù
    Im home safely -ndakinya muciì

    The pronounciations may be hard though

  33. Nohate says

    Pls, somebody adviced me to tell my kikuyu girl friend this word to make her angry…and l have been trying to make a meaning to it but to no avail. Can someone help me with the meaning before l offend somebody…mutina and itina…meaning pls.

  34. Mwaniki says

    Most of the translation in those comments are wrong. They seem to have been made by young people who are not fully conversation with kikuyu language. By so saying I have no quarrel with anybody.

  37. JB007 says

    My girl friend is such a nice person. I’ve been trying to impress her with G(K)Kikuyu. is there a better website where this language is beautifully translated? Thanks you

  38. Mercy Nyakerario says

    My classmates do speak a lot of Kikuyu and yet i don’t elewa.
    Where can i get a good web to learn kikuyu?

  39. Alfred says

    Atîrîrî nûû ûyû ûkûîîra atî rûthiomi rwa Gîkûyû nî rûritû mûno? Onginya mûndû wa kûngî ndangîithîria kana arûmenye wega biû kana hihi o hanini tu? Gûtirî mûndû o na ûmwe waciarirwo akîaragia rûthiomi rwake rûrîa aragia ûmûthî? No rîrî othe-rî nî kûigua ciugo kuma marî o ciana makarûma wega ûhoro-inî ûcio.