Samburu glossary
The Samburu language has yet to be cataloged or published. English and Swahili are the two national languages of Kenya. Both are taught in schools from Standard 1 through secondary school.
Through our friends in Ndonyo Wasin and Sereolipi we have been learning a few essentials of Samburu and Swahili.
|
Samburu |
English |
|
GREETINGS/RESPONSES |
|
|
Serian? |
How is everything? |
|
Supa? |
How are you? |
|
Oye (oy-yay) |
Fine. |
|
Maape nkang. |
Let’s go home. |
|
Lesere |
Bye, bye. |
|
ANIMALS |
|
|
nkarao |
cattle trough |
|
nkine |
goat |
|
nkerr |
sheep |
|
nkiteng |
cow/cattle |
|
ldia |
dog |
|
nkwenyi |
bird |
|
lotoroi |
bee |
|
lajingan |
fly |
|
lhgatuny |
lion |
|
nkolii |
antelope |
|
ltome |
elephant |
|
sidai |
ostrich |
|
lmeut |
giraffe |
|
muny |
rhino |
|
losowan |
buffalo |
|
nkoko |
hen |
|
PEOPLE/CULTURE |
|
|
lare |
well |
|
nkare |
water |
|
ngai |
god |
|
ntito |
girl |
|
ltung’ani |
man |
|
ltungana |
many people |
|
shumata |
heaven |
|
siwoo |
wind |
|
nchipeo |
hear |
|
nkwe |
head |
|
sayen |
beads |
|
lasurai |
sneak |
|
English |
Swahili |
Samburu |
|
Rhino |
Kifaru |
Muny’ |
|
Lion |
Simba |
Lng’atuny |
|
Elephant |
Ndovu |
Ltome |
|
Giraffe |
Twiga |
Lmara/Lmeut |
|
Camel |
Ngamia |
Ntames |
|
Leopard |
Chui |
Lowuoru Keri |
|
Cheetah |
Duma |
Lnyarara |
|
Zebra |
Punda milia |
Lotuko |
|
Buffalo |
Nyati |
Losowuan |
|
Cow |
Ng’ombe |
Nkiteng |
|
Goat |
Mbuzi |
Ngine |
|
Dog |
Mbwa |
Ldia |
|
Cat |
Paka |
Ng’uus |
|
Antelope |
Swara |
Nkolii |
|
Sheep |
Kondoo |
Nkerr |
Downloadable PDF’s of these two glossaries are available here:
Samburu and English glossary
English, Swahili and Samburu Glossary
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