Basic Words

1. Ĩĩ

   Yes

   Usage

   Affirmative answer.

   Grammar Note

   Both letters are ĩ (U+0129; capital U+0128); plain "ii" is a different spelling. Bible 143x, Wiktionary "yes".

2. Aca

   No

   Usage

   Negative answer.

   Grammar Note

   Bible 104x; also in Benson 1964 and Wiktionary as "no". Do not use Swahili "hapana".

3. Ndagũthaitha

   Please (I beg you)

   Usage

   Put before a request, to one person. For several people say "Ndamũthaitha".

   Grammar Note

   One word holds subject (I), object (you, gũ-) and verb (-thaitha "beg"). Bible 60x. Do not use Swahili "tafadhali".

4. Nĩ ngaatho

   Thank you

   Usage

   Basic way to give thanks. The Bible doubles the vowel ("ngaatho"); Benson writes "ngatho".

   Grammar Note

   "nĩ" is the focus particle ("it is"), "ngaatho" is thanks. Bible 160x. Do not use Swahili "asante".

5. Ndagũthaitha, ndekera

   Sorry (please forgive me)

   Usage

   For when you are at fault. It means "forgive me"; it is not an "excuse me" for passing in front of someone.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words (the phrase itself is not attested). "ndekera" is the form in the Bible's "ndekera mehia makwa" (forgive my sins; 3x); the verb is rekera "forgive" (Wiktionary).

6. Nĩ wega

   It is OK / fine

   Usage

   Answer meaning "that is fine", to an offer or an explanation.

   Grammar Note

   "wega" means goodness. "Nĩ wega" appears 59x in the Bible, also "Nĩ wega mũno" (very good). Wiktionary also lists the phrase as "thank you".

7. Ndiũĩ

   I do not know

   Usage

   When you do not know the answer.

   Grammar Note

   Bible 23x (also as "Niĩ ndiũĩ"). Dropping either tilde (ũ, ĩ) gives a different spelling.

8. Ndagũthaitha, ikara haha

   Please stay here (wait here)

   Usage

   To ask one person to wait where they are.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words (the phrase itself is not attested). The imperative "ikara" (stay, sit) is in the Bible as "Ikara gũkũ" (stay here; 36x). "haha" means "here" (213x).

9. Ũka haha

   Come here

   Usage

   To call someone over. It is an imperative; put "Ndagũthaitha" in front to soften it.

   Grammar Note

   Attested 5x in the Bible as "Ũka haha". "ũka" is the singular imperative of ũka "come".

10. Tũthiĩ

    Let us go

    Usage

    When setting off together with someone.

    Grammar Note

    Bible 108x. "tũ-" is "we", "thiĩ" is "go", as in "Nĩtumagare tũthiĩ mũgũnda" (let us go to the field).

11. Niĩ

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; used in introductions and for emphasis.

    Grammar Note

    The final letter is ĩ (with tilde). In the Bible: "Niĩ ndiũĩ" (I do not know). Do not use Swahili "mimi".

12. Wee

    You (sg)

    Usage

    Refers to one person. For several people use "inyuĩ".

    Grammar Note

    Used in the Bible as address, e.g. "Wee Jehova". Wiktionary lists "we" as "you, thou"; the Bible spells it "wee".

13. Hamwe

    Together

    Usage

    Used with verbs for "go together", "eat together".

    Grammar Note

    Bible 1,619x; Wiktionary has "together". Combine with "na" (with): "hamwe na …".

14. Rĩu

    Now

    Usage

    To say "now" or "right now".

    Grammar Note

    Bible 1,587x; Wiktionary has "now". It is not a word for telling clock time.

15. Haha

    Here

    Usage

    Points to a place: "here".

    Grammar Note

    Bible 213x, e.g. "Niĩ ũyũ haha" (here I am). "hau" is the slightly farther "there".

16. Hau

    There

    Usage

    Points to a place a little away from the speaker.

    Grammar Note

    Bible 743x. Between "haha" (here) and "kũu" (over there).

17. Kũu

    Over there

    Usage

    Points to a far place.

    Grammar Note

    Bible 2,250x. Points to a place farther than "haha" and "hau".

18. Narua

    Quickly / right away

    Usage

    To ask for speed, together with a verb or "Ndagũthaitha".

    Grammar Note

    Bible 122x ("narua" = quickly, at once). An adverb placed near the verb.

19. Mũndũ ũmwe

    One person

    Usage

    To state a number of people ("one person").

    Grammar Note

    "mũndũ" is a person (class 1); "ũmwe" is the class-agreeing "one". Bible 132x.

20. Andũ eerĩ

    Two people

    Usage

    To state a number of people ("two people").

    Grammar Note

    "andũ" is the plural of "mũndũ" (class 2). The numeral "two" agrees as "eerĩ" (different from the counting form "igĩrĩ"). Bible 42x.

21. Andũ atatũ

    Three people

    Usage

    To state a number of people ("three people").

    Grammar Note

    The numeral "three" agrees with a class-2 noun as "atatũ" (different from the counting form "ithatũ"). Bible 8x.

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