Transportation

1. Ngwenda gũthiĩ Nairobi

   I want to go to Nairobi

   Usage

   To state a destination. Replace "Nairobi" with the place you want.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words (the phrase itself is not attested). The place name is kept in its signboard spelling (no separate Kikuyu spelling could be verified).

2. Nĩ kũraya?

   Is it far?

   Usage

   To ask about the distance to a destination.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words (the phrase itself is not attested). "kũraya" is "far" (Bible 136x; Wiktionary "-raya").

3. Nĩ gũkuhĩ?

   Is it near?

   Usage

   To ask whether a destination is close.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words (the phrase itself is not attested). "gũkuhĩ" is "near" for a place (Bible 71x; Benson 1964 has the example "Nairobi ni gũkuhĩ").

4. Mũtokaa

   Car

   Usage

   The word for a car.

   Grammar Note

   Class 3. Wiktionary "motorcar, car, automobile"; it also appears in Benson 1964. Not the Swahili "gari".

5. Ndege

   Aeroplane

   Usage

   The word for an aeroplane.

   Grammar Note

   Class 9/10. Wiktionary "aeroplane, airplane, plane"; also Benson 1964. Same form as Swahili ndege.

6. Barabara

   Road

   Usage

   A main road.

   Grammar Note

   A loan from Swahili barabara. Wiktionary "road" (class 9/10); Bible 26x. "njĩra" is the ordinary word for a path or way.

7. Rũgendo

   Journey

   Usage

   When talking about a journey.

   Grammar Note

   Class 11 (plural ng'endo). Bible 99x; also Wiktionary and Benson 1964.

8. Ndagũthaitha, twara

   Please take me / us there

   Usage

   To ask a driver after naming the destination.

   Grammar Note

   Composed from dictionary-verified words (the phrase itself is not attested). "twara" is the imperative "take"; the Bible has "Twara andũ aya gwakwa mũciĩ" (take these men to my house). This is a short form without object or destination; in real use the destination follows.

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