mori

Hinde (1904) records mōōri as an equivalent of English heifer in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba kamolli as its equivalent.


hiti

Hinde (1904) records hiti as an equivalent of English hyæna in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba mbiti and Swahili fisi together with pisi as its equivalents.

Crocuta crocuta
Crocuta crocuta#Translingual

hyena, especially spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

gũthekererwo nĩ andũ ti kũrĩrĩrwo nĩ hiti


kari

Agelaea pentagyna (syn. A. heterophylla)


noe

Phaseolus lunatus
Phaseolus lunatus#Translingual

Lima bean(s), butter bean(s), Madagascar bean(s) (Phaseolus lunatus)


minji

Pisum sativum
Pisum sativum#Translingual


ng'ombe

/ŋɔ̀ᵐbɛ̀(ꜜ)/

From Proto-Bantu *ngòmbè. Hinde (1904) records ngombe as an equivalent of English cow in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba ngombe and Swahili ngombe as its equivalents.

ng'ombe yakwa

ng'ombe ciakwa

gũthũũra ng'ombe nĩ gũthũũra kamũkwa kayo


thuya

Hinde (1904) records thūya and sūya as equivalents of English flea in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


mbogo

From Proto-Bantu *mbògó. Hinde (1904) records mbogo as an equivalent of English buffalo in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba mbo as its equivalent.


ruai

whistling thorn (Vachellia drepanolobium, syn. Acacia drepanolobium)


ndare

bramble (Rubus spp.); berry at least of R. keniensis, R. pinnatus, R. steudneri, and R. volkensii


harika

female goat that has not yet borne a kid


nganga

Hinde (1904) records enganga as an equivalent of English guinea-fowl in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba nganga and Swahili kanga etc. as its equivalents.


mbembe

/ᵐbɛ̀.ᵐbɛ́ꜜ/


mbarĩki

/ᵐbàɾékì(ꜜ)/

castor oil; Kikuyu people use it for treating minor wounds and protecting skin, etc.


ndũũma

(old) cocoyam, taro (Colocasia esculenta)


ngui

LL-Q33587 (kik)-Samuel Waina (WikiLucas00)-ngui.wav

Hinde (1904) records kui and ngiti as equivalents of English dog in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


thonjo

/ðɔ̀.ᶮdʑɔ̀(ꜜ)/

weaverbird, including baglafecht weaver (Ploceus baglafecht)


mbũri

From Proto-Bantu *mbʊ́dì. Hinde (1904) records mburri as an equivalent of English goat in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba mbuii and Swahili mbuzi as its equivalents.

mbũri yakwa

mbũri ciakwa

rũũru rwa mbũri

mbũri ya ngĩa yaringĩrĩra no ũguo bata ũringagĩrĩra

rũgendo rwa njũa na rwa mbũri ititwaranaga


kĩndũ

From Proto-Bantu *kɪ̀ntʊ̀. Hinde (1904) records kiindu as an equivalent of English thing and anything in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba kiindu (“anything”), kiindu (“thing”) (“Ulu dialect”; spoken then from Machakos to coastal area), kinduki (“thing”) (“Nganyawa dialect”; spoken then in Kitui District) and Swahili kitu as its equivalents.


ngi

Hinde (1904) records ingi and ingishi as equivalents of English fly in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba ingi, “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba inji, and Swahili inzi (pl. mainzi) as their equivalents.

ngi ĩrathagwo ũigana mũkiha ũrĩa ĩrĩ naguo


kĩrũũmi

Acinonyx jubatus
Acinonyx jubatus#Translingual


njogu

/ᶮdʑɔ̀ɣù(ꜜ)/

From Proto-Bantu *njògù. Hinde (1904) records njogu as an equivalent of English elephant in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba unzōō and Swahili ndovu etc. as its equivalents.


nyoni

LL-Q33587 (kik)-Samuel Waina (WikiLucas00)-nyoni.wav

From Proto-Bantu *njʊ̀nì. Hinde (1904) records nyoni as an equivalent of English bird in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Swahili nyuni etc. as its equivalent.


mũnyongoro

/mòɲɔ́ᵑɡɔ̀ɾɔ́ꜜ/

Hinde (1904) records minyongora as an equivalent of English worm in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


ngĩrĩ

Hinde (1904) records ngelee as an equivalent of English wart hog in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba ngii and Swahili ngirri as its equivalents.


nguru

Hinde (1904) records ngūrru as an equivalent of English tortoise in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba nguu as its equivalent.


ngware

Hinde (1904) records ngwarra as an equivalent of English partridge in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba engwalle and Swahili kware etc. as its equivalents.


nderi

Hinde (1904) records ndere as an equivalent of English vulture in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba ndē and “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba ande as its equivalents.


ngarĩ

Hinde (1904) records ngare as an equivalent of English leopard in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba ngoo and “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba engo as its equivalents.


rũhonge

/ɾò.hɔ̀.ᵑɡɛ̌/


nyeni

Hinde (1904) records nyeni as an equivalent of English vegetables in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba nyunni as its equivalent.


mũtĩ

LL-Q33587 (kik)-Samuel Waina (WikiLucas00)-mũtĩ.wav

From Proto-Bantu *-tí. Cognate to Kamba mũtĩ.
Hinde (1904) records muti (pl. miti) as an equivalent of English tree in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba muti (pl. mitino), “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba mti and Swahili mti (pl. miti) as its equivalents.

mũikari mũtĩ gĩtina nĩwe ũĩ kĩrĩa thambo ĩrĩaga

gĩtinainĩ kĩa mũtĩ


mũbarĩki

/mòβàɾékì(ꜜ)/

Hinde (1904) records mbariki as an equivalent of English castor-oil tree in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba mbaluku and Swahili mbarika as its equivalents.

Ricinus communis
Ricinus communis#Translingual


njogoo

/ᶮdʑɔ̀.ɣɔ́.ɔ̀(ꜜ)/


thamaki

LL-Q33587 (kik)-Samuel Waina (WikiLucas00)-thamaki.wav


ngigĩ

Hinde (1904) records ngigi as an equivalent of English locust in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba ngie and Swahili mzige (pl. wazige) together with nzige as its equivalents.


hũngũ

Hinde (1904) records hungu as an equivalent of English kite in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba mbuungu as its equivalent.

hũngũ ĩgĩthiĩ igũrũ ndĩatigire thĩ kũrĩ kwega


ndigiri

Hinde (1904) records ndigiri as an equivalent of English donkey in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


ithagu

Hinde (1904) records mathagu as an equivalent of English wing in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba kithau and “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba ndthauo as its equivalents.


ng'ondu

Ultimately from a Central Sudanic language, in which it originally meant "goat".

gũtirĩ ũrirũ ũtonwo na ũrĩa wonwo no ng'ondu


ndutu

Hinde (1904) records ndutu as an equivalent of English insect and jigger in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba ndulu (“insect”) and Swahili mdudu (“insect”) (pl. wadudu) as its equivalents.

chigoe, chigoe flea, chigger, sand flea, jigger


ndũrũme

/ⁿdòɾómɛ̀(ꜜ)/

Hinde (1904) records ndurume as an equivalent of English sheep in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


ndũiga

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *ntʊ̀ìgà (“giraffe”). Hinde (1904) records ndwiga as an equivalent of English giraffe in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba ndia and Swahili twiga as its equivalents.


ndegwa

/ⁿdɛ̀(ː)ɣwàꜜ/

/ⁿdɛ̀(ː)ɣoàꜜ/

Hinde (1904) records ndēgua as an equivalent of English bull in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


ngũngũni

/ŋɡóːŋɡòníꜜ/


mũthũa

Hinde (1904) records muthua as an equivalent of English ant (white) in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Swahili mchwa as its equivalent.


thuraku

Hinde (1904) records tharaku as an equivalent of English ant (red) in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


mũceere

/mòɕɛ́ːɾɛ̌ꜜ/


njũkĩ

Hinde (1904) records njuki as an equivalent of English bee in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba nsuki etc., “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba nzuki and Swahili nyuki as its equivalents.

mwatũ wa njũkĩ


kĩng'ang'i

Hinde (1904) records kingangi as an equivalent of English crocodile in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba kinyangi as its equivalent.


irigũ

Hinde (1904) records marigu as an equivalent of English banana in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba maīyu as its equivalent.


itarara

/ìtá(ː)ɾàːɾáꜜ/

python, especially (African) rock python (Python sebae)


ithangũ

LL-Q33587 (kik)-Samuel Waina (WikiLucas00)-ithangũ.wav

Hinde (1904) records mathangu as an equivalent of English leaves and foliage in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba mathaangu (“leaves”) or mathangu (“foliage”) as its equivalent.


kĩĩmbu

Hinde (1904) records kēēmbu as an equivalent of English chameleon in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba keembu as its equivalent.


nyaga

Hinde (1904) records nyaga as an equivalent of English ostrich in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba nya as its equivalent.
Chombastic (2024) records nyaga as an equivalent of English glitter / glory in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, as applied to mean gliters applied as "manyaganyaga" hense kirinyaga directly applies to "with glitter or glory.


ngũkũ

From *nkʊ́kʊ́, a variant of Common Bantu *nkókó. Hinde (1904) records nenguku as an equivalent of English chicken in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba nguku and Swahili kuku as its equivalents.


mũrũthi

Hinde (1904) records muruthi and mulozi as equivalents of English lion in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.

gĩcuthĩ kĩa mũrũthi


thenge

thenge ciakwa - my he-goats


njagĩ

Hinde (1904) records njagi as an equivalent of English zebra in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba nzaii as its equivalent.


mũratina

/mòɾáːtìnáꜜ/

sausage tree; its ripe fruits are used for fermenting sugar-cane beverage and in Nyeri County, decoction of the leaves, barks and fruits is allegedly used for treating gonorrhoea, syphilis, measles, etc.


ngĩma

ndũgate mĩguĩ na ngĩma, ngu(u)yo irĩ njĩra


mbarathi

/ᵐbàɾá(ː)ðì(ꜜ)/

Borrowed from Swahili farasi, from Arabic فَرَس (faras).


ndutura

Hinde (1904) records ndutūrra as an equivalent of English dove in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


kĩroboto

/kèɾɔ̀βɔ̀tɔ̌/


kĩgwa

Hinde (1904) records kigŏă as an equivalent of English sugar cane in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba iwa as its equivalent.

sugar cane; Kikuyu people use its juice for making alcoholic drink (njohi)


gĩkwa

From Proto-Bantu *kɪ̀kʊ̀á. Hinde (1904) records kikoa (pl. ikoa) and kikera as equivalents of English yam in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba kikwa (pl. ikwa) as its equivalent.


mũkũyũ

certain species of the genus Ficus.
sycamore (F. sycomorus)

certain species of the genus Ficus.
Cape fig (F. sur)


mũgumo

/mòɣùmɔ̀(ꜜ)/

Hutchins (1909) records m'Gumu as the Kikuyu name for Ficus sp..

Ficus thonningii
Ficus thonningii#Translingual

Any of several species of the genus Ficus; regarded as sacred by Kikuyu people and decoction of its bark with milk is used for treating dysentery

wild fig, stranger fig (Ficus thonningii)


nathi

Physalis peruviana
Physalis peruviana#Translingual


kĩgunyũ

Hinde (1904) records kunyu and kigunyu as equivalents of English caterpillar in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


kĩũra

kĩũra kĩaringio rũũĩ kiugaga nĩkĩo kĩeringia


njeneni

/ᶮdʑɛ́nɛ̀ːníꜜ/


thara

Napier grass, elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum)


mũthandũkũ

/mòðàⁿdókóꜜ/

black wattle, especially Acacia decurrens


mbwe

Hinde (1904) records mbue as an equivalent of English jackal in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba mbiwa as its equivalent.


njũi

/ᶮdʑóː.ì(ꜜ)/


thegere

/ðɛ̀ɣɛ̀ɾɛ̀ꜜ/

Mellivora capensis
Mellivora capensis#Translingual

small animal that breaks up beehives (mĩatũ) and steals all the honeycombs; honey badger, or ratel (Mellivora capensis)

ichneumon, Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon)


barĩthiramu

ki-noun

barĩthiramu class 9/10 (plural barĩthiramu)

/βàɾéːðìɾámú/


kĩĩhuruta

/kèːhúɾùːtáꜜ/

Hinde (1904) records kihurruta as an equivalent of English butterfly in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


nũgũ

Hinde (1904) records nugu ao ithinwa as an equivalent of English baboon in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


nguyo

Hinde (1904) records nguyu as an equivalent of English colobus monkey in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


mũitĩrĩro

/mòìtèɾèɾɔ̀(ꜜ)/


njege

Hinde (1904) records njege as an equivalent of English porcupine in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


gĩtore

tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax); According to IUCN (2014), two native species are found in Kenya: southern tree hyrax (D. arboreus) and eastern tree hyrax (D. validus).


mbũmbũĩ

Hinde (1904) records mbumbui as an equivalent of English spider in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba mbuabui and Swahili buibui as its equivalents.


ndinoho

/ⁿdìnɔ̀hɔ́ꜜ/


mũtore

a certain kind of banana usually roasted or mashed before consumption


thiari

Hinde (1904) records thiarri as an equivalent of English rhinoceros bird in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.

tickbird, oxpecker, especially red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)


kamũcoroge

/kàmòɕɔ̀ɾɔ̀ɣɛ́ꜜ/


mũtembei

house rat
Norwegian rat (Rattus norvegicus)


thwariga

Hinde (1904) records thwariga as an equivalent of English bush buck in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


mũrũaru

crowned crane, golden crested crane, Kavirondo crane (Balearica sp.)


mbaka

Borrowed from Swahili paka.
Hinde (1904) records nempaka as an equivalent of English cat in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba mbaka and Swahili paka as its equivalents.


mũguongo

/mòɣuɔ̀ᵑɡɔ́ꜜ/


nyamũ ya thĩ

nyamũ ya thĩ class 9 (plural nyamũ cia thĩ)

Hinde (1904) records nyamayathi as an equivalent of English snake in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, and McGregor (1905) nyamuyathi for viper.

a certain species of snake; according to Hobley (1911:418) and Leakey (1977), it was the custom that the snake was treated with milk or fat poured out on the floor for drinking if the animal entered a hut and the snake was made to leave the hut lest the snake should be by any chance killed. Hobley also reports that Kikuyu people regarded the snake as incarnation of a spirit of the departed (ngoma).


thwara

certain kinds of antelope
Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii)

certain kinds of antelope
Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti)

certain kinds of antelope
impala (Aepyceros melampus)

certain kinds of antelope
reedbuck (Redunca spp.)


thiya

duiker (bush duiker or common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), etc.)


ngũkũma

Hinde (1904) records ngukumma as an equivalent of English tick in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


thigiriri

Hinde (1904) records thigirriri as an equivalent of English ant (small black) in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.


mũgaa

Hinde (1904) records mugaa as an equivalent of English mimosa in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.

red acacia (Vachellia seyal, syn. Acacia stenocarpa, A. seyal)


kĩihũ

mongoose, especially white-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda)


nyau

nyau (canonical class-9)
10 （augmentative kĩnyau (canonical)
diminutive kanyau） (canonical)
nyau (plural)

Benson (1964) suspects affinity with Maasai e-nyau (“cat”).


ndabibi

Benson (1964) suspects affinity with Maasai ol-dabibi.


nyoro

Musa acuminata
Musa acuminata#Translingual

Dwarf Cavendish banana a cultivar of Musa acuminata (Colla (AAA Group) 'Dwarf Cavendish')


gatumia

certain varieties of banana that bear bunches on a short tree

Dwarf Cavendish banana, a cultivar, (Musa acuminata Colla (AAA Group) 'Dwarf Cavendish')


thiruai

Benson (1964) suspects affinity with Maasai o-sirua (“eland”).


ndongoro

/ⁿdɔ̀ᵑɡɔ̀ɾɔ̀(ꜜ)/


bongwe

(Chanler's) mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula chanleri)


wakarurĩ

African striped weasel (Poecilogale albinucha)


gĩcuthĩ

gĩcuthĩ kĩa mũrũthi


mũting'oe

/mò.tìː.ŋɔ̀.ɛ́ꜜ/

LL-Q33587 (kik)-Samuel Waina (WikiLucas00)-mũting'oe.wav

Benson (1964) suspects affinity with Maasai ol-kidong'oi (“tail”).


mũkĩndũ

Hinde (1904) records mukindu as an equivalent of English palm (borassus) in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba ikindu and Swahili mkindu as its equivalents.

Senegal date palm, wild date palm (Phoenix reclinata)


njĩmbĩrĩ

otter, especially spot-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis, syn. Lutra maculicollis)


mũhĩa

sorghum, Kaffir corn, dhurra (Sorghum bicolor)


ngitĩ

Hinde (1904) records kui and ngiti as equivalents of English dog in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba ngiti as its equivalent.


mũrarũ

/mò(ː)ɾáɾò(ꜜ)/


mũhũgũ

Hutchins (1909) records m'Hùgu as the Kikuyu name for Ibean Sandal, or Brachylaena sp.

muhugu, muhuhu (Brachylaena huillensis), syn. B. hutchinsii); Kikuyu people have used this species for firewood, poles, partitioning walls (mĩhĩrĩgo), etc.


mũbariti

silky oak, southern silky oak (Grevillea robusta)


nyamĩndigi

nyamĩndigi class 9/10 (plural nyamĩndigi)

/ɲámíːⁿdìɣíꜜ/

/ɲàméːⁿdíɣì/

a bird of the genus Cossypha, especially a Cape robin-chat (C. caffra, syn. Dessonornis caffer)


njahĩ

Lablab purpureus
Lablab purpureus#Translingual

seed(s) of hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus, syn. Dolichos lablab)


mũkengeria

/mòkɛ́ᵑɡɛ̀ɾiáꜜ/

any species of the genus Commelina, especially wandering Jew (C. benghalensis)


mũbangi

/mò.βà.ᵑɡì(ꜜ)/

Mexican marigold, tall khaki weed (Tagetes minuta)


mboco

/ᵐbɔ̀ːɕɔ̀(ꜜ)/

Phaseolus vulgaris
Phaseolus vulgaris#Translingual


mwere

Pennisetum glaucum
Pennisetum glaucum#Translingual

pearl millet, bulrush millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

Eleusine coracana
Eleusine coracana#Translingual


mũkorobia

/mòkɔ̀ɾɔ̀βíːà(ꜜ)/

Persea americana
Persea americana#Translingual


mũtongu

/mò.tɔ̀.ᵑɡú/

apple of Sodom, Sodom's apple, bitter tomato (Solanum incanum and S. campylacanthum)


mũcege

Bidens pilosa
Bidens pilosa#Translingual

blackjack, hairy beggarticks, cobbler's pegs (Bidens pilosa)


mũkangarithi

mũkangarithi class 3 (plural mĩkangarithi)

milkweed, swan plant, wild cotton (Gomphocarpus physocarpus, syn. Asclepias physocarpa and G. fruticosus)


mũtuuya

Hutchins (1909) records m'Tuyu as a local name for Myrianthus arboreus.

giant yellow mulberry (Myrianthus holstii and Myrianthus arboreus)


ituuya

edible fruit of Myrianthus arboreus (mũtuuya).


mũrera

From kũrera (“to float, to hover, to glide”).

fever tree, Naivasha thorn (Acacia xanthophloea)


kĩgunyarĩrĩ

/kèɣùɲàːɾèɾè(ꜜ)/


mũrangi

From Proto-Bantu *-dāŋgí̧. Cognate to Kamba mũangi.
Hinde (1904) records mrangi (pl. mirangi) as an equivalent of English bamboo in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Ulu dialect” (spoken then from Machakos to coastal area) of Kamba miangi and mwangi, and Swahili mwanzi (pl. miwanzi) as its equivalents.

bamboo of species Oldeania alpina (syns. Yushania alpina, Arundinaria alpina)


mũringa

/mò.ɾí.ᵑɡà(ꜜ)/

Hutchins (1909) records m'Ringa as the Kikuyu name for Cordia holstii.

large-leafed cordia (Cordia africana, syn. C. abyssinica, C. holstii); traditionally used for making hives and stools


mũhethu

charcoal tree, gunpowder tree (Trema orientalis, syn. T. guineensis)


mũiri

From kũira (“to be black”)
Hutchins (1909) records m'Wère as the Kikuyu name for Pygeum africanum.

red stinkwood, African cherry, African plum, African prune (Prunus africana, syn. Pygeum africanum)


ibabai

/ì.βà.βà.ì(ꜜ)/


mũcũthi

Agelaea pentagyna (syn. A. heterophylla); according to Leakey (1977), it was used for making tonic soup.


mũtarakwa

/mòtàɾákoáꜜ/

Benson (1964) suspects that this term is related to Maasai ol-tarakwai (“Juniperus procera”). Compare also Kalenjin (Markweeta tarakwet and tarokwa, Nandi tarakwet and turkwet, Pökoot tarokwa, Sabaot torokio, Tugen tarokwa).

cog

Juniperus procera
Juniperus procera#Translingual

African pencil cedar, East African cedar (Juniperus procera)


mũthaithi

/mòðàìðì(ꜜ)/

Hutchins (1909) records m'Saizi as the Kikuyu name for Pillar-wood, or Weihea africana.

certain species of the genus Cassipourea (Rhizophoraceae)


mũrũrũe

/mòɾòɾòwɛ̀(ꜜ)/

forest pepper, Lopez root, wild orange tree (Toddalia asiatica); formerly its leaves and roots were used for treating feverish colds, and recently leaf decoction for colds, asthma, chest pain and toothache


mũraraciĩ

Hutchins (1909) records m'Lalàchi as a local name for Chestnut (wild).


mũrũrũa

/mòɾòːɾòːáꜜ/


numĩra

Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
Hylochoerus meinertzhageni#Translingual

giant forest hog, giant hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni)


mwĩnũ

Hutchins (1909) records Muvènu as the Kikuyu name for Cassia didymobotria (sic!).

peanut butter cassia, candelabra tree (Senna didymobotrya, syn. Cassia didymobotrya); traditionally used as a purgative, etc.


mũthaitĩ

Hutchins (1909) records m'Zaiti as the Kikuyu name for Ocotea usambarensis.

East African camphorwood (Kuloa usambarensis; syn. Ocotea usambarensis) or Ocotea kenyensis; wood of at least the former one was used for making partitioning walls (mĩhĩrĩgo), containers related to honey, etc.


mũhehe

/mòhɛ̀ːhɛ̀(ꜜ)/

giant lobelia (Lobelia giberroa); its stem was used as a substitute for blowing horn


mũtamaiyũ

Hutchins (1909) records m'Tamàyu as the Kikuyu name for Olea chrysophilla (sic!).

wild olive, brown olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, syn. O. africana, O. europaea subsp. africana, O. chrysophylla)


mũcarage

/mòɕàɾáɣɛ̀(ꜜ)/

Hutchins (1909) records m'Sharàge as the Kikuyu name for Olea hochstetterii (sic!).


gĩtoka

pyjama lily (Crinum kirkii); formerly planted for marking boundaries of individual land holdings.

Cape coast lily, pyjama lily (Crinum macowanii)


ngũgũ

Tauraco hartlaubi
Tauraco hartlaubi#Translingual

turaco, lourie, especially Hartlaub's turaco（Tauraco hartlaubi）


mũrũgũ

species of long-tailed widowbird, including Jackson's widowbird (Euplectes jacksoni)


mũnyĩrĩ

paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone spp.); in Kenya, where Kikuyu people live, at least two species are found: red-bellied paradise flycatcher (T. rufiventer) and African paradise flycatcher (T. viridis).


mũbĩngũ

Swahili mpingo (“ebony; African blackwood”).

bor

African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon)


mũmondo

/mòmɔ̀ⁿdɔ̀(ꜜ)/

African redwood (Hagenia abyssinica, syn. Brayera anthelmintica)


mũgaita

Hutchins (1909) records m'Gàiyìtà as the local name for Rapanea rhododendroides.

Certain species of Primulaceae producing fruits (ngaita) used as a vermifuge.

Myrsine rhododendroides, syn. Rapanea rhododendroides


ngaita

kũrũra ta ngaita

fruit of some Primulaceae (Cape myrtle Myrsine africana or Rapanea rhododendroides); purple in color, turning to light brown when fully ripe, used as a general stomach medicine and as an anthelmintic


kahũa

Borrowed from Swahili kahawa, ultimately from Arabic قَهْوَة (qahwa).

mũgũnda wa kahũa

coffee, including the plant (Coffea arabica)


gĩthũũri

candelabra tree, naboom (E. ingens); its latex may cause temporary blindness if applied to the eyes.

some succulent species of Euphorbia
E. bussei var. kibwezensis

some succulent species of Euphorbia
E. cussonioides


mũthũũri

Hinde (1904) records muthuuri as an equivalent of English cactus in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu.

candelabra tree (Euphorbia ingens); its latex may cause temporary blindness if applied to the eyes.


ihĩndu

icoya rĩa ihĩndu

Abyssinian banana, ensete (Ensete ventricosum, syn. E. edule)


mũkongoro

mortar for making sugar-cane beer; according to Leakey (1977), it was made of red stinkwood (mũiri).


mũcũgi

white pear (Apodytes dimidiata); produces hard timber.


mũtatĩ

Polyscias kikuyuensis; produces soft timber, used traditionally for making beehive and mole-trap.


mbakĩ

Mũmeni ũngĩ amũrutaga mbakĩ iniũrũ.

One who loathes the other takes away snuff from his nose.


mũbeebe

/mòβɛ̀ːβɛ́ꜜ/


kanyoni

/kàɲɔ̀nì(ꜜ)/


mũthũ

fruit-eating mousebird, especially speckled mousebird (Colius striatus)


inanathi

/ìnànáːðì(ꜜ)/


muunjuga

/muùᶮd͡ʑùɣà(ꜜ)/

(blue) butterfly bush (Rotheca myricoides, syn. Clerodendrum myricoides)


muunjuga-iria

ki-noun

muunjuga-iria class 3 (plural miunjuga-iria)

Literally means “the milk-stirring plant”. According to Benson (1964), twigs of blue butterfly bush were used as swizzle sticks.


nding'oing'o

nding'oing'o class 9/10 (plural nding'oing'o)

nding'oing'o (plural)
gating'oing'o (diminutive)

/ⁿdìŋɔ̀ìŋɔ̀(ꜜ)/


ngũrũe

/ᵑɡòɾòɛ̀(ꜜ)/

Hinde (1904) records ngurruwe as an equivalent of English pig in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also Kamba ngūe and Swahili nguruwe as its equivalents.


kaiyaba

Kei apple (Dovyalis caffra); introduced from Southern Africa, fruit edible, also used for hedging.


mũkũnga

Hinde (1904) records mumkunga as an equivalent of English eel in “Jogowini dialect” of Kikuyu, listing also “Nganyawa dialect” (spoken then in Kitui District) of Kamba mukanga and Swahili kungu (pl. makungu) as its equivalents.


mũciciũ

Premna maxima, a tree species of the family Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae); endemic to Kenya, producing timber, but in the IUCN Red List evaluated as 'Endangered' due to probable habitat loss caused by local development.


mũkarakaba

cypress, especially Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa)


mũcemeki

/mòɕɛ̀mɛ́kì(ꜜ)/

Afrocrania volkensii (syn. Cornus volkensii), a timber-tree of the family Cornaceae.


mũkorombothi

mũkorombothi class 3 (plural mĩkorombothi)

/mòkɔ̀ɾɔ̀ᵐbɔ̀ðì(ꜜ)/

Afrocrania volkensii, a timber-tree of the family Cornaceae


mũkoigo

/mòkɔ̀ìɣɔ̀(ꜜ)/

coast goldleaf, coastal goldenleaf, sweetberry (Bridelia micrantha); traditionally used for building material


mũtomoko

/mòtɔ̀ːmɔ́kɔ̀(ꜜ)/

Borrowed from Swahili mtomoko (“custard apple”).

Annona cherimola
Annona cherimola#Translingual


mũruma-andũ

mũruma-andũ class 3 (plural mĩruma-andũ)

/mòɾùmà(ꜜ)àⁿdò(ꜜ)/

Bersama abyssinica, a shrub or tree of the family Francoaceae (formerly Melianthaceae)


mũkũngũgũ

Commiphora eminii subsp. zimmermannii (syn. C. missionis, C. zimmermannii), tree of the family Burseraceae; traditionally used by Kikuyu people for hedging, supporter of yam vine, and so on.


gĩthima mbũri

gĩthima mbũri class 7 (plural ithima mbũri)

/ɣèðìmà(ꜜ)ᵐbóɾí(ꜜ)/

coucal, especially Burchell's coucal (Centropus superciliosus burchellii, syn. C. burchellii)


mũhoko

endod, African soapberry (Phytolacca dodecandra; though very poisonous, parts of this plant were traditionally used for treating cattle sickness and as aperient for human being.


mũkarara

/mòkàɾàɾà(ꜜ)/

Margaritaria discoidea (syn. Phyllanthus discoideus), a deciduous tree of the family Phyllanthaceae (formerly Euphorbiaceae); traditionally used for making planks (mĩhĩrĩgo).


mũtendera

/mòtɛ̀ⁿdɛ̀ɾáꜜ/

forest peach (Rawsonia lucida (syn. R. usambarensis); produces timber.


mũita-thũa

orange-milk tree (Harungana madagascariensis); contains red sap and wood used for building material.


mũthathumwa

mũthathumwa class 3 (plural mĩthathumwa)

Hypericum revolutum, a shrub or tree of the St. John's wort family (Hypericaceae)


hatha

(Northern) a species of nettle, Urtica massaica Mildbr.


mũrũrũ

ramontchi, governor's plum, Indian plum (Flacourtia indica); fruit edible.

forest pepper, Lopez root, wild orange tree (Toddalia asiatica)


kĩeha

kĩeha kĩa mũrangi - Engleromyces goetzei

Englerina woodfordioides (syn. Loranthus woodfordioides); parasitic plant found on trees, like mistletoe


icani

Borrowed from Swahili majani (“leaves”).


mũkoigwa

/mòkɔ̀ìɣwà(ꜜ)/


mũhũri

fried egg tree, snuff-box tree (Oncoba spinosa)


mũigaigua

shrub or tree of the genus Oncoba; branches with axillary spines.

snuff-box tree, fried egg tree (Oncoba spinosa)


mũbirũbirũ

/mòβìɾóβìɾóꜜ/

Canthium oligocarpum subsp. friesiorum (syn. Rytigynia friesiorum)


mũtũngũrũ

forest fever tree (Anthocleista grandiflora, syn. Anthocleista zambesiaca)


mũkũndũ

several tree species of the family Rubiaceae

Mitragyna rubrostipulata (syn. Fleroya rubrostipulata); yields timber.


rũathe

Psydrax parviflora, especially subsp. rubrocostata (syn. Canthium rubrocostatum), tree of the madder family (Rubiaceae); yields timber.

Psydrax schimperiana subsp. schimperiana; yields hard wood and is used for building.

false turkey-berry, mottled-bark canthium (Psydrax livida); yields very hard wood.


mũkomakoma

Psychotria fractinervata (syn. Grumilea exserta)


ngobo

Holonym: ihĩndu

Ensete ventricosum
Ensete ventricosum#Translingual

seed(s) of wild banana (Ensete ventricosum); formerly used for making special beads for ceremonial purposes.


mũgoro

/mòɣɔ̀ɾɔ̀(ꜜ)/


mũna

Hutchins (1909) records m'Ona as a Kikuyu name for Chrysophyllum sp.).

muna (Pouteria adolfi-friedericii, syn. Aningeria adolfi-friedericii); yields timber.


mũthegethe

/mòðɛ̀ɣɛ̀ðɛ́/

canary-bird bush, birdflower, lion's claw, rattlebox (Crotalaria agatiflora)


mũembe

Mangifera indica
Mangifera indica#Translingual


icoya

icoya rĩa ihĩndu


inagu

Solanum nigrum
Solanum nigrum#Translingual

black nightshade (Solanum nigrum); its leaves have been traditionally regarded as edible.


mũthithe

African sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata, syn. O. abyssinica)


mũringathinga

mũringathinga class 3 (plural mĩringathinga)

/mòɾìᵑɡáðìŋɡáꜜ/

Mussaenda microdonta subsp. odorata (syn. M. odorata); tree or shrub of the family Rubiaceae


mũrera-kĩĩmbu

mũrera-kĩĩmbu class 3 (plural mĩrera-kĩĩmbu)

/mòɾɛ̀ɾà(ꜜ)keèᵐbú/

mũ- (“[CLASS 3]”) + kũrera (“to rear”) + kĩĩmbu (“chameleon”).

Canthium oligocarpum subsp. friesiorum (syn. Rytigynia friesiorum), shrub or tree species of the family Rubiaceae


mũtĩ-mũirũ

/mòtě moìɾóꜜ/

Galiniera saxifraga (syn. G. coffeoides); shrub or tree of the family Rubiaceae

shrub or tree species of the genus Turraea (Meliaceae)


ndete

ndete (plural)
gatete (class-12 diminutive)

species of warbler, especially grass warbler


kang'aurũ

/kà.ŋà.ú.ɾóꜜ/


mũbaage

Meronym: (seeds) mbaage

Mauritius thorn (Biancaea decapetala, syn. Caesalpinia decapetala, C. sepiaria); native to Asia, but naturalized to Kenya for a very long time; traditionally used for hedge.


thabai

Gĩkũyũ Gĩkũyũ

A species of nettle, Urtica massaica Mildbr.; leaves traditionally used as vegetable among Gĩkũyũ people.


mbaage

Fruit and seeds of plants of species Biancaea decapetala (Mauritius thorn) (mũbaage); seeds were used for divination.