A

The first letter of the Lingala alphabet, written in the Latin script.


bongo

From Proto-Bantu *jòngó. Compare Swahili bongo


Of native Bobangi origin (compare Swahili na), but its functional broadening to "in, at" may be under the influence of West African languages; compare Igbo na, Krio na.

of (form of ya before personal pronouns)


Nd

A letter of the Lingala alphabet, written in the Latin script.


longa

Probably from Proto-Bantu *dʊ̀ng (“be correct, suit”).


bolo

ln-noun

bolo class 9 (plural bolo class 10, colloquial plural babolo class 2)

bolo (class-10 plural)
babolo (class-2 colloquial plural)


bo-

prefix for adjectives agreeing with class 14 nouns

verbal prefix for class 14 noun subjects


ya

wa (singular)
ba (plural)
mwa (class-3 singular)
mya (class-4 plural)
lya (za) (class-5 singular)
ma (class-6 plural)
ya (class-7 singular)
bya (class-8 plural)
ya (class-9 singular)
ya (class-10 plural)
la (class-11 singular)
lwa (class-11 singular)
bwa (class-14 singular)


sili

basili (class-2 plural)
nsili (alternative)
monsili (alternative)


kafé

kafé class 9 (plural kafé class 10, colloquial plural bakafé class 2)

kafé (class-10 plural)
bakafé (class-2 colloquial plural)


limba

Probably from Proto-Bantu *dímb (“forget”).


filme

Borrowed from French film, from English film.


veló

veló class 9 (plural veló class 10, colloquial plural baveló class 2)

veló (class-10 plural)
baveló (class-2 colloquial plural)


yě

The third person singular pronoun; he, she.


yoka

Alternative spelling of -yóka (“to hear, understand”)


síla

liboso ete sanza ya Aprili esila


Afríka

Africa (the continent south of Europe and between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans)


azoti

azoti class 9 (plural azoti class 10, colloquial plural bazoti class 2)

azoti (class-10 plural)
bazoti (class-2 colloquial plural)


titani

titani class 9 (plural titani class 10, colloquial plural batitani class 2)

titani (class-10 plural)
batitani (class-2 colloquial plural)


Kongó

Ultimately from Kongo, but directly borrowed from French Congo.

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo

Congo (a region of Central Africa, comprising the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo)


mwǎmba

paste, more particularly palm butter or peanut butter


nzambe

nzambe class 1 (plural banzambe class 2)


ananási

ananási class 9 (plural mananási class 6, colloquial plural bananási class 2)

mananási (class-6 plural)
bananási (class-2 colloquial plural)


bangó

The personal pronoun, 3rd person plural form; they.


batísimo

batísimo class 9 (plural batísimo class 10, colloquial plural babatísimo class 2)

batísimo (class-10 plural)
babatísimo (class-2 colloquial plural)
batísimu (alternative)


kɔsúkɔsú

kɔsúkɔsú class 9 (plural kɔsúkɔsú class 10, colloquial plural bakɔsúkɔsú class 2)

kɔsúkɔsú (class-10 plural)
bakɔsúkɔsú (class-2 colloquial plural)
kosúkosú (alternative)


bínó

The personal pronoun, 2nd person plural form; you (i.e. you all).


bísó

The personal pronoun, 1st person plural form; we.


mfúmbwa

mfúmbwa class 9 (plural mfúmbwa class 10, colloquial plural bamfúmbwa class 2)

mfúmbwa (class-10 plural)
bamfúmbwa (class-2 colloquial plural)
fúmbwa (alternative)

Eru or African jointfir: a species of plant (Gnetum africanum) common to tropical Africa, used as a vegetable.


fungóla

fungóla class 9 (plural fungóla class 10, colloquial plural bafungóla class 2)

fungóla (class-10 plural)
bafungóla (class-2 colloquial plural)

Deverbal from -fungola (“to open, to unlock”).


fufú

ln-noun

fufú class 9 (plural fufú class 10, colloquial plural bafufú class 2)

fufú (class-10 plural)
bafufú (class-2 colloquial plural)

semolina or flour, especially of cassava

porridge, made from fufú and water by boiling and stirring until solid


mpɔndú

mpɔndú class 9 (plural mpɔndú class 10, colloquial plural bampɔndú class 2)

mpɔndú (class-10 plural)
bampɔndú (class-2 colloquial plural)
mpondú (alternative)
pondú (alternative)

Cognate with Juba Arabic pondu, Bari pöndu (Pojulu dialect), Bangala pondu.


pondú

pondú class 9 (plural pondú class 10, colloquial plural bapondú class 2)

pondú (class-10 plural)
bapondú (class-2 colloquial plural)


libándá

libándá class 5 (plural mabándá class 6)


likélélé

likélélé class 5 (plural makélélé class 6)


mpási

mpási class 9 (plural mpási class 10, colloquial plural bampási class 2)

mpási (class-10 plural)
bampási (class-2 colloquial plural)
pási (alternative)


nzala

nzala class 9 (plural nzala class 10, colloquial plural banzala class 2)

nzala (class-10 plural)
banzala (class-2 colloquial plural)


ndáko

ndáko class 9 (plural ndáko class 10, colloquial plural bandáko class 2)

ndáko (class-10 plural)
bandáko (class-2 colloquial plural)


ndúnda

ndúnda class 9 (plural ndúnda class 10, colloquial plural bandúnda class 2)

ndúnda (class-10 plural)
bandúnda (class-2 colloquial plural)


ngúba

ngúba class 9 (plural ngúba class 10, colloquial plural bangúba class 2)

ngúba (class-10 plural)
bangúba (class-2 colloquial plural)


ngɔ́mbɛ́

ngɔ́mbɛ́ class 9 (plural ngɔ́mbɛ́ class 10, colloquial plural bangɔ́mbɛ́ class 2)

ngɔ́mbɛ́ (class-10 plural)
bangɔ́mbɛ́ (class-2 colloquial plural)


ngúlu

ngúlu class 9 (plural ngúlu class 10, colloquial plural bangúlu class 2)

ngúlu (class-10 plural)
bangúlu (class-2 colloquial plural)


sósó

sósó class 9 (plural sósó class 10, colloquial plural basósó class 2)

sósó (class-10 plural)
basósó (class-2 colloquial plural)


taba

taba class 9 (plural taba class 10, colloquial plural bataba class 2)

taba (class-10 plural)
bataba (class-2 colloquial plural)


nyama

nyama class 9 (plural nyama class 10, colloquial plural banyama class 2)

nyama (class-10 plural)
banyama (class-2 colloquial plural)


mbíla

mbíla class 9 (plural mbíla class 10, colloquial plural bambíla class 2)

mbíla (class-10 plural)
bambíla (class-2 colloquial plural)

Elaeis guineensis
Elaeis guineensis#Translingual

palm (tree); (in particular) the oil palm, Elaeis guineensis


nzinzi

nzinzi class 9 (plural nzinzi class 10, colloquial plural banzinzi class 2)

nzinzi (class-10 plural)
banzinzi (class-2 colloquial plural)

A reduplicated form from Proto-Bantu *ngì.


mbísi

mbísi class 9 (plural mbísi class 10, colloquial plural bambísi class 2)

mbísi (class-10 plural)
bambísi (class-2 colloquial plural)


mésá

mésá class 9 (plural mésá class 10, colloquial plural bamésá class 2)

mésá (class-10 plural)
bamésá (class-2 colloquial plural)
mésa (alternative)
mɛ́sa (alternative)
méza (alternative)


zémi

zémi class 9 (plural zémi class 10, colloquial plural bazémi class 2)

zémi (class-10 plural)
bazémi (class-2 colloquial plural)


tangawúsi

tangawúsi class 9 (plural tangawúsi class 10, colloquial plural batangawúsi class 2)

tangawúsi (class-10 plural)
batangawúsi (class-2 colloquial plural)


sáki

sáki class 9 (plural sáki class 10, colloquial plural basáki class 2)

sáki (class-10 plural)
basáki (class-2 colloquial plural)


sapáto

sapáto class 9 (plural sapáto class 10, colloquial plural basapáto class 2)

sapáto (class-10 plural)
basapáto (class-2 colloquial plural)

From Portuguese sapato (“shoe”), borrowed before 1900.


tangawísi

tangawísi class 9 (plural tangawísi class 10, colloquial plural batangawísi class 2)

tangawísi (class-10 plural)
batangawísi (class-2 colloquial plural)


litu

litu class 9 (plural litu class 10, colloquial plural balitu class 2)

litu (class-10 plural)
balitu (class-2 colloquial plural)


kaba

Possibly from Proto-Bantu *gàb (“to divide, distribute, present as gift”).


kamata

-kamata (canonical)
kokamata (infinitive)

From Swahili -kamata, borrowed before 1900.


kóma

ln-noun

kóma class 9 (plural kóma class 10, colloquial plural bakóma class 2)

kóma (class-10 plural)
bakóma (class-2 colloquial plural)


sakola

-sakola (canonical)
kosakola (infinitive)


kaboni

kaboni class 9 (plural kaboni class 10, colloquial plural bakaboni class 2)

kaboni (class-10 plural)
bakaboni (class-2 colloquial plural)


bomo

bomo class 9 (plural bomo class 10, colloquial plural babomo class 2)

bomo (class-10 plural)
babomo (class-2 colloquial plural)


galási

galási class 9 (plural galási class 10, colloquial plural bagalási class 2)

galási (class-10 plural)
bagalási (class-2 colloquial plural)


seleni

seleni class 9 (plural seleni class 10, colloquial plural baseleni class 2)

seleni (class-10 plural)
baseleni (class-2 colloquial plural)


neoni

neoni class 9 (plural neoni class 10, colloquial plural baneoni class 2)

neoni (class-10 plural)
baneoni (class-2 colloquial plural)


libandi

libandi class 5 (plural mabandi class 6)


aseni

aseni class 9 (plural aseni class 10, colloquial plural baseni class 2)

aseni (class-10 plural)
baseni (class-2 colloquial plural)


indu

indu class 9 (plural indu class 10, colloquial plural baindu class 2)

indu (class-10 plural)
baindu (class-2 colloquial plural)


sodu

sodu class 9 (plural sodu class 10, colloquial plural basodu class 2)

sodu (class-10 plural)
basodu (class-2 colloquial plural)


alago

alago class 9 (plural alago class 10, colloquial plural balago class 2)

alago (class-10 plural)
balago (class-2 colloquial plural)


kúfa

From Swahili kufa, borrowed before 1900.


likita

meeting; gathering; council; conference; assembly


ebale

Mobembo o Ebale Zaire.

1981, Eyamba G. Bokamba, Ekolongonelo Ya Lingala: An Introductory Textbook and Grammar:

ebale mpó á-sokola nzóto mpé á-mela

1989, John A. Holm, Pidgins and Creoles: Volume 2, Reference Survey:

the river for washing his body and drinking from


mokonzi

mokonzi class 1 (plural bakonzi class 2)


mbóka

mbóka class 9 (plural mbóka class 10, colloquial plural bambóka class 2)

mbóka (class-10 plural)
bambóka (class-2 colloquial plural)


mondɔngɛ

mondɔngɛ class 3 (plural mindɔngɛ class 4)


malwa

giant African threadfin (Polydactylus quadrifilis)


Ns

A letter of the Lingala alphabet, written in the Latin script.


galu

galu class 9 (plural galu class 10, colloquial plural bagalu class 2)

galu (class-10 plural)
bagalu (class-2 colloquial plural)


mbata

mbata class 9 (plural mbata class 10, colloquial plural bambata class 2)

mbata (class-10 plural)
bambata (class-2 colloquial plural)


ngandó

ngandó class 9 (plural ngandó class 10, colloquial plural bangandó class 2)

ngandó (class-10 plural)
bangandó (class-2 colloquial plural)


zala

From Boloki -zala or another closely related adstrate language, where it was used only as a locational and comitative copula.


makila

→ French: makila


óyo

(demonstrative) this, that, these, those


nzémbo

nzémbo class 9 (plural nzémbo class 10, colloquial plural banzémbo class 2)

nzémbo (class-10 plural)
banzémbo (class-2 colloquial plural)


sóló

sóló class 9 (plural sóló class 10, colloquial plural basóló class 2)

sóló (class-10 plural)
basóló (class-2 colloquial plural)


bokonzi

Tshisekedi asakoli ete akozala na maponami mpo bokonzi ya mbala ya mibale

2023 September 19, Eddy Isango, “Wuta New York”, in Voice of America Lingala:

Tshisekedi has announced that he will run for a second term in the elections


bíkí

bíkí class 9 (plural bíkí class 10, colloquial plural babíkí class 2)

bíkí (class-10 plural)
babíkí (class-2 colloquial plural)


nzelá

nzelá class 9 (plural nzelá class 10, colloquial plural banzelá class 2)

nzelá (class-10 plural)
banzelá (class-2 colloquial plural)

From Proto-Bantu *njɪ̀dà. The tone pattern is irregular and may be borrowed from Kongo nzila.


masíni

masíni class 9 (plural masíni class 10, colloquial plural bamasíni class 2)

masíni (class-10 plural)
bamasíni (class-2 colloquial plural)


biló

biló class 9 (plural biló class 10, colloquial plural babiló class 2)

biló (class-10 plural)
babiló (class-2 colloquial plural)


báfu

báfu class 9 (plural báfu class 10, colloquial plural babáfu class 2)

báfu (class-10 plural)
babáfu (class-2 colloquial plural)


bále

bále class 9 (plural bále class 10, colloquial plural babále class 2)

bále (class-10 plural)
babále (class-2 colloquial plural)


bángi

bángi class 9 (plural bángi class 10, colloquial plural babángi class 2)

bángi (class-10 plural)
babángi (class-2 colloquial plural)


búbá

búbá class 9 (plural búbá class 10, colloquial plural babúbá class 2)

búbá (class-10 plural)
babúbá (class-2 colloquial plural)


lángi

lángi class 9 (plural lángi class 10, colloquial plural balángi class 2)

lángi (class-10 plural)
balángi (class-2 colloquial plural)


libáta

mabáta (class-6 plural)
libata (alternative)
libatá (alternative)


lútu

lútu class 9 (plural lútu class 10, colloquial plural balútu class 2)

lútu (class-10 plural)
balútu (class-2 colloquial plural)


losámbo

losámbo class 11 (plural nsámbo class 10)


lompɛ́tɛ́

lompɛ́tɛ́ class 11 (plural mpɛ́tɛ́ class 10)


sepela

-sepela (canonical)
kosepela (infinitive)


loléngé

loléngé class 11 (plural ndéngé class 10)


lonkásá

lonkásá class 11 (plural nkásá class 10)


lopɛ́tɛ́

lopɛ́tɛ́ class 11 (plural mpɛ́tɛ́ class 10)


zómi

From Proto-Bantu *ìcʊ́mì, a variant of *ìkʊ́mì.


nsango

nsango class 9 (plural nsango class 10, colloquial plural bansango class 2)

nsango (class-10 plural)
bansango (class-2 colloquial plural)

nsango malámu / nsango elámu (good news, gospel)

nsango níni?


kɛndɛ

kɛndɛ́ malámu (goodbye, said to someone leaving; lit. go well)


ntángo

ntángo class 9 (plural ntángo class 10, colloquial plural bantángo class 2)

ntángo (class-10 plural)
bantángo (class-2 colloquial plural)


mobáteli

mobáteli class 1 (plural babáteli class 2)


tɛ́lɛmɛ

-tɛ́lɛmɛ (canonical)
kotɛ́lɛmɛ (infinitive)


bóndela

-bóndela (canonical)
kobóndela (infinitive)

From -bónda + -el- (“applicative infix”).


libóndeli

libóndeli class 5 (plural mabóndeli class 6)

From li- + -bóndela (“to pray; to request”) + -i.


límbisa

-límbisa (canonical)
kolímbisa (infinitive)

From -límba (“to pull, to stretch”) + -is- (“causative infix”).

infix

Límbísá ngáí.


mobimba

ln-noun

mobimba class 3 (plural mibimba class 4)


pámela

-pámela (canonical)
kopámela (infinitive)


tatola

-tatola (canonical)
kotatola (infinitive)


likambo

likambo class 5 (plural makambo class 6)


mongóngó

mongóngó class 3 (plural mingóngó class 4)


butú

butú class 9 (plural babutú class 10, colloquial plural babutú class 2)

babutú (class-10 plural)
babutú (class-2 colloquial plural)


moyémi

moyémi ndáko -- architect


lobɛ́ki

lobɛ́ki class 11 (plural mbɛ́ki class 10)


mbɛ́ki

mbɛ́ki class 9 (plural mbɛ́ki class 10, colloquial plural bambɛ́ki class 2)

mbɛ́ki (class-10 plural)
bambɛ́ki (class-2 colloquial plural)


sengela

-sengela (canonical)
kosengela (infinitive)


tungisa

-tungisa (canonical)
kotungisa (infinitive)

From -tunga (“thin”) + -is- (“causative”).


yanola

-yanola (canonical)
koyanola (infinitive)


bíkisa

-bíkisa (canonical)
kobíkisa (infinitive)


mpumpu

mpumpu class 9 (plural mpumpu class 10, colloquial plural bampumpu class 2)

mpumpu (class-10 plural)
bampumpu (class-2 colloquial plural)


káti

From Swahili kati, borrowed before 1900.


lipamboli

lipamboli class 5 (plural mapamboli class 6)


mbwá

mbwá class 9 (plural mbwá class 10, colloquial plural bambwá class 2)

mbwá (class-10 plural)
bambwá (class-2 colloquial plural)


monkandá

monkandá class 3 (plural minkandá class 4)

minkandá (class-4 plural)
mokandá (alternative)
mokanda (alternative)


bomɛngɔ

bomɛngo (alternative)
bomengo (alternative)


moníngá

moníngá class 1 (plural baníngá class 2)

baníngá (class-2 plural)
moninga (alternative)
móníngá (alternative)


molakisi

molakisi class 1 (plural balakisi class 2)


mafúta

From Swahili mafuta, from Proto-Bantu *màkútà.


ntaba

ntaba class 9 (plural ntaba class 10, colloquial plural bantaba class 2)

ntaba (class-10 plural)
bantaba (class-2 colloquial plural)
taba (alternative)


búku

búku class 9 (plural búku class 10, colloquial plural babúku class 2)

búku (class-10 plural)
babúku (class-2 colloquial plural)


yɔ̂

The second-person singular pronoun: you.


mwǎna

bǎna (class-2 plural)
mwána (alternative)


libɛ́lɛ

libɛ́lɛ class 5 (plural mabɛ́lɛ class 6)


nzámbe

nzámbe class 1 (plural banzámbe class 2)

From Kongo nzambi, borrowed before 1900, from Proto-Bantu *jàmbé.


nsósó

nsósó class 9 (plural nsósó class 10, colloquial plural bansósó class 2)

nsósó (class-10 plural)
bansósó (class-2 colloquial plural)
sósó (alternative)


batísimu

batísimu class 9 (plural batísimu class 10, colloquial plural babatísimu class 2)

batísimu (class-10 plural)
babatísimu (class-2 colloquial plural)


lidɛ́su

lidɛ́su class 5 (plural madɛ́su class 6)


mpondú

mpondú class 9 (plural mpondú class 10, colloquial plural bampondú class 2)

mpondú (class-10 plural)
bampondú (class-2 colloquial plural)


kosúkosú

kosúkosú class 9 (plural kosúkosú class 10, colloquial plural bakosúkosú class 2)

kosúkosú (class-10 plural)
bakosúkosú (class-2 colloquial plural)


fungola

-fungola (canonical)
kofungola (infinitive)


monsɔ́mbɛ

monsɔ́mbɛ class 3 (plural minsɔ́mbɛ class 4)


fúmbwa

fúmbwa class 9 (plural fúmbwa class 10, colloquial plural bafúmbwa class 2)

fúmbwa (class-10 plural)
bafúmbwa (class-2 colloquial plural)


pási

pási class 9 (plural pási class 10, colloquial plural bapási class 2)

pási (class-10 plural)
bapási (class-2 colloquial plural)


sɔ́ló

sɔ́ló class 9 (plural sɔ́ló class 10, colloquial plural basɔ́ló class 2)

sɔ́ló (class-10 plural)
basɔ́ló (class-2 colloquial plural)


mwésé

myésé (class-4 plural)
mwěsé (alternative)
mwesé (alternative)


mompɛpɛ

mompɛpɛ class 3 (plural mimpɛpɛ class 4)


mbúla

mbúla class 9 (plural mbúla class 10, colloquial plural bambúla class 2)

mbúla (class-10 plural)
bambúla (class-2 colloquial plural)


moyíndo

moíndo (alternative)
mwǐndo (alternative)


moyíndo

moyíndo class 3 (plural miyíndo class 4)

miyíndo (class-4 plural)
moíndo (alternative)
mwǐndo (alternative)


moyíndo

moyíndo class 1 (plural bayíndo class 2)

bayíndo (class-2 plural)
moíndo (alternative)
mwǐndo (alternative)


fímbo

fímbo class 9 (plural fímbo class 10, colloquial plural bafímbo class 2)

fímbo (class-10 plural)
bafímbo (class-2 colloquial plural)
fímbu (alternative)

From Swahili fimbo, borrowed before 1900.


sandúku

sandúku class 9 (plural sandúku class 10, colloquial plural basandúku class 2)

sandúku (class-10 plural)
basandúku (class-2 colloquial plural)

From Swahili sanduku, borrowed before 1900.


kíti

kíti class 9 (plural kíti class 10, colloquial plural bakíti class 2)

kíti (class-10 plural)
bakíti (class-2 colloquial plural)

From Swahili kiti, borrowed before 1900.


mandéfu

From Swahili ndevu, borrowed before 1900.


lála

From Swahili -lala, borrowed before 1900.


kúta

From Swahili -kuta, borrowed before 1900.


bondóki

bondóki class 14 (plural mandóki class 6)

From Swahili bunduki, borrowed before 1900. Ultimately from Arabic بُنْدُق (bunduq, “hazelnut; projectile”).


manɛ́ti

Plural form of linɛ́ti, with reanalysis of li- as a noun class prefix, from French lunettes (“eyeglasses; spectacles”).

bor

Bayokisaki bibenga yango mpasi na kolatisáká yango “manɛ́ti” oyo matalatálá na yango emonisaka te mpo na kozipa bango miso ete báyeba te bilembo ya bisika na bango.

1995 October, “Botaleli mibembo ya kokamwisa ya bandɛkɛ [Probing the Mysteries of Migration]”, in Lamuká! [Awake!], page 17:

Long-suffering pigeons have been fitted with frosted glass “spectacles” so that they could not see specific landmarks.


míngi

From Swahili mingi, borrowed before 1900, perhaps via Kituba.


zibola

-zibola (canonical)
kozibola (infinitive)

From Kongo [Term?], borrowed before 1900.


mbɔ́tɛ

From Kongo mbote (“good”), borrowed before 1900.


mbɔ́tɛ

ln-noun

mbɔ́tɛ class 9 (plural mbɔ́tɛ class 10, colloquial plural bambɔ́tɛ class 2)

mbɔ́tɛ (class-10 plural)
bambɔ́tɛ (class-2 colloquial plural)


samáki

samáki class 9 (plural samáki class 10, colloquial plural basamáki class 2)

samáki (class-10 plural)
basamáki (class-2 colloquial plural)

From Swahili samaki, borrowed before 1900.


kurúzɛ

kurúzɛ class 9 (plural kurúzɛ class 10, colloquial plural bakurúzɛ class 2)

kurúzɛ (class-10 plural)
bakurúzɛ (class-2 colloquial plural)
kurúze (alternative)

From Portuguese cruz, borrowed before 1900.


kurúze

kurúze class 9 (plural kurúze class 10, colloquial plural bakurúze class 2)

kurúze (class-10 plural)
bakurúze (class-2 colloquial plural)


mbɛ́to

mbɛ́to class 9 (plural mbɛ́to class 10, colloquial plural bambɛ́to class 2)

mbɛ́to (class-10 plural)
bambɛ́to (class-2 colloquial plural)

Uncertain, but seemingly from Dutch bed or English bed, perhaps via another pidgin; borrowed before 1900.


zólo

zólo class 9 (plural mólo class 6, colloquial plural bazólo class 2)

mólo (class-6 plural)
bazólo (class-2 colloquial plural)


pɔtɔpɔ́tɔ

pɔtɔpɔ́tɔ class 9 (plural pɔtɔpɔ́tɔ class 10, colloquial plural bapɔtɔpɔ́tɔ class 2)

pɔtɔpɔ́tɔ (class-10 plural)
bapɔtɔpɔ́tɔ (class-2 colloquial plural)

Of West African origin; compare Yoruba pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀. Borrowed before 1900.

cog

pọ̀tọ̀pọ́tọ̀


kɔ́pɔ

ln-noun

kɔ́pɔ class 9 (plural kɔ́pɔ class 10, colloquial plural bakɔ́pɔ class 2)

kɔ́pɔ (class-10 plural)
bakɔ́pɔ (class-2 colloquial plural)
kopo (alternative)


ngulúbɛ

ngulúbɛ class 9 (plural ngulúbɛ class 10, colloquial plural bangulúbɛ class 2)

ngulúbɛ (class-10 plural)
bangulúbɛ (class-2 colloquial plural)


shégé

→ French: shegué


Kinsásá

From the Central Teke name of the village that previously occupied the site of the city.

Democratic Republic of the Congo#English

Kinshasa (the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo)


mobáli

From mo- + -bála (“to get married”) + -i.


yangó

The third person singular pronoun for classes 7 and 9; it.

(colloquial) The third person inanimate pronoun; it, they.


solola

-solola (canonical)
kosolola (infinitive)


moyíbi

From mo- + -yíba (“to steal; to rob”) + -i.


líya

-líya (canonical)
kolíya (infinitive)
-lía (alternative)


tangaúsi

tangaúsi class 9 (plural tangaúsi class 10, colloquial plural batangaúsi class 2)

tangaúsi (class-10 plural)
batangaúsi (class-2 colloquial plural)
tangawúsi (alternative)
tangawísi (alternative)
ntángawisí (alternative)


sǎni

sǎni class 9 (plural sǎni class 10, colloquial plural basǎni class 2)

sǎni (class-10 plural)
basǎni (class-2 colloquial plural)


nzilá

nzilá class 9 (plural nzilá class 10, colloquial plural banzilá class 2)

nzilá (class-10 plural)
banzilá (class-2 colloquial plural)


lobɔ́kɔ

lobɔ́kɔ class 11 (plural mabɔ́kɔ class 6)


Mbándáká

Mbandaka (a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)


Matádi

Matadi (a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)


Kimwénza

Kimwenza (a town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)


lonsálá

lonsálá class 11 (plural nsálá class 10)


nsɔ́ni

nsɔ́ni class 9 (plural nsɔ́ni class 10, colloquial plural bansɔ́ni class 2)

nsɔ́ni (class-10 plural)
bansɔ́ni (class-2 colloquial plural)


lolémo

ndémo (class-10 plural)
lolému (alternative)

From a variant of Proto-Bantu *dʊ̀dɪ́mì.


líki

máki (class-6 plural)
likeí (alternative)


nkɔi

nkɔi class 9 (plural nkɔi class 10, colloquial plural bankɔi class 2)

nkɔi (class-10 plural)
bankɔi (class-2 colloquial plural)


ngubú

ngubú class 9 (plural ngubú class 10, colloquial plural bangubú class 2)

ngubú (class-10 plural)
bangubú (class-2 colloquial plural)


lomposo

lomposo class 11 (plural mposo class 10)


lingála

lingála class 5 (plural mangála class 6)

→ English: Lingala

→ French: lingala

→ Portuguese: lingala

The language name is a European creation, based on the native name mangála, in reference to a (now extinct) people or their village.


falansé

falansé class 9 (plural falansé class 10, colloquial plural bafalansé class 2)

falansé (class-10 plural)
bafalansé (class-2 colloquial plural)


nyáu

nyáu class 9 (plural nyáu class 10, colloquial plural banyáu class 2)

nyáu (class-10 plural)
banyáu (class-2 colloquial plural)
nyáo (alternative)
nyaú (alternative)


nyaú

nyaú class 9 (plural nyaú class 10, colloquial plural banyaú class 2)

nyaú (class-10 plural)
banyaú (class-2 colloquial plural)


bwáto

máto (class-6 plural)
bwátu (alternative)
bwâto (alternative)


nzói

nzói class 9 (plural nzói class 10, colloquial plural banzói class 2)

nzói (class-10 plural)
banzói (class-2 colloquial plural)


nzɔku

nzɔku class 9 (plural nzɔku class 10, colloquial plural banzɔku class 2)

nzɔku (class-10 plural)
banzɔku (class-2 colloquial plural)


nyóka

nyóka class 9 (plural nyóka class 10, colloquial plural banyóka class 2)

nyóka (class-10 plural)
banyóka (class-2 colloquial plural)


nkɔ́si

nkɔ́si class 9 (plural nkɔ́si class 10, colloquial plural bankɔ́si class 2)

nkɔ́si (class-10 plural)
bankɔ́si (class-2 colloquial plural)
nkósi (alternative)
nkosi (alternative)


monkúwa

monkúwa class 3 (plural minkúwa class 4)


mónganga

mónganga class 1 (plural bánganga class 2)


bɛndɛ́lɛ

bɛndɛ́lɛ class 9 (plural bɛndɛ́lɛ class 10, colloquial plural babɛndɛ́lɛ class 2)

bɛndɛ́lɛ (class-10 plural)
babɛndɛ́lɛ (class-2 colloquial plural)

Likely from Swahili bendera, but possibly from Kongo bandela instead; in either case, ultimately from Portuguese bandeira.


sabúni

sabúni class 9 (plural sabúni class 10, colloquial plural basabúni class 2)

sabúni (class-10 plural)
basabúni (class-2 colloquial plural)
sabóni (alternative)

From Swahili sabuni, although the form may be popularly altered following French savon.


sabóni

sabóni class 9 (plural sabóni class 10, colloquial plural basabóni class 2)

sabóni (class-10 plural)
basabóni (class-2 colloquial plural)


likembé

likembé class 5 (plural makembé class 6)

→ English: likembe

sound produced in the throat when swallowing


lininísa

lininísa class 5 (plural maninísa class 6)


káwa

káwa class 9 (plural káwa class 10, colloquial plural bakáwa class 2)

káwa (class-10 plural)
bakáwa (class-2 colloquial plural)


bɔ́i

From French boy (“black servant”), from English boy.


sukáli

sukáli class 9 (plural sukáli class 10, colloquial plural basukáli class 2)

sukáli (class-10 plural)
basukáli (class-2 colloquial plural)


farása

farása class 9 (plural farása class 10, colloquial plural bafarása class 2)

farása (class-10 plural)
bafarása (class-2 colloquial plural)


yaúli

yaúli class 9 (plural yaúli class 10, colloquial plural bayaúli class 2)

yaúli (class-10 plural)
bayaúli (class-2 colloquial plural)


eláto

From Swahili kiatu, reflecting a form prior to the loss of the intervocalic l.


búsi

búsi class 9 (plural búsi class 10, colloquial plural babúsi class 2)

búsi (class-10 plural)
babúsi (class-2 colloquial plural)


nkúnde

nkúnde class 9 (plural nkúnde class 10, colloquial plural bankúnde class 2)

nkúnde (class-10 plural)
bankúnde (class-2 colloquial plural)


diámbá

diámbá class 9 (plural diámbá class 10, colloquial plural badiámbá class 2)

diámbá (class-10 plural)
badiámbá (class-2 colloquial plural)


ebandeli

ebandeli class 7 (plural bibandeli class 8)


libángá

libángá class 5 (plural mabángá class 6)


balabála

balabála class 9 (plural balabála class 10, colloquial plural babalabála class 2)

balabála (class-10 plural)
babalabála (class-2 colloquial plural)


mokandá

mokandá class 3 (plural mikandá class 4)


biléi

kokila biléi


molangi

molangi class 3 (plural milangi class 4)


dɔkɔtɔ́lɔ

dɔkɔtɔ́lɔ class 1 (plural badɔkɔtɔ́lɔ class 2)


sofɛ́lɛ

sofɛ́lɛ class 1 (plural basofɛ́lɛ class 2)


bɔlɔ́kɔ

bɔlɔ́kɔ class 9 (plural bɔlɔ́kɔ class 10, colloquial plural babɔlɔ́kɔ class 2)

bɔlɔ́kɔ (class-10 plural)
babɔlɔ́kɔ (class-2 colloquial plural)


sálela

-sálela (canonical)
kosálela (infinitive)

From -sála (“to do”) + -el- (“applicative”).

Kasi basála níní mpɔ̂’te bǎna ba bangó basálela blutúfu na ndéngé ya malámu ?

2010 January 23, Bolenge Ngbanzo, L’Avenir:

But what are they doing to get their kids to use Bluetooth phones the right way?


mbala

mbala class 9 (plural mbala class 10, colloquial plural bambala class 2)

mbala (class-10 plural)
bambala (class-2 colloquial plural)
mbalà (alternative)

Tshisekedi has announced that he will run for a second term (literally: for the second time as leader) in the elections


sálisa

-sálisa (canonical)
kosálisa (infinitive)

Derived from sála (“work”) + -is- (“causative infix”).


liloba

Mpo na kozwa yango, komá liloba na esika basálaka bolukiluki.

To find it, type the word into the search bar.

Liloba ya Nzámbe


nkoso

ln-noun

nkoso class 9 (plural nkoso class 10, colloquial plural bankoso class 2)

nkoso (class-10 plural)
bankoso (class-2 colloquial plural)


kabola

-kabola (canonical)
kokabola (infinitive)

From kaba (“give, separate”) + -ol- (reversive/conversive infix)


makilá

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *gìdá, from Proto-Bantu *gìd, whence Lingala kila.

ngai na ye tozali makila moko


gwagwa

ln-noun

gwagwa class 9 (plural gwagwa class 10, colloquial plural bagwagwa class 2)

gwagwa (class-10 plural)
bagwagwa (class-2 colloquial plural)
gbagba (alternative)


lipɔnɔmi

lipɔnɔmi class 5 (plural mapɔnɔmi class 6)

mapɔnɔmi (class-6 plural)
liponomi (alternative)
lipɔnami (alternative)
liponami (alternative)


mapɔnɔmi

maponomi (alternative)
mapɔnami (alternative)
maponami (alternative)


longónya

longónya class 11 (plural ngónya class 10)

ngónya (class-10 plural)
longonya (alternative)

Mpo na ngai, soki napesi longonya te, nayokaka mabe.

As for me, if I do not give commendation, I feel bad.

commendation, appreciation, compliments, congratulations


yóka

-yóka (canonical)
koyóka (infinitive)
yoka (alternative)

Possibly from Proto-Bantu *jʊ́gu or *júgu, variant of *jígu (“to hear”).


sánzá

sánzá class 9 (plural sánzá class 10, colloquial plural basánzá class 2)

sánzá (class-10 plural)
basánzá (class-2 colloquial plural)


sánza

Mbisi esanzi Yona na mokili.


yókisa

-yókisa (canonical)
koyókisa (infinitive)
yokisa (alternative)

Yokisá bayangani lisolo moko.


limbola

-limbola (canonical)
kolimbola (infinitive)
límbola (alternative)

From limba (“forget, mistake”) + -ol- (conversive/reversive)


nkómbó

ln-noun

nkómbó class 9 (plural nkómbó class 10, colloquial plural bankómbó class 2)

nkómbó (class-10 plural)
bankómbó (class-2 colloquial plural)


dikálá

dikálá class 9 (plural dikálá class 10, colloquial plural badikálá class 2)

dikálá (class-10 plural)
badikálá (class-2 colloquial plural)


díkálá

díkálá class 9 (plural díkálá class 10, colloquial plural badíkálá class 2)

díkálá (class-10 plural)
badíkálá (class-2 colloquial plural)
dikálá (alternative)


mbólókó

mbólókó class 9 (plural mbólókó class 10, colloquial plural bambólókó class 2)

mbólókó (class-10 plural)
bambólókó (class-2 colloquial plural)


mokómbósó

mokómbósó class 3 (plural mikómbósó class 4)


mpóko

mpóko class 9 (plural mpóko class 10, colloquial plural bampóko class 2)

mpóko (class-10 plural)
bampóko (class-2 colloquial plural)
mpoko (alternative)
mpúku (alternative)
mpô (alternative)


ngɛmbo

ngɛmbo class 9 (plural ngɛmbo class 10, colloquial plural bangɛmbo class 2)

ngɛmbo (class-10 plural)
bangɛmbo (class-2 colloquial plural)
ngémbo (alternative)
longembú (alternative)


nkóbá

nkóbá class 9 (plural nkóbá class 10, colloquial plural bankóbá class 2)

nkóbá (class-10 plural)
bankóbá (class-2 colloquial plural)


kosákosá

kosákosá class 9 (plural kosákosá class 10, colloquial plural bakosákosá class 2)

kosákosá (class-10 plural)
bakosákosá (class-2 colloquial plural)


ngungi

ngungi class 9 (plural ngungi class 10, colloquial plural bangungi class 2)

ngungi (class-10 plural)
bangungi (class-2 colloquial plural)
nkungi (alternative)


nkómbékómbé

nkómbékómbé class 9 (plural nkómbékómbé class 10, colloquial plural bankómbékómbé class 2)

nkómbékómbé (class-10 plural)
bankómbékómbé (class-2 colloquial plural)
nkómbénkómbé (alternative)


mpóka

mpóka class 9 (plural mpóka class 10, colloquial plural bampóka class 2)

mpóka (class-10 plural)
bampóka (class-2 colloquial plural)


libongo

libongo class 5 (plural mabongo class 6)

airbreathing catfish
airbreathing catfish

An airbreathing catfish of the genus Heterobranchus.


nsili

nsili class 9 (plural nsili class 10, colloquial plural bansili class 2)

nsili (class-10 plural)
bansili (class-2 colloquial plural)
sili (alternative)
monsili (alternative)


monsili

monsili class 3 (plural minsili class 4)


esulúngútu

esulúngútu class 7 (plural bisulúngútu class 8)


malebo

malebo class 9 (plural malebo class 10, colloquial plural bamalebo class 2)

malebo (class-10 plural)
bamalebo (class-2 colloquial plural)


likáyabu

likáyabu class 5 (plural makáyabu class 6)

makáyabu (class-6 plural)
likáyabo (alternative)


mbenga

mbenga class 9 (plural mbenga class 10, colloquial plural bambenga class 2)

mbenga (class-10 plural)
bambenga (class-2 colloquial plural)

A tigerfish, especially the goliath tigerfish.


nzɔmbɔ́

nzɔmbɔ́ class 9 (plural nzɔmbɔ́ class 10, colloquial plural banzɔmbɔ́ class 2)

nzɔmbɔ́ (class-10 plural)
banzɔmbɔ́ (class-2 colloquial plural)


libundu

libundu class 5 (plural mabundu class 6)


libúndú

libúndú class 5 (plural mabúndú class 6)


seléngé

seléngé class 9 (plural seléngé class 10, colloquial plural baseléngé class 2)

seléngé (class-10 plural)
baseléngé (class-2 colloquial plural)


ndakála

ndakála class 9 (plural ndakála class 10, colloquial plural bandakála class 2)

ndakála (class-10 plural)
bandakála (class-2 colloquial plural)

Compare Rwanda-Rundi indagara (“Lake Tanganyika sardine”).

cog

Either of two species of herring endemic to Lake Tanganyika, the Lake Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon) and the slightly smaller Lake Tanganyika sprat (Stolothrissa tanganicae), both of which are important food fish.


liyanga

ln-noun

liyanga class 5 (plural mayanga class 6)

mayanga (class-6 plural)
lyanga (alternative)


nzabé

nzabé class 9 (plural nzabé class 10, colloquial plural banzabé class 2)

nzabé (class-10 plural)
banzabé (class-2 colloquial plural)
nzabí (alternative)


mbótó

mbótó class 9 (plural mbótó class 10, colloquial plural bambótó class 2)

mbótó (class-10 plural)
bambótó (class-2 colloquial plural)

Any freshwater fish of the genus Distichodus.


mpiodi

mpiodi class 9 (plural mpiodi class 10, colloquial plural bampiodi class 2)

mpiodi (class-10 plural)
bampiodi (class-2 colloquial plural)

any of possible several horse mackerel or jack mackerel species:

Blue runner, Egyptian scad (Caranx crysos)

Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus)


ngɔlɔ

ngɔlɔ class 9 (plural ngɔlɔ class 10, colloquial plural bangɔlɔ class 2)

ngɔlɔ (class-10 plural)
bangɔlɔ (class-2 colloquial plural)

African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus)