Tùlaasà|Language Study – LUBANATION.COM

June 5, 2018June 2, 2018 Clarisse Bwakulu|Linguistics, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Bwakulu] Colloquial Expressions: Mwena

Today I’ll introduce you to a frequent word used in Ciluba, mwena. Mwena is used to express the notions of possession, occupation, characteristics and other particularities, belonging, ethnicity. The plural form is beena.

Let’s see a few examples:

mwena diitabuuja un croyant/a believer
mwena mucìma un voleur/a thief
mwena mudimu un ouvrier/a worker
mwena mpatà un sceptique/a sceptic person
mwena mafi un menteur/a liar
mwena sìdâ un sidéen/an AIDS patient
mwena mbòkotù une personne bavarde/a talkative person
mwena mukàndà un intellectuel/an intellectual
mwena mâyi frère/soeur de sang/blood brother/sister
mwena Kalonji un descendant Kalonji/a descendant of Kalonji
mwena taatù descendant du père, membre de la famille proche/descendant of the head of the family, membre de la famille proche
mwena dîku membre de la famille élargie/member of the extended family
mwena kwànyì ma femme/my wife (is it coming for the fact that the women is create from the men’s rib?)

September 12, 2017November 14, 2018 Clarisse Bwakulu|Linguistics, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Bwakulu] Phonetics in Ciluba

Vowels phonems
[a] dikasa (pied / foot)
[ɑ:] citaala (coq / rooster)
[e] cikela (poisson / fish)
[e:] muteelu (chemise / shirt)
[ɪ] diyi (oeuf / egg)
[i:] diitaba (croyance / belief)
[o] dikopu (tasse / cup)
[o:] mukooku (mouton / sheep)
[u] munu (doigt / finger)
[u:] kutuuta (frapper / to hit)

Semi-vowels
[w] mbwa (chien / dog)
[j] kweyela (respirer / to breathe)

Consonants phonems
[b] lubesa (hanche / hip)
[d] wenda (son, sa / his, her)
[dʒ] dibaka (marriage / marriage, wedding)
[f] nkofi (cil / eyelash)
[g] mufungu (muscle / muscle)
[ʒ] kuja (danser / to dance)
[k] nkuvu (tortue / turtle)
[l] lushiku (fin / end)
[m] mwedi, (barbe / beard)
[n] nkala (crabe / crab)
[p] mupanu (pantalon / pants)
[s] lusembo (grenouille / frog)
[ʃ] kushalala (démanger / to itch)
[t] twishi (microbes, germs)
[tʃ] cibasu (planche / board)
[v] mvula (pluie / rain)
[z] kuzenga (découper / to cut)

Diphtongs phonems
[aɪ] kayi (quel(le) / what)
[aʊ] awu (ça là / this)
[eʊ] mpindyewu (maintenant / now)
[oɪ] Ngoyi

Nasals phonems
[ŋ] ngonga (cloche, sonnette / bell)

Aspired phonems
[pʱ] kapyà (feu / fire)

January 26, 2015January 5, 2015 Clarisse Myandà | Conjugation, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Conjugation] Future Tense III

Here are four new verbs to study…

Kuya
aller/to go

Kujà
danser/to dance

Kusùmba
acheter/to buy

Kupàànyisha
vendre/to sell

ne nyè
j’irai

ne wuyè
tu iras

ne àyè
elle ira

ne tuyè
nous irons

ne nuyè
vous irez

ne bayè
elles iront

nejè
je danserai

n ewujè
tu danseras

ne àjè
elle dansera

ne tujè
nous danserons

ne nujè
vous danserez

ne bajè
elles danseront

ne sùmbè
j’achèterai

ne wusùmbè
tu achèteras

ne àsùmbè
elle achètera

ne tusùmbè
nous acheterons

ne nusùmbè
vous acheterez

ne basùmbè
elles achèteront

ne mpàànyishè
je vendrai

n ewupàànyishè
tu vendras

ne àpàànyishè
elle vendra

ne tupàànyishè
nous vendrons

ne nupàànyishè
vous vendrez

ne bapàànyishè
elles vendront

Part I | Part II

January 19, 2015February 4, 2020 Clarisse Nsòòlakajilu|Grammar, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Nsòòlakajilu] Reciprocative forms

–angana

This reciprocative suffix expresses a repeated action or an action that takes place between two people or objects inducing a mutual effect.

Exemples :
· kudya manger (to eat) → kudyangana s’entre-manger (to eat each other)
· kukuma battre (to beat, hit) → kukumangana se battre l’un et l’autre (to fight each other)
· kupenda insulter (to insult) → kupendangana s’insulter l’un et l’autre (to insult each other)
· kutapa blesser (to hurt) → kutapangana se blesser l’un et l’autre (to hurt each other)
· kutuma envoyer (to send) → kutumangana s’envoyer l’un et l’autre (to send each other)

January 12, 2015January 5, 2015 Clarisse Myandà | Conjugation, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Conjugation] Future Tense II

Here’s a new selection of verbs conjugated at the future tense

Kupèèsha
donner/to give

Kwangata
prendre/to take

Kwenza
faire/to make

Kufwà
mourir/to die

nepèèshè
je donnerai

newupèèshè
tu donneras

neàpèèshè
il donnera

netupèèshè
nous donnerons

nenupèèshè
vous donnerez

nebapèèshè
ils donneront

nengangatè
je prendrai

newangatè
tu prendras

newàngatè
il prendra

netwangatè
nous prendrons

nenwangatè
vous prendrez

nebangatè
ils prendront

nengenzè
je ferai

newenzè
tu feras

newènzè
il fera

netwenzè
nous ferons

nenwenzè
vous ferez

nebenzè
ils feront

nenfwè
je mourrai

newufwè
tu mourras

neàfwè
il mourra

netufwè
nous mourrons

nenufwè
vous mourrez

nebafwè
ils mourront

Part I | Part III

December 8, 2014September 26, 2015 Clarisse Bwakulu|Linguistics, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Bwakulu] Comparaison des langues nationales

Dans un pays qui regorge de langues vivantes, il nous faudrait des jours pour en parler. Concentrons-nous alors sur les 4 langues nationales. Commençons tout d’abord par une courte présentation de ces 4 langues nationales de la République Démocratique du Congo: le Kiswahili, le Ciluba, le Kikongo, le Lingala.

Le Kiswahili est parlé principalement dans la partie Est du Congo avec plus de 10 millions de locuteurs en tant que langue première mais plus de 40% de la population congolaise peut s’exprimer dans cette langue, soit environ 30 millions de personnes, ce qui en fait la langue la plus parlée au Congo. Plus on se déplace vers l’Est de l’Afrique et plus le Kiswahili est arabisé. Bien qu’au Congo on y parle une version simplifiée et plus bantouisée que dans l’Est de l’Afrique, les gens se comprennent, un peu comme les Français et les Québécois. La version congolaise du Kiswahili est aussi appelée Kingwana. La zone swahiliphone comprend le Congo biensûr, l’Ouganda, le Rwanda, le Burundi, le Kenya, le nord de la Zambie, du Malawi et du Mozambique, le sud du Sud Soudan ainsi que le Sud de l’Ethiopie et de la Somalie, l’île de Zanzibar et les Comores (13 pays).

Le Ciluba est une langue qui est principalement utilisée dans sa région d’origine c’est-à-dire au Congo (Kasayi et Katanga – plus de 10 millions de locuteurs) ainsi qu’au Nord de l’Angola (2 pays).

Le Kikongo ou sa version simplifiée, le Munukutuba, est parlé dans les deux Congo, l’Angola et le Gabon (4 pays). Il s’écrit couramment avec l’alphabet latin mais possède aussi son propre système d’écriture à formes géométriques que l’on appelle le Mandombe. Il existe environ 2 millions locuteurs en RDC.

Le Lingala est parlé dans les deux Congo, l’Angola, la Centrafrique, le Sud du Cameroun et une partie du Gabon (6 pays). Il regroupe environ 10 millions de locuteurs au Congo (1ère et 2ème langue).

Les langues bantoues sont liées et ont une réelle base commune. Il n’y a qu’à voir ce tableau comparant les 4 langues nationales du Congo en allant de l’Est vers l’Ouest. En rouge, les termes similaires dans les 4 langues et en bleu ceux qui le sont dans 2 ou 3 des langues nationales.

	Kiswa.	Ciluba	Kikon.	Linga.
personne	mutu	muntu	muntu	mutu
homme	mume	muluma	mwana yakala	mobali
femme	muke	mukaji	mwana n’kento	mwasi
enfant	mwana, mutoto	mwâna	mwana	mwana
père	baba	taatù	tata	tata
mère	mama	maamù, baaba	mama	mama
grand-parent	bibi/ babu	kaakù	nkaka	nkoko
chef	jumbe	mfumu	mfumu	mokonzi
moi	meme	même/ mêma	mono	ngai
toi	wewe	wêwe/ wêwa	nge	yo
nous	sisi	twêtu	tu	biso
oui	ndiyo	eyowa	inga/ ingeta	iyo
non	hapana/ siyo	to	mpo	te
et, avec	na	ne/ni	ye	na
qui?	nani?	nganyì?	nani?	nani?
quoi?	nini?	cinganyì?	nki?	nini?
quel?	gani?/ -pi?	cinganyì? /-èpi?	nki?	nini?
quand?	lini?	diba kaayì?	buna	ntango nini?
où?	wapi?	kwepì?	kwe?	wapi?
pourquoi?	kwa nini?	bwa cinyì?	mu nki diambu?	pona nini?
comment?	je?	mushindu kaayì?	bwe?	boni?
combien?	ngapi?	–nga?	kwa?	boni?
grand	–nene	–nène	nene	monene
petit	-dogo	-kesà	buke	muke
long	-refu	-le	leya	molai
court	–fupi	–ìpì	nkufi/ fioti	mukuse
animal	munyama	nnyama	nyama	nyama
poisson	samaki	mushipa	mbisi	mbisi
chien	mbwa	mbwa	mbwa	mbwa
poule	kuku	nzolo	nsusu	nsoso
chèvre	mbuzi	mbuji	nkombo	ntaba
lion	simba	ntambwe	nkosi	nkosi
arbre	mti	mucì	niti	moyete
tout	yote, pia	-ònsu	konso	nyonso
beaucoup	-ingi	-a bûngi	-ingi	mingi
faim	njaa	nzala	nzala	nzala
vie	moyo, maisha	moyo, bwenapànu	luzingu	bomoyi
sang	damu	mashi	menga	makila
tête	kichwa	mutù	ntu	motu
cheveu	nywele	lusukì	lusuki	losuki
œil	jicho	dîsu	disu	lisu
bouche	kinywa	mukana	nwa	munoko
dent	jino	dinu	dinu	linu
langue	ulimi	ludimi	ludimi	lolemu
dos	nyuma	nnyima	nima	mokongo
main	mukono	cyanza	koko	loboko
cœur	moyo	mwoyo, mucìma	ntima	motema
lune	mwezi	mwènji, ngondu	ngonda	sanza
étoile	nyota	mùtôtù	mbwetete	monzoto
air	hewa	kapeepà	mupepe	mopepe
vent	upepo	cipeepà	mupepe	mopepe
eau	maji	mâyi	maza	mayi
pluie	mvua	mvùla	mvula	mvula
maison	nyumba	nzubu	nzo	ndako
pierre	jiwe	dibwe	tadi	libanga
chemin	njia	njila	nzila	nzela
ciel	juu	dyulu	zulu	likolo
nuage	wingu	ditutu	tuti	lipata
feu	moto	kapyà	tiya	moto
cloche	kengele	ngonga	ngunga	ngonga
tambour	ngoma	ngoma	ngoma	mbunda
nuit	usiku	butuku	mpimpa	butu
jour	siku	dituku	kilumbu	mokolo
chaud	-a moto	-sàlùka	mbau	moto
vide	myupu	–tupù	nkatu	mpiaka
mauvais	-baya	–bi	mbi	mabe
nouveau	–pya	–pya–pya	mpa	sika
ancien	-kuukuu	-nunu	nkulu	kala
manger	kula	kudyà	kudya	kolia
boire	kunywa	kunwà	kunwa	komela
dormir, coucher	kulala	kulààla	kuleka	kulala
faire	kufanya	kwenza	kusala	kosala
voir	kuona	kumòna	komona	komona
entendre	kusikia	kuvwà	kuwa	koyoka
marcher, aller	kwenda	kwenda	kuwenda	kokenda
venir	kuja	kulwa	kuwiza	koya
mourir	kufa	kufwà	kufwa	kokufa
lire	kusoma	kubala	kutanga	kotanga
compter	kuhesabu	kubala	kukonta	kotanga
chanter	kuimba	kwimba	kuyimbila	koyemba
prier	kuomba	kusambila	kusambila	kosamba
donner	kupa	kupa, kupeesha	kuvana	kokaba
ouvrir	kufungula	kukàngula	kuzibula	kokangola
fermer	kufunga	kukànga	kuzibika	kokanga
	Kiswa.	Ciluba	Kikon.	Linga.
zéro	sifuri	cijengu	nkatu	libungutulu
un	moja	ùmwà	mosi	moko
deux	mbili	ibìdì	zole	mibale
trois	tatu	isàtù	tatu	misato
quatre	nane	inaayi	ya	minei
cinq	tano	itaanu	tanu	mitano
six	sita	isambòmbù	sambanu	motoba
sept	saba	mwanda mutekèta	nsambwadi	sambo
huit	tisa	mwanda mukùlù	nana	mwambe
neuf	munane	citemba	vwa	libwa
dix	kumi	dikumi	kumi	zomi
onze	kumi na moja	dikumi ne umwe	kumi ye mosi	zomi na moko
douze	kumi na mbili / sita mbili	dikumi ne mbili	kumi ye zole	zomi na mibale
vingt	kumi mbili	makumi ibiidi	makumole	ntuku mibale
cinquante	kumi tano	makumi atanu	makuma- -tanu	ntuku mitano
cent	mia	lukàmà	nkama	kama moko
mille	elfu	cinunu	funda	nkoto moko
dix mille	kumi elfu	binunu dikumi	mafunda kumi/kiasi	monkoko
cent mille	laki	cishikula	lundu	elundu
un million	milioni	mbòmbù	fumu	efuku, makiasi
devant	mbele	kumpàla	ndumbi	liboso
derrière	nyuma	kunnyimà	nima	nsima
à gauche (attribut féminin)	kushoto	-à bakaji	ku kikento	na mwasi
à droite (attribut masculin)	-a kuume	-à baluma	ku kiyakala	na mobali
aujourd’hui	leo	leelù	wunu, gunu	lelo
semaine	juma	lumingu	lumingu	mposo
mois	mwezi	mwenji, ngondu	ngondo	sanza
an, année	mwaka	mwaka, cidimu	m’vu, nvu	mobu/mbula
lundi	jumatatu	dimwà	kintete	mokolo ya liboso
mardi	jumanne	diibîdi	kin’zole	mokolo ya mibale
mercredi	jumatano	diisâtu	kin’tatu	mokolo ya misato
jeudi	alhamisi	diinâyi	kin’ya	mokolo ya minei
vendredi	ijumaa	diitânu	kin’tanu	mokolo ya mitano
samedi	jumamosi	diisambòmbù	sabala	mokolo ya poso /saba
dimanche	jumapili	dyàlumingu	kialumingu	lomingo/ eyenga
janvier	mwezi wa kwanza / januari	cyongu (wa minanga)	ngonda ya ntete	sanza ya liboso
février	mwezi wa pili / febuari	lwîshi	ngonda ya zole	sanza ya mibale
mars	mwezi wa tatu/marchi	lwabanya (nkasu)	ngonda ya tatu	sanza ya misato
avril	mwezi wa ine/aprili	cisanga (nkasu)	ngonda ya iya	sanza ya minei
mai	mwezi wa tano/mei	lumùngùlù	ngonda ya tanu	sanza ya mitano
juin	mwezi wa sita/juni	kabalaashipu	ngonda ya sambanu	sanza ya motoba
juillet	mwezi wa saba/julai	kashipu (nkenza)	ngonda ya sambwadi	sanza ya nsambo
août	mwezi wa nane/agosti	cimungù (wa mashika)	ngonda ya nana	sanza ya mwambe
septembre	mwezi wa tisa / septemba	kabitenda	ngonda ya ivwa	sanza ya libwa
octobre	mwezi wa kumi/oktoba	kaswa mansense	ngonda ya kumi	sanza ya zomi
novembre	mwezi wa kumi na moja / novemba	kaswàbàngà	ngonda kumi na mosi	sanza ya zomi na moko
décembre	mwezi wa kumi na mbili / decemba	ciswà (munena)	ngonda ya kumi na zole	sanza ya zomi na mibale

Source

December 1, 2014November 24, 2014 Clarisse Nsòòlakajilu|Grammar, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Grammar] Causative Forms

The causative form of a verb is created by placing one of the following infixes:

-ish, -esh, -ij, -ej
It indicates the subject helps realizing the action depicted in the verb, allows it or creates the occasion for it to happen.

Examples :

kubala (lire, to read) → kubadisha (faire lire, to make s.o. read)
kuja (danser, to dance) → kujiija (faire danser , to make s.o./sth dance)
kumona (voir, to see) → kumwesha (faire voir, montrer, to make s.o./sth see, to show)
kumvwa (écouter, to listen) → kumvwija (faire écouter, to make s.o./sth listen)
kwakula (parler, to talk) → kwakwisha (faire parler, to make s.o./sth talk)
kwenza (faire, to do) → kwenzeja (faire faire, to make s.o./sth do)
kwimba (chanter, to sing) → kwimbisha (faire chanter, to make s.o./sth sing)

source: CRIC

November 17, 2014November 6, 2015 Clarisse Nsòòlakajilu|Grammar, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Grammar] Stressed and Possessive Pronouns

In Cilubà, one of the few points you need to understand and master, it’s the stressed and possessive pronouns.

We’re already seen the personal pronouns:

Cilubà	Français	English
n-/nyi	je	I
u-	tu	you
ù-	il, elle	he, she
tu-	nous	we
nu-	vous	you
ba-	ils, elles	they

Here are the corresponding possessive pronouns. They are also used as possessive adjectives:

Cilubà	Français	English
wanyì	mon, mien	my, mine
webà	ton, tien	your(s)
wendà	son, sien	his, her(s)
wetù	notre, nôtre	our(s)
wenù	votre, vôtre	your(s)
wabù	leur	their(s)

Exemples: mulongeshi wanyi, Taatu weba, mulunda wenda, etc…

The corresponding stressed pronouns go as follows:

Cilubà	Français	English
mêma	moi	me
wêwa	toi	you
yêya	lui, elle	he, she
twêtu	nous	us
nwênu	vous	you
bôbu	eux, elles	them

Why is it important to know them? It’s because they are used in many expressions.

Cilubà	Français	English
naanyì	avec moi	with me
neebà	avec toi	with you
nendà	avec lui, elle	with him, her
neetù	avec nous	with us
neenù	avec vous	with you
naabù	avec eux, elles	with them
Cilubà	Français	English
bwànyì	pour moi	for me
bwèbà	pour toi	for you
bwèndà	pour lui, elle	for him, her
bwètù	pour nous	for us
bwènù	pour vous	for you
bwàbù	pour eux, elles	for them

You can even mix them:

Cilubà	Français	English
mêma pàànyì	moi aussi	me too
wêba pèèbà	toi aussi	you too
yêya pèndà	lui, elle aussi	him, her too
twêtu pèètù	nous aussi	us too
nwênu pèènù	vous aussi	you too
bôbu pààbù	eux, elles aussi	them too
Cilubà	Français	English
(mêma) nkàyaanyì	moi seul(e)	on my own
(wêwa) nkàyeebà	toi seul(e)	on your own
(yêya) nkàyendà	lui, elle seul(e)	on his, her own
(twêtu) nkàyeetù	nous seul(e)s	on our own
(nwênu) nkàyeenù	vous seul(e)s	on your own
(bôbu) nkàyaabù	ils, elles seul(e)s	on their own

Used prefixes:

WÀ- = de / belonging to
NE- = avec / with
BWÀ- = pour / for
PÀ- = aussi / too
NKÀÀYÀ- = seul / only or alone

Exemple: mêma pàànyì ndi mvwa nzala / moi aussi j’ai faim / I’m hungry too

Note that these are only the pronouns regarding people. There are also a whole range of pronouns that are used for objects. The subject is vast enough to post several articles about it. So keep coming back for more Cilubà classes…

November 3, 2014November 2, 2014 Clarisse Nsòòlakajilu|Grammar, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Grammar] Reversive forms

-ul-, -un-, -uk-

The verb formed with the radical plus the above suffixes indicates an opposite action to the one described with the initial verb. There exist two forms of reversive suffixes: active and passive.

Reversive active suffixes: -ul-, -un-

Verbs thus formed are transitive. They need an object.

Examples:

kukànga (fermer, to close) → kukangula (ouvrir, to open)
kuvwàla (vêtir, to put clothes on) → kuvùùla (dévêtir, to put clothes off)
kulamika (coller, attacher, to glue, to attach) → kulamuna (détacher, to detach)

Reversive passive suffix : -uk-

Verbs including this suffix are intransitive and imply a state or a condition in which the subject sustains an opposite action.

Examples:

kukanga (fermer, to close) → kukanguka (s’ouvrir, to be opened)
kubutula (exterminer, exterminate) → kubutuka (se faire exterminer , to be exterminated)
kupapula (effrayer, to frighten) → kupapuka (s’effrayer, to be frightened)
kwambula (porter, to lift up) → kwambuka (se faire porter, to be lifted)

Source: CRIC

October 27, 2014March 17, 2015 Clarisse Bwakulu|Linguistics, Myakù |Vocabulary, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Vocabulary] Swadesh List Top 100

The Swadesh list is the result of linguistic researches including languages from all continents and determining the most common words used by humanity, somewhat a “universal vocab list”. Here’s the translation in Cilubà to add some words to your flashcards. 😉

English	Français	Cilubà
I	moi	mêma
You	toi	wêwa
we	nous	twêtu
this	ceci	eyi
that	cela	ayi
who?	qui?	nganyì?
what?	quoi?	cinganyì?
not	pas	to
all (of a number)	tout	-ônsu
many	beaucoup	-à/-a bûngì
one	un	ùmwà
two	deux	ibìdì
big	gros(se)	-nèna
long	long(ue)	-le(a)
small	petit(e)	-kesà
woman	femme	mukàjì
man	homme	mulùma
person	personne	muntu
fish	poisson	mushipa
bird	oiseau	nnyunyu
dog	chien	mbwa
louse	pou	lukùsù
tree	arbre	mucì
seed	graine	ditungù
leaf (botanics)	feuille	cibeji
root (botanics)	racine	muji
bark (of tree)	écorce	cipusu
skin	peau	dikòbà
flesh	chair	munyìnyi
blood	sang	mashi
bone	os	cifùbà
grease	graisse	dìfutà
egg	œuf	diyi
horn	corne	lusèngu
tail	queue	mukìla
feather	plume	disàlà
hair	cheveux	nsukì
head	tête	mutù
ear	oreille	dicì(ò)
eye	œil	dîsu
nose	nez	dyûlu
mouth	bouche	mukana
tooth	dent	dînu
tongue	langue	ludimi
claw	griffe	dìkama/luzàdi
foot	pied	dikàsà
knee	genou	cinù
hand	main	cyanza
belly (abdomen)	ventre	difù
neck (not nape!)	cou	nshìngù
breasts (female)	poitrine	mpàngà
heart	cœur	mucìma
liver	foie	mucìma
drink (verb)	boire	kunwà
eat (verb)	manger	kudyà
bite (verb)	mordre	kusùma
see (verb)	voir	kumona
hear (verb)	entendre	kumvwa
know (facts)	savoir	kumanya
sleep (verb)	dormir	kulala
die (verb)	mourir	kufwà
kill (verb)	tuer	kushipa
swim (verb)	nager	kwombela
fly (verb)	voler	kubùùka
walk (verb)	marcher	kwenda
come (verb)	venir	kulwa
lie (on side, recline)	coucher	kushima
sit (verb)	asseoir	kubwela
stand (verb)	tenir debout	kwimana shìmbàà
give (verb)	donner	kupeesha
say (verb)†	dire	kuamba
sun	soleil	dîba
moon	lune	ngondu
star	étoile	mùtôtù
water	eau	mâyi
rain	pluie	mvùla
stone	pierre	dibwa
sand	sable	lusenga
earth (=soil)	terre	buloba
cloud (not fog)	nuage	ditutu
smoke (noun, of fire)	fumée	minshi
fire	feu	mudilu
ash(es)	cendre(s)	butù
burn (verb intr.!)	brûler	kwosha
path (road, trail)	chemin	njila
mountain (not hill)	montagne	mukùnà
red (colour)	rouge	-kùnze(a)
green (colour)	vert	-à/-a mâyààmatàmbà
yellow (colour)	jaune	-à/-a kàlaabi
white (colour)	blanc	-tòòka
black (colour)	noir	-fììka
night	nuit	bufùku
hot (of weather)	chaud	luuyà
cold (of weather)	froid	mashìka
full†	plein	-pasa
new	nouveau	-pya-pyà
good	bon	-ìmpà
round	arrondi	cijèngù
dry (substance!)	sec	-ûma
name	nom	dîna

August 18, 2014January 16, 2015 Clarisse Myandà | Conjugation, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Conjugation] Futur Tense I

In this lesson, we will study future tense. For that, we’ll use some verbs that we’ve seen before:

Kwikale
être/to be

Kunwà
boire/to drink

Kudyà
manger/to eat

Kulààla
dormir/to sleep

nengikale
je serai
I will eat

newikale
tu seras
you will be

neìkale
il/elle/on sera
she/he will be

netwikale
nous serons
We will be

nenwikale
vous serez
you will be

nebikale
ils/elles seront
they will be

nenwè
je boirai
I will drink

newunwè
tu boiras
you will drink

neànwè
il/elle/on boira
she/he will drink

netunwè
nous boirons
we will drink

nenunwè
vous boirez
you will drink

nebanwè
ils/elles boiront
they will drink

nendyè
je mangerai
I will eat

newudyè
tu mangeras
you will eat

neàdyè
il/elle/on mangera
She/he will eat

netudyè
nous mangerons
nous will eat

nenudyè
vous mangerez
you will eat

nebadyè
ils/elles mangeront
they will eat

nendalè
je dormirai
I will sleep

newulalè
tu dormiras
you will sleep

neàlalè
il/elle/on dormira
She/he will sleep

netulalè
nous dormirons
we will sleep

nenulalè
vous dormirez
you will sleep

nebalalè
ils/elles dormiront
they will sleep

See how the verb is built:

KU – IKALE = kwikale

‘KU’ marks the infinitive form of the verb and ‘IKALE’ is the verb stem. When you contract them, the ‘u’ transform into ‘w’.

* NE + NG + IKALE = nengikale

NE marks the future tense of the verb, ‘NG’ is the 1st person pronoun and ‘IKALE’ is the verb stem

It is the same process for the rest

* NE + WU + IKALE = newikale

The ‘u’ in ‘wu’ is dropped because of the contraction.

* NE + À = IKALE = neìkale

Same contraction here but we keep the accent that marks the 3rd person of singular.

* NE + TU + IKALE = netwikale

* NE + NU + IKALE = nenwikale

* NE + BA + IKALE = nebikale

You note in red the pronouns from 1st person of singular to 3rd person of plural that we saw in previous lessons:

ng, wu, ù/à, tu, nu, ba (‘ng’ is another form for ‘nyi’ or ‘n’ that marks the first person of singular).

See, if you understand how the verb is constructed you can easily find and/or remember a specific conjugation. Try to find the construction of the other verbs on your own. You’ll see how easy it is.

Part II | Part III

July 1, 2014July 1, 2014 Clarisse Nsòòlakajilu|Grammar, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Grammar] Nominal Prefix bu-

When bu- is used as a nominal prefix, it introduces an action, a technique, a habit, a concept, etc.

Le préfixe nominal bu- introduit une action, une technique, une habitude, un concept, etc.

Example:

*madimi (champ/field) -> budimi (agriculture, by extension, ‘budimi’ also means field)
*-pole (tranquille, calme) -> bupole (paix/peace)
*umwe (un/one) -> bumwe (unité/unity)
*muluba (homme luba) -> Buluba (vaste ensemble comprenant : la terre, la langue, la culture, la coutume, la tradition, la société, l’identité, la fierté, le fait d’appartenir à l’ethnie Luba/ensemble including: the land, the language, the culture, the habits, the traditions, the society, the identity, the pride, the fact of belonging to the Baluba people)
*dinyùnguluka (contour) -> bunyùngùlùka (environnement)
*madììkadidi (liberté/freedom) -> budììkadidi (indépendance)
*mulùma (homme/man) -> bulùma (virilité/virility)
*mukàji (femme/woman) -> bukàji (féminité/feminity)
*mubèèdì (un malade/patient) -> bubèèdi (maladie/disease)
*mupika (esclave/slave) -> bupika (esclavage/slavery)
*muzòdi (dessinateur, peintre/painter) -> buzòdi (peinture, dessin/painting)

March 3, 2014November 26, 2014 Clarisse Myandà | Conjugation, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Conjugation] Present Tense III

Here are four new verbs to study…

Kuya
aller/to go

Kujà
danser/to dance

Kusùmba
acheter/to buy

Kupàànyisha
vendre/to sell

ndi nya
je vais

udi uya
tu vas

ùdi ùya
il/elle/on va

tudi tuya
nous allons

nudi nuya
vous allez

badi baya
ils/elles vont

ndi jà
je danse

udi ujà
tu danses

ùdi ùjà
il/elle/on danse

tudi tujà
nous dansons

nudi nujà
vous dansez

badi bajà
ils/elles dansent

ndi sùmba
j’achète

udi usùmba
tu achètes

ùdi ùsùmba
il/elle/on achète

tudi tusùmba
nous achetons

nudi nusùmba
vous achetez

badi basùmba
ils/elles achètent

ndi mpàànyisha
je vends

udi upàànyisha
tu vends

ùdi upàànyisha
il/elle/on vend

tudi tupàànyisha
nous vendons

nudi nupàànyisha
vous vendez

badi bapàànyisha
ils/elles vendent

Part I | Part II

January 13, 2014June 9, 2014 Clarisse Myakù |Vocabulary, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Vocabulary] Let’s Calculate! Substraction

1 – 1 = 0 umwe kumbusha umwe momumwe ne cijengu

2 – 1 = 1 ibidi kumbusha umwe momumwe ne umwe

3 – 1 = 2 isatu kumbusha umwe momumwe ne ibidi

3 – 2 = 1 isatu kumbusha ibidi momumwe ne umwe

4 – 2 = 2 inayi kumbusha ibidi momumwe ne ibidi

4 – 1 = 3 inayi kumbusha umwe momumwe ne isatu

5 – 1 = 4 itanu kumbusha umwe momumwe ne inayi

5 – 2 = 3 itanu kumbusha ibidi momumwe ne isatu

6 – 3 = 3 isambombo kumbusha isatu momumwe ne isatu

6 – 4 = 2 isambombo kumbusha inayi momumwe ne ibidi

7 – 1 = 6 mwandamuteketa kumbusha umwe momumue ne isambombo

7 – 5 = 2 mwandamuteketa kumbusha itanu momumue ne ibidi

8 – 1 = 7 mwandamukulu kumusha umwe momumue ne mwandamuteketa

8 – 3 = 5 mwandamukulu kumbusha isatu momumue ne itanu

9 – 1 = 8 citemba kumbusha umwe momumue ne mwandamukulu

9 – 6 = 3 citemba kumbusha isambombo momumue ne isatu

10 – 1 = 9 dikumi kumbusha umwe momumue ne citemba

10 – 4 = 6 dikumi kumbusha inayi momumue ne isambombo

10 – 10 = 0 dikumi kumbusha dikumi momumue ne cijengu

January 6, 2014June 9, 2014 Clarisse Myakù |Vocabulary, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Vocabulary] Let’s Calculate! Addition

0 + 1 = 1 cijengu ne umwe momumwe ne umwe

2 + 3 = 5 ibidi ne isatu momumwe ne itanu

4 + 5 = 9 inayi ne itanu momumwe ne citemba

6 + 7 = 13 umwe ne mwandamuteketa momumwe ne itanu

8 + 9 = 17 mwandamukulu ne citema momumwe ne dikumi ne mwandamuteketa

10 + 11 = 21 dikumi ne dikumi ne umwe momumwe ne makumi abidi ne umwe

12 + 13 = 25 dikumi ne ibidi ne dikumi ne isatu momumwe ne makumi abidi ne itanu

14 + 15 = 29 dikumi ne inayi ne dikumi ne itanu momumwe ne makumi abidi ne citemba

16 + 17 = 33 dikumi ne isatu ne dikumi ne mwandamuteketa momunwe ne makumi asatu ne isatu

18 + 19 = 37 dikumi ne mwandamukulu ne dikumi ne citemba momumwe ne makumi asatu ne umwe

Ainsi de suite… And so on… Anu nanku…

Flashcards Numbers

December 22, 2013August 6, 2017 Clarisse Myakù |Vocabulary, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Vocabulary] Cimuma / Fruits

Obviously, to name a fruit that is not originally found in Congo, most of the time people will use the name used in the country it comes from or make a ciluba version of the french term to call it. But still, here’s a few terms.

cimuma/bimuma
fruit(s)

didima/madima
agrume(s) (citron, orange, etc.)
citrus (lime, orange, etc.)

(cimuma cya) mpoma
pomme
apple

cibòta/dibòta
banane(s)
banana(s)

dikonda/makonda
banane (s) plantain
plantain(s)

mandelenyi
mandarine

kalebefu
coeur de boeuf
custard apple

cikuyi/makuyi
figue(s)

ndingaya/mangaya
mangue(s)
mango(es)

ditondu/matondu
amande(s)
almond(s)

lungaji/nngaji
noix de palme
palm nut(s)

kabindi/tubindi, kambela/tumbela
nois d’arachide, cacahuète(s)
peanut(s)

lunyimu/nnyimu
pistache(s)
pistachio(es)

mupese
noyau
pit

luteta/nteta
pépin(s)
pip(s)

lungaji lwa coco
noix de coco
coconut

lungaji lwa nsukadi
datte
date

mbòmà
pamplemousse
grapefruit

cipapaya/dipapaya
papaye(s)
papaya(s)

cikàkà/dikàkà
ananas
pineapple(s)

kamuma/tumuma
baie(s)
berry(s)

diwoji dya nsukadi/mawoji aa nsukadi
melon(s)

-pya(e)
mûr
ripe

-bishi
vert
raw

-sheme
sucré
sweet

– a bululu
amer
bitter

-sapuluke
fade
tasteless

-a bwanji
acide
tart

August 12, 2013November 14, 2018 Clarisse Nsòòlakajilu|Grammar, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Grammar] Classes in Ciluba

No, I’m not talking about school but grammar!!! Here we are going to tackle something essential to understand. A first classification of words has been done in the 19th century. The linguists classified words in main 8 categories but later on, the linguists became more precise and now the number of classes has doubled. Over the years, it came down to the following list. Those classes are important to know because they will determine how you form, not only the plural form of words, but the adjectives and adverbs as well.

Classe	Type	Description	Examples
1	mu-	words defining people, gender, family members, trades, professions, etc.	mwana (child), muledi (parent), mukaji (woman), mulume (man), mulongeshi (teacher), mufudi (forgeron)
2	ba-	plural form of words from class 1	muntu -> bantu (man, men); muledi -> baledi parent(s); mukaji -> bakaji: woman, women; mukalenge -> bakalenge: chief(s)
3	mu-	animals, inanimated objects, instruments, actions, consequences, body parts, products, etc.	mulangi (bottle), mucima (heart, liver, morals), mwendu (lamp)
4	mi-	plural form of words from class 3	munu -> minu: finger(s); muci -> mici: tree(s); musulu -> misulu: river(s); musoko -> misoko: village(s)
5	di-	body parts going into pairs, liquids, feelings, various objects	dilongu, dici (ear), dikasa (foot)
6	ma-	plural form of words from class 5 & 14	CLASS 5: diboku -> maboku: arm(s); ditama -> matama: cheek(s); dicuwa -> macuwa: rechaud(s)CLASS 14: bwalu -> malu: affairs, problems; buloba -> maloba: land(s); buta -> mata: bow(s); bukalu -> malalu: bed(s)
7	ci-	locations, inanimated agents, instruments, products, Surnames, feelings, vices, etc.	cilamba (bridge), cibota (banana), cikumbi (stable, fence)
8	bi-	plural form of words from class 7	cilembi -> bilembi: hunter(s); cinji -> binji; anger(s); cisalu -> bisalu: market(s)
9	n-/m-	animals,	nzoolu (chicken), ngombe (cow), mbuji (goat)
10	n-/m-	plural form of words from class 9 & 11	CLASS 9: nyoka -> nyoka: snake(s); mbuji -> mbuji: goat(s); mbwa -> mbwa: dog(s)CLASS 11: lusuki -> nsuki: hair(s); lupusu -> mpusu: spot(s); luzadi -> nzadi: nail(s)
11	lu-		lupangu (plot-land), ludimi (tongue), lukambu (powerful man)
12	ka-		kashingi (needle), kapaaya (razor), kambela
13	tu- / ka-	plural form of words from class 12	tushingi, tupaaya, tumbela
14	bu-	concepts, abstract, nature, characteristics, instruments, locations, etc.	budimi (agriculture), bwatu (boat), bukondu
15	ku-	basic forms of verbs	kudya (to eat), kulaala (to sleep), kukwata (to work), kufwidikija (to think)
16	pa-	adverbs	pambelu (at home)
17	ku-	adverbs	kumbelu (from home), kunyima (in the back, behind, after)
18	mu-	adverbs	munjila (on the road, on the way)

I must admit that it is difficult for me to remember what class a word belongs to so what I do is just remember how each word forms its plural. Why is it important to know word classes or at least have a rough idea of what it looks like? Because to build a correct sentence, you have to match the adjectives and determinants that follow a word according to its class.

Sources: CRIC;

June 8, 2011September 26, 2015 Clarisse Bwakulu|Linguistics

[Bwakulu] Most untranslatable word in Ciluba language

Ilunga has been defined by high class top notch translators and linguists around the world to be one of the most, if not the most, untranslatable word in the universe.

It is used to describe the nature of a person “who is ready to forgive and forget any first abuse, tolerate it the second time but never forgive nor tolerate on the third offense.”

Yeah, quite impossible to translate in one word!!!

May 28, 2011June 9, 2014 Clarisse Myakù |Vocabulary, Tùlaasà|Language Study

[Vocabulary] Kulela/Couleurs/Colors

In Ciluba, like in many other languages, people refer to a common object to define a color, for example:

-a mayi aa mamvwa
couleur maïs / color of corn => jaune/yellow
-a mayi aa kamata
couleur tomate/ tomato color => rouge/red
-a mayi aa matàmbà/kaleji
couleur feuille de manioc / cassava leave color => vert/green

But there are standard color names as well:

Cibundubundu

Gris Cendre / Ash grey

Kaki

Marron / Brown

Kàlaabi

Jaune / Yellow

Lubundubundu

Violet / Purple

Lumbidi

Orange

Mbùlê

Bleu / Blue

Mufika

Noir / Black

Mukùnze

Rouge / Red

Mutòòka

Blanc / White

To associate those colors with names, you have two options, according to the adjective you want to use:

you drop the prefix mu- and put instead the corresponding prefix, depending on the class the name is part of.
you add the particle -a + color

-fiike(a) = noir/black
-kùnze = rouge/red
-tòòke(a) = blanc/white
-a bùlê = bleu/blue
-a kàlaabi = jaune/yellow
-a lumbidi = orange
-a lubundubundu = violet/purple

example: ditumbu difiike
un chapeau noir/ a black hat

Biensûr, il existe des nuances:
-kùnze = rouge/red -kùnzùbìle = rougeâtre / redish
-tòòke = blanc; -tòòkòlòke = blanchâtre