Translation of common Bukusu language verbs. Learn Lubukusu by yourself by making use of practice sentences showing Bukusu action (and being words) in everyday use.
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Why you should learn Lubukusu with us
Bukusu language or Lubukusu is the tongue of Babukusu, the largest of the 18 houses of mulembe. Learn how to speak Bukusu language through our free lessons in Bukusu language; our stories on Bukusu culture that harness the richness of Lubukusu in their narrative; our continuous search for the meaning of different Bukusu proverbs and sayings; and if your Lubukusu is already good enough, sharpen and challenge yourself with our new blog sibukusu that covers everything Bukusu in the purest Lubukusu.
Get started with our mega post: 130+ common Bukusu words and phrases their meaning, translation and pronunciation.
More Beginner’s DIY Bukusu language Lessons
- Common English pronouns in Bukusu language
- How to say I miss you in Bukusu language
- How to say good morning in Bukusu
- Emojis in Bukusu;
- Common Bukusu words and phrases relating to food, dining cutlery and eating.
- the Bukusu folk song Nacha nacha nacha which introduces us to Bukusu words for tortoise and other animals;
- not to mention our detailed coverage on everyday conversation in kinship terms and words for relatives and relations in Bukusu.
Common Bukusu verbs
To learn more about these common Bukusu verbs, do take a look at their dictionary meanings where you’ll get synonyms, variations in other Luhya languages and cultural meaning.
Khukotesia
In English: To rent or lease a building.
Practice Sentence: Nakotesia enju mutauni. I rented a house in town.
Fukilila
In English: Accept
Practice Sentence: Nafukilile khukhwicha. I have accepted to come.
Khukwa
English: Fall
Example in sentence: Wekesa akwile asi. Wekesa fell down
Khulekha
In English: Quit
Practice Sentence: Nalekhile esukuli. I have quit school.
Khung’aa
In English: Lose weight
Practice Sentence: Omwana yuno kang`aile. This child has lost weight.
Khunera
In English: Gain weight
Practice Sentence: Omwana yuno kanerire. This child has gained weight.
Khukhwelola
In English: To be proud
Practice Sentence: Omukhana yuno kelola. This is a proud girl.
Cha
In English: Go
Practice Sentence: Chengo. Go home.
Yicha
In English: Come
Yicha muchuli. Come tomorrow.
Khaka
In English: Try
Practice Sentence: Khaka winyokhe mapema. Try wake up early.
Khina
In English: Dance
Practice Sentence: Khina kamabeka. Dance with your shoulders.
Use in proverb: Kumutambo kukila wakhina ebukhwe. Poverty will make you dance at your in-laws.
Yingila
In English: Enter
Practice Sentence: Yingila munju. Enter the house
Yingisia
In English: Insert
Practice Sentence: Yingisia luusi musindano. Insert thread in the needle.
Chichakana
In English: Continue
Practice Sentence: Chichakana khukenda. Keep walking.
Fwala
In English: Wear
Practice Sentence: Fwala chingubo. Wear your clothes
Fula
In English: Remove
Practice Sentence: Fula biraro. Remove your shoes
Enjala
In English: Hunger
Enjala yindia. Feeling hungry.
Khukhwikura
In English: To be satisfied
Practice Sentence: Nakhalia busuma nekura. I am satisfied after eating ugali.
Khukhweyao
In English: Sweep
Practice Sentence: Yeyao enju eyo. Sweep that house
Khukhwiamba
In English: Touch
Practice Sentence: Wekesa keambile khundika. Wekesa is touching the bicycle.
Khuamua
In English: Decide
Practice Sentence: Wekesa kaamue khubeya. Wekesa has decided to marry.
Kabana
In English: Share
Practice Sentence: Kaba babana kamaindi. Share maize among the children
Yimba
In English: Sing
Practice Sentence: Mayi khakemba chinyimbo. Mum is singing songs.
Khuchakha
In English: Laugh
Practice Sentence: Kevin khachakha. Kevin is laughing.
Khumunamuna
In English: Smile
Practice Sentence: Omusoleli khamunamuna. The boy is smiling.
Khukhwinyaa
In English: Play
Practice Sentence: Khuche khwinyae lifundo. Lets go play with the ball.
Khusangala
In English: Happy
Practice Sentence: Nasangalile lukali. I am very happy
Khulwala
In English: Sick
Practice Sentence: Kukhu alwala bikele. Grandmother’s feet are sick.
Khusulunya
In English: Annoyed
Practice Sentence: Nasulunyile Nanjala. I am angry with Nanjala.
Khubeelela
In English: Angry
Practice Sentence: Nabelela lukali nga kafwa. I was angry when he died
Khukhwambukha
In English: Cross (go across)
Practice Sentence: Omwana kambukhe luluchi. The child crossed the river
Khumala
In English: Finish
Practice Sentence: Khwamalile khulia. We finished eating
Khukhwikala
In English: Close
Practice Sentence: Yikalao kumuliango. Close the door
Khufwanana
In English: Look alike
Practice Sentence: Susan afwanana ne mawe. Susan looks like her mother
Khukupa
In English: Pound/Beat
Practice Sentence: Efula yapile likoloba. It rained yesterday
Rekeresia
Listen
Narekeresie eretio. I am listening to radio
Khuulilla
Hear
Mbulile omwana nalila. I heard a child crying
Kalukhasia
In English: Change
Kalukhasia engubo eyo. Change that outfit
Kalukha
In English: Return
Kalusia sikombe esio nomalile. Return that cup after you finish
Khukhwira
In English: Kill
Epusi yirire embeba. The cat killed the rat
Loma/Lomaloma
In English: Say
Omukhulundu alomile ali khwiche ekoloba. The priest said we come in the evening.
Timia
In English: Drive
Practice Sentence: Omanyile khutimia emutoka? Do you know how to drive a car?
Khuchaka
In English: Choose
Practice Sentence: Akari wa New York ne Washington, olachakua wae? Between New York and Washington, which one will be your choice?
Khusomia
In English: Teach
Practice Sentence: Nanu olakhusomia khufuka busuma? Who will teach us how to cook ugali?
Yuya
In English: Hurry
Practice Sentence: Yuyakho khwachelewe. Hurry up, we are late
Khukhwombakha
In English: Build
Practice Sentence: Musa kombakhe echoo. Musa has built a toilet.
Khukhwisindukha
In English: Shocked
Practice Sentence: Nisindukhe khuulila kamakhuwa ako. I was shocked to hear the news
Chakhisia
In English: Amuse
Practice Sentence: Wanjakhisie ne embakha ye chutima ne biraro mukhono. You amused me with the story of running with shoes in your hands
Khukhula
Grow
Practice Sentence: Nakhulila Nairobi. I grew up in Nairobi.
Khukhunya
In English: Stunted.
Chingokho cha Felix chakhunya. Felix’s chicken are stunted.
Khukeniya
In English: Visit
Nakeniye wandayase likoloba. I visited my sibling yesterday
Khulila
In English: Cry
Mayi kalila kukhu nafwile. Mum cried when grandmother died.
Khukhwonaka
In English: Spoil
Ephraim konake lifundo. Ephraim spoilt the ball.
Khukhwiba
In English: Steal
Ngorwa wibile bindu munju mwange. I dont know who stole stuff from my house
Manya
In English: Know
Manyile mayi woo. I know your mother
Khufukilila
In English: Believe
Fukilila mu nyasaye. I believe in God
Cha
In English: Go
Practice sentence: Khochengo nono. Go home now
Khola ekasi
In English: Work
Practice sentence: Khenja khukhola ekasi Nairobi. I am going to work in Nairobi
Khung’ona
In English: To be attractive
Practice sentence: Omukhana oyo kang’ona. That girl is attractive
Khukalusia (sindu)
In English: Return (something)
Practice Sentence: Kalusia sikombe nomalile echai. Return that cup after finishing tea
Khukhwima
In English: Stand
Nemile enyuma eno. I am standing at the back
Khukhwikhala
In English: Sit
Practice Sentence: Yikhala asi. Sit down
Khufwala
In English: Dress
Practice Sentence: Cha ofwale chingubo khuche. Go dress up we go.
Khulasa
In English: Shoot
Practice Sentence: Ndasile esang’i lisasi. I shot the wild animal
Khukhwinyaa
In English: Play
Practice Sentence: Cha mwinyaile eyo. Go play there.
Khukhwinyala
In English: Urinate
Practice Sentence: Khenje enje ninyale. Lete me go urinate outside
Khunia
In English: Poop
Practice Sentence: Omwana kaniele khuluya. The baby has pooped at the front yard
Khuyirira
In English: Snore
Practice Sentence: Omwana nakona ayiriranga. The baby snores while sleeping
Khurora
In English: Dream
Practice Sentence: Ndorire ndi khendima. I dreamt that I was running
Khukona
In English: Sleep
Practice Sentence: Ngonile nenduyile. I slept while tired.
Khubala
In English: Count
Practice Sentence: Bala ndala paka kumi. Count one to ten.
Extra: Numbers in Bukusu Language, Learn how to count 1-10.
Khuulukha
In English: Rest
Practice Sentence: Wulukha khu sisala esio. Rest on that chair
Khuluwa
In English: Tired
Practice Sentence: Naluwile khusuta kamechi. I am tired from carrying water
Khukhwibilila
In English: Forget
Practice Sentence: Nibilile lusimu engo. I forgot my phone at home
Khukhebulila
In English: Remember
Practice Sentence: Okhebulile khunderera lusimu lwange? Did you remember to bring my phone
Khuumia
In English: Hurt
Practice Sentence: Omwana akwile kaumia. The aby was hurt after a fall
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