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English-Bemba Dictionary: Ba-By

Click on a letter of the alphabet to get to the appropriate section of the English to Bemba dictionary:

A , B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M

 

N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

(For Free English to Bemba Translation Service click here)

 

English –  Bemba

Baby           Umwana

Bachelor           Umushimbe

Back           Inuma

Backbite           Amba

Bacon           Inama ya Nkumba

Backward           Ubumfutete

Bad           Bipa

Bag           Umufuko

Baggage           Icipe

Bald           Ipala

Ball           Umupila

Bamboo           Ulusengu

Banana           Inkonde

Bandage           Insalu

Banish           Tamfya

Bank (of river)           Icituntu

Banquet           Amalila

Baptism           Ulubatisho

Baptise           Batisha

Bar           Inkolonga

Bare           Fula

Bargain           Ukukabushanya

Bark (tree)           Icipapa

Bark           Bosa

Barn           Ubutala

Barrel           Umutungi

Barren           ba ngumba

Barricade           Konkomeka / Cingilila

Barter           Ubukwebo

Basin           Ibeseni

Basket, reed           Umuseke

Basket, bamboo           Citundu

Basket, winnowing           Ulupe

Bastard           Umwana wamu bucende

Bat           Akasusu

Bateleur (eagle)           Mpungu

Bathe           Samba / Owa

Battle           Lwa / Ubulwi

Be           Kacibe

Beach           Lulamba

Beacon           Ulupopo

Bead           Ubulungu

Beak           Umulomo

Beam           Umwalo

Bean           Cilemba

Bear (a child)           Fyala

Bear (fruit)           Twala

Bear (carry)           Senda

Beard           Umwefu

Beast           Icinama

Beat           Uma

Beat (heart)           Tunta

Beating (punishment)           Ifikoti

Beautiful           …suma / wama

Beautify           Wamya

Because           Pantu / ku mulandu wa

Become           Aluka / Sanguka

Bed           Ubusanshi

Bedroom           Inganda ya kusendama

Bee           Ulushimu

Beer           Ubwalwa

Beetle           Akashishi

Before           Pa ntanshi / pa kubala

Beg           Lomba / Papatila

Beggar           Umupushi

Begin           Tampa / Tendeka / Amba

Beginning           Intendekelo

Behalf           Pa malo ya

Behave           Tekanya

Behaviour           Imicitile / imyendele

Behead           Putulako umutwe

Behind           Ku numa

Behold           Lelo

Being           Umuntu

Belch           Byola

Belie           Bepesha

Belief           Ubusumino

Believe           Sumina

Bell           Inyenjele

Bellows           Umuba

Belly           Ifumo / mu nda

Beloved           Umutemwika

Below           Mwisamba

Belt           Umushipi

Bench           Imbao

Bend           Peta / Icishoko / Inama

Benediction           Ibalaka

Benefit           Wamina

Beseech           Papata

Beside           Mupepi

Besiege           Shinga

Best           Wamisha

Bet           Icipangano

Betray           Sangukila

Betroth           Kobekela

Better           Wama ukucila

Between           Pakati ka..

Beverage           Icakunwa

Beware           Cenjela

Bewitch           Lowa

Beyond           Peshilya

Bible           Icipingo

Biceps           Bombwe

Bicycle           Incinga

Bid           Eba

Bifurcation (road)           Masansa

Big           ..kulu / …kalamba

Bile           Indusha

Bilharzia           Mubongola

Bin           Ubutala

Bind           Kaka

Bird           Icuni / Akoni

Birth           Ukufyalwa

Bishop           Shikofu

Bit           Panono / panini

Bite           Suma

Bitter           Lula

Black           Fita

Blacken           Fisha

Blackish           Fituluka

Black jack           Kasokopyo

Blacksmith           Kafula

Bladder           Icisu

Blade           Cilimi

Blame (falsely)           Bepesha

Blanket           Ubulangeti

Blast furnace           Ilungu

Blaze           Lubingu

Bleed           Suma umulopa

Blend           Sasha

Bless           Balikila / Pala amate / Senamina

Blessing           Ipalo

Blind           Pofula

Blindness           Ubupofu

Blind person           Impofu

Blink           Kapa

Blister           Icitusha

Blood           Umulopa

Blood vessel           Umushipa wamulopa

Bloom (flower)           Satula

Bloom (tree)           Balula

Blossom           Lutombo

Blow (hit)           Ulupumo

Blow (nose)           Fyona

Blow (puff)           Puta

Blunder           Tena

Blunt           Fupa

Board           Ipulanga

Boast           Amataki / Itakisha

Boat           Ubwato

Boatsman           Kashika wa bwato

Body           Umubili

Boggy           Tika

Boil (water)           Bila / Bilauka / Kafya

Boil (pus)           Icipute

Bold           Pama

Bone           Ifupa

Book           Icitabo

Boot           Insapato

Border           Umupaka

Bore (hole)           Tula

Boredom           Icitendwe

Borer           Umusumbo

Boring beetle           Lupese

Born           -fyalwa

Borrow           Ashima / Kongola

Bosom           Iceni

Both           Fyonse

Bother           Sakamika

Bottle           Umusukupala

Bounce           Tama

Boundary           Umupaka

Bounty           Ubusuma

Bow           Inama

Bow (& arrow)           Ubuta (no mufwi)

Bowel           Amala

Bowl           Imbale

Box           Imbokoshi

Boy           Umwana mwaume

Boy (youth)           Umulumendo

Bracelet (ivory)           Ikosa

Bracelet (grass)           Cindele

Bracelet (metal)           Icinkwingili

Bracelet (copper)           Lusambo

Brag           Amataki / Itakisha

Brain           Bongo bongo

Bran           Ifisense

Branch           Umusambo

Brave           Shipa / Pama

Bread           Umukate

Breadth           Ubukulu

Break           Putula

Break (pieces)           Fungaula

Break (fracture)           Kontola Kontoka

Break (rest)           Tusha

Break off           Mokola

Break up           Pangulula

Break (promise)           Futuka

Breakfast           -ikula

Breast           Ibele

Breast bone           Inkombe

Breath           Umupu

Breathe           Pema

Breed           Sanda

Brew (beer)           Longa ubwalwa

Bribe           Mafisa kanwa

Brick           Itafwali

Brick kiln           Icibili

Bricklayer           Kakula wa njelwa

Brick mould           Icikombola

Bride           Nabwinga

Bridegroom           Shibwinga

Bridge           Ubulalo

Bride price           Impango

Bright           -Beka

Brim           Milomo

Bring           Leta

Broad           Lepa

Broaden           Lefya

Broken           Tobeka

Brook           Akamana

Broom           Iceswa / Umukusao

Brother           Indume

Brotherhood           Bumunyina

Brother-in law           Bukwe

Bruise           Uluma / Cena

Brush           Cifuti

Brush (tooth)           Umuswaki

Brutality           Ubunkalwe

Brute           Umunkalwe

Bubble           Selauka

Bucket           Imbeketi

Bud           Ulutombo

Buffalo           Imboo

Bug (bed)           Icipu

Bugle           Ipenga

Build           Kula / Panga

Bull           Cilume

Bullet           Cipolopolo

Bunch           Cisangu

Bundle           Umwanshi

Burden           Icipe

Burglar           Umupupu

Burial place           Inshishi

Burial place (Royal)           Umwalule

Burn           Oca / Pya / Lungula

Burrow (big)           Mwimba

Burrow (small)           Umusombo

Burst           Lepuka

Bury           Shika

Bush           Impanga

Bush buck           Cisongo

Business           Umulimo

Busy           Ba ne milimo

But           Nomba

Butcher           Kakoma wa Ngombe

Butter           Amafuta ye shiba

Butterfly           Icipelebesha

Buttock           Itako

Button           Ipitawa

Buy           Shita

By           Ku / Kuli

Bye (Go well)           Fikenipo

Bye (remain well)           Shalenipo

 

_________________________________________

Click on a letter of the alphabet to get to the appropriate section of the English to Bemba dictionary:

A , B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M

 

N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

 _____________________________________

94 Thoughts on English-Bemba Dictionary: Ba-By
    Anthony Musaluke
    1 Aug 2011
    6:48pm

    Many thanks for this initiative, much appreciated. Just a note on translation for the word, barricade. Should that be as in “Ukucingilila” in the sense of an obstacle?

    I am involved with a team that has started the translation of the popular Linux computer operating system. We have started with the Ubuntu variety of Linux as it is the most commonly installed by average computer users. This resource here will be very helpful. May I ask that if there are users of this site who are interested in helping out on this voluntary work, just follow this link https://wiki.edubuntu.org/UbuntuBembaTranslators and if you have any problems at all, please let me know. It is a lot harder than normal speech due to the fact that English is not very expressive whereas Icibemba is.
    While we are at it, how would you translate: ‘Empty trash’ ? As in the trash on your computer.

    Thanks and keep up the great work.

    4
    2
      Editor
      2 Aug 2011
      9:52am

      Hi Anthony,

      We agree with “Ukuchingilila” or “Cingilila” as further meanings for “barricade.” We are adding them to the dictionary. Thanks.

      If someone asks the Bemba equivalent of a word the meaning you offer may not be the best one to use in the sentence they have in mind. It is so much easier to interpret a sentence in context than a word in isolation. This also allows one to draw upon the expressive richness of the Bemba vocabulary. We also encourage our readers to send in their ideas to add to, refine or correct our online Bemba Dictionary.

      “Empty trash” = “Fûta icishala”

      P/S We quite like the concept of Bemba Lite!

      5
      2
        Dereck Phiri
        27 Dec 2022
        4:53am

        What is mungu in English?

        0
        0
      Abednego Kasonde
      24 Jan 2022
      5:27pm

      Kindly add the English word ‘blubbering’ which is ‘ukubulubusa’ in Bemba (as a translation).

      4
      1
    Kangwa
    27 Jun 2013
    2:26pm

    Please help me with the translation of Favour into Bemba possibly in 1 word.thank you and great work you are doing

    2
    1
      JS
      1 Jul 2013
      8:41am

      Hi Kangwa,
      Favour = Afwa / Temwapo
      e.g “He favours his last born” = Atemwapo kasuli wakwe.
      Favour (noun) = Bwafwilisho
      e.g. “Do me a favour, …” = Njafwilisheniko …

      2
      2
      Joze
      13 Nov 2019
      11:54am

      Favor in Bemba is ukusenaminwa

      2
      1
      Rupert Chimfwembe
      9 Jun 2022
      12:07pm

      DO ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THE LINES BELOW

      “Uku wilila” (to favour/ to lean towards).
      Please note:
      The infinitive form uses “uku” (“to”, in English. As in “to favour” “Uku wilila”). “Favour” is “wilila” (these are the basic forms of the words in English and Bemba respectively).

      Usage example:
      (Bemba) Mu ku sosa, “awilile” ku mwana wakwe.

      English translation:
      In his/her speech, he/she “favoured/leaned towards” his son/daughter.

      There are obviously other versions of “favour” in Bemba. Some may even outperform “wilila” in some situations.

      Thank you for allowing me to take part.

      4
      3
        Delis nyale
        30 Dec 2023
        6:13am

        What is umungu in English?

        0
        0
    cornelius bwalya
    10 May 2016
    12:07am

    What is “ulota”. A skin condition in english

    0
    3
    olipa
    26 Nov 2015
    8:24pm

    Hi, please help with the meaning of icipalakasa

    0
    2
      JS
      28 Nov 2015
      4:15pm

      Hi Olipa. “Icipalakasa” = “Brainy” (Clever). e.g. “Olipa wacipalakasa.” = “Olipa is very clever.”

      2
      0
    GIVEN
    16 Jul 2016
    10:45pm

    how can i say naya in english?

    1
    0
      JS
      20 Jul 2016
      4:48am

      Hi Given,
      “Naya” with a short “a” sound after the “N” means “Cook.”
      “Naya (Naaya)” with a long “a” sound after the “N” means “I am going” or “I am off” or “Bye”
      “Naya (Naaya)” with a long “a” sound after the “N” can also mean “These too..”

      5
      0
    Bk
    3 Aug 2016
    3:16pm

    Hi people, What is Intoyo on English?

    1
    0
    Emelina nyirenda
    26 Apr 2016
    3:06pm

    What are goose berries called in bemba

    0
    0
    Phiri
    23 Aug 2016
    4:29pm

    What is Uku belebesha?

    0
    0
      JS
      24 Aug 2016
      7:24am

      Hi Phiri,
      “Ukubelebesha” = thinking about / considering. NB correction: (Ukutepelesha = Whispering).

      1
      0
    bulaya kapambwe
    28 Sep 2016
    6:17am

    Hi guys, wanted to find out the meaning of the name Kangwa, thanks in advance

    1
    0
    joe
    4 Jan 2017
    11:29pm

    meaning of Ba ?

    0
    0
      JS
      28 Jan 2017
      5:38am

      Hi Joe,
      “Ba…?” = “Mr/Ms…?” (as in “Who?”)

      0
      0
      sharon mufika
      10 Jan 2018
      8:36am

      Ba is a word for plural or showing respect for a person.

      0
      0
    Joseph
    30 May 2018
    3:58pm

    What is me in bembe and what is pa zed

    0
    0
      JS
      30 May 2018
      3:01pm

      Hi Joseph.
      “Me” = “Ine”
      “Pa Zed” = “In Zambia” (slang)

      0
      0
    Eli
    7 Aug 2019
    8:27am

    Help me with the meaning of “Lesa Wamilalo”

    0
    0
      Dennis kabwe
      18 Sep 2019
      11:28am

      What is akalaso in English

      1
      0
      Judollar
      16 Aug 2019
      10:06pm

      God of worious

      1
      0
      Maron kabangu
      26 Mar 2020
      4:56pm

      I also want help, what does tembwe wangoma mean..

      0
      0
        COLLINS MUKOSHA
        20 May 2021
        6:26am

        Chief Drummer

        1
        0
    lisa
    15 Jan 2017
    7:41pm

    What is the Bemba word for the disease “rickets”? Because i would translate it as ubulwele bwa ukongama

    0
    0
      Musonda SC
      20 Sep 2019
      1:25pm

      I believe Rickets are called “Amangobe/Ingobe” in bemba

      2
      0
    John
    31 Jan 2019
    10:53pm

    What is the Bemba for ‘it is snowing here’

    0
    0
      Mwila
      25 Mar 2020
      3:49pm

      What is intoyo in bemba

      0
      0
      Adams Lumuna
      24 Jun 2020
      10:47am

      Jewe don’t have snow word in thé bemba area.wich means there is no bemba word

      0
      0
    mwitwa
    22 Jun 2018
    1:47pm

    what is to satisfy in bemba?

    0
    0
      JS
      23 Jun 2018
      9:59pm

      Hi Mwitwa,
      “To satisfy” = Ukwikutisha

      0
      0
      Judollar
      16 Aug 2019
      10:04pm

      Ukwikushiwa

      0
      0
    Mawoopwtab
    8 Apr 2018
    5:34pm

    What Is Akaswende In English

    0
    0
      JS
      8 Apr 2018
      6:04pm

      Hi Mawoopwtab,
      Akaswende = Syphilis

      0
      0
    kelvin
    3 Mar 2018
    5:50pm

    whispering is ukutotosha thats the meaning.

    then ukubelebesha is looking like your eyes not settled.

    0
    0
    kelvin
    3 Mar 2018
    5:47pm

    whispering is ukutotosha.

    bane mwa

    1
    0
    DC
    30 Dec 2017
    9:41am

    Hi help me with the bemba translation of the word “sensitise”.

    1
    0
      sharon mufika
      10 Jan 2018
      8:32am

      to sensitise is ukwishibisha

      0
      0
      Sarah
      21 Jun 2020
      8:15am

      Can someone help ubufuba in English

      0
      0
    toko
    20 Apr 2018
    2:26pm

    What is ukufubila in English?

    0
    0
      JS
      24 Apr 2018
      5:17am

      Hi Toko,
      Ukufubila = to slowly and carefully add maize meal to hot water, in the first stage of cooking lump-free nshima /ubwali/saza.

      We are not aware of a single English word that describes the equivalent process. “Titration,” in a chemical lab, comes close to it.

      0
      0
        Kunda Londa
        2 Sep 2018
        8:59am

        Ukufubila= Jealousy for someone. especially the feeling of a married person towards perceived competitors.

        0
        0
    Betsheba
    24 Jun 2018
    4:47pm

    what is “spelling” in bemba?

    0
    0
    Pradhuman
    28 Aug 2018
    6:53pm

    Man ppl always use the word ****. What’s the meaning???

    0
    1
    JS
    16 May 2018
    3:18pm

    Hi Alex.
    Ocra = Umulembwe

    0
    0
    alex mubanga
    16 May 2018
    4:07pm

    Ocra in bemba

    0
    0
    Joe
    28 Sep 2018
    7:47am

    Hello
    Could you please translate umungulu

    0
    0
    JS
    31 Jan 2019
    10:57pm

    “Snow” ilepona kuno. (There’s no easy word for snow in Bemba).

    0
    0
      Judollar
      16 Aug 2019
      10:07pm

      Imfula yabungululu

      0
      0
      flo
      14 May 2020
      8:17am

      ubunga bwamfula

      1
      0
    Tito
    14 Jul 2019
    7:02pm

    what is ikula in english

    0
    0
      JS
      14 Jul 2019
      7:30pm

      Ikula = Green (or “Wet behind the ears”), e.g. ‘He is green.”

      0
      0
    Taonga Sakala
    24 Nov 2019
    9:28pm

    What is television in Bemba?

    0
    0
      Brian Katele
      13 May 2020
      5:22am

      Television in bemba is Icitunshi-tunshi

      0
      0
    Bianca
    10 Dec 2019
    1:17pm

    what is does kanabesa mean

    0
    0
      Asia Booysen
      17 Jan 2020
      1:48am

      It is like ‘Chief’ or someone important. Usually referred to males. I think!

      0
      0
    Cecilia Chirwa
    25 Jun 2020
    9:40am

    What does akalaso mean

    1
    0
    Kafi
    3 Jul 2020
    9:20am

    Umume means what?

    0
    0
      JS
      3 Jul 2020
      9:41am

      Hi Kari. Depending on how it’s pronounced “Umume” can mean “Dew.”
      If the sound of the “mu” is drawn out as “moo…” (as in the “moo” of a cow, then it can mean “Beat him/her” .

      0
      0
      GEOFREY MANDA
      30 Oct 2021
      11:44am

      Dew

      0
      0
    Samuel Mpundu
    4 Aug 2020
    11:56am

    Nice job I must say

    0
    0
      JS
      4 Aug 2020
      11:59am

      Thanks.🙂

      0
      0
    Yvonne
    8 Oct 2020
    7:12am

    Abanakufyalwa in English

    0
    0
    Zeke
    22 Nov 2020
    8:50pm

    This should be put on play store in form of an app so that people can download it….
    I have looked everywhere online for a bemba dictionary and I couldn’t even find it….
    I give up

    1
    0
    Peace
    3 Dec 2020
    9:44pm

    Back (of river) meaning off what icituntu

    0
    0
    vanessa mukwato
    10 Jul 2022
    5:20am

    What is the meaning of diastematic in bemba

    0
    0
    Joshua simwawa
    16 May 2021
    2:57pm

    I am a beginner android developer can I be allowed to make un app for these words

    2
    0
    Joshua simwawa
    16 May 2021
    2:55pm

    I am a beginner android developer can I be allowed to make un app for this

    1
    0
      JS
      17 May 2021
      6:01am

      Hi Joshua. That’s an interesting idea we would be happy to explore with you.
      Are you on WhatsApp?

      1
      0
    Jay
    25 Sep 2022
    11:34pm

    What is burping in bemba?

    0
    0
      JS
      25 Sep 2022
      11:53pm

      Hi Jay. Burping / to burp = Ukubyola. Burp = byola.

      0
      0
    Anna
    22 Aug 2021
    8:06am

    Ulushinga and akalaso in English

    0
    0
      GEOFREY MANDA
      30 Oct 2021
      11:43am

      Ulushinga is knot and kalaso pneumonia

      0
      0
    Rupert Chimfwembe
    9 Jun 2022
    12:08pm

    DO ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THE LINES BELOW

    “Uku wilila” (to favour/ to lean towards).
    Please note:
    The infinitive form uses “uku” (“to”, in English. As in “to favour” “Uku wilila”). “Favour” is “wilila” (these are the basic forms of the words in English and Bemba respectively).

    Usage example:
    (Bemba) Mu ku sosa, “awilile” ku mwana wakwe.

    English translation:
    In his/her speech, he/she “favoured/leaned towards” his son/daughter.

    There are obviously other versions of “favour” in Bemba. Some may even outperform “wilila” in some situations.

    Thank you for allowing me to take part.

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    Gladys
    30 Jan 2022
    5:41am

    Help me with the meaning of Ubukata in English

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      JS
      30 Jan 2022
      7:58am

      Ubukata = Glory

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        NELLY KATUNA
        14 Jan 2023
        1:02pm

        What is grace in bemba

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          JS
          14 Jan 2023
          9:51pm

          Hi Nelly,
          Grace = cikuuku / icikuuku
          e.g.
          a graceful person = umuntu wa cikuuku.
          His grace = icikuuku chakwe.

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    Gilbert
    29 Sep 2021
    12:33pm

    What is ‘fridge’ in bemba

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    Khalil
    11 Aug 2021
    6:32am

    What is “akalaso” in english?

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    Manda
    30 Oct 2021
    11:42am

    Please help with English names for
    Pwele
    Inkwale
    Pungwa
    Akatyetye
    Soosa
    Inseba

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    John
    22 Nov 2023
    7:47pm

    What is the English translation on “Buchi” in the Bemba language?

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      JS
      25 Nov 2023
      1:44pm

      Hi John.
      Buchi(Bemba) = honey

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    Lisa Kalela
    1 Feb 2022
    12:28pm

    What is “Akalaso” in English,?

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      JS
      13 Feb 2022
      12:57pm

      “Akalaso” = pain on breathing in (Pleuritic pain). Caused by inflammation of the thin lining of the lungs in conditions such as bacterial pneumonia.

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    Michael Manda
    27 Feb 2024
    10:02am

    Guys, what can i say Ukusunda in english

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      JS
      27 Feb 2024
      4:37pm

      Ukusunda = To urinate

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    Liam
    29 May 2023
    12:44pm

    Guys what does “tafyalowa” mean

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      JS
      24 Jun 2023
      6:47pm

      “Tafyalowa” = “They are not sweet.”

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