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
_____________________________________
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.
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!
What is mungu in English?
Kindly add the English word ‘blubbering’ which is ‘ukubulubusa’ in Bemba (as a translation).
Please help me with the translation of Favour into Bemba possibly in 1 word.thank you and great work you are doing
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 …
Favor in Bemba is ukusenaminwa
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.
What is umungu in English?
What is “ulota”. A skin condition in english
Hi, please help with the meaning of icipalakasa
Hi Olipa. “Icipalakasa” = “Brainy” (Clever). e.g. “Olipa wacipalakasa.” = “Olipa is very clever.”
how can i say naya in english?
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..”
Hi people, What is Intoyo on English?
What are goose berries called in bemba
What is Uku belebesha?
Hi Phiri,
“Ukubelebesha” = thinking about / considering. NB correction: (Ukutepelesha = Whispering).
Hi guys, wanted to find out the meaning of the name Kangwa, thanks in advance
meaning of Ba ?
Hi Joe,
“Ba…?” = “Mr/Ms…?” (as in “Who?”)
Ba is a word for plural or showing respect for a person.
What is me in bembe and what is pa zed
Hi Joseph.
“Me” = “Ine”
“Pa Zed” = “In Zambia” (slang)
Help me with the meaning of “Lesa Wamilalo”
What is akalaso in English
God of worious
I also want help, what does tembwe wangoma mean..
Chief Drummer
What is the Bemba word for the disease “rickets”? Because i would translate it as ubulwele bwa ukongama
I believe Rickets are called “Amangobe/Ingobe” in bemba
What is the Bemba for ‘it is snowing here’
What is intoyo in bemba
Jewe don’t have snow word in thé bemba area.wich means there is no bemba word
what is to satisfy in bemba?
Hi Mwitwa,
“To satisfy” = Ukwikutisha
Ukwikushiwa
What Is Akaswende In English
Hi Mawoopwtab,
Akaswende = Syphilis
whispering is ukutotosha thats the meaning.
then ukubelebesha is looking like your eyes not settled.
whispering is ukutotosha.
bane mwa
Hi help me with the bemba translation of the word “sensitise”.
to sensitise is ukwishibisha
Can someone help ubufuba in English
What is ukufubila in English?
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.
Ukufubila= Jealousy for someone. especially the feeling of a married person towards perceived competitors.
what is “spelling” in bemba?
Man ppl always use the word ****. What’s the meaning???
Hi Alex.
Ocra = Umulembwe
Ocra in bemba
Hello
Could you please translate umungulu
“Snow” ilepona kuno. (There’s no easy word for snow in Bemba).
Imfula yabungululu
ubunga bwamfula
what is ikula in english
Ikula = Green (or “Wet behind the ears”), e.g. ‘He is green.”
What is television in Bemba?
Television in bemba is Icitunshi-tunshi
what is does kanabesa mean
It is like ‘Chief’ or someone important. Usually referred to males. I think!
What does akalaso mean
Umume means what?
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” .
Dew
Nice job I must say
Thanks.🙂
Abanakufyalwa in English
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
Back (of river) meaning off what icituntu
What is the meaning of diastematic in bemba
I am a beginner android developer can I be allowed to make un app for these words
I am a beginner android developer can I be allowed to make un app for this
Hi Joshua. That’s an interesting idea we would be happy to explore with you.
Are you on WhatsApp?
What is burping in bemba?
Hi Jay. Burping / to burp = Ukubyola. Burp = byola.
Ulushinga and akalaso in English
Ulushinga is knot and kalaso pneumonia
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.
Help me with the meaning of Ubukata in English
Ubukata = Glory
What is grace in bemba
Hi Nelly,
Grace = cikuuku / icikuuku
e.g.
a graceful person = umuntu wa cikuuku.
His grace = icikuuku chakwe.
What is ‘fridge’ in bemba
What is “akalaso” in english?
Please help with English names for
Pwele
Inkwale
Pungwa
Akatyetye
Soosa
Inseba
What is the English translation on “Buchi” in the Bemba language?
Hi John.
Buchi(Bemba) = honey
What is “Akalaso” in English,?
“Akalaso” = pain on breathing in (Pleuritic pain). Caused by inflammation of the thin lining of the lungs in conditions such as bacterial pneumonia.
Guys, what can i say Ukusunda in english
Ukusunda = To urinate
Guys what does “tafyalowa” mean
“Tafyalowa” = “They are not sweet.”
What is the translation of ibeende?