translation / dictionary Lingala - English
all words with the tag fruit and vegetables
ananási,
pl. bananasi (class 9/2 : - / ba- exception - special form )
linanási,
pl. mananasi (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...)) (official plural)
ananá,
pl. baanana (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
ananási,
pl. baananasi (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
scientific name : ananas sativus
pineapple
other words with the tag 'fruit and vegetables' : ananási,
bikedi,
eloló,
bitekuteku,
bonsáó,
dongódongó,
ekéké,
ekútu,
esápa,
etabe,
etabi,
fumbwa,
kwánga,
lidésu,
likémba,
lilála,
lingolo,
litungúlu,
liyebo,
lisángó,
mbálá,
mbika,
mbíla,
mbuma,
ndúnda,
ngúba,
paipái,
payipayi,
pilipili,
pondú,
pwaró,
tomati,
tondolo,
ndímo,
likásu,
kokotí,
likombó,
liyebú,
mosángó,
liboké,
kúnde,
lisángú,
libengê,
mbomá,
avoká,
savoká,
mpondú,
lidamé,
lipéla,
litóngé,
payi,
linanási,
ndiká,
pakápáka,
mokókóló,
linioko,
misili,
sáfú,
tomato,
sakasáka,
nkúnde,
pili-pili,
ndembi,
limona,
likásó,
lilebó,
mongúba,
nsáfú,
bonsau,
ngombo,
gombo,
mondiká,
sóló,
sinda,
mondéngé,
mundenge,
biteku-teku,
mádamé,
poilu,
liebú,
mazulu,
mungenge,
ananá,
ananási
bikedi
scientific name : Manihot esculenta
cassava, manioc
tapioka
eloló,
pl. bilolo (class 7/8 : e- / bi-)
scientific name :
Solanum distichum
kind of vegetable
pl. bilolo
salad with the bitter leaves
bonsáó (class 14 : abstract nouns - no plural)
sáfú,
pl. basafu (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
nsáfú,
pl. bansafu (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))sonorous consonant
bonsau (class 14 : abstract nouns - no plural)
monsáó,
pl. minsao (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
monsáú,
pl. minsau (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
nsáú
scientific name :
Dacryodes edulis
sort of fruit, nsafu
also called african plumb (or african pear)
nsafu tree
mai ma nsáfú
color of a nsafu =
purple/violet
Article :
consonants
In Lingala, sometimes you hear "
nsoso" and sometimes you hear "
soso". You might get the impression that
it would be free to choose wether to use the first letter
m or
n when the word starts with two consonants,
but in reality there is a precise rule for it :
In lingala, the first letter m or n may be ommitted for words that start with mp, nt, ns or nk.
(The voiced consonants - FR: Les consonnes sonores)
NK |
nkama / kama | cent |
nkingo / kingo | cou |
nkisi / kisi | médicament |
nkulutu / kulutu | aîné |
nkoba / koba | tortue |
MP |
mpinzoli / pinzoli | larme |
mpo / po | pour |
mpamba / pamba | nul |
mpuku / puku | souris |
mpongi / pongi | sommeil |
NS |
nse / se | dessous |
nsoso / soso | poulet |
nsambo / sambo | sept |
nsango / sango | information |
nsinga / singa | fil |
NT |
ntina / tina | importance |
ntolo / tolo | torse |
ntalo / talo | valeur |
ntango / tango | temps |
ntaba / taba | chèvre |
In all other cases, the first letter is mandatory.
(The unvoiced consonants - FR: Les consonnes sourdes)
NG |
nguya | pouvoir |
ngai | moi |
nganda | bar |
nguba | arachide |
ngulu | cochon |
MB |
mboka | village |
mbeli | couteau |
mbetu | lit |
mbila | palmier |
mbisi | poisson |
ND |
ndako | maison |
ndeko | cousin |
ndakisa | exemple |
ndumba | prostituée |
ndunda | légume |
NZ |
nzoto | corps |
nzete | arbre, baton |
nzela | chemin |
nzungu | marmite |
nzala | faim |
NY |
nyei | excrément |
nyoso | rien |
nyoka | serpent |
nyama | animal |
nyongo | dette |
dongódongó,
pl. badongodongo (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
scientific name : Abelmoschus esculentus / hibiscus esculentus
okra
kind of vegetable, kind of spice
dongodongo (ngombo)
©
pvh
dongodongo (ngombo)
©
pvh
other words with the tag 'kitchen' : biríka,
dongódongó,
fúlu,
káwa,
liki,
lútú,
masanga,
mbelí,
míliki,
molangi,
mongwa,
kania,
kobalula,
nzúngu,
pilipili,
sáni,
sukali,
zibolateur,
kópo,
kokálinga,
kobalola,
lúto,
etumbelo,
mondóndó,
vére,
mántéka,
madída,
kikalungu,
makusa,
mbabula,
mbilika,
mungua,
mutalaka,
sume,
zibulatere,
ngai,
pili-pili,
litúká,
zibolatéle,
elúbu,
soda,
evímba,
ngombo,
gombo,
sani,
nkupidi,
zibulateur,
sinda,
mondóngó,
mundóngó,
limbondó,
kupidi,
mazulu
other words with the tag 'food and drinks' : biríka,
bisikíti,
bóí,
bokénzú,
dongódongó,
ekéne,
engwélé,
fufú,
fumbwa,
kabri,
kamundele,
kwánga,
libóké,
libumu,
lidésu,
liki,
lipa,
lipapú,
liyebo,
loso,
masanga,
mateka,
maí,
mbálá,
mbika,
mbisi,
mokate,
mongwa,
mwamba,
ti,
víno,
sokolá,
liyebú,
niampoule,
kosákosá,
molangua,
ndóngó,
biele,
bitoto,
kafi,
kikedi,
linioko,
lotoko,
lunguila,
likoso,
mbilika,
mosáká,
mpíodi,
muamba,
mungua,
nsámbá,
saladini,
tangawisi,
ngai,
mbenda,
mbisi,
nkúnde,
niampoul,
mbili,
súpu,
málemba,
tangaúsi,
ngombo,
gombo,
nkupidi,
kafé,
limbondó,
primus,
kupidi,
gratana,
gratanya,
liebú,
jus
ekútu,
pl. bikutu (class 7/8 : e- / bi-)
calabash, squash
fumbwa
mfumbua
mfúmbwa,
pl. bamfumbwa (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
scientific name : Gnetum africanum
green vegetable : liana leaves
is prepared with peanut sauce
kwánga,
pl. bakwanga (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
kuanga,
pl. bakuanga (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
mokwánga,
pl. mikwanga (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
chikwangue
cassava bread, made from soaked cassava flour,
mould in a
mbili leaf or banana leaf (
likasa ya makemba)
and then boiled in water.
lidésu,
pl. madesu (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
madesu oyo aza na nsuki te
©
pvh
likémba,
pl. makemba (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name : Musa paradisiaca
plantain, sort of banana for cooking
lilála,
pl. malala (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name : citrus aurantium
orange (fruit)
ya malála
color orange
Article :
colors
langi moindo (
dark colors)
moindo
black
longondo
purple
bozinga, bulé
dark blue
langi ya sokola
chocolate brown
langi ya mpondu
green
langi motane (
light colors)
bondobo, motane soo
yellow
langi ya malala
orange
roze
pink
ngola, motane ngbaa
red
maron
maron
langi ya mapata
light blue
langi lisusu (
other colors)
mpembe
white
mbwe
grey
other words with the tag 'colors' : mpémbé,
lángi,
lilála,
mbíla,
mwindu,
pembe,
pondú,
motáné,
sokolá,
moíndo,
mbwé,
bondobó,
ngóla,
longondo,
bozinga,
búlé,
kulele,
ndombe,
muindu,
mwíndo
lingolo,
pl. mangolo (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
mángá,
pl. bamanga (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
mango
litungúlu,
pl. matungulu (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name : allium sativum
onion
scientific name : allium cepa
garlic
liyebo,
pl. mayebo (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
liyebú,
pl. mayebu (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...)) (None)
liebú,
pl. maebu (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
edible mushroom
lisángó,
pl. masango (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
corn
corncob
mbálá,
pl. bambala (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
tuber
(cassava (manioc), (sweet) potato, yam,...)
its leaves are called
matembele
mbika,
pl. bambika (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
squash / zucchini
squash / zucchini seed
paste made from squash / zucchini seed
(often sold in a
mbili leaf or banana leaf (
likasa ya makemba), like a chikwangue)
mbíla,
pl. bambila (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
lobíla,
pl. mbila (class 11/10m : lo- / m- : in front of p,b)
mbila,
pl. bambila (class 1a/2 : - / ba-) (informal plural)
mbuma,
pl. bambuma (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
fruit, seed
abscess, skin button, pustule, ulcer
ndúnda,
pl. bandunda (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
vegetable
salad
ngúba,
pl. banguba (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
mongúba,
pl. minguba (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
scientific name : arachis hypogaea
peanut, groundnut
paipái,
pl. bapaipai (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
papaya
pilipili,
pl. bapilipili (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
pili-pili
scientific name : capsicum annuum
chili pepper
pondú
mpondú,
pl. bampondu (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))sonorous consonant
cassava leaves
ya pondu
color green
tomato
tomati,
pl. batomati (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
tomato
ndímo,
pl. bandimo (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
lemon
lemon tree
likásu,
pl. makasu (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))Kinshasa version
likásó,
pl. makaso (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name : cola acuminata
cola nut
likombó,
pl. makombo (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name : Cantharellus (cup/chalice)
species of mushroom
Swahili : Lutondo
liboké,
pl. maboke (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
Pumpkin, Pumpkin
kúnde
nkúnde,
pl. bankunde (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
bean (smaller than
lidesu)
pea
lisángú,
pl. masangu (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
corn
corn grain
libengê,
pl. mabenge (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name : Ipomoea batatas
sweet potato
mbomá,
pl. bamboma (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
yam
avoká
savoká,
pl. basavoka (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
avocado (the fruit)
other words with the tag 'loan word: french' : aliméti,
avió,
balé,
biló,
biríki,
bisikíti,
butó,
bwáto,
buzí,
dalapó,
fóti,
fotó,
kwíti,
lángi,
piké,
piné,
sodá,
sukali,
maládi,
tiké,
avoká,
soséti,
búlé,
kodamer,
kotoker,
dilekitele,
fétí,
kamaladi,
kaminio,
lapolo,
lífelo,
soméle,
pantalo,
somisi,
moyen,
melesi,
semísi,
mopao,
courant,
tur,
biró,
er,
pantalon,
sucré,
botine,
ke,
avyó,
îfó,
kurá,
maséle,
kompaní,
kaminyó,
kamyó,
veló,
boáto,
danzer,
petite,
jus
lidamé,
pl. madame (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
mádamé,
pl. bamadame (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
scientific name : Terminalia catappa
a kind of tropical tree and its fruit.
Also known as Indian-almond and mkungu in swahili
lipéla,
pl. mapela (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name : Psidium guajava
guava
tropical fruit of the Myrtaceae family
litóngé,
pl. matonge (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name :
Landolphia owariensis
tropical fruit. Closed, it looks like a lemon and on the inside there are large buds to suck.
pl. matonge
- a Congolese quarter in Brussels (Belgium), in the commune of Ixelles.
- (former Camp Renkin) a district of Kinshasa, in the commune of
Kalamu.
other words with the tag 'world' : bélejika,
bénin,
djibuti,
ejipti,
ekólo,
ekwateli,
elitré,
etiopi,
falanse,
falansia,
gabon,
gambia,
ghana,
gine,
kamerun,
kanada,
kenya,
liberia,
libîya,
luksambur,
malawi,
mali,
moritani,
mozambiki,
namibia,
niger,
nijeria,
ostralía,
otrishi,
poto,
pulutugal,
sénégal,
seyshel,
somalie,
swaziland,
swisi,
togo,
tshad,
tunisia,
zambia,
zimbabwe,
komori,
kongo,
angeleza,
ingelezia,
lifalanse,
lingala,
litóngé,
mputulukezo,
sindangari,
mpótó,
ezipito,
belesi,
zaíre,
ameríka,
afrika,
azía
other words with the tag 'locations' : litóngé,
gambela,
Masina,
Lemba,
bandalungwa,
bandal,
barumbu,
bumbu,
gombe,
kalamu,
kasavubu,
kimbanseke,
kinshasa,
kintambo,
kisenso,
limete,
maluku,
matete,
mont-ngafula,
ndjili,
ngaba,
ngaliema,
ngiringiri,
nsele,
selembao,
montngafula,
ngiri-ngiri,
kasa-vubu,
n'djili,
makala,
n'sele,
lilebó,
mpandanzila,
lukunga,
funa,
mont-amba,
tshangu
ndiká,
pl. bandika (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
mondiká,
pl. mindika (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
palm nut core,stone
fruit core
pakápáka,
pl. bapakapaka (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
helicopter
propeller (aircraft or boat)
context : fruit
scientific name : Averrhoa carambola
carambola, starfruit
other words with the tag 'transport' : avió,
wewa,
bwáto,
ebei,
engunduka,
felé,
masúwa,
mobembo,
mótuka,
mpépo,
piné,
báki,
bísi,
engbunduka,
tiké,
tukutuku,
buáto,
kaminio,
nkínga,
pakápáka,
púsu,
vuatili,
pépo,
mutuka,
ngolá,
kaminyó,
kamyó,
dankí,
kodóndwa,
prince,
boáto
mokókóló,
pl. mikokolo (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
mokokoli,
pl. mikokoli (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
kernel of a fruit
fig: shaved head, bald
linioko,
pl. manioko (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
cassava
misili
kind of green vegetable with a bitter taste
sakasáka,
pl. basakasaka (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
cassava leaves in kikongo language
the word probably comes from "cassava" (manioc)
other words with the tag 'loan word: kikongo' : kidiba,
likata,
kobalula,
kobalusa,
kobaluka,
kobalola,
kitendi,
ndombe,
nzimbu,
kikedi,
litondo,
sakasáka,
ingeta,
mataku,
mazulu
ndembi,
pl. bandembi (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
scientific name : Allium schoenoprasum L.
Chives (vegetable)
limona
grenade (small bomb)
pomegranate (fruit)
scientific name : Punica granatum
lilebó,
pl. malebo (class 5/6 : li- / ma- (parts of body, fauna, flora,...))
scientific name :
Borassus flabellifer L.
palmyra palm
also called toddy palm, or sugar palm, borassus
link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borassus
context : location
The
Pool Malebo, a lake-like widening formed in the lower reaches of the Congo River
also called
Stanley Pool,
Malebo Pool,
Lake Ngobila,
Lake Nkunda
Kin Malebo, name suggestion for the city of Kinshasa because there where so many of these palmtrees
context : theatre
Groupe Kin Malebo, a well known theatre group
ngombo
gombo
scientific name :
Abelmoschus esculentus
the word in lingala is
dongodongo
kingombo or
ngombo in various
bantu languages
okra
dongodongo (ngombo)
©
pvh
dongodongo (ngombo)
©
pvh
sóló,
pl. basolo (class 9/10 (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural invariable from context (or informal/modern ba-))
eggplant (aubergine)
sinda
scientific name :
Cymbopogon citratus
lemon grass
"sinda di mputu" in
kikongo language
A tropical plant, cultivated for its stems or leaves
which taste like lemon, used in cooking, like with roasted chicken.
The dried leaves (
makasa ya sinda) can be brewed into a tea, as is often done in Congo
mondéngé,
pl. mindenge (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
mundenge,
pl. mindenge (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)Kinshasa version
scientific name : Annona muricata --> Soursop, Corossol (corossol with Spikes)
scientific name : Annona reticulata --> Custard Apple, wild sweetsop, bull's heart, ox-heart (corossol without spikes)
scientific name : Annonidium mannii
Corossol, a type of fruit
poilu,
pl. bapoilu (class 9a/10a (2) : - / - (ba-) : plural from context (or informal/modern ba-), not with n-/m-)
scientific name :
Nephelium lappaceum
sort of fruit, closely related to the
lychee
rambutan, hairy lychee
also called
mbuma litchi or
mbuma poilu
mazulu
ocimum basilicum
basil (culinary herb)
mungenge,
pl. mingenge (class 3/4 : mo- (mu-) / mi- : objects)
scientific name :
spondias mombin
yellow mombin or
hog plum
The fruit is ovoid yellow, with the size between a plum and a lemon, covered by a
leathery skin which is wrinkled when dry and containing a thin layer of orange flesh around
a big kernel. The fleash has a sharp somewhat acid taste.
link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondias_mombin