This is a basic introduction to short common phrases used in the Kikuyu language that someone will encounter or use at any other time or hear being used. The translation is in the simplest form and grammatically correct, enabling anyone yearning to learn Kikuyu to find it very easy.
Note:
The Kikuyu language, unlike English, doesn’t have gender-defining pronouns such as she or he. Instead, it only identifies the first, second, and third person within a verb.
Níndoka/ ndoka – I have come (first person singular)
Nítuoka/tuoka – we have come (first person plural)
Níwoka – you have come (second person singular)
Nímwoka - you have come (second person plural)
Níoka/oka – he/she has come (third-person singular)
Nímoka/Moka – they have come (third person plural)
In this example, oka is the verb's root, and then on it are person identifiers in either plural or singular. Ní is for emphasis mostly, and many times in spoken form, it is omitted
Having put that emphasis, it is now easy to follow the given short statements and be able to know exactly the meaning. It’s fun and easy to learn.
It’s also good to understand the sounds of the vowels used in Kikuyu.
- a =>like in arm
- e => like in egg
- i => like in in
- o => like in opposite
- u => like in ululation
- í =>like in it
- ú =>like in own/oat/oak/oath/
Practising the sounds beforehand will make learning easy. The two extra vowels are just i and u with apostrophes to indicate the sound difference.
Greetings in Kikuyu
| English | Kikuyu |
|---|---|
| Good evening. (Evening greeting) | Úhoro wa húainí (literally, how is your evening) |
| Good morning. (Morning greeting) | Úhoro wa rúciní (literally, how is your morning) |
| Good afternoon. (Afternoon greeting) | Úhoro wa míaraho (literally, how is your afternoon) |
| How are you? | Úhana atía |
| Reply to how are you: I am fine | ndí mwega |
| How are you today? | Úhana atía úmuthí |
| Response: I am fine | Ndímwega |
| (ndí indicates first person, and mw indicates the type of noun while ega is the root of the verb) | |
| Have a good day. | Gía na múthenya mwega |
| I am doing great. | Ndímwega |
| Hi/Hello. (General greeting) | Úhoro |
| Nice to meet you. | Níndakena ní gúkuona |
| See you soon. | Tuonane ica ikuhí |
| See you later. | Tuonane mahinda mangí |
Kikuyu Love Words and Phrases
| English | Kikuyu |
|---|---|
| I love you. | Níngwendete |
| I miss you. | Ndíriríirie gúkuona |
| Love you so much | Ngwendete múno |
| I want to see you. | Níndírenda gúkuona |
| I love you with all my heart. | Nwendete na ngoro yakwa yothe |
| I love you too. | Onanií níngwendete |
| I want to see you. | Níndírenda gúkuona |
| I like you. | Níndakwenda |
| You are beautiful. | Wí múthaka |
| My love. | Mwendwa wakwa |
| You look beautiful. | Úthakaríte |
| My beautiful wife. | Mútumia wakwa kírorerwa |
| I miss you so much, darling. | Ndírirírie gúkuona mwendwa |
| I need you. | Níngúbataire |
| You will miss me. | Níúkeriríria kúnyona |
| Goodbye, my love. | Mahinda mega mwendwa wakwa |
| See you tomorrow. | Tuonane rúciú |
| I will marry you. | Níngúkúhikia |
| I want some space. | Amba úhe kahinda |
| I need your love. | Níbatairio ní wendo waku |
| You are mine. | Wí wakwa |
Directions in Kikuyu
| English | Kikuyu |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | Wí kú? |
| Reply to where are you: Am in the school playing | Ndí cukuru ngíthaka |
| Where did you go? | Úthire kú? |
| Response: I went to the market for shopping | Nií thiire thoko kúgúra indo |
| Where do you live? | Úikaraga kú? |
| Response: I live in Thika town outskirts | Nií njikaraga nja wa taúni ya Thíka |
| Where are you going? | Wathií kú?/ úrathií kú? |
| Response: I am going for prayers in the church | nií ndathií mahoya kanithainí/ nií ndírathií mahoya kanithainí |
| Where were you? | Warí kú? |
| Response: I was in my room folding clothes | Nií ndarí rumu yakwa ngíkúnja nguo |
Common Questions in Conversations in Gikuyu
| English | Kikuyu |
|---|---|
| How much? | This phrase may take different forms depending on the type of noun used Úigana atía? ( mútu--- flour, ‘’ucúrú---porridge) Maigana atía? (maí---water, mata---saliva, maguta---oil) Ríigana atía? (iria--- milk, ríera----- air, ) Rúigana atia? (ruo --- pain) |
| How are you feeling? | Úraigua atía? |
| Response: I am feeling dizzy | ndíraigua toro |
| How have you been? | Úikaire atía? |
| Response: I have been coping well | ngoretwo ngíigua wega |
| What is your name? | Wítagúo atía?/ wítagúo ú? |
| Response: My name is Maina Kamau | Njítagúo Maina Kamau |
| What are you doing? | Úreka atía?/ úreka kí? |
| Response: I am milking | nígúkama ndírakama |
| What are you cooking/eating? | Uraruga kí/ úraría kí? |
| Response: I am cooking/eating ugali | Ndiraruga ngima/ ndíraría ngima |
| Are you okay, dear? | Wí sawa mwendwa? |
| Response: I am fine darling | ndímwega mwendwa |
| When are you coming? | Úroka rí? |
| Response: I am coming soonest possible | Ndíroka naihenya ota úría kwahoteka |
| How was your night/day? | Warara atia? (night) watinda atía?(day) |
| Response for how was your day?: my day was good/my night was peaceful | ndatinda wega(day)/ndarara an thayú(night) |
| How are you doing? | Úhana atía? |
| Reply to Úhana atía?: I am doing great | ndírí na úúru |
| How is your family? | Uhoro wa nyúmba yaku? |
| Response: My family is alright | Nyúmba yakwa ní njega |
| How was your day? | Múthenya waku úkúhanaga atía? |
| Response: My day has been good | Muthenya wakwa uma mwega |
| What is wrong? | Níkí kíúru? |
| Response: Nothing, all is well | gútirí, maúndú mothe ní mega |
| What do you mean? | Úrenda kuuga atía? |
| Response: That’s how it is | úguo níguo kúrí |
| How's the weather over there? | Ríera ríhana atía kúu? |
| Response: It’s cloudy over here | Kwína matu gúkú |
| Have you gone to church? | Níuthiíte kanitha? |
| Response: Already on my way | ndi njíra ngíthií |
| What is this? | Níkí gíkí? |
| Response: it’s a new year gift for you | ní kíheo gíaku kía mwaka mwerú |
| What's going on? | Níkí kírathií n mbere? |
| Response: policemen are chasing a thief | borithi marateng’eria múici |
| Are you listening? | Níúrathikíríria? |
| Response : yes I am | íí níndírathikíríria |
| Have you heard? | Níwaigua? |
| Response: No, please repeat | Aca cokera ndagúthaitha |
| Can I go home? | No nyinúke? |
| Response: Yes, you may go | íí noúinúke |
| Can I ask something? | No njúrie úndú? |
| Response: wait a moment | eterera hanini |
| How is everything? | Maúndú mahana atía? |
| Response: it’s alright, apart from the power that was disconnected | mothe ní mega tiga thitima irengirwo |
| What’s your phone number? | Namba yaku ya thimú níríkú? |
| Response: zero one two four four nine six | kíbúgú ímwe igírí inya inya kenda ithathatú |
Everyday Conversations
| English | Kikuyu |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | múthenya mwega wa gúciarúo |
| Thank you | ní wega |
| I am sorry | níndahera |
| You are welcome. | Wí múnyite úgeni |
| Me too! | onanií |
| God bless you. | Ngai akúrathime |
| May god protect you. | Ngai arokúgitíra |
| She is happy. | Ní múkenu |
| Please help me. | Ndagúthaitha ndeithia |
| I don't know. | Ndiúí |
| I will come tomorrow. | Níngoka rúciú |
| Come here! | Úka haha! |
| Feel at home. | Wíigue wí múcií |
| Be blessed. | Rathimwo |
| I am coming soon. | Níndíroka o naihenya |
| Excuse me. | Tebu/ ebu |
| Leave me alone. | Tigana nanií |
| It is okay. | Nowega |
| I am going home. | Níkúinúka ndírainúka |
| I don't want. | Ndirenda |
| Love is a beautiful thing. | Nínyendete kíndu gíthaka |
| Let me try. | Reke ngerie |
| Welcome home. | Karibu múcií |
| I reached home safely. | Ndakinyire múcií owega |
| God is good. | Ngai ní mwega |
| I don't understand. | Ndiranyita |
| We are happy to see you. | Nítwakena ní gúkuona |
| I have it. | Níndakíenda/ níndenda úndú úcio |
| Rest in peace. | Koma thayú |
| I don't have money. | Ndirí na mbeca/mbia |
| I am done. | Nindaríkia |
| I am going to the shop. | Ndathií nduka |
| Happy new year. | Mwaka mwerú mwega |
| Bad manners. | Mítugo míúru |
| Stop using your phone. | Tiga kúhúthíra thimú yaku |
| I need a favour, please. | Ndírenda undeithie |
| I haven’t seen you for ages. | Ngwíriga tene |
| Great to see you again. | Níúndú múnene gúkuona ríngí |
| I really appreciate it. | Níndakenio níkío |
| You made my day. | Niwanjaka úmúthí |
| No problem. | Hatírí na thína |
What next?
This is just the beginning. You have to practice constantly to learn a new language, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The best trick is to master at least five Kikuyu words daily from the Kikuyu dictionary.
You can also improve your vocabulary by reading Kikuyu stories. Read the story of a Gikuyu Folklore, Múturi úgutura, written in Kikuyu and an English equivalent for reference.
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