desire
yemula.
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English-Kalanga Quick Reference Dictionary
Search English headwords and Kalanga equivalents from the draft bilingual dictionary.
Dictionary entries
4719 entries
desires
njemulo.
Suggest a correctiondesist
khawula.
Suggest a correctiondesk
tafula.
Suggest a correctiondespairer
ntobooki.
Suggest a correctiondespise (someone)
deelela (not to respect someone; look down upon).
Suggest a correctiondessert
zwinamunede.
Suggest a correctiondestitute person
n'hayi (Nya.); nshayi (Lil.).
Suggest a correctiondestroy
1. tjinya (as in vandalize). 2. kolomola (as in to demolish). 3. paladza (as in to scatter).
Suggest a correctiondestroyed (be)
tjinyika; kolomoka (as in demolished).
Suggest a correctiondetach
namutshula.
Suggest a correctiondetermined to
zwimisa.
Suggest a correctiondevelop
1. pfumbidza (v., as in economic development). 2. khanda (as in software development).
Suggest a correctiondevelop rash
dzuka.
Suggest a correctiondevice
tjihingiswa; mano (as in plan, method or trick).
Suggest a correctiondevices
zwihingiswa (e.g. electronic equipment).
Suggest a correctiondevil
mbimbi; Satani.
Suggest a correctiondevise means
luka maano.
Suggest a correctiondew
doba; khawa.
Suggest a correctiondial
lidza.
Suggest a correctiondialogue
ndebo.
Suggest a correctiondiaper
napukeni.
Suggest a correctiondiarrhoea (have)
tihhisiwa nentumbu (Nya.); tizhisiwa nentumbu (Lil.).
Suggest a correctiondiary
dayari.
Suggest a correctiondice
dayizi (sing.); madayizi (dice cubes or games).
Suggest a correctiondicing, chopping
tjekelela (cut into small pieces, as of meat in preparation for stewing).
Suggest a correctiondictionary
jenesa mabala.
Suggest a correctiondie
faa; tjinyika (deemed more respectful).
Suggest a correctiondie at
fila.
Suggest a correctiondiesel
dizili.
Suggest a correctiondiffer
siyana mibono.
Suggest a correctiondifferent
poga.
Suggest a correctiondifficult
sima; alt. lema.
Suggest a correctiondifficult (be)
1. -lema (ko- lema: it is difficult; umbuzwo uno- lema: it is a difficult question). 2. -manikanya (e.g. tjino- manikanya; kuno-manikanya).
Suggest a correctiondifficulties
mathatha.
Suggest a correctiondifficulty
bulemo; manikano (see also problem).
Suggest a correctiondig
tsha.
Suggest a correctiondig for
tshila.
Suggest a correctiondig hole
pala.
Suggest a correctiondig out
vukula.
Suggest a correctiondigest
gaya.
Suggest a correctiondigger
ntshi.
Suggest a correctiondigging pick
piki.
Suggest a correctiondigging tool
ntsha.
Suggest a correctiondignity
ntuzi (as in: una ntuzi -he/she has dignity); tjithunzi (coloq.).
Suggest a correctiondilute
tubidza; alt. dzimula.
Suggest a correctiondining room
ng'umba ino dligwa alt. ng'umba yo dlila.
Suggest a correctiondinner
zwodliwa zwe madekwana.
Suggest a correctiondip (type of pesticide)
dibha.
Suggest a correctiondip in water (immerse in a
liquid) bvubika (Nya.); dubika (Lil.).
Suggest a correctiondiptank
dibha.
Suggest a correctiondirect
layila.
Suggest a correctiondirector
n. nlawuli.
Suggest a correctiondirt
hambgwa (Nya.); shambgwa (Lil.).
Suggest a correctiondirt mark
nsilizi.
Suggest a correctiondirt marks
misilizi.
Suggest a correctiondirty
adj. -hambgwa/shambgwa (kuna-, ina-, tjina-, una-hambgwa/shambgwa, as in various objects being dirty).
Suggest a correctiondirty (get)
swumbula.
Suggest a correctiondisabled people
zwilema.
Suggest a correctiondisabled person
tjilema.
Suggest a correctionThis is a draft edition for public comment and correction. Entry wording and dialect labels follow The Bulilima-Mangwe Institute of Technology Comprehensive Bilingual English-TjiKalanga Quick Reference Dictionary (PDF edition). © Ndzimu-unami Emmanuel Moyo 2026.