Abbreviations:

Ara = Arabic
Ban = Bantu
Bem = Bemba
Che = Chewa (Chichewa)
Chi = Chinese
Dua = Duala
Eng = English
Eth = Ethiopian
Fan = Fang
Fre = French
Gan = Ganda
Ger = German
Gre = Greek
Heb = Hebrew
Her = Herero
Hin = Hindi
Ita = Italian
Kam = Kamba
Kik = Kikuyu
Kiv = Kivinza
Kon = Konde
Lat = Latin
Lin = Lingala
Lub = Luba (Chiluba)
Mwe = Mwezi (Nyamwezi)
Nko = Nkore
Nya = Nyanja (Kinyanja)
PBan = Proto=Bantu
Per = Persian
Por = Portuguese
Run = Rundi (Kirundi)
Rwa = Rwanda (Kinyarwanda)
San = Sango
Sho = Shona
Skt = Sanskrit
Sot = Sotho
SSot = Southern Sotho
Suk = Sukuma
Tam= Tamil
Tsw = Tswana (Setswana)
Tur = Turkish
Umb = Umbundu
Ven = Venda
Xho = Xhosa
Zul = Zulu
Notes:
Nya (Kinyanja) is the same as Che (Chichewa) unless indicated separately
Sot (Sotho) is Northern Sotho unless indicated otherwise;
Tsw (Tswana) is the same as Sotho unless indicated separately;
Xho (Xhosa) is the same as Zul (Zulu) unless indicated separately
A
adui [from Ara cadw] = enemy Tam= Adadhar=Enemy
afa [from Ara afa] = calamity Tam= Avam= Calamity
afyuni [from Ara afyun from Gre opion] = opium Tam=Abini/Avini= opium
agana [Gan lagaana, Mwe lagana, from PBan *dagaan=] = agree v.
Tam=Agum=OK/agreeable
agiza [Gan lagira, from PBan *dagid=] = order, direct, admonish v. Tam= Anai=Order
ahera [from Ara akhira] = next world Tam=Igam=This world
ahsante [from Ara ahsanta] = well done, bravo Tam=Agum= Done
ajabu [from Ara cajab] = wonder Tam=Ayarchi=astonishment
ake [Benda akwe, Kik ake, Ven we, Zul khe, from Ban] = his Tam=Avan= he
alika [from PBan *daadik=] = invite v. Tam=Alai= Call/invite
amana [from Ara amana] = pledge Tam=Adamanam=pledge
amani [from Ara aman] = peace Tam=Amaidhi=peace
amini [from Ara] = believe v. Tam=Ennu=Consider/ believe
amka [Kik ramuka, from PBan *damuk=] = get up, wake v. Tam=Elugai=get up
anga [see angaa; Zul langa] = sky, light n. Tam=Aagaayam=Sky
angika [from PBan *jangik=] = hang up v. Tam=Thongu= Hanging
anika [Bem anika, Gan anika, Her nyaneka, Kik anika, Kon anika, Lub anika, Mwe
anikila, San yanika, Sot anega, Ven enetshedza, from PBan *janik=] = spread, put out
to dry v. Tam=Anuppu=Send
arifu [from Ara carafa] = inform v. Tam= Arivuruthu= Intimate/inform
c
ashiki [from Ara ashq] = desire Tam= Aasai= desire

B
baa [see balaa] = calamity Tam=Paal= calamity
baba [Kik baba, Mwe vava, Sho baba, Ven baba, Zul baba, from PBan *baba] = father
Tam= Appa= father
badala [from Ara badal] = substitute Tam=Badhil= substitute
bahari [from Ara bahr] = sea Tam= Pavvam= sea
bakuli [Kik mbakuri, Mwe ibakuli, Rwa bakure] = bowl, dish, basin Tam=Pathiram=
bowl
balaa [from Ara bala] = calamity Tam=Paal= calamity
balehe [from Ara balagha] = reach (puberty) v. Tam= Paruvam== puberty
banda [Kik kibanda from Gre mandra from Skt manda] = shed, barn Tam=
Mandi=barn
bandari [from Ara bandar from Per] = port Tam= Thurai = port
bangi [Kik bangi, Sot patshe, Ven mbanzhe from Hin bhang] = hemp Tam=Pangi=
hemp
baridi [from Ara barid] = cold Telugu= vali= cold
barua [Kik marua, Rwa baruwa, from Ban] = letter, note Tam= vari= letter, note
bata [Bem ibata, Kik mbata, Lin libata, Lub bata, Mwe mbata, Rwa bata from Ban from
Ara bat] = duck Tam= Vathu= duck
batili [from Ara batal] = void adj. Tam/Telugu= vatti= void
bawa [Fan fap, Lub papa, puapua, Rwa baba, Umb vava, Ven lufhafha, from PBan
*papa] = wing Tam=Pakkam= wing
bega [Bem kubeya, Che phewa, Gan bega, Lub veka, Mwe ivega, Nya phewa, from
PBan *bega] = shoulder Tam= Vagu= shoulder
bei [Kik mbei from Ban] = price, cost Tam=Vilai= price, cost
bendera [Che mbendera, Kik mbendera, Rwa bendera from Ban from Por] = flag,
banner Tam= Padagai= flag, banner
bichi [Bem bishi, Kik ithi, Lub bishi, Mwe visi, Rwa bisi, Sho mbishi, Sot lebese, Ven
vhisi, Zul bisi, from PBan *bici] = raw, unripe Tam=Pachai= raw, unripe, Green
biga [Fan vii, from PBan *bega] = pot (earthenware beer=pot) Tam=Pogani= pot
bila [from Ara bila] = without Tam=Illadhu= without
bilauri [Gan rawuli, Kik mbirauri, Lub laudi, Rwa rahuri from Ban from Ara billur from
Gre beryllion] = crystal, glass
bilingani [Che biringanya, Gan biringanya from Ban from Ara badhinjan from Per] =
eggplant Tam=Valuthunangai== eggplant
bivu [Kik iru, Ven vhibva, from PBan *bidu] = ripe
bizari [from Ara bizr] = seed, corn (of pepper etc.) Tam=Vichu= seed
bonde [Rwa bande, Sangu band=, from PBan *banda] = valley
bovu [Bem bola, Kik oru, Lub bola, Mwe vola, from PBan *bod=] = rotten v.
bubu [Mwe mumu, from PBan *bubu] = dumb Tam=Mugai= dumb
bungu [Sot seboko, Ven luvhungu, vungu, Zul bungu, from PBan *bungu] = insect
(boring) Tam=Puchi= Insect
busu [from Ara basa] = kiss v.
bwana [Kik bwana from either Per ban or rather Ara abuna 'our father'] = master
Tam=Mannan= King

C
chache [from PBan *keekee] = few Tam=Socham = few
chana [Kik canura, Lin sanola, from PBan *can=] = comb v.
chandalua [Bem candaluwa, from Ban] = mosquito net
changa [Bem sanga, Dua sanga, Gan sanga, Her hanga, Kon sangana, Lub sangana,
Mwe sanga, Sot hlakanya, Ven tangana, Zul hlangana, hlangabeza, from PBan *cang=]
= collect, assemble v. Tam=Chegari= collect
chanuo [see chana; Kik gicanuro] = comb n. Tam=Cheeppu= comb
chapa [Kik caba from Ban from Hin chap] = print n. Tam=Achu== print
checha [from PBan *ceec=] = cut (into small pieces) v. Tam=chedhi= cut
cheche [Bem lusase, Mwe isasi, Sot hlase, Ven thase, from PBan *cece] = spark
Tam=Chichu=Fire
cheka [Bem seka, Gan seka, Her nyeka, Kik theka, Kon seka, Lin seka, Lub seka, Mwe
seka, Nya seka, Rwa seka, San hekha, Sho seka, Sot sega, Tsw tshega, Ven sea, Zul
hleka, from PBan *cek=] = laugh v. Tam=Chiri= laugh
chekecha [from PBan *cec=] = sift v. Tam=chali= sift v.
chemua [Bem tesemuna, Gan asimula, Sot ethimola, Xho thimla, Zul ethimula, Ven
atsamula, from PBan *tiemud=] = sneeze v. Tam=Thummu= sneeze v.
cheti [from Eng from Hin citthi] = chit, note n. Tam=Cheettu= chit, note
chemka [Gan camuka, Kik camukia, from PBan *camuk=] = boil, bubble
v.Tam=Kumili= boil, bubble
chinja [Bem cinja, Kik thinja, Zul hlinza, from PBan *cenj=] = slaughter v.
choka [Zul shuka, from PBan *cok=] = tire out v. Tam=Chorvu= tire out
chombo [from PBan *jombo] = boat, vessel Tam=Sambaan== boat
chonga [Dua songa, Her honga, Kon songa, from PBan *cong=] = cut (into shape),
carve, pare, sharpen v.Tam=Chedhuku= cut (into shape), carve

D
dai [from Ara daca] = claim Tam=Dayam= claim/right
daima [from Ara daim] = always, constantly, continuing
dhahabu [Gan zabu, Kik thahabu, Mwe zahabu from Ban from Ara dhahab] = gold
Tam= Thamaniyam= gold
dhambi [from Ara dhanb] = sin Tam=Thappu=Wrong

ema [Kikerebe zima, from PBan *juam=] = good v. Tam=Arumai= good

enu [Bem =enu, Lub enu, from PBan *nu] = your Tam=un= your

F
fa [Bem fwa, Gan fwa, Kik kua, Kon fwa, Lin kufa, Lub fua, Mwe fa, Rwa gupfa, San
fwa, Sho fa, Sot hwa, Tsw swa, Umb fa, Ven fa, ifa, Zul fa, from PBan *ku=] = die v.
Tam=Saa= die v
faa [see nafuu] = useful v. Tam=Payan= use n
fahali [from Ara fahl] = stallion, bull Tam=Pullam= bull
farasi [Lin farasa, Gan balasi, Kik mbarathi, Mwe falasi from Ban from Ara faras] =
horse Tam=Pari= horse
fedheha [from Ara fadhiha] = shame Tam= Vetkam= shame
fimbo [from PBan *pimbo] = cane, stick Tam= Pirambu= cane, stick
finya [Zul finyela, from PBan *pini=] = pinch, squeeze v. Tam=Pidhukku=] = pinch,
squeeze
fukia [Bem fukila, Gan oteza, Lub fuka, from PBan *jokid=] = smoke v.
Tam=Pugai= smoke
fundi [see funda; Kik bundi] = craftsman, artisan
fundika [see kifundo; Gan fundika, Kik kundika] = make a knot v. Tam=Mudichu=
knot
fundo [Bem cifundo, Kik ikundo, Mwe igundo, Sot lehuto, Ven pfundo, Zul findo, from
PBan *kundo] = knot Tam=Mudi= knot
fungo [Bem mfungo, from PBan *tungo] = civet Tam= Punugu== civet
futa [Bem futa, Kik hura, Mwe futa, Ven huta, from PBan *kut=] = wipe, scour v.
fuzi [Fan tsil, from PBan *tudi] = shoulder Tam= Puyam= shoulder

G
gereza [Rwa gereza from Por igreja 'church' from Gre ekklesia] = prison Tam=
Chirai= prison

H
hadithi [from Ara hadith] = news, story Tam= Kaditham= news
hawa [from Ara hawa] = desire Tam=Aaval= desire
hewa [from Ara hawa] = air Tam=Aavi = air
hifadhi [from Ara hafidha] = protect v. Tam=Kaappu= protect
huluku [from Ara khalaqa] = create v. Telugu= Kalugu

I
ingi [Bem ingi, Gan nji, Her ingi, Kik ingi, Kon ingi, Lin mingi, Lub ngi, Nko ingi,
Mwe ingi, Rwa nshi, San inji, Sho zhinji, Sot ntsi, Tsw ntsi, Ven nzhi, Xho ninzi, Zul
ningi, from PBan *jingi] = much, many Tam=Innum= much

J
jicho [Bem linso, Che diso, Dua diso, Fan ir, Gan iso, Her eho, Kik ritho, Lin liso, Lub
so, Mwe liso, Rwa jisho, San liho, Sho ziso, Sot leihlo, Umb so, Ven ito, Xho so, Zul
iso, from PBan *jico] = eye Tam=Sakku= eye
joka [see nyoka] = snake Tam=Nagam= snake (Cobra)
joto [see ota] = fire, heat Tam= Chudu= fire, heat
jozi [from Ara jawz from Gre zeugon] = pair Tam=Jodi= pair
jumba [see nyumba] = large house
jumla [from Ara jumla] = sum, total; sentence
juu [Bem mulu, Kik iguru, Lub diulu (peulu), Rwa juru (hejuru), Sot tletlolo, Ven dulu
(tadulu), Zul zulu (phezulu) , from PBan *gudu] = top, sky, upside, above Tam=Uchi=
top, sky, upside

K
kaa [Bem ikala, Che khala, Dua ja, Her kara, Kik ikara, Lin zala, Lub kala, Sho gara,
Sot sala, Umb sala, Ven sala, Zul sala, hlala, from PBan *jikad=] = sit, remain v.
kaa [Lub kala, Mwe mhala, Zul ngala, from PBan *kada] = crab Tam=Kadagam=
crab
kaa [Dua dikala=, Her ekara, Kon ingala=, Lin makala, Lub kala, Mwe makala, Rwa
kara, Sot legala, magala, Ven sala, from PBan *kada] = charcoal, coal, ember,Tamil
=Kari = charcoal, coal
kaanga [Bem kanga, Dua anga, Fan kang, Kik karanga, Kon khasinga, Lin kalanga,
Mwe kalanga, Rwa karanga, Sho kanga, Sot gadika, Ven hadzinga, Zul gazinga, from
PBan *kang= and *kadang=] = fry v. Tam=Kaaychu, Telugu=Kanchu= fry
kabati [Bem kabati, Kik kabati, Lub kapati, Rwa kabati, Zul khabhathi from Ban from
Eng] = cupboard
kabila [Mwe kabila from Ban from Ara] = tribe
kali [Bem kali, Kon khali, San khalala, Sot gale, Ven muhali, Zul khali, from PBan
*kadi] = fierce, sharp, severe Tam=Kadu= fierce, sharp, severe
kamili [from Ara kamil] = perfect Tam=Kam= fulness, perfect
kamua [Gan kamula, from PBan *kamud=] = squeeze v.
kamusi [from Ara qamus from Gre okeanos 'ocean (of words)'] = dictionary
Tam=Kosam= dictionary
kana [Bem kana, Che kana, Her kana=, Kik kaana, Kon khana, Mwe kana, Rwa hana,
San khana, Sot gana, Ven hana, from PBan *kaan=] = deny, rebuke; refuse v.
Tam=Kandi= deny, rebuke; refuse
karanga [Kik ngaranga, Lin nkalanga, Mwe lukalanga, from PBan *kadanga] =
groundnut Tam=Kadalai= groundnut
karani [Gan kalani, Kik karani] = clerk Tam=Karanam= clerk
kasuku [Kik gathuku, from PBan *cuku] = parrot Tam=Sugam= parrot
kata [Lin kata from Ban from Ara qataca] = cut Tam=Kathiri= cut
kati [Bem kati, Gan wakati, Her opokati, Kik gatagati, Kon phakhathi, Lin kati, Mwe
mgati, Rwa hagati, Sho mukati, Sot bogare, Tsw gare, bogare, Ven vhukati, Zul
phakathi, from PBan *kati] = middle Tam=Idai= middle
kicheko [see cheka; Bem nseko, Kik mitheko, Ven maseo, tsetshwa] = laughter,
Tam=Kekkali= laughter
kichwa [Bem mutwe, Che mutu, Fan lo, Gan twe, Kik mutwe, Lub twe, Nko omutwe,
Mwe mtwe, Rwa twe, from PBan *tue] = head Tam=Uchi= head
kidevu [Bem kalefulefu, mwefu, Dua maselu, Gan levu, Her oruyezu, Kik kireru, Kon
indefu, Lin ndefu, Mwe kilezu, Sho kidevu, Sot seledu (leledu), Ven tshitefu, Zul levu,
devu, from PBan *dedu] = chin Tam= kavul= chin
kidole [?] = finger, toe Tam=viral= finger
kidonda [Bem cilonda, Kik kironda, Mwe ilonda, Ven tshilonda, Zul londa, from PBan
*donda] = wound, ulcer, sore; pain Tam=Pun, Telugu=Pundu= wound
kikombe [see kombe] = cup
kikosi [see kosi] = troop
kila [Bem cila, Mwe kila] = every
kilele [from Ara qulla] = peak, tip
kilemba [Kik kiremba, Lin elamba, Ven tshilemba, from PBan *demba] = turban, cloth
kileo [see lewa] = intoxicant, alcohol
kilima [see mlima; Kik kirima] = hill Tam=Kiri, Sanskrit=Giri= hill
kima [Dua kema, Her onjima, Kik ngima, Umb sima, from PBan *kima] = monkey
Tam=kavi= monkey
kinanda [Bem cinanda, Kik kinanda] = stringed instrument, piano, harp
Tam=Kinnaram= stringed instrument
kinga [Bem cinga, Mwe kinga, from PBan *king=] = bar, obstruct; protect v.
Tam=kavu= protect
kinyo [see nya 'defecate'] = anus Tam=Kudham= anus
kinywa [Bem kanwa, Fan ou, Gan mwa, Kik kanua, Lub mwa, Nko akanwa, Rwa nwa,
from PBan *nua] = mouth Tam=Mugam= mouth
kinywaji [see nywa; Bem cakunwa, Kik unyuo, Ven tshinwiwa] = drink n. Tam=Kudi=
drink v
kiuno [Rwa buno, Ven vunu, mavhunu, Zul bunu, from PBan *buno] = waist, loin
kivuli [see vuli] = shadow
kiwanja [Bem Lubnsa, Kik kiwanja, from PBan *banja] = courtyard, plot (of ground)
kiwele [see mbele] = udder
kiyama [from Ara qiyama] = resurrection
kiyoga [Bem mowa, Che bowa, Lub owa, from PBan *joga] = mushroom
Tam=Naikkudai= mushroom
kobe [Lin nkoba] = tortoise Tam=Kachabam= tortoise
kofi [Bem ikofi, Kik ruhi, Kon ilikhofi, Sot legofe, from PBan *kopi] = palm (of hand)
Tam=Ullangai== palm (of hand
kohoa [Bem kola, Dua osea, Gan kolola, Her korora, Kik korora, Kon khoso=, Lin
kosola, Lub kosola, Mwe kolola, Rwa korora, Sangu kosul=, Sho =kosoro, Sot gohlola,
Umb kusola, Ven hotola, Zul khohlela, from PBan *kocud=] = cough v. Tam=Kakku=
cough
kokoleka [from PBan *kokudik=] = cackle v. Tam=Kekkali= cackle
kombe [see komba; Bem cikombe, Che khombe, Kik gikombe, Kon ingombe, Rwa
kombe, Sot kgopa, Ven khumba, Xho kumba, Zul khombe] = seashell; spoon, bowl,
dish; cup, mug Tam=Kumba= dish; cup, mug
kondoo [from PBan *kondodo] = sheep Tam=Kidaa= sheep
kopo [Bem cikopo, Lub kopo, Mwe igopo, Rwa kopo] = tin, can, mug
Tam=Kuppi= tin, can
koroma [Mwe koloma, from Ban] = snore v. Tam=Kurattai] = snore
korongo [Lub ngulungu, Zul nkolongwane, from PBan *kudungu] = roan antelope
Tam=Kurangam= antelope
korongo [Bem ikolongo, from Ban] = heron, crane Tam=Kurugu= heron, crane
kuku [Bem nkoko, Che nkhuku, Kik nguku, Kon inguku, Lin nsoso, Mwe ngoko, Nya
nkhuku, Rwa koko, San inhuku, Sho huku, Sot kgogo, Tsw kgogo, Ven khuhu, Xho
kuku, Zul khuku, from PBan *kuku] = fowl, hen Tam=Kukkudam== fowl, hen
kulabu [from Ara qullab] = hook Tam=Koluvi= hook
kundi [Kik gakundi] = group Tam=Kulu= group
kundu [from PBan *kondo] = anus Tam=Kundi= anus
kunja [Kik kunja, from PBan *konj=] = fold v. Tam=kuni= fold
kutana [see kuta; Kik korana; Lin kutana] = meet v. Tam=Koodu
kwapa [Bem kwapa, Lub apa, kyapa, Mwe apa, Rwa aha, Sot lehwafa, lekgwafi, Tsw
legwafa, Ven bwapwa, gopwa, Zul khwapha, from PBan *japa and *kapua] = armpit
Tam=kakkam= armpit

L
la [from Ara la] = no Tam=illai= not
laini [from Ara layn] = soft, smooth Tam=melli= soft, smooth
lia [Bem lila, Dua eya, Fan yi, Gan lira, Her rira, Kik rira, Kon lila, Lin lela, Lub dila,
Mwe lila, Rwa rira, San lila, Sot lla, Tsw lela, Umb lila, rira, Ven lila, Zul lila, from
PBan *did=] = weep, cry v. Tam=Alu= weep, cry
lima [Bem lima, Che lima, Gan lima, Her rima, Kik rima, Kon lima, Lub dima, Mwe
lima, San lima, Sho rima, Sot lema, Ven lima, Zul lima, dima, from PBan *dim=] =
plough, cultivate v. Tam=Ulu= plough, cultivate v

M
madhabu [from Ara madhbah; see dhabihu] = altar Tam=Mattu= altar
madhumuni [from Ara madhmun] = sense, content, intent Tam=Madhi= sense, intent
madini [from Ara macdan] = mine; mineral, metal Tam=Maadai= metal
mafunda [see funda; Ven pfunzo, Zul fundiso] = teach, instruct v.
maiti [from Ara mayt] = dead; corpse Tam=madi=die
malaya [Kik maraya] = prostitute Tam=vilayal= prostitute
mali [from Ara mal] = property, wealth Tam=valam= wealth
mama [Lin mama, Sot mma, mme, Umb mame, Ven mme, Xho ma, Zul mame] =
mother Tam=Amma= mother
mauti [from Ara mawt] = death Tam=Madi= death
mavi [Bem mafi, Fan bvi, Kik mai, Lub mvi, Mwe mafi, Rwa byi, Zul thuvi, from PBan
*bii] = excrement, dung Tam=Pee= excrement
maziwa [see ziwa] = milk Tam=payasam= milk
mbingu [see wingu] = sky, heaven Tam=vin= sky, heaven
mboga [see boga; Kik mboga] = vegetable
mbogo [Bem mboo, Kik mbogo, Kon imbogo, Mwe mbogo, Rwa bogo, Sot poo, Tsw
poo, Ven mboho, from PBan *bogo] = buffalo
mboo [Kik uruu, from PBan *bodo] = penis
mbu [Mwe mbu, Sot mobu, Tsw mofu, Zul vi, bu, from PBan *bu] = mosquito
mbungo [Sitho sepo, Ven mmbo, from PBan *bugo] = tsetse
mbuni [see buni] = inventor
mbuyu [see buyu; Kik mabuyu] = baobab
mbuzi [Bem mbushi, Che mbuzi, Dua mbodi, Kik mburi, Lub mbuji, Mwe mbuli, Sho
mbudzi, Sot pudi, Tsw podi, Ven mbudzi, Zul buzi, from PBan *budi] = goat
Tam=Melagam= goat
mchele [Gan cere, Kik mucere, Mwe mchele, Rwa celi] = rice Tam=Sali=Paddy
meli [Kik meri from Ban from Eng] = mail boat; steamer, ship, craft Tam=Kalam=ship
meza [Bem mina, Dua minya, Gan mira, Her nina, Kik meria, Kon mila, Mwe mila, Nya
medza, San mila, Sot metsha, Ven mila, Zul minza, from PBan *mid=] = swallow, gulp
v. Tam=vilungu
meza [Gan meza, Kik metha, Lin mesa, Lub mesa, Mwe meza, Rwa eza from Por mesa
from Lat mensa] = table Tam=mesai
mfu [see fa; Ven mufu] = dead, corpse Tam=Sa=die
mfupa [Bem ifupa, Lin mokuwa, Mwe maguha, Rwa guf(w)a, Sho pfupa, Zul fuphi,
from PBan *kupa] = bone Tam=elumbu,/Telugu=emika= bone
mguu [Bem gulu, Gan gulu, Kik kuguru, Lub kulu, Nko okuguru, Mwe mgulu, Rwa
guru, from PBan *gudu] = leg, foot Tam=Kal= leg, foot
mifugo [see fuga] = cattle Tam=madu=cow, cattle
miliki [from Ara malaka] = rule, possess v. Tam=pali
milki [from Ara mulk] = kingdom, state, country, dominion= rule v.
mithali [from Ara mithal] = example; proverb, parable, fable; problem
Tam=MatTam=word/tale
mkia [Bem mucila, Her omutkhira, Lin mokila, Mwe mkila, Sot mosela, Ven mutshila,
Zul sila, from PBan *kida] = tail Tam=val/valam
mkono [Gan kono, Nko omukono, Mwe mkono, Ven mukonwo, Zul khono, from PBan
*kono] = hand, arm Tam=kai= hand, arm
mlima [Kik kirima, from PBan *dema] = mountain, hill Tam=Malai= mountain,
hill
mnuko [see nuka; Bem bununko, Rwa nuko, Ven munuko] = smell n.Tam=Mugar=
smell
mpunga [Bem mupunge, Mwe mpunga, Ven mupunga, from PBan *punga] = rice
mti [Bem muti, Fan li, Genda ti, Her omuti, Kik muti, Kon uluthi, Lin mwete, Lub zshi,
Mwe mti, Rwa ti, Sho muti, Sot more, Umb ti, Ven muri, nthi, Zul thi, from PBan *ti]
= tree; wood Tam=Maram= tree
mvinyo [Kik mbinyu from Por vinho from Lat vinum] = wine; spirit; whisky
Tam=Pani= wine
mvua [Bem mfula, Dua mbua, Her ombura, Kik mbura, Kon ifula, Lin mbula, Lub vula,
Mwe mbula, Rwa vura, Sho mvura, Sot pula, Tsw pula, Ven mvula, Zul vula, from
PBan *buda] = rain n. Tam=Malai= rain
mvuvi [see vua; Lub luwe] = fisherman Tam=Mukkuvan= fisherman
mwali [Kik mwari, Sot ngwale, from PBan *jadi] = virgin, bride, girl; daughter;
Tam=Magal= virgin, bride, girl; daughter
mwana [Bem mwana, Che mwana, Dua muna, Fan on, Gan wana, Her omuna, Kik
mwana, Kon umwana, Lin mwana, Lub ana, Mwe mwana, Nya mwana, Rwa ana, Sot
ngwana (bjana), Umb mona, Ven nwana, Xho tshana, ntana, Zul ngane, tshana, from
PBan *jana] = child Malayamalm & Tam=Unni= child
mwembe [see embe; Kik mwembe] = mango tree Tam=Ma= mango tree
mwili [Bem mubili, Gan biri, Kik mwiri, Kon umbili, Lub bidi, Mwe muvili, Rwa biri,
San guvili, Sho muviri, Sot mmele, muvhili, Tsw mmele, Zul bili, from PBan *bidi] =
body Tam=meni= body

N
naam [from Ara nacm] = yes Tam=aam= yes
namna [from Per nemune] = example, pattern
nanasi [Kik nanathi from Por ananas] = pineapple
nane [Kik inyanya, Mwe nane, Rwa nani, from PBan *nainai] = eight Tam=En= eight
nanga [Kik nanga from Per langar] = anchor Tam=Nanguram
ndimu [Che ndimu, Gan nnimu, Kik ndimu, Rwa dimu from Por limao] = lime, lemon
Tam=Nimbam
neva [from Eng] = nerve Tam=narambu== nerve
ngamia [Bem ngamiya, Kik ngamira, Rwa gamiya from Egyptian Ara gamal] = camel
Tam=Ottagam= camel
ngano [Bem nganu, Kik ngano, Lub ngano, Rwa gano] = wheat Tam=Godhumai=
wheat
ngano [Her omwano, Kik rugano, Ven ganeo, from PBan *gano] = tale, story
Tam=Kadhai= tale, story
ngazi [Kik ngathi, Lub ngaji] = ladder Telugu=Nichena= ladder
ngao [Kik ngo, Mwe ngavo, from PBan *gabo] = shield Tam=Kedayam= shield
ngombe [Bem ngombe, Kik ngombe, Lin ngombe, Lub ngombe, Mwe mombe, Sho
mombe, Umb ngombe, Ven nombe, from PBan *gombe] = bovine, cow Tam=Ko=
bovine, cow
nia [from Ara nia] = intention Tam=Ninaivu= intention
nidhamu [from Ara nidham] = order, discipline, Tam=Nadavadikkai= order, discipline
ninyi [Ven ni, Zul ni] = you Tam=Nee
nira [from Ara nir] = yoke Tam=Nugam
njema [see ema] = it's good
nne [Bem ne, Dua nei, Gan nnya, Her ne, Kik inya, Kon na, Lin minei, Lub na, Nko na,
Mwe ne, Nya nai, Rwa ne, San na, Sho na, Sot nne, Tsw nne, Ven na, Zul ne, from
PBan *nai] = four, Tam=Nalu= four
nuka [Bem nunka, Her nuka, Kik nunga, Kon nunga, San nunkha, Sot ngka, Ven nukha,
Zul nuka, from PBan *nunk=] = smell, stink v. Tam=Nugar= smell
nuru [from Ara nur] = light Tam=neer= light
nyongo [Kik nyongo, Sot nyooko, Ven nyongwe, Zul nyongo, from PBan *jongo] =
bile, gall
nyoya [Kik guoya, ruoya, Lub oyi, Mwe loya, Rwa oya, Sot boya, Zul oya, from PBan
*joja] = feather, hair, wool Tam=Mayir= hair
nyumba [Che nyumba, Gan nyumba, Kik nyumba, Mwe numba, Nya nyumba, Rwa
nyumba, Sho imba, from PBan *jumba] = house
nywele [Gan viri, Kik njuiri, Lub nywene, Mwe lunele, Zul nwele, from PBan *juede] =
hair Tam=Mayir= hair

O
osha [see oga; Gan oza, Rwa oza] = wash v. Tam=alasu= wash

P
pa [Bem pa, Fan ve, Gan wa, Her pa, Kik ha, Kon pha, Mwe pa, Lub pa, Rwa ha, San
pa, Sho pa, Sot fa, Tsw fa, Ven fha, Zul pha, from PBan *pa] = give v. Tam=Tha=
give
paa [from PBan *pad=] = go up, ascend v. Tam=Po= go
paka [Bem mpaka, Kik mbaka, Nya mphaka, Sot phaga, Ven phaha, Xho paka, Zul
mpaka, from PBan *paka] = cat Tam=Pusai= cat
pekesheni [Kik bigicena from Ban from Eng] = inspection
peleka [from PBan *pedik=] = hand over, send v.
pembe [Lin mpembe, Mwe ipembe, Rwa hembe, from PBan *pembe] = horn, ivory
Tam=Kombu= horn, ivory
penda [Kik enda, Rwa henda, from PBan *pend=] = love, desire v.
Tam=Pandham= love
pendo [see penda; Kik wendo] = love n. Tam=Pandham= love
penzi [see penda] = desire, will n. Tam=Pandham= love
pepea [Her pepa, Sot fefera, Ven fhefha, Zul phepha, from PBan *pep=] = fan v.
pepo [see pepea; Bem mpepo, Kik heho, Kon imbepo, Lin mpepo, San mhepo, Sot
phefo, Ven phepho, Xho phepho] = wind; spirit
pera [Gan ppera, Kik ibera from Por] = guava
peremende [Kik theremende from Ban from Eng] = peppermints, sweets
pesa [Bem ipesa, Kik mbeca from Hin paysa] = money
peta [Bem peta, Her peta, Sot fera, Ven peta, Zul phetha, from PBan *peta] = bend, fold
up v. Tam=madi= fold up
piga [from PBan *piig=] = hit, beat v. Tam=Nokku= hit, beat
pika [Bem ipika, Che phika, Lub ipika, Sho bika, Ven bika, Zul pheka, from PBan
*peka] = cook v. Tam=Pagam] = cook
pili [see mbili] = two; second adj.
pilipili [Bem mpilipili, Kik biribiri, Lin pilipili, Mwe mhilipili, Rwa pilipili, Ven
phiriphiri, Zul pelepele, from PBan *pidipidi from Gre peperi] = pepper
Tam=Pippili= pepper
pinda [Dua inda, Kik hinda, Kon phindanya, Mwe pinda, Sho bhenda, Sot fetola, Zul
phendu, phinda, from PBan *pind=] = bend, plait, fold v. Tam=madi= fold up
pito [see pita] = passage Tam=Pathai= passage
poa [Gan wola, Her pora, Kik hora, Mwe pola, Sot fola, Ven fhola, Zul phola, from
PBan *pod=] = cool v. Tam=pani= cool
popo [Kik ruhuhu] = bat (animal) Tam=Vavvaal/vaaval= bat (animal)
povu [Bem ifulo, Fan vul, Kik muhuyu, Ven mapulo, from PBan *pudu] = foam
Tam=Pem= foam
pua [from PBan *puda] = nose Tam=Mookku= nose
pumzi [Dua vumse, Ven fumula, Xho phumla, Zul phumula, from PBan *puumud=] =
breath Tam=Muchu= breath
pya [Bem pya, Dua pe, Gan piya, Her pe (pya), Kon phya, Lub pia, Nko sya, Rwa shya,
San pya, Sho idzva, Sot swa, fisa (fsa, mpsa), Ven ntswa, Xho tsha, Zul sha, from PBan
*pia] = new

S
safina [from Ara safina] = ship, ark Tam=Kappal= ship
sauti [from Ara sawt] = sound, voice Tam=Satham= sound, voice
sawa [from Ara sawa] = equal Tam=Samam= equal
shindo [Zul sindo, from PBan *kindo] = noise Tam=Sandhdi= noise
shule [Rwa shuri from Ban from Ger Schule from Gre skhole] = school Tam=Salai=
school
siagi [see teleza; Kik thiagi, Ven tshiredzi] = butter Tam=Nei= butter
sindano [Bem lushindano, Kik cindano] = needle Telugu=Sudhi= needle

T
taabu [from Ara tacab] = effort, trouble; distress Tam=Thappu=wrong
tamu [Mwe semu] = sweet Tam=Them= sweet
tangawizi [Kik tangauthi] = ginger Tam=Injiver= ginger
tangi [itangi from Ban from Eng] = tank, container Tam=Thadagam= tank
tausi [from Ara taws from Gre taos] = peacock Tam= Thogai= peacock
tembo [from PBan *tembo] = elephant Tam=Thumbikkai= elephant’s hand
tumbo [Mwe mhumbi, Sho dumbu, Ven thumbu, Zul thumbu, from PBan *tumbo] =
abdomen, stomach Tam=Thoppai
twiga [Kik nduiga, Mwe nhwiga, Rwa twiga, Sho twiza, from PBan *tuiga] = giraffe
Tam=Sivingi= giraffe

U
ua [Bem iluba, Kik ihua, Lub luba, Mwe iuwa, Sho ruva, Sot leloba, Ven dzuvha, Zul
luba, from PBan *duba] = flower Tam=Poo= flower
uchaguzi [see chagua] = election
udevu [see kidevu] = hair (of beard) Mudi= hair
udhi [see adha] = annoy v. Tam=Avadhi=pain, annoy
udugu [see ndugu] = kinship Tam=uravu= kinship
umbo [from umba; Ven luvhumbo] = form, shape n. Tam=uruvam] = form
umbu [from PBan *dumbu] = brother (his), sister (his) Tam=Thambi= brother
usiku [Bem bushiku, Fan lu, Nya usiku, Dua su, Her outuku, Kam utuku, Kik utuku,
Kon uvusiku, Lub fuku, Mwe vuziku, San lusiku, Sho usiku, Sot bosego, Ven vhusiku,
Zul suku, from PBan *tuku] = night n Tam=Nisi = night
uso [Bem menso, Fan si, Kik uthiu, Mwe vushu, Sho uso, Zul so, from PBan *cu] = face
Tam=Munchi= face
uwingu [see wingu] = sky Tam=vin= sky

V
vimba [Bem fimba, Kik imba, Lin vimba, Mwe vimba, Sot vipa, Ven vhimba, zwimba,
Zul vimba, from PBan *bimb=] = swell v. Tam=Veengu= swell
viringana [Bem bulunga, Mwe vilinga, from PBan *biding=] = round v. Tam=Valaivu=
round

W
wali [Mwe wali] = rice Tam=vari= rice
wingi [see ingi; Kik uingi] = plenty, abundance Tam=Miga= plenty
wingu [ from PBan *bingu] = sky, cloud Tam=vin= sky, Megam= cloud

***

Sources:
1. Meinhof, Carl: Grundriss einer Lautlehre der Bantusparchen
(Leipzig, 1899)
2. Schoenbrun, D. L.: Historical Reconstruction &c. (Koeln, 1997)
3. Hoch, M.: Bemba Dictionary (New York, 1998)
4. Barlow, A. R.: Kikuyu Dictionary (Oxford, 2001)
5. Akowuah, T. A.: Lingala Dictionary (New York, 1996)
6. Kriel, T.J.: Popular Northern Sotho Dictionary (Pretoria, 1994)
7. Mawadza, A.: Shona Dictionary (New York, 2000)
8. Moeketsi, R.H.: Southern Sotho Dictionary (Jeppestown, 1998)
9. Perrott, D. V.: Swahili Dictionary (Sevenoaks, 1992)
10. Le Roux, J. C.: Tswana Dictionary (Jeppestown, 1999)
11. Fodor, I.: Introduction to the History of Umbundu (Budapest, 1983)
12. Warmelo, N.J. van: Venda Dictionary (Pretoria, 1989)
13. McLaren, J.: A New Concise Xhosa Dictionary (Cape Town, 1994)
 14. Doke, C M. et al.: Zulu Dictionary (Jo’burg, 1999)
Online resources:
1. CBOLD (Comparative Bantu Online Dictionary)
2. Alpha Dictionary (Nkore, &c.)
3. Chewa Dictionary (Mtenje 2001)
4. Ganda Dictionary (Snoxall 1967)
5. Rwanda Dictionary (Paradis)
6. Sangu Dictionary (Ndaillac 1995)
7. Sukuma Dictionary (Mann 1966)