[dik-shuh-ner-ee] noun - a book containing a selection of the words of a language, giving information about their meanings, pronunciations, etc, expressed in either the same or another language.
Asante: thank you, in Kiswahili.
Bica: the Kiembu word for photograph. Pronounced beesa.
Cassava: starchy root vegetable.
Chapatti: large flat pancake/tortilla. Made with wheat flour.
Choo: toilet in Kiswahili.
Dici: I don't know, in Kiembu. Pronounced Dee-say.
Giciko: spoon, in Kiembu.
Hakuna Matata: no worries, Kiswahili. (Its not just a song from Lion King)
Hakuna Shinda: no problem, Kiswahili.
Jiko: coal stove for cooking.
Kalamu: pen or pencil in Kiembu.
Karibu: welcome, in Kiswahili and Kiembu. Also used to say "you're welcome" ie: Karibu! Asante. Karibu.
Kaviu: means knife in KiEmbu. One of the first words I could remember.
Kenyan Shilling: the Kenyan currency. 60-65 Kenyan shillings are equal to 1 US dollar. Abbreviation: ksh.
Kikombe: cup, in Kiembu.
Kitheri: cooked maize and beans. Staple food of Karago (One of my favorites)
Mai: water in Kiembu.
Mandazi: sweet fried dough. Very delicious!
Matatu: Kenyan public transportation. Typically a 14 passenger van that has a set route but not necessarily set stops. A mix between a taxi and a shuttle. Very crowded!
Mbembe: maize/corn in Kiembu and Kiswahili.
Mbitagwa __: my name is ___, in Kiembu.
Mboko: rabbit, in Kiembu.
Mboco: beans, in Kiembu. Pronounced bosso.
Mburi: goat, in KiEmbu.
Mfuko: bag, in Kiembu.
Musii: home in Kiembu. Pronounced moo-see-ay.
Mwiega: the most common greeting in KiEmbu. Used when speaking to more than one person. "How are you?" Response is Twiega: "I am fine".
Natia: Kiembu greeting.
Ndigo: banana, in Kiembu.
Nemuvau: I am satisfied (full) in Kiembu. A common but futile phrase.
Ngoko: chicken, in Kiembu.
Ngombe: cow, in Kiswahili and Kiembu. Very difficult to pronounce.
Ngui: dog, in Kiembu.
Nyeni: maize and beans mashed. Good for big events when people have to eat out of their hands.
Panga: a machete, a large wide knife used for everything from chopping down sugar cane to scrapping the mud off your shoes.
Suca: sugar in Kiembu and Kiswahili.
Taa: lamp, Kiembu and Kiswahili.
Tafadali: please, in Kiswahili.
Tiga: stop in Kiembu.
Tona na rosio: see you tomorrow, in Kiembu.
Tosha: enough, Kiswahili.
Tuthii: lets go in Kiembu. Pronounced too thee ay.
Ugali: a thick porridge made from maize meal. (bread-like consistency) The staple food in most of the country.
Wimwega: the KiEmbu term used when greeting one person, meaning "How are you?". The response is Nimwega: "I am fine".
Witagwa atia?: what is your name? in kiembu
