Kikuyu overview

Free Kikuyu starter kit — 25 phrases you can print

A one-page Kikuyu cheat sheet for absolute beginners. Every phrase shows the Kikuyu spelling, what it means, and a respelling with the stressed syllable in capitals so you can say it out loud today. Central Kenyaaround 8 million.

First words

Greet someone and be polite

  • Wĩ mwegaHello/wee MWEH-ga/
  • Nĩ ngathoThank you/nee n-GA-tho/
  • WamũkĩrwoWelcome/wa-moo-KEE-rwo/
  • Tigwo na wegaGoodbye/TEE-gwo na WEH-ga/
  • ĨĩYes/EE-ee/
  • AcaNo/A-cha/
  • NdagũthaithaPlease/n-da-goo-THAI-tha/
  • Nĩ njũguĩteSorry/nee n-joo-GOO-ee-teh/

Free starter kit

Get all 25 Kikuyu phrases

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Is Kikuyu hard to learn?

  • Tone distinguishes words that look identical in writing.
  • Some dialects differ noticeably in vocabulary.
  • Proverbs are used in ordinary conversation, not just in speeches.