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Kikuyu overview

How to say hello, thank you and more in Kikuyu

25 essential Kikuyu phrases with pronunciation written out for English speakers. Everything below is what a beginner actually needs first: greetings, polite words, numbers, family, food, time and getting around. The stressed syllable is in capitals so you can say it out loud without guessing.

Quick answers

Hello

Wĩ mwega

/wee MWEH-ga/

Thank you

Nĩ ngatho

/nee n-GA-tho/

Goodbye

Tigwo na wega

/TEE-gwo na WEH-ga/

Yes

Ĩĩ

/EE-ee/

No

Aca

/A-cha/

Please

Ndagũthaitha

/n-da-goo-THAI-tha/

Welcome

Wamũkĩrwo

/wa-moo-KEE-rwo/

Sorry

Nĩ njũguĩte

/nee n-joo-GOO-ee-teh/

How are you?

Ũhoro waku?

/oo-HO-ro WA-koo/

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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/

Meeting people

Introduce yourself and ask how someone is

  • Rĩĩtwa rĩakwa nĩ AmaraMy name is Amara/REE-twa ree-A-kwa nee a-MA-ra/
  • Wĩĩtagwo atĩa?What is your name?/wee-ee-TA-gwo a-TEE-a/
  • Ũhoro waku?How are you?/oo-HO-ro WA-koo/
  • Ndĩ mwegaI am fine/n-DEE MWEH-ga/
  • MaĩWater/MA-ee/
  • IrioFood/ee-REE-oh/
  • MũrataFriend/moo-RA-ta/
  • NyũmbaHouse/NYOOM-ba/

Counting

Numbers one to five and market basics

  • ĨmweOne/EEM-weh/
  • IgĩrĩTwo/ee-GEE-ree/
  • IthatũThree/ee-tha-TOO/
  • InyaFour/EEN-ya/
  • IthanoFive/ee-tha-NO/
  • NdũnyũMarket/n-DOO-nyoo/
  • MaĩWater/MA-ee/
  • Nĩ shĩlingi cigana?How much is it?/nee shee-LEEN-gee chee-GA-na/
  • MbecaMoney/m-BEH-cha/

Questions people ask about Kikuyu

How do you say "hello" in Kikuyu?

"Hello" in Kikuyu is Wĩ mwega, pronounced /wee MWEH-ga/ (stressed syllables in capitals).

How do you say "thank you" in Kikuyu?

"Thank you" in Kikuyu is Nĩ ngatho, pronounced /nee n-GA-tho/ (stressed syllables in capitals).

How do you say "how are you?" in Kikuyu?

"How are you?" in Kikuyu is Ũhoro waku?, pronounced /oo-HO-ro WA-koo/ (stressed syllables in capitals).

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.

Where is Kikuyu spoken?

Central Kenya — around 8 million. Writing system: Latin alphabet.

Can I learn Kikuyu for free?

Yes. This phrasebook is free to read, and SemaSoma gives you the first three units of the course plus 15 translations a day before anything is paid.

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