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English to Kikuyu translation

Type a sentence, get it in Kikuyu with a respelling that shows you which syllable to stress. Fifteen translations a day are free and you do not need an account to start.

English to Kikuyu: everyday phrases

Common phrases from the Kikuyu course, each with a respelling — capitals mark the stressed syllable.

  • HelloWĩ mwega
    Hello/wee MWEH-ga/
  • Thank youNĩ ngatho
    Thank you/nee n-GA-tho/
  • WelcomeWamũkĩrwo
    Welcome/wa-moo-KEE-rwo/
  • GoodbyeTigwo na wega
    Goodbye/TEE-gwo na WEH-ga/
  • YesĨĩ
    Yes/EE-ee/
  • NoAca
    No/A-cha/
  • PleaseNdagũthaitha
    Please/n-da-goo-THAI-tha/
  • SorryNĩ njũguĩte
    Sorry/nee n-joo-GOO-ee-teh/
  • My name is AmaraRĩĩtwa rĩakwa nĩ Amara
    My name is Amara/REE-twa ree-A-kwa nee a-MA-ra/
  • What is your name?Wĩĩtagwo atĩa?
    What is your name?/wee-ee-TA-gwo a-TEE-a/
  • How are you?Ũhoro waku?
    How are you?/oo-HO-ro WA-koo/
  • I am fineNdĩ mwega
    I am fine/n-DEE MWEH-ga/
  • WaterMaĩ
    Water/MA-ee/
  • FoodIrio
    Food/ee-REE-oh/
  • FriendMũrata
    Friend/moo-RA-ta/
  • HouseNyũmba
    House/NYOOM-ba/
  • OneĨmwe
    One/EEM-weh/
  • TwoIgĩrĩ
    Two/ee-GEE-ree/
  • ThreeIthatũ
    Three/ee-tha-TOO/
  • FourInya
    Four/EEN-ya/
  • FiveIthano
    Five/ee-tha-NO/
  • MarketNdũnyũ
    Market/n-DOO-nyoo/
  • WaterMaĩ
    Water/MA-ee/
  • How much is it?Nĩ shĩlingi cigana?
    How much is it?/nee shee-LEEN-gee chee-GA-na/
  • MoneyMbeca
    Money/m-BEH-cha/

What to know before you translate

About Kikuyu

Central Kenyaaround 8 million. Writing system: Latin alphabet.

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

How accurate is it?

Translations are produced by an AI model, so treat long or legal text as a draft and check it with a speaker. Short everyday sentences — greetings, directions, family talk — are where it is strongest, and the pronunciation guide is written for English readers. Lesson audio is AI pronunciation audio, not a recording of a native speaker.