Oshikwanyama Words & Phrases

Explore 159 Oshikwanyama words and phrases with English meanings. Search by topic, practise flashcards and review words with NAMQULA.

Oshikwanyama is a Bantu language variety within Oshiwambo, spoken across northern Namibia and southern Angola. It is closely related to Oshindonga, but has its own written standard, vocabulary and grammatical patterns. It connects families across the international border and is used in conversation, education, broadcasting and literature.

Explore vocabulary

Wa lele po?: Good morning
Wa uhala po?: Good afternoon
Wa tokelwa po?: Good evening
Ongaipi: Hello (informal)
Enda po nawa: Go well
Kala po nawa: Stay well
Ka nangale po nawa: Sleep well (someone leaving for bed)
Nangala po nawa: Sleep well (someone you are leaving)
Eewa: OK
Nawa: Good
Ongula: Morning
Omutenya: Afternoon (mid-day heat)
Komatango: Afternoon (late afternoon)
Onguloshi: Evening
Oufiku: Night
Ame: I
Ove: You (singular)
Ye: He / she
Fye: We
Nye: You (plural)
Vo: They
Imwe: One
Mbali: Two
Nhatu: Three
Nhee: Four
Nhano: Five
Hamano: Six
Heyali: Seven
Hetatu: Eight
Omuwoi: Nine
Omulongo: Ten
Efele: One hundred
Ombelela: Meat
Ombidi: Cabbage / spinach
Evanda: Dried spinach
Ombelela yongobe: Beef
Oshopa: Soup
Omakoloni: Pasta
Olwiishi: Rice
Omaadi: Oil
Omongwa: Salt
Oukuki: Fat cakes
Oufila: Flour
Osuuka: Sugar
Omahangu: Millet
Omboloto: Bread
Ongema: Jam
Ombuta: Butter
Omakunde: Beans
Otee: Tea
Okofi: Coffee
Onamunate: Cooldrink
Oshikombo: Goat
Oxuxwa: Chicken
Ombwa: Dog
Oshi: Fish
Omhuku: Field mouse
Efuma: Frog
Ombiya: Pot
Oshiyaxa: Bowl / basin
Okayaxa: Plate
Etiti: Traditional clay pot
Olunguto: Spoon
Ofoloka: Fork
Ombele: Knife
Oluko: Cooking stick
Omundilo: Fire
Ediko: Cooking fire
Okapalwa: Match (for lighting a fire)
Okukofa: To sleep
Okulya: To eat
Okwiimba: To sing
Tate: My father
Xo: Your father
Xe: His / her father
Meme: My mother
Ina: His / her mother
Omumwameme: My sibling
Omumwamememati: My brother
Omumwamemekadona: My sister
Omumwanyoko: Your sibling
Okandenge: Younger brother or sister
Okaana: Child
Oshiveli: First-born
Onowele: Middle-born (neither first nor last)
Onghelo: Last-born
Kaume: Friend
Kahewa: Female friend
Omushiinda: Neighbour
Omukulukadi: Wife / woman
Omuvaleki: Fiancé (man)
Omuvalekwa: Fiancée (woman)
Ovakulunhu: Parents
Omunyasha: Young person
Omunini: Younger person (than you)
Omukulunhu: Elder person
Oikutu: Clothes
Okambidja: T-shirt
Ohema: Shirt
Ombulukweva: Trousers
Ombidja: Jersey / sweater
Ofulukweva: Skirt
Oikafino: Socks
Embale: Hat
Omuya: Belt
Otae: Tie
Ovili: Watch
Okamanga: Bra
Ofewa: Soap
Ongodi yoikutu: Clothesline
Oukalamala: Clothespins
Omaandaxa: Monday
Etivali: Tuesday
Etitatu: Wednesday
Etine: Thursday
Etitano: Friday
Olomakaya: Saturday
Oshoondaxa: Sunday
Januali: January
Febululali: February
Maalitsa: March
Apilili: April
Mei: May
Juni: June
Juli: July
Aguste: August
Septemba: September
Kotoba: October
Novomba: November
Desemba: December
Efiku: day
Oshivike: week
Owikenda: weekend
Omwedi: month
Odula: year
Efimbo: time
Omunute: minute
Otundi: hour
Efudo: holiday
Apa: here
Kokule: far
Ombesa: bus
Okambesa: minibus
Kolumosho: to the left
Kolulyo: to the right
Odolopa: town
Ongeleka: church
Opolifi: police station
Opoosa: post office
Ombelewa: office
Omalobota: traffic lights
Opate: road
Ostalata: street
Ondjila: path
Ondjafa: jacket
Eenghaku: shoes
Eetapa: flip-flops
Omakende okomesho: glasses
Oshikangule: iron

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