Embu, also known as Kîembu, is a Bantu language of Kenya. It is spoken by the Embu people, also known as the (Aembu) (sg. Muembu). Speakers of the Embu language can also be found in neighboring districts/counties and in the diaspora.
The language is closely related to the Kikuyu, Kimeru and Kamba languages.
Dialects Embu has two known dialects; Mbeere (Mbere, Kimbeere) and Embu proper. Native Embu speakers can also tell apart a speaker from areas close to Mount Kenya, because they speak with a slight dialect locally called Kiruguru (Kirũgũrũ).
Vocabuary Sample translations of words from English to Kiembu. Note: Accented characters or diacritical mark are not shown in the following two tables. EnglishKiembumouthkanyuaeye; eyesritho; methohead; headskiongo; ciongohairnjuiri (no plural)tooth; teethigego; magegotongue; tonguesrurimi; iriminose; nosesinyiuru; manyiuruear; earsgutu; matuneck; necksngingo (no plural)hand; handsnjara (no plural) throat; throatsmumero; mimerobreast; breastsnyondoarm; arms kivi;iviclaw; clawsngunyunail; nailsngunyuleg; legskuguru; magurufoot; feetkuguru; maguru or gitende; itendebuttock; buttocksitina; matinabelly, stomachnda, ivunavelikonyeintestines marabloodnthakameurinemathugumobone; bonesivindi; mavindiskinngothiwing; wingsithagu; mathagufeather; feathersivuta; mavutaschoolcukuruchurchkanithahorn; hornsruvia; ivia, mviatail; tailsmukia; mikiahuman being(s)/person(s)mundu; anduman; menmundu murume; andu arumewoman; womenmutumia; atumia or mundu muka; andu akahusband; husbandsmuthuri; athurichild; childrenmwana; ciananame; namesriitwa; mariitwaskymatu/igurunightutukumoonmwerisunriuawindruvuvocloud; cloudsitu; matudewimerainmburagroundnthisandmuthangapath/roadgacira/njirawatermanji or maistream/riverkarunji/runjisweatnthithinahill/mountainkarima/kirimahouse; housesnyombafiremwakifirewoodruku (singular); nguu (plural)smokendogoashmuuknife; kniveskaviu; tuviurope; ropesmukanda; mikandaspear; spearsitumu; matumuwarmbaaraanimal; animalsnyamumeatnyamadog; dogsnguielephant; elephantsnjogugoat; goatsmburibird; birdsgiconi; iconitortoisengurusnakenjokafishnthamakilouse; licemuthui; mithuiegg; eggsitumbi; matumbitree; treesmuti; mitibarkikoni
EnglishKiembulake/sea/ocean irialakes/seas/oceansmarialeaf; leavesithangu; mathanguroot; rootsmuri; mirisaltcumbioil/fatmagutahunger(general) ng’araguhunger for meat ngumbairon (metal)cumaoneImwetwoIgirithreeIthatufourInyafiveIthanosixIthathatu or IthanthatusevenMugwanjaeightInyanyanineKendatenIkumicomeukasendtumawalkthiifallgualeaveumaflygurukapouritururastrikeringabiteruma to strike kugomawash (tr.)thambiasplitaturagivevastealiiasqueezevivinyacultivaterimabury (tr.)thikaburn (tr.)viviaeatriadrinknyuavomit Itavikavomit IImatavikosuck Iongasuck IIongaspit (saliva)tuablow (on)vuvaswellimbagive birthciaradiekuakilluragapushtindikapullguciasinginaplay (game)thaakabe afraiditigirewantendasayugasmell (something) nungiraseeonashowoniaheariguaknowmenyacounttaraadviceutaroadvisetaara
Sample phrases EnglishKiembuGĩkũyũKiswahili or or or or or or or or or or or or or
References