Food & Drinks

1. Kule

   Milk

   Usage

   Milk from cattle, an everyday drink

   Grammar Note

   A plural-type noun, used with the verb "aok" (drink)

2. Shai

   Tea

   Usage

   Tea, often taken with milk and sugar

   Grammar Note

   Close to Swahili "chai". Borrowed word; native review recommended. Tea without milk has a separate word

3. Kahawa

   Coffee

   Usage

   For ordering coffee

   Grammar Note

   Swahili "kahawa" is used as it is. A native Maa word was not found. Borrowed word; native review recommended

4. Emukate

   Bread

   Usage

   Means bread, often eaten with tea

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "e-" is written joined to the word; it came from Swahili "mkate". It is also said without the prefix, "mukate". Borrowed word; native review recommended

5. Olmushele

   Rice

   Usage

   Means rice, raw or cooked

   Grammar Note

   Carries the masculine prefix "ol-"

6. Nkiri

   Meat

   Usage

   Means meat for eating

   Grammar Note

   Also said with the plural prefix, "inkiri". In conversation the form "nkiri" is more common

7. Osinkirri

   Fish

   Usage

   Means fish

   Grammar Note

   The general word for fish. The plural form is "isinkir", and "rr" is a trilled r

8. Esukari

   Sugar

   Usage

   Means sugar, for example for tea

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "e-" is written joined to the word. It came from Swahili "sukari". Borrowed word; native review recommended

9. Oloshoro

   Porridge

   Usage

   Means a cooked grain porridge

   Grammar Note

   Carries the masculine prefix "ol-"

10. Kitunguu

    Onion

    Usage

    Means onion. The same word is used for garlic

    Grammar Note

    It came from Swahili and covers both onion and garlic. Borrowed word; native review recommended

11. Olng'anayioi

    Fruit

    Usage

    Means fruit; the general word

    Grammar Note

    Carries the masculine prefix "ol-". It is also spelled "olng'ayioi". The "ng'" is a back-of-the-tongue nasal

12. Shimpi

    Salt

    Usage

    Means salt, for cooking or shopping

    Grammar Note

    The word for salt. Other words for salt exist, but this is the form used in conversation

13. Kayieu nanya endaa

    I want to eat some food

    Usage

    Tells a restaurant or host that you want to eat

    Grammar Note

    "-yieu" (want) + "nanya" (that I eat) + "endaa" (food). Swap in another food word to say what you want. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Kayieu naok enkare

    I want to drink water

    Usage

    Say it when you need water

    Grammar Note

    "-yieu" (want) + "naok" (that I drink) + "enkare" (water). Swap in another drink word. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Kayieu naok kule

    I want to drink milk

    Usage

    Say it when you want milk

    Grammar Note

    "-yieu" (want) + "naok" (that I drink) + "kule" (milk). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Kayieu naok shai

    I want to drink tea

    Usage

    Say it when asking for tea

    Grammar Note

    "-yieu" (want) + "naok" (that I drink) + "shai" (tea). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. Kayieu nanya nkiri

    I want to eat meat

    Usage

    Say it when asking for a meat dish

    Grammar Note

    "-yieu" (want) + "nanya" (that I eat) + "nkiri" (meat). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. Esidai oleng endaa

    The food is very good

    Usage

    Say it to praise a meal you were served

    Grammar Note

    "e-" marks "it" and "sidai" means "good". The verb comes before the subject, and "oleng" strengthens it. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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