Basic Nouns

1. Enkare

   Water

   Usage

   Means water, for drinking or in general. Pointing or miming a drink makes it certain

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun. The prefix is joined to the word and written "enkare"

2. Endaa

   Food

   Usage

   Means food or a meal in general; the core word when you ask whether food is available

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun. The prefix "en-" is written joined to the word

3. Iropiyiani

   Money

   Usage

   Means money, in shopping and payment. It is also the word used when asking a price

   Grammar Note

   The commonest word for money in conversation. "mpisai" is also used. It appears in the price question "Ropiyiani aja?"

4. Tikit

   Ticket

   Usage

   Means a ticket for transport or entry

   Grammar Note

   Taken from English "ticket"; the form "ntikiti" is also heard in conversation. A native word was not found. Borrowed word; native review recommended

5. Passport

   Usage

   The identity document you show at borders and hotels

   Grammar Note

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

6. Esimu

   Telephone

   Usage

   Means a telephone or mobile phone

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "e-" is written joined to the word. People also say just "simu"

7. Sipitali

   Hospital

   Usage

   Means hospital. Use it when you are unwell or asking where the hospital is

   Grammar Note

   Taken from English "hospital". A shorter spelling "spitali" also occurs. Borrowed word; native review recommended

8. Osikari

   Police officer

   Usage

   Means a police officer; the plural is "isikarin". The person to turn to when you need help

   Grammar Note

   A noun with the prefix "o-"; the plural is "isikarin". The loan "polisi" is also heard, but this native word is the one used here

9. Olduka

   Shop

   Usage

   Means a small shop, the place you go to buy things

   Grammar Note

   Carries the masculine prefix "ol-". It came from Swahili "duka". Borrowed word; native review recommended

10. Olbaribara

    Road

    Usage

    Means a road used by vehicles and people

    Grammar Note

    Carries the masculine prefix "ol-". It is also spelled "olbarabara". It came from Swahili "barabara". Borrowed word; native review recommended

11. Olmarei

    Family

    Usage

    Means the family of a household

    Grammar Note

    Carries the masculine prefix "ol-"

12. Enkarna

    Name

    Usage

    Means the name of a person or place; the key word when asking a name

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. "Your name" takes the feminine possessive: "enkarna ino"

13. Elukunya

    Head

    Usage

    Means the head, useful for saying where it hurts

    Grammar Note

    A noun whose prefix "e-" is written joined to the word

14. Enkong'u

    Eye

    Usage

    Means the eye; the plural is "inkonyek"

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun whose plural changes the stem to "inkonyek". The "ng'" is a back-of-the-tongue nasal

15. Olalai

    Tooth

    Usage

    Means a tooth; the plural is "ilala"

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun with the plural "ilala". The prefix "ol-" is written joined to the word

16. Enkoshoke

    Stomach, belly

    Usage

    Means the stomach or belly, useful for saying you have a stomachache

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. There are several other words for the stomach; this is the most commonly used one

17. Enkoriong'

    Back

    Usage

    Means the back of the body, useful for saying your back hurts

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. The "ng'" is a back-of-the-tongue nasal; keep the apostrophe at the end

18. Enkeju

    Leg

    Usage

    Means the leg, from the hip to the toes

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. It covers the leg from hip to toes

19. Enkaina

    Hand, arm

    Usage

    Means the arm and hand together, from shoulder to fingertips

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. Hand and arm are not separated; it covers shoulder to fingers

20. Olgoo

    Chest

    Usage

    Means the chest, of a man or a woman

    Grammar Note

    Carries the masculine prefix "ol-"

21. Hoteli

    Hotel

    Usage

    Means a place to stay for the night

    Grammar Note

    Taken from Swahili and English and used as it is in conversation. Borrowed word; native review recommended

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