A collection of useful phrases in Meru (Kĩmĩĩrũ), a Northeast Bantu language spoken in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties in central Kenya.
Key to abbreviations: sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person), inf = informal, frm = formal.
See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.
| English | Meru (Kĩmĩĩrũ) |
|---|---|
| Welcome | Karĩbũ |
| Hello (General greeting) | Muuga Muua Muaa muno (Hello too - reply to Muua) |
| Hello (on phone) | |
| How are you? | Ũrĩ ũmwea? (sg) Bũrĩ babea? (pl) Natea ũrĩ? Natea kũrĩ? (inf/sg) Natea bũrĩ? (frm/pl) |
| Reply to 'How are you?' | Ndĩ ũmwea |
| Long time no see | Tugukura tutonana Ndigukara ntakwona Tutiirigene Tutiiriga ikwonana |
| What's your name? | Wĩtawa atea? |
| My name is ... | Mbĩtawa ... |
| Where are you from? | |
| I'm from ... | |
| Pleased to meet you | Nibwega kwonana nagwe Ni gikeno kwonana nagwe |
| Good morning (Morning greeting) |
Muua rũkĩrĩ Nureere bwega? (Did you sleep well?) Uguukira bwega (Did you wake up well?) |
| Good afternoon (Afternoon greeting) |
Ntuku yaku nibui? (Is your day going well?) Ntuku yaaku yendereete atia? Muua mũthenya |
| Good evening (Evening greeting) |
Ugutinda Bwega? (How has your day been?) Muua ũgoro |
| Good night | Raara bwega Ingukwendera utuku bubwega Ũtukũ bũbwea |
| Goodbye (Parting phrases) |
Tiwa bwea (stay well) Tigwa bwega Twonane kairi Twonane thaingi |
| Good luck! | |
| Cheers! Good Health! (Toasts used when drinking) |
|
| Have a nice day | |
| Bon appetit / Have a nice meal |
|
| Bon voyage / Have a good journey |
|
| I don't know | Niishi ndesi |
| I understand | |
| I don't understand | Namfura dei ikulolia |
| Please speak more slowly | |
| Please say that again | |
| Please write it down | |
| Do you speak English? | |
| Do you speak Meru?> | |
| Yes, a little (reply to 'Do you speak ...?') |
|
| Do you speak a language other than Meru? |
|
| How do you say ... in Meru? | |
| Excuse me | Shililia |
| How much is this? | ... ni mbeeca igana? Mbesa inga? |
| Sorry | Shililia |
| Please | |
| Thank you | Ni bwea Ibwega Asanti sana Nĩbwega muno |
| Reply to thank you | Igua ung'aniirite |
| Where's the toilet / bathroom? | |
| This gentleman will pay for everything | |
| This lady will pay for everything | |
| Would you like to dance with me? | |
| Do you come here often? | |
| I miss you | Inkumisite Inkwagite |
| I love you | Inkwendete |
| Get well soon | |
| Go away! | |
| Leave me alone! | Shireeya |
| Help! | |
| Fire! | |
| Stop! | |
| Call the police! | |
| Christmas greetings | Gukeenera thigunku ya guciarwa kwa jesu kristo Meri Kirismas |
| New Year greetings | Gukeneera thigunku ya mwanka jumweru Neefitwa mwaka muuya |
| Easter greetings | Ithirwa wina Easter ina gikeno Gukeneera thigunku ya gukua na kuriuka kwa mwonokia Jesu |
| Birthday greetings | Nkethi cia thigunku |
| Congratulations! | |
| One language is never enough | |
| My hovercraft is full of eels |
Hear some Meru phrases
If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.
Information about Meru | Numbers | Phrases | Tower of Babel
Other collections of Meru phrases
https://kimeruonline.co.ke/living-kimeru-dictionary-phrasebook/
https://lughayangu.com/post/common-kimerukirwa-phrases
https://kenyalogue.com/useful-meru-greetings-and-salutations/
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