Noun

Singular: ulukuni

Pural: inkuni

MEANING1

Firewood.

Example of use

Teeba inkuni, MEANING: To cut or gather fire wood

FIGURATIVESPECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUAL USE/EXPRESSIONS

Bafwa nge inkuni, MEANING:T hey  died in large numbers.

Singular: ulukuni

Pural: inkuni

MEANING 

Firewood.

Example of use

Teeba inkuni, MEANING: To cut or gather fire wood

FIGURATIVESPECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUAL USE/EXPRESSIONS

Bafwa nge nkuni, MEANING: They  died in large numbers.

PROVERBS

 

PROVERB 1

Abaima tabateeba nkuni.

Literal translation

Those who set out on a journey do not gather firewood (for those who stay behind). Dead people do not come back to help you

Meaning

Some things you have to do them on your own. You cannot depend on other people

Bemba Meaning

Umuntu nga afutata ninshi nacipwa. Abafwa tekuti babwele mu kutwafwa.

Similar proverb

Abaya tabateeba inkuni

 

PROVERB 2

Wilafunda lushishi taulateba: ulecenjesha inkuni.

Literal translation

Do not make bark rope before you have cut the bark, lest you warn the tree.

Meaning

Do not be over-joyful about something nice which you are sure will happen, lest it might not happen. Ie Don't count your chickens before they're hatched

Bemba Meaning

Abati icintu nga nawishiba ukuti cikacitika witendekelapo ukucankwa.

Similar proverb

Winyuka mpampa taulafyala, ulecenjesha ifumo

 

PROVERB 3

Umulola mpa usendesha inkuni.

Literal translation

Staring made the firewood disappear (because the owner was too busy staring at something else to keep an eye on it).

Meaning

Pay attention to what you are doing

Meaning Bemba

Icimpwena nga nabakupela incito nangu ifyakusunga, tacawama. Ifipe fyalinga ukuposako amano.

 

 

PROVERB 4

 

Lesa ni kalungu, mwine nkuni na menshi

Literal translation

God is the furnace: the owner of firewood and water.

Meaning

Everything depends on God

Bemba Meaning

Lesa emwine wa fintu fyonse apo fyapela pano caalo na mu muulu mwine.

 

PROVERB 5

 

Apatula nkuni, no twebo

Literal translation

Where the fire comes from, instructions also come.

Meaning

Bemba Meaning

Pa kuteba inkuni ninshi pali icilefwaikwa. Pa nsaka pafuma amano.