Noun

Singular: Luswa

MEANING.

Winged white ants

Example of use.

1 Kola inswa, MEANING:  To gather white ants when they come out of the anthill.

2 Mfumu ya nswa, MEANING: The queen of the white ants.

SYNONYM/SIMILAR WORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST.

cibengele.

FIGURATIVE SPEECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUIAL USE/EXPRESSIONS.

Cenjela nga uluswa, MEANING:  To be clever (or quick) as a winged white ant.

PROVERB 1

 Umununko wa nswa, umo.

Literal translation.

All the winged ants share the same scent.

Meaning

All members of the same group share the same reputation for good or ill, whether it is deserved or not. They are all tarred with the same brush

Bemba Meaning.

E kutila umukashana no mukalamba, umubi pa menso no musuma bonse banakashi bamo beene, tabapusana iyo. Bonse balishibo ukupakata abalume babo, nangu abe shani incito yakwe kusunga i?anda. Kanshi wilasabaila auti nalimo nkasanga uwamafuta, uwanona nakalya. 

PROVERB 2

Icona nswa, citula ku mwela.

Literal translation.

That which destroyed the ants, came from the wind.

Meaning

Misfortune can come when least expected

Bemba Meaning.

Ishamo liponafye ukwabulo kulyenekela. Ukukonkelela ifya mu tunwa twa bantu kuti wayonawila, bena bashala.

PROVERB 3

Imikolele ya nswa/nshe, ne miliile.

Literal translation.

The way you gather termites/locusts is the way you eat.

Meaning

Work hard and you will eat well; take it easy and you will go hungry).

Bemba Meaning.

Inshe e Cibemba cakale ukutila makanta. Abati ababombele e bafwiile ukulipilwa; uushibombeleko talingile ukulipilwa.

Similar proverbs

1. Imibombele ne miliile

2. Uwakana ukwela akana no koca.