noun

MEANING

A head of cattle (cow, bull, ox)

Example of use

1. I?ombe iilume, MEANING: A bull.

2. I?ombe iikota or nkota or yanakashi, or na?ombe, MEANING: A cow.

 3  Cisela wa ?ombe. MEANING a short thickset ox

OTHER RELATED WORDS/USE/SOURCES/FUNCTIONS

DIMINUTIVE: Kaombe.

AUGUMENTATIVE: Ciombe.

FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONS/SPEECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUIAL USES

1. Na?ombe, MEANING: A female child, sometimes used when announcing the birth of a baby girl.

SYNONYM/SIMILAR WORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST

Cankampelo.

2. I?ombe yanakashi Meaning: A woman.

Example of use

Bafutile i?ombe yanakashi, MEANING: They gave a woman as a slave (in compensation).

3. Kanda ?ombe MEANING: The last rain in April, the one that retains the footprints of cattle.

4. I?ombe nakati (ba?ombe nakati), MEANING: A person who does not work unless coerced. Also said of a child or woman continually maltreated.

3. I?ombe yefu (i?ombe shefu), MEANING: A docile person.

PROVERBS

1. I?ombe ukuwama ilamba, kuulya.

Literal translation

To have a nice hanging dewlap, cattle must eat.

Meaning

For a person to look healthy and be energetic, they must always eat. That is, for a man to command respect in the community he must be productive in terms of food.

Bemba meaning

Ubucindami bwa muntu kukwata ifyakulya pa ?anda pakuti asunge bwino ulupwa

PROVERB 2. 

I?ombe nkulu ipaya cibinda

Literal translation

The big ox is killed only by its owner.

Meaning

Man has no right to kill another unless he has authority to do it (like a king).

Bemba meaning

Umuntu nangu umo talinga ukwipaya umuntu mubiye ilyo inshiku Leesa umwine amupekanishisha tashilakumana. Leesa umwine wamyeo ekafye ecibinda.

 

PROVERB 3. 

 I?ombe kumfipa (or kwilala), shili nabeene.

Literal translation

There are some oxen in the Mfipa (Lufipa) country (or in the Lala country), but they have their own masters.

Meaning

Knowing that your neighbour has riches does not give you a right to them.

Bemba meaning

Tekuti usubile mu fyuma fyabeene nangu engaba mutemwikwa obe pantu taukwete insambu shakubuulapo icili conse ukwabula ukwipusha nangu fingafula shani.

 

PROVERB  4. 

I?ombe bakama iifyele.

Literal translation

The cow you milk is the one which has given birth.

Meaning

You can only get something from someone who has it

Bemba meaning

Pakulomba icintu nokucetekela ukupeelwa nikuukwete; kumubusu mubiyo kwena kuicushafye.

 

 

PROVERB 5. 

?ombe shuupana mwitanga.

Literal translation

Cattle marry in the same kraal.

Meaning

Marriages should be between members of the same tribe

Bemba meaning

Abana babantu bopanafye apo babela muluko lwabo palupwa, abafyala nabamulupwa lwabakashi impokeleshi 

 

Similar proverb

Akasabi ukunona, kulya akabiye

PROVERB 6. 

Ukuli uobe, tabashitako ?ombe yatulika linso.

Literal translation

Where there is one of your own people, you don't buy a one eyed cow. (You won't be cheated.

Meaning

Your own people will take care of your interests

Bemba meaning

Nga mwakumana nowa ku mwenu mwa banabene, wimulekelesha, mwafweko mufyo ashishibe.