isembe
noun
Plural: amasembe
MEANING.
An axe.
Example of use.
• -Kwika isembe, MEANING: To put handle to the axe.
• -Kwikula (or –sokola) isembe, MEANING: To remove handle to the axe.
• -Sambula isembe, MEANING: To forge (renew edge) of axe.
OTHER RELATED WORDS/USES/SOURCES/FUNCTIONS.
We sembe, MEANING: Nickname for male child,
SYNONYM/SIMILAR WORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST
Canka nondo.
FIGURATIVE SPEECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUIAL USE/EXPRESSIONS.
Nil
PROVERBS.
1, Isembe talitwa, icitwa mutima.
Literal translation.
It is not the axe which is sharp, but the heart.
Meaning.
A bad worker always blames his tools.
Bemba Meaning.
Icikosha umuntu ukubomba mulimo kupangwa kwa mutima wakwe. Ifyakubombelako nangu fishingawamisha lelo umwine nga alefwaisha teeti afilwe. Umuntu nga akaana ukubomba ati pantu ifyakubombelako tafiweme ninshi tali fye nabwakubomba.
Similar proverb
Akasembe keekete wiso, bakatasha ukutwa.
2. Akasembe keekete wiso, bakatasha ukutwa.
Literal translation
The child praises his father’s axe for being sharp.
Meaning
Being inexperienced, the son he does not yet realise that it is the father’s skill and labour that makes the axe seem sharper than his own
Bemba Meaning
Shikulu kaluba namwane lintu baletema umwana anaka. Nomba amona bawishi beena babikilepofye ukutema, umwana ati: Tata mpeni isembe lyenu ilitwile elyo ndetemako pantu ilyandi nalifupa. Wishi aeba umwana ati: ‘Akasembe kekete wiso bakatasha ukutwa, isembe talitwa icitwa mutima, makafye mbikilepo pakubomba. Naiwe wine nga wakosa pamulimo kuti walamoneka uwanaka.
Similar proverb
Isembe talitwa, icitwa mutima.
3. Cawamisha, nomulopa kwisembe.
Literal translation
It is very very nice: the blood is dripping from the axe.
Meaning
Applied to hunting or cutting up meat. To say that it is really very nice implies that you actually have it. Don't build castles in the air
Bemba Meaning
Icisuma icakuimwena. Lilya abantu bapwisha umulimo no kumoneka kwamoneka. Babamba inama ili mu citumbi.
4. Icifwaikwa mwifungu, lisembe.
Literal translation
What is sort for under the bed is an axe.
Meaning
There’is a purpose for every action
Bemba Meaning
Mu cupo conse icikalamba cifwaikwamo baana. Icupo cabula umwana nangu abaana kwangalafye. Cimo nokubiika amenshi munongo iyatulika, kuti yasuuma yapwa ilyo uutapile talayabomfya.
5. Mulekele umwaice isembe, nga aikoma alelipoosa.
Literal translation
Let the child play with the axe; when he cuts himself he'll throw it away.
Meaning
Experience is the best teacher.
Bemba Meaning
Umuntu akamusango kamo nga kamutwala mubwafya alakaleka. Nomwaice ngapyapo, alatiina umulilo.
6. Fyonse kweshabesha: wemukashi wandi njipikile sembe, ndye.
Literal translation
Everything is worth trying: wife, cook an axe for me and let me eat it.
Meaning
He who dares wins.
Bemba Meaning
Nga cayansha kano watulukushako elyo wasula. Ukutambafye kwena iyoo.
7. Ico wishibe teeti cikukume, cikupoke amata nesembe.
Literal translation
The thing that you know cannot beat you and take your bow and axe.
Meaning
Forewarned is forearmed.
Bemba Meaning
Nga nawishiba ubwafya, bull kuntanshi, teekuti bwise bukucimfye; kuti waipekanya.
8. Imisontwe sembe taitemwa.
Literal translation
The trees pointed out with an axe will never be cut.
Meaning
It is no use making beautiful plans if they are not carried out. Ifipangwa libili libili taficitika.
Bemba Meaning
Abantu bacindika nokucetekela umuntu mubiye untu ificitwa fyakwe finoneka. Uupangafye ati nkacita ifi nafilya wna nakalya.
9.Impumi nkulu: yalombele isembe.
Literal translation
The elderly face begged for an axe.
Meaning
There was no need for him to express his need in words: his look was sufficient
Bemba Meaning
Emukutiila wipembela mukalamba asuke alombe elyo umupele iyo; iwe kuti wamonafye capala. Kabili calola mu kuti ukucindama kwamukalamba kuti kwalenga abantu ukumfwa ifyo alesosa.
10. Mukome! Mukome! Nikukasembe.
Literal translation
Kill him, kill him!, is done with an axe.
Meaning
It's no good making threats if you can't carry them out
Bemba Meaning
Calola mukutiila teekuti uyange amaka nga taukwete kwa kushintilila.
Similar proverb
Ukupangile nsofu kano uli ne fumo.
11. Tapalabwa mpuma; palabwe sembe.
Literal translation
The honey is never forgotten, the axe is what one leaves behind.
Meaning
When your mind is preoccupied with something it is easy to forget everything else, even important things that you would not normally forget
Bemba Meaning
Ili lishiwi basosa ngo muntu akwampapofye ifyo alungeme, alabilapo ifyo eshile nafyo. Cafumine kumuntu uwapandile ubuci, bwamulafya, asendapo ubuci alabile sembe apo pene; nga mailo akapandila kunshi.
12. Ukulesha sembe, kutangalala.
Literal translation
To avoid cutting yourself with an axe, spread out your legs.
Meaning
Take the necessary precautions when doing a dangerous task. Prevention is better than cure.
Bemba Meaning
Icintu nga wamona calatwala ku bwafya, bangilila ukufumako. Umwanakashi nga wamona alatwala kumilandu, sonsolokamo. Bangilila mulamba talatula. Icintu conse ico ulecita nga wamona ukuti kuti caisakubipila cileke bwangu.
13. Umwana kasembe: nelyo kakukoma, watoola, wakobeka pa kubeya.
Literal translation
The child is like an axe, even though it cuts you, you pick it up and carry it on your shoulder. Meaning
No matter how much trouble your children cause you, never abandon them
Bemba Meaning
E mukutila umwana nangu akucushe wimulekelesha iyoo, suulako, bikapo fye ukumusunga.