Bala
Verb intransitive and verb transitive
MEANING 1
To begin (the verb immediately following –bala takes the same tense instead of the infinitive mood).
Example of use
1. Abala akaana, MEANING: he or she began by refusing.
2. Kabale abombe imilimo, MEANING: he or she must first begin to work.
3. Ukumbwe ico ushabala aulyapo! MEANING: How can you desire what you have never eatenbefore!
SYNONYM/SIMILARWORD/COMPARE/CONTRAST
-Tala
Pa kubala, to begin with, at first
Pa kabala ntashi, in the beginning
Pa kabala ntashikwali Ishiwi, in the beginning wasthe Word
MEANING 2
To provoke, challenge.
Example of use
Uwabala iwe ninshiabala ine, MEANING: He or she who provokes you, provokes me also.
OTHER RELATED WORDS/USES/SOURCES/FUNCTIONS
DERIVATIVE: mubalo
DERIVATIVE: mbalalubuli
Example of use
Wabale icikali, uyange na maka, MEANING: You havebegun something difficult, be sure you can finish it.
REFLEXIVE: –ibala,to begin of one’s own free will. To provoke without reason.
Example of use
Uyu aba uwaibala,MEANING: That person looks for trouble.
PASSIVE: –balwa
APPLICATIVE: –balila
PASSIVE:–balilwa
Example of use
1. Abanakashi ebalebalilapo kwisa, abaume ba kulekelesha, MEANING: The womenwill come first, the men will come last.
2. –Balila umuntu lubuli, MEANING: To provoke a fight.
3. Nalibalilwa ulubuli, MEANING: I was provoked to a fight
4. Amaka ya mubiyo, ayashibalilwa lubuli, MEANING: The strengthof your companion is not to be provoked (i.e. you should not start a fightsimply because you know your companion is strong).
REFLEXIVE: –Balilolubuli, to throw oneself into a fight
FIGURATIVESPEECH/IDIOMS/PHRASES/COLLOQUIAL USE/EXPRESSIONS
PROVERBS
Nkaya nobe abala icungulo.
Literal translation
“I will go tomorrow” begins the evening before.
Meaning
If you want to succeed, make preparations.
Bemba meaning
Ifyakututukila tafyawama. Kano watalawapekanya bwino, muli fyonse ifyo ulefwaya ukucita
Kubala watangisho musungu, ububa panuma.
Literal translation
First throw the winnowing into the water then the `buba' plant.
Meaning
The fish will come to the surfaceto get the winnowing and will then be poisoned by the buba plant. First entice,and then impose.
Bemba meaning
Ishiwi lisuma lyaishambulu kumuti. Umuntu uo ulefwaya ukufulula kano wamunakilisha ngaapalama.
Similar Proverbs
1. Mubala kalealayafwilisha.
2. Nkaya mailo abalaicungulo
3. Nkaya nobe mubalakale
PROVERB 2
Icikupe mpuku,cibala ku cisu.
Literal translation
He or she who gives you a rat begins with the bladder (a trifle).
Meaning
He who gives a little may give more.
Bemba meaning
Umuntu nga akupeelaakanoono, te mubi, limbi akakupeela ificililepo.
PROVERB 3
Amaka ya mubiyo,tayabalilwa ulubuli
Literal translation
Do not start a fight based on the strength of your friend
Meaning
If you start something big, count mostly on yourself not onthe help others may give you
Bemba meaning
Bane, teeti ubusheulubuli elyo ati umunandi alandwilako, iyoo! Kabili conse icikalamba cintuwatendeka, subilafye mumaka yobe. Mukula mbulu, uyange na maka
Similar Proverbs
1. Amaka ya mubiyo,ayashibalilwa lubuli
2.Umupashi wamubiyo, tawendelwa