Human physical description vocabulary in Luchazi

Luchazi Vocabulary: Describing Human Physical Appearance

Human physical traits are the observable features that define us. Because appearance varies so widely from person to person, the Luchazi language has specific terms to describe everything from height and build to unique facial expressions.

Below is a guide to common Luchazi words and phrases used to describe the human form and its characteristics.

General human identity terms in Luchazi to English

1. Muntu = person, human being, individual.
2. Vantu (plural) = people, human race, or mankind.
3. Vuntu = humanity.
4. Vantu va ku lifungasiana = People of mixed heritage/background.
5. Yala = male; man.
6. Vamala (plural) = men; males.
7. Mpuevo = female; woman.
8. Vampuevo = females; women.

Describing Aesthetics & Beauty in Luchazi to English

1. Lelema = attractive, appealing, or beautiful.
2. Vatantuluke vua vuviuke = the perfection of beauty.
3. Futumana = unattractive or plain.
4. Fulumana = unpleasant to sight.
5. Hingama = unattractive or unappealing to look at; ugly looking.
6. Mazulu a ku lipasa = a flat nose.

Physical Condition & Form in Luchazi to English

1. Cipenga = blemish; impairment; defect.
2. Mitambela ya muvila = parts of the body.

Expressions and Actions in Luchazi to English

1. Menia = smile.
2. Timpulukila = wink.
3. Kavukiela = winks.
4. Kavukiela na liso = winks the eye or winks with the eye.
5. Tingumuna meso = stare.

Luchazi proverb: Ua viuka ngoco; ue ku nia (He is physically beautiful; he defecates like anybody else).

Vulanguluisi: Vutuhu ue ku lisolola ngue ikeye muntu ueka cipue ngue ua hiana seho, hanga ua pua muntu ngoco.

Ku Hetesa: Mu ku hiana seho, muntu na pande ku solola via muntima kati lika via hambandza.

Hairstyles and haircuts in Luchazi to English

1. Mafutika = long cornrows.
2. Minkuni = bantu knots (others call them vikuti).
3. Mambonge = cornrows (others call them mukule).
4. Mankundi
5. Matombi =
6. Mihanga =
7. Njombi = bibo or mohawk.
8. Katenga ka ndulo = table cut or high top.
9. Kakongo = potato cut or bald.
10. Mukua mbindzi= hairdresser.
11. Vinda = plait or braid hair.
12. Zinkambu = hair.
13. Teula = shave.
14. Muezi = beard.
15. Vuele = grey hair.
16. Livula = bald head.
17. Luandia = bald above the forehead or partly lacking hair.

Skin tone terms in Luchazi to English

1. Muntu mulava = black person.
2. Vantu valava = black people.
3. Kazivale = black person.
4. Tuzivale = black people.
5. Muntu mu tila = brown or light skinned person.
6. Cindele = white person especially European.
7. Vindele (plural) = white people or Europeans.
8. Civuvu = albino.
9. Kasekele = light or brown skinned person; copper coloured skinned person.

Ku lava kati ku pola; ku tila kati ku viuka (to be dark skinned is not rottenness; to be brown skinned is not beautifulness).

Height terms in Luchazi to English 

1. Citso = stature.
2. Citalamo = stature.
3. Vukama ku citso = big in stature.
4. Muntu ua citso ca kama = a person of great stature.
5. Muntu ua citalamo ca kama = a person of great stature.
6. Ku-tuntuka = height.
7. Muntu ua laha = a tall person.
8. Muntu ua kama = big person.
9. Cikisikisi or Likisikisi = giant.
10. Muntu ua muihi = short person.
11. Mukua ku cimba = dwarf; midget.

Luchazi proverb: Ku laha ca ngoco; ku tumbuka, mana (Tallness is meaningless; to jump, is good common sense).

Vulanguluisi: Vamo va komoka ku hindala ca muntu vunoni eci ka cesi na seho ya kama vunoni uze a li na mana ikeye ua vezika.

Ku Hetesa: Kati u tale ku viuma via hambandza muomu vi hasa ku onga.

Body disability terms in Luchazi to English

1. Vulema = disability; state of being lame.
2. Cilema = a lame person.
3. Vupuputa = blindness.
4. Kapuputa = blind person.
5. Tupuputa (plural) = blind persons.
6. Vupuputua = blindness.
7. Kapuputua = blind person.
8. Tupuputua (plural) = blind persons.
9. Kasindamatuitui = deaf person.
10. Tusindamatuitui (plural) = deaf persons.
11. Ku sinda matuitui = to be deaf.
12. Kaveveve = dumb person.
13. Tuveveve (plural) = dumb persons.
14. Kavuivuivui = poor eyesight.
15. Mukua kalepa = a paralyzed person.
16. Vakua kalepa (plural) = paralyzed persons.
17. Mukua kayekele = a person who uses crutches for walking; crippled person; paralyzed person.
18. Vakua tuyekele (plural) = people who use crutches for walking; crippled or paralyzed persons.
19. Vendukuta = limp.
20. Ku vendukuta = to limp.
21. Mukua ku vendukuta = a person who limps.
22. Vakua ku vendukuta = persons who limps.
23. Mukua ku zika matuitui = a deaf person.
24. Vakua ku zika matuitui = deaf persons.
25. Mukua ndundo = crookback; hunchback.

Body build terms in Luchazi to English

1. Muvila = body.
2. Mivila = bodies.
3. Hokama = thin.
4. Ku hokama = to be thin.
5. Vuhokame = leanness; slimness; slenderness; thinness.
6. Totoka = be thin.
7. Hindala = fat; (of a person or animal) having a large amount of excess flesh.
8. Ku hindala = to put on weight.
9. Vuhindale = fatness; obesity; overweight.
10. Ua kama vundumba = broad chested.

Body postures in Luchazi to English

Luchazi has a very precise vocabulary for how a person carries themselves, whether they are sitting, standing, or showing respect through their posture.

Kneeling and Bowing

1. Tsikama = kneel.
2. Vulika = be on bended knee.
3. Kuvulika = to be on a bended knee.
4. Nongama = bow the head, body or knee; stoop.
5. Vunkundamana = to kneel and bow the head or body simultaneously (often a sign of deep respect).

Sitting and Reclining

1. Tumama = sit down.
2. Niotama = squat.
3. Satela = to recline or lounge.
4. Zendama = to lean against something.
5. Kosa = to lie down.
6. Vulumana = to lie prostrate.

Bending and Stretching

1. Kotama = bend down.
2. Sondama = to swoop or crouch down.
3. Salavala = to stoop (specifically due to old age).
4. Zendama = lean.
5. Tandavala = spread the legs out.
6. Tanganana = spread the legs apart.
7. Tiangununa = opened (of thighs).

Gestures

1. Heteka = to fold (general).
2. Ku heteka mavoko = to fold the arms across the chest.

Human features in Luchazi to English

Biologically, humans consist of two entirely different sexes, male (yala) and female (mpuevo). A person's sex is the first thing we notice when we see another human being. Below are human body features in Luchazi language

1. Mutue = head.
2. Mitue (plural) = heads.
3. Mbanda mutue (mbandamutue) = the top of the head; crown of the head.
4. Cihanga = face.
5. Vihanga (plural) = faces.
6. Luholo = forehead.
7. Maholo (plural) = foreheads.
8. Cipala = forehead.
9. Vipala (plural) = foreheads.
10. Mupala = big forehead.
11. Lituitui = ear.
12. Matuitui (plural) = ears.
13. Mbakutuinga = temple; the flat part of either side of the head between the forehead and the ear.
14. Zimbakutuinga (plural) = temples; the flatten sides of the head between the forehead and the ears.
15. Kanua = mouth.
16. Tunua (plural) = mouths.
17. Litama = cheek.
18. Matama (plural) = cheeks.
19. Lilimi = tongue.
20. Malimi (plural) = tongues.
21. Lizo = tooth.
22. Mazo (plural) = teeth.
23. Cipozi = chin.
24. Vipozi (plural) = chins.
25. Vikenikeni = eyebrows.
26. Nkapeyo = eyebrow.
27. Zinkapeyo = eyebrows.
28. Nkaveyo = eyelash.
29. Zinkaveyo (plural) = eyelashes.
30. Cifuiko ca liso = eyelid.
31. Vifuiko va meso = eyelids.
32. Liso = eye.
33. Meso (plural) = eyes.
34. Lizulu = nose.
35. Mazulu (plural) = noses.
36. Milungu = lips.
37. Ntsingo = neck.
38. Zintsingo = necks.
39. Nkambu = hair.
40. Zinkambu = hairs.
41. Muongo = back.
42. Miongo (plural) = backs.
43. Ntulo = chest.
44. Citsizi = shoulder.
45. Vitsizi (plural) = shoulders.
46. Lihehe = shoulder joint.
47. Mahehe (plural) = shoulder joints.
48. Livele = breast.
49. Mavele (plural) = breasts.
50. Ntulo = teat.
51. Zintulo (plural) = teats.
52. Lizimo = abdominal.
53. Mazimo (plural) = abdominals.
54. Litimpi = navel.
55. Matimpi (plural) = navels.
56. Mbunda = waist.
57. Vonia = Mons.
58. Cinena = groin.
59. Vinena (plural) = groins.
60. Konkola (Kokuela) = elbow.
61. Munkono lia livoko = wrist.
62. Nkondondo = axilla or armpit.
63. Zinkondondo (plural) = armpits.
64. Munie = finger.
65. Minie (plural) = fingers.
66. Cala = fingernail.
67. Viala (plural) = fingernails.
68. Ntumba = hip.
69. Zintumba = Hips.
70. Mukono = leg.
71. Mikono (plural) = legs.
72. Ntungi = thigh.
73. Zintungi (plural) = thighs.
74. Livuli = knee.
75. Mavuli (plural) = knees.
76. Cipunga = the lower part of the leg.
77. Vipunga (plural) = the lower parts of the legs.
78. Kasendengelo = ankle.
79. Tusendengelo (plural) = ankles.
80. Kasapu = calf.
81. Tusapu (plural) = calves.
82. Ciliato = foot.
83. Viliato (plural) = feet.
84. Ciliatelo = sole.
85. Viliatelo (plural) = soles.
86. Ntsintsino = heel.
87. Zintsintsino (plural) = heels.
88. Cimpindakati = torso.
89. Livoko = hand.
90. Mavoko (plural) = hands.
91. Cikamba = palm of the hand.
92. Vikamba (plural) = palms of the hand.
93. Cinietete = thumb.
94. Vinietete (plural) = thumbs.
95. Nkoua = umbilical cord.
96. Matango = space between the legs.
97. Lifu = belly.

Parts of the human head in Luchazi to English

1. Mutue = head.
2. Mitue (plural) = heads.
3. Mbanda mutue (mbandamutue) = the top of the head; crown of the head.
4. Cihanga = face.
5. Vihanga (plural) = faces.
6. Luholo = forehead.
7. Maholo (plural) = foreheads.
8. Cipala = forehead.
9. Vipala (plural) = foreheads.
10. Mupala = big forehead.
11. Lituitui = ear.
12. Matuitui (plural) = ears.
13. Mbakutuinga = temple; the flat part of either side of the head between the forehead and the ear.
14. Zimbakutuinga (plural) = temples; the flatten sides of the head between the forehead and the ears.
15. Kanua = mouth.
16. Tunua (plural) = mouths.
17. Litama = cheek.
18. Matama (plural) = cheeks.
19. Lilimi = tongue.
20. Malimi (plural) = tongues.
21. Lizo = tooth.
22. Mazo (plural) = teeth.
23. Cipozi = chin.
24. Vipozi (plural) = chins.
25. Vikenikeni = eyebrows.
26. Nkapeyo = eyebrow.
27. Zinkapeyo = eyebrows.
28. Nkaveyo = eyelash.
29. Zinkaveyo (plural) = eyelashes.
30. Cifuiko ca liso = eyelid.
31. Vifuiko va meso = eyelids.
32. Liso = eye.
33. Meso (plural) = eyes.
34. Lizulu = nose.
35. Mazulu (plural) = noses.
36. Milungu = lips.
37. Ntsingo = neck.
38. Zintsingo = necks.
39. Nkambu or lunkambu = hair.
40. Zinkambu = hairs.

Parts of the head in Luchazi language 

Features of the human mouth and related words in Luchazi to English

The human mouth is a complex structure of the body which has several key features that facilitate multiple functions such as eating (ku-lia), speaking (ku handeka), and breathing (ku huima). Here are the main features in Lucazi language:

1. Matama = Cheeks. The sides of the mouth that help hold food in place during chewing.
2. Milungu = lips. The soft, moveable structures that form the entrance of the mouth; the outer part of the mouth, which helps in speech and expression.
3. Lilimi = tongue: A muscular organ that aids in tasting, swallowing, and speaking.
4. Ndakulo = palate; the roof of the mouth.
5. Mavuilo = taste buds.
6. Vusisnia = gums (gingiva). The soft tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth, protecting the roots and holding the teeth in place.
7. Kandakuilo = uvula. The small, fleshy projection hanging down from the soft palate.
8. Vuta vua lilimi or kalaka = lingual frenulum. A small fold of tissue that secures the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
9. Handakuilo = nasopharynx.
10. Mazo = teeth. The hard structures used for biting, chewing, and grinding food. Humans typically have 32 teeth. Below is a diagram showing the types and names of teeth in Lucazi language.
11. Ku tekela mazo = gnash teeth.

Types of teeth in Luchazi

Words related to human mouth in Luchazi to English

1. Kanua = mouth.
2. Kakonkolio = Adam's apple.
3. Zimbange = jaws.
4. Sunga = diastema or tooth gap.
5. Muenie = gap where one or more teeth are missing.
6. Lusinga = toothache or tooth decay.
7. Kupukula mazo = teeth fall out.
8. Sentsa mazo = teeth filing; teeth shaving.
9. Suma = bite.
10. Kunjuta = to nibble.
11. Ku mbolokota = to crunch.
12. Takinia = chew.
13. Mina = swallow.
14. Huvila = gulp or suck up.

Shoulder and Arm anatomy in Luchazi to English

1. Citsizi = shoulder.
2. Mu cihuzu = shoulder joint
3. Lihehe = shoulder blade.
4. Konkola = elbow.
5. Mukono or kakono ka livoko = wrist.

Shoulder and arm anatomy in Luchazi

Names of Fingers in Luchazi to English

Please note that the names of fingers in Luchazi may differ from one community to another. Here are the names of fingers in Luchazi:

1. Cinietete = thumb.
2. Muiliko = index finger.
3. Mutunda = middle finger.
4. munie ua tunda = middle finger.
5. Mbamutunda = ring finger.
6. Munie ua tundasiena = ring finger.
7. Kantsongo ka minie = pinky finger.
8. Ua tundile va mu liata = pinky finger.

Names of fingers in Luchazi 

Other related words:

1. Munie = finger.
2. Minie (plural) = fingers.
3. Cala = fingernail.
4. Viala = fingernails.
5. Hala = scratch a part of the body with one's fingernails to relieve itching.
6. Lenga viala = trim fingernails.

Internal Organs in Luchazi to English

The five vital organs in the human body are the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Other organs include the gallbladder, pancreas, and stomach.

1. Vuongo = brain.
2. Mutima = heart.
3. Masapala = lungs.
4. Zintso = kidneys.
5. Lisuli = liver; The liver is a very large glandular organ located in the upper part of the abdomen, mostly on the right.
6. Nianga = gallbladder.
7. Mbelama = pancreas.
8. Lizimo = stomach.
9. Mila = intestines.

Human internal organs in Luchazi language

Other related words:

1. Milivu = throat.
2. Likangalivu = trachea.
3. Matsipa = tendons; ligaments; sinews.
4. Vutsipa = state of having ligaments or tendons or sinews.
5. Mapiliko (plural) = hamstrings; tendons muscles at the back of the thigh or knee; muscles of the posterior thigh.
6. Musisa = ligament.
7. Misisa (plural) = ligaments.
8. Lifu = belly.
9. Lilimi = tongue.
10. Malendzi = saliva.
11. Masu = urine.
12. Kususa = to urinate.
13. Matukuta = sweat.
14. Masozi = tears.
15. Vunangu = eye boogers or goop.
16. Maninga = blood.
17. Vulumuinia = nasal mucus.
18. Ndzivo ya musenge = latrine or toilet.
19. Ku lifuika ku viliato = to relieve oneself.
20. Kuhambuka = to purge or to empty the bowels by evacuation of faeces, to defecate.
21. Kuhitisa = dysentery.
22. Kunia = to defecate.
23. Tuzi = faeces or dung.
24. Konona = clean the anus after defeating.

Luchazi proverb: Ha ku hambukila ka he ku zela masu (Where people defecate there will be no lack of urine).

Vulanguluisi: Omo vantu va li na ku endela hamo kaha umnosi a tula vize via nambata na ku kovela mu musenge mukemo naua vaze venda neni va ka tula viavo na ku mu kava linga va muanie mema.

Ku Hetesa: Ntsimbu yose tu li na cilika ca ku kava umo na mukuavo.

Skeletal system and related words in Luchazi to English

1. Vitsiha = bones.
2. Vitsiha via muvila = skeleton; bones of the body.
3. Cikola = skull.
4. Vikola (plural) = skulls.
5. Mpako ya liso = eye socket.
6. Zimpako zia meso (plural) = eye sockets.
7. Lizo = tooth.
8. Mazo = teeth.
9. Citsiha ca muongo = backbone; spine.
10. Vitsiha via muongo = spinal column.
11. Mpati = rib.
12. Zimpati = ribs.
13. Linunga = joint.
14. Manunga (plural) = joints.
15. Mu cihuzu = shoulder joint
16. Lihehe = shoulder blade.
17. Mahehe (plural) = shoulder blades.
18. Konkola = elbow.
19. Mukono or kakono ka livoko = wrist.
20. Linunga lia ntungi = hip joint.
21. Lilonga = ilium; the large broad bone forming the upper part of each half of the pelvis.
22. Citsiha ca ntungi = thigh bone; femur.
23. Vitsiha via cipunga = the bones of the lower leg; the two bones between the knee and the ankle namely fibula and tibia.
24. Vuse = bone marrow.
25. Civange = jawbone.
26. Vivange (plural) = jawbones.
27. Sengunuka = dislocated.

Skeletal system in Luchazi 

OTHER NOTES.

1. Mutima (Heart): The heart is a powerful muscular pump. Its function is to pump the living stream of blood (maninga) through all parts of the body (muvila), feeding all cells and removing all the waste materials. Five (atanu) litres of blood (maninga) is pumped by the heart (mutima) each minute during exercise.

• Misongo ya mutima (diseases of the heart): Coronary thrombosis (obstruction of coronary arteries), atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and heart attack (this due to insufficient blood to meet the demands of the heart itself).
• What to do: Seek medical help. Those who want to avoid heart trouble should watch their diet carefully and watch their weight. Avoid salty and fatty meals.

2. Masapala (Lungs): The main windpipe of the body is called the trachea (Linkangalivu). It begins just below the voice box, or Adam's apple, and extends down midway into the chest (Mutulo), where it divides into two main branches, one going to the lung, and the other to the right. They are light and spongy in texture. Each lung is capable of a great deal of expansion and can also contract into a very small space.

• Misongo ya ku masapala (common diseases of the lungs): Pneumonia (this is the inflammation of tiny air sacs of the lungs), Bronchitis (inflammation of the windpipes), Bronchial asthma, Tuberculosis, and Cancer.
• What to do: The patient should see a chest doctor.

3. Lizimo (stomach): The stomach is a large, hollow, muscular organ, capable of holding a considerable quantity of food. It has been designed for the purpose of kneading and churning the food, thus aiding in digestion. The amount of gastric juice secreted depends upon a person's appetite.

• Misongo ya muzimo (common diseases of the stomach): Diaphragmatic hernia (this occurs when some part of the stomach has pushed its way through the diaphragm into the chest), indigestion (occurs when the digestive organs cease their operations; it includes conditions as heartburn, belching, gas, abdominal distention, water brash, sour stomach).
• What to do: Seek medical attention. Our stomachs are our downfall. Without realising the harm we are doing, we eat and drink the very things that bring on diseases. Every mouthful of food either builds us up or breaks us down. The choice is ours.

4. Kanua (mouth): The mouth is a constant source of trouble to the rest of the body. It is the gateway through which germs enter and many other things that are harmful find their way in.

5. Lilimi (tongue): The tongue is a thick, muscular organ, capable of assuming a variety of shapes to aid in swallowing. It plays an important part in preparing the food for digestion. Once the food reaches the back of the throat (milivu), it passes quickly through the oesophagus and down into the stomach.

6. Mbelama (pancreas): The pancreas is a large digestive gland in the upper part of the abdomen, behind the stomach. It is the main digestive gland that lies just behind the stomach and is almost encircled by the duodenum. It secrets pancreatic enzyme that breaks down the carbohydrates.

7. Lisuli (liver): The liver is a very large glandular organ located in the upper part of the abdomen, mostly on the right. It is more concerned with the food materials after they have been absorbed into the bloodstream. In the liver, most of them are changed and stored, ready for use when needed in other parts of the body. The liver produces a clear, golden-coloured liquid called bile. This is stored in the gallbladder.

• Misongo ya ku lisuli (common diseases of the liver): Cirrhosis of the liver (this occurs when the liver cells die more rapidly than they can be replaced. Fibrous tissues then move in and take their place), hepatitis, and Jaundice to mention but a few.
• What to do: See a medical doctor. People who have had serious liver trouble are strongly advised to avoid alcohol in any form.

8. Niangua (gallbladder): The gallbladder is a small, muscular bag located on the underside of the liver in the upper right-hand part of the abdomen. This is where the bile becomes more concentrated. This process of concentration changes the colour of the bile from a golden yellow to dark green. The bile has a function for dissolving of fats so that the enzyme lipase, can digest them before their being absorbed. It is also a natural laxative for the intestinal tract. It prevents us from being poisoned by absorbing the products of our digestion including dangerous drugs, and poisons from contaminated air.

Misongo ya ku niangua (common diseases of the gallbladder): Gallbladder (this form when the cholesterol present in the bile becomes too concentrated and then crystallize forming stones).