kitoko
The Lingala word for beautiful is kitoko.
The word kitoko is versatile and can be used to mean beautiful, good, nice or pleasant depending on the context in which it is used.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective kitoko does not change its form to agree with gender or number.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling a situation kitoko can be used sarcastically to mean the opposite, similar to saying 'just great' in English when something goes wrong.
- In many Congolese contexts, repeating the word as kitoko kitoko acts as an intensifier to mean 'extremely beautiful' or 'wonderful'.
- In Congolese music, especially Rumba, kitoko is a recurring lyrical theme used to evoke a sense of idealized love and longing.
Examples in context
- Moto kitokoA beautiful person
- Likambo kitokoA good thing/matter
- Elamba na yo ezali kitoko.Your dress is beautiful.
- Mwana oyo azali kitoko.This child is beautiful.
- Mboka na biso ezali kitoko.Our country is beautiful.
Example conversation
Grace and Guy are looking at a photo of a landscape.
- GraceTala, mabelé oyo ezali kitoko!Look, this land is beautiful!
- GuyE, kitoko mingi.Yes, very beautiful.
- GraceOlingi koya kotala yango?Do you want to come see it?
- GuyE, nakozala na esengo.Yes, I will be happy.
