ndeko
The Lingala word for brother is ndeko.
While often translated as brother, ndeko is a gender-neutral term used to refer to a sibling, whether they are a brother or a sister.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form, such as brothers or siblings, add the prefix ba- to the word to get bandeko.
Did you know?
- In many Congolese social contexts, calling a stranger ndeko is a common way to show immediate friendliness and kinship.
- The word ndeko was borrowed into Lingala from the Bangi ndeko language.
- The term ndeko can be used to describe a cousin or any distant relative, reflecting a cultural emphasis on the extended family unit over the nuclear family.
Examples in context
- Ndeko na yo azali wapi?Where is your brother?
- Ndeko na ngai azali malamu.My brother is doing well.
Example conversation
Marie introduces her sibling to Jean.
- MarieJean, tala ndeko na ngai.Jean, look at my brother.
- JeanMbote, ndeko na Marie.Hello, Marie's brother.
- MarieAzali ndeko na ngai ya moke.He is my little brother.
- JeanAzali kitoko mingi.He is very handsome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries ndeko, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ndeko, CC BY-SA 4.0.
