Ngai akūrathime
The phrase "god bless you" in Kikuyu is Ngai akūrathime.
This phrase is an interjection used when someone has sneezed.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
Ngai means "God" and the verb akūrathime is a form of kūrathima, which means "to bless".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form akūrathime uses a third-person singular subject concord and the subjunctive mood to express a wish or a prayer.
Did you know?
- In Kikuyu culture, the concept of blessing kūrathima is often linked to the physical act of placing a hand on someone's head.
- The word for God, Ngai, is shared with the Maasai word Enkai, suggesting a deep linguistic link between these neighbors.
- In some regions of Kenya, a person might respond to Ngai akūrathime with a simple Asante which is Swahili for 'thank you'.
Examples in context
- Ngai akūrathime.God bless you.
Example conversation
Wanjiku sneezes while talking to Kamau.
- KamauNgai akūrathime!God bless you!
- WanjikuNi wega, Kamau.Thank you, Kamau.
- KamauŪrĩ na thandū?Do you have a cold?
- WanjikuAcio, nĩ kĩndũ kĩu.No, it is just something.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ngai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
