noko
The Lingala word for uncle is noko.
noko refers to the brother or brother-in-law of someone's parent.
Meaning: brother (or brother-in-law) of someone’s parent (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Kinshasa, people commonly use tata to address their uncles in an informal setting.
Did you know?
- Lingala often uses kinship terms like noko to establish respect and social hierarchy with strangers, even if no biological relation exists.
- The word noko is derived from a verbal root, which suggests that in the history of the language, the concept of an uncle was tied to a specific action or relationship state.
- In certain Congolese social contexts, calling an uncle by his actual name instead of a kinship term like noko can be perceived as a sign of disrespect or poor upbringing.
Examples in context
- Noko na yo azali na kati ya ndako?Is your uncle inside the house?
- Nako kende kotala noko na ngai.I will go to see my uncle.
Example conversation
Marie and Jean are talking about family members.
- MarieJean, noko na yo azali wapi?Jean, where is your uncle?
- JeanNoko na ngai azali na mosala.My uncle is at work.
- MarieNoko na yo azali kolinga mosala?Does your uncle love his work?
- JeanEe, noko na ngai azali na esengo.Yes, my uncle is happy.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries noko, CC BY-SA 4.0.
