ĩra²

adv. · yesterday

yesterday; time adverb referring to the day immediately before today, commonly used in past tense constructions in Gĩkũyũ

Example: "Ira nigwo tũrariĩre omena." — Yesterday we ate fish.

Etymology: Used in past tense constructions to refer to events of yesterday

ira³

v.i. / v.t. · class 2 · v.i. be black

v.i. be black; (of evening) get gradually dark; (of skin) be dark-coloured 2. v.i. menstruate 3. v.i. experience temporary blindness from sudden bright light (kũira maitho = eyes becoming dark/blinded) 4. v.t. scorn, despise, or disdain as inadequate; be dissatisfied with (a gift or similar things); feel stinted of something

Example: disdain, be dissatisfied

n. · class 5/6 · sacred white

sacred white chalk/ite from Mount Kenya (Kĩrĩnyaga), used in rituals such as initiation ceremonies and blessings
2. diatomite; 3. snow

Etymology: The sacred soil represents purity and connection to Ngai who dwells on Kĩrĩnyaga

wĩra — work, task, occupation; gĩtĩrĩ wĩra = it has no use; ruta wĩra = see ruta; hũran
wĩru — ripeness, fermentation; anything intoxicating; a nickname for beer
kĩĩrĩ — a skin complaint of human beings
kĩĩrĩa — a dark spot, dark shadow
mbĩrĩ — star-shaped ornament fashioned from shoulder-blade of animal (worn by young men
mĩĩrĩ — bodies. Bodies. The physical structures of humans or animals; flesh and corporea
rĩĩru — banana; mature yellow fruit of the banana plant, sweet, soft banana that has rea
rũĩrii — (used adv.) out of sight, far and fast
ĩru — knee; una ĩru sit down, make a halt, kneel; turia maru/ndu kneel down
ĩrĩ — see ĩri