a- (ka/bu) small dog; puppy, kuba kabwa na ngo, to be hostile to one another, be like cats and dogs together, lit. to be dog and leopard, cf. lembwa.

e- (n/n) dog. Yadduka za mbwa. He ran very fast. Ekika ky'Embwa, the Dog Clan, kusanga mbwa, to have miserable luck; to go on a trip and fail in one's objective, lit. to meet a dog (on the way, a bad omen), cf. obubwa, akabwa, ^olubwa, Wambwa.

it., akabwa, akabulugu, embwansole.

hearten; cheer; give reassurance to. Kabwa kabbi kagumya mugongo. (prov.) A thieving dog must have a strong back. Those who play with fire must be prepared for the consequences.

care for. kweyolera mpiri mu bunnya, lit. bring up a viper in a pit, i.e., nurse a viper in one's bosom, have a traitor in one's household. Akabwa ke weeyolera ke kaku- luma enteega. (prov.) The little dog you raise is the one that bites your tendons.