mzimu

Chichewa

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit - zone N”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mˈzí.mu/

Noun

mzímu class 3 (plural mizímu class 4)

1. spirit
2. ghost

   Synonyms: chiŵanda, mzukwa, chidude, chowuka

3. soul
4. apparition

   Synonyms: chiŵanda, mzukwa

5. psyche
6. demon

   Synonym: chiŵanda

Derived terms

• Mzimu Woyera (“Holy Spirit”)
• mzimu wa makolo (“ancestral spirit”)
• mzimu wa mbwebwe (“soothsayer”)
• mzimuzimu (“in the true spirit”)
• -zimuka (“to be spiritual”)

Digo

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Noun

mzimu class 3 (plural mizimu)

1. ancestral spirit that protects the family and can provide favours from God if the correct offerings are made.

Related terms

• zimu (“ghost”)

References

• Joseph Mwalonya, Alison Nicolle, Steve Nicolle, Juma Zimbu, Mgombato. Digo-English-Swahili Dictionary (2005), page 129

Nsenga

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Noun

mzimu class 3

1. spirit (of a person)

References

• Bible Society of Zambia, Chinsenga New Testament, 2015 - Yh 19:30

Nyungwe

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Noun

mzimu class 3

1. spirit (of a person)

References

• Wycliffe Bible Translators, ciNyungwe Bibliya, 2019 - Juwau 19:30

Swahili

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Noun

mzimu class I (plural mizimu class II)

1. soul, ghost, spirit

Noun

mzimu class III (plural mizimu class IV)

1. place for spirit worship

See also

• roho

Tonga (Malawi)

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Noun

mzimu class 3

1. spirit

References

• Bible Society of Malawi, Tonga Bible 1986 - Chiyambo 1:3

Tumbuka

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Noun

mzimu class 3 (plural mizimu class 4)

1. spirit

References

• William Y. Turner (1996), Tumbuka/Tonga-English and English - Tumbuka/Tonga Dictionary‎^[1], Central Africana Limited, page 165

Zigula

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dímʊ̀ (“spirit”), from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-dim- (“spirit”).

Noun

mzimu class 1 (plural wazimu)

1. spirit
   1. ghost

Derived terms

• Mzimu (“a surname”)

Noun

mzimu class 3 (plural mizimu)

1. spirit
   1. ghost
2. whirlwind
3. tornado

Related terms

• kuzimu (“ghost world”)

References

• Chizigula of Somalia Dictionary‎^[2], SIL International, 2020