Learn Tshiluba Online with the Vocabo Chrome Extension
Master Vocabulary While You Browse — Free, No Sign-Up
Master Tshiluba vocabulary while browsing the web. Free Chrome extension for language learners. Tshiluba is spoken by estimated 6-15 million people. Tshiluba is one of only four national languages of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Lingala, Swahili, and Kikongo, and gives direct access to the culture of the Kasai region.
249+ Languages
Learn Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, and 249+ other languages powered by Google Translate.
Completely Free
No premium tiers, no subscriptions, no ads. Language learning should be accessible to everyone.
No Sign Up!
Install and start learning immediately. Your vocabulary stays on your device for complete privacy.
About Tshiluba
In a widely cited 2004 poll of professional translators, the Tshiluba word 'ilunga' (someone who will forgive an offense once, tolerate it a second time, but never a third) was voted the hardest word in the world to translate.
Also known as: Ciluba, Luba-Kasai, Western Luba
Speakers
estimated 6-15 million
Language Family
Bantu
Writing System
Latin alphabet (tone not usually marked in everyday writing)
Difficulty
Hard
Spoken in
Why Learn Tshiluba?
Tshiluba is one of only four national languages of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Lingala, Swahili, and Kikongo, and gives direct access to the culture of the Kasai region.
Common Tshiluba Words
Start your Tshiluba journey with these essential words and phrases.
Moyo
Hello
MOH-yoh
Tuasakidila
Thank you
twah-sah-kee-DEE-lah
Eyowa
Yes
eh-YOH-wah
To
No
toh
Mayi
Water
MAH-yee
Bidia
Food
bee-DEE-ah
Mulunda
Friend
moo-LOON-dah
Dinanga
Love
dee-NAHN-gah
Nzubu
House
N-zoo-boo
Dituku
Day
dee-TOO-koo
History of Tshiluba
Tshiluba (also called Ciluba or Luba-Kasai) takes its name from the Luba people of south-central DR Congo, though today it is spoken mainly in the Kasai provinces by both Luba and Lulua communities. It became a written language under Catholic and Protestant missions in the early 20th century and was chosen, alongside Kikongo, Lingala, and Swahili, as one of the DRC's four national languages after independence.
Is Tshiluba Hard to Learn?
Tshiluba adds a tonal layer on top of the noun-class agreement typical of Bantu languages: high and low pitch distinguish words and grammatical forms that look identical in plain Latin spelling, and most everyday material doesn't mark tone at all, so learners often have to pick it up by ear from speakers rather than from text. The eastern (Luba) and western (Lulua) dialects differ mainly in tone and a handful of words, which adds a further layer of variation to navigate.
Learning Tshiluba Online: FAQ
Can I learn Tshiluba online for free?
Yes — Vocabo is a free Chrome extension that teaches you Tshiluba vocabulary while you browse the web. It replaces words and short phrases on pages you already read with their Tshiluba equivalents, so you pick up vocabulary passively — no sign-up, no ads, and no daily lesson grind.
Is Tshiluba on Duolingo?
No — Duolingo doesn't currently offer a Tshiluba course for English speakers. You can still learn Tshiluba online for free: Vocabo supports Tshiluba and builds your vocabulary naturally while you browse.
Similar Languages to Tshiluba
If you're interested in Tshiluba, you might also want to explore these related languages:
Start Learning Tshiluba Today
Install Vocabo and begin building your Tshiluba vocabulary while browsing the web. No sign-up required!
Add to Chrome