Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Bantu language spoken in southeastern Congo: "Luba" refers to a specific Bantu language used in a region of Central Africa.
   • A member of a Bantu people in southeastern Congo: "Luba" also refers to an individual belonging to an ethnic group native to that region.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Language):

  • She is conducting research on the grammar of Luba.
  • Luba is one of the major languages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• Noun (Ethnic Group Member):

  • He is a Luba from the Kasai region.
  • The Luba have a rich cultural heritage of sculpture and oral history.

Advanced Usage

• "Luba-Kasai": A specific dialect or variant of the Luba language, also known as Tshiluba.
  • Luba-Kasai is a lingua franca in the Kasai region.

Variants and Related Words

• Luba-Katanga (noun): Another major dialect of the Luba language, also known as Kiluba.
• Luba-Lulua (noun): A term relating to a subgroup or historical kingdom of the Luba people.
• Bantu (noun/adjective): The larger language family and ethnic grouping to which Luba belongs.

Synonyms

• Tshiluba: A synonym for the Luba-Kasai language.
• Kiluba: A synonym for the Luba-Katanga language.
• Baluba: An alternative term for the Luba people (plural form).

Notes on Usage

• The word "Luba" is typically capitalized as it is a proper noun referring to a specific language and people.
• When referring to the language, it is often used without an article (e.g., "speak Luba"). When referring to a person, it is used as a countable noun (e.g., "a Luba," "the Luba").

Noun

1. a Bantu language spoken in southeastern Congo
2. a member of a Bantu people in southeastern Congo