kwica ijisho

How to say it

Meaning

To close and open one eye quickly while looking at someone, as a secret sign, a joke or a sign of liking.

Good to know

Made of kwica, to kill, and ijisho, eye. With a person it takes the applied form: kwicira umuntu ijisho, to wink at someone; the small form akajisho is common (kwicira umuntu akajisho). A quick look is gukubita ijisho.

Examples

• Umwana ntazi kwica ijisho, ahumbya amaso yombi.The child does not know how to wink, he blinks both eyes.
• Ntibyoroshye kwica ijisho utabanje kwitoza.It is not easy to wink without practicing first.
• Kwica ijisho mu nama bishobora gufatwa nk'agasuzuguro.Winking in a meeting can be taken as disrespect.