Tumbuka phrasebook basics · Basics in Tumbuka phrasebook
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Basics in Tumbuka phrasebook
Basics in Tumbuka phrasebook
The standard greetings are addressed as questions, most of which can be answered with the word makola.
Ni- I, Mu- You, Ta-He/She,They
Tense ku- present Ka- past zamu-future
all verbs will start like kugona (to sleep)
to build a verb use prounoun +tense+ verb
So I will sleep, Ni+ Zamu+ gona= nizamugona
How are you?�
Muli uli?
Good.�
Nili Makola.
I'm fine, how are you?�
Nili makola, kwali Imwe?
Thank You. (General positive response meaning hi, yes, thank you, etc.)�
Yebo/Yewo.
Hello? (Is anyone at home?)�
Odi?
Welcome. (Greeting.)�
response to "Odi" = "Odini"
Welcome. "Tempokani"
What is your name?�
Zina linu ndimwe njani?
My name is ______ .�
Zina lawo ndine ______ .
Nice to meet you.�
Chatowa kuwonana nawe.
Please.�
Chonde (when used, connotes begging)
Thank you.�
Yewo = common
Tawonga = deeper thanks/deeper Chitumbuka.
You're welcome.�
Palije suzgo = no problem
Yes.�
Enya.
No.�
Yayi.
Sorry. (getting attention)�
Pephani
Excuse me. (begging pardon)�
Pephani
I'm sorry.�
Pephani. (also means sorry as with empathy)
Goodbye. (I'm going now.)�
Nakuluta sono.
Goodbye. (Go well, if someone else is leaving.)�
Mwende makola.
Goodbye. (Stay well, if you are leaving)�
Khalani makola.
Farewell. (We'll see each other later.)�
Tizamuonana.
Tisanganenge. Tiwonanenge.
I do not speak Tumbuka.�
Ine nkhuyowoya chiTumbuka yayi.
English�
ChiZungu, which means the language of the white people, especially in Malawi and Zambia
Do you speak English?�
Kasi ... mukhuyowoya chiZungu?
Is there someone here who speaks English?�
Pali uyo wakuyowoya chiZungu pano?
Help!�
Novwire.
Stop!�
Leka!
Look out!�
Labisya
Go Away! (strong and a bit disrespectful) Choka
Good morning. (How have you woken?)�
Mwawuka uli?
I have woken fine, how about you?�
Tawuka makola, kwali imwe?
Good afternoon. (How has your day been?)�
Mwatandala uli?.
My day has been well, how about you?�
Tatandala makola, kwali imwe?
Good night.�
Mugone makola (Sleep Well). Usiku uwemi (Good night).
Sleep well. (To one who is going.)�
Mukugona makola.
I don't understand.�
Nikupulika yayi.
Where is the toilet?�
Chimbuzi chili nkhuni? (toilet = "chimbuzi")
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Tumbuka phrasebook Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.