Vowelsa

like the "a" in "father"e

like the "ay" in "pay" (like the French é)i

like the "ee" in "tree" (like the French i)o

like the "o" in "home"u

something like the "oo" in "food"

[edit] Consonantsb

like 'b' in "bed", but sometimes interchangeable with 'w'c

like 'k' in "kid"ch

like 'ch' in "chair"d

like 'd' in "dog"f

like 'f' in "fit"g

like 'g' in "go"h

like 'h' in "help"j

like 'dg' in "edge"k

like 'c' in "cat"l

like 'l' in "love", but often interchangable with 'r'm

like 'm' in "mother"n

like 'n' in "nice"nkh

like a 'n' sound at the back of the mouth expelling air through the nosep

like 'p' in "pig"ph

like a breathy 'p'r

like 'r' in "row", but often interchangable with 'l's

like 'ss' in "hiss", like 'z' in "haze"t

like 't' in "top"v

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like 'v' in "victory"w

like 'w' in "weight", but sometimes interchangeable with 'b'y

like 'y' in "yes"z

like 'z' in "haze"

[

[

The standard greetings are addressed as questions, most of which can be answered with the word

Ni- I, Mu- You, Ta-He/She,TheyTense ku- present Ka- past zamu-futureall verbs will start like kugona (to sleep)

to build a verb use prounoun +tense+ verb

So I will sleep, Ni+ Zamu+ gona= nizamugonaHow 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 = commonTawonga = deeper thanks/deeper Chitumbuka.

You're welcome.Palije suzgo = no problem

Yes.Enya.

No.

es.

ORBITZ.

com

Yayi.Sorry. (

PephaniExcuse me. (

PephaniI'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.

EnglishChiZungu, 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) ChokaGood 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")

[

Leave me alone.Ni leke/ Ni lekani(many)(...)

Don't touch me!Leka kunikola/Khwasya(Kunikhwasya yayi - Don't touch me)

I'll call the police.Niti cheme Kapokola(...)

Police!Kapokola(...)

("Leka!")

Munkhungu uyo(...)

Nkhukhumba kuti mundovwiri(...)

Ni suzgo gha mbuchimbuchi(...)

Na sowa/soba(...)

na sovya chola chane, Nataya chola chane(...)

na sovya chikwama chane, Nataya chikwama chane(...)

Nalwala(...)

na pwetekeka(...)

nkukhumba docotala/ng'anga(...)

ningayimba fone yinu(...)

moza (...)

bili (...)

tatu (...)

nayi (...)

nkondi, nkonde (...)

nkonde na kamoza (...)

nkonde na tubili (...)

nkonde na tutatu (...)

nkonde na tunayi (...)

Khumi (...)

Khumi na kamoza (...)

Khumi na Tubili (...)

Khumi na Tutatu (...)

Khumi na tunayi (...)

Khumi na Nkonde (...)

Khumi na nkonde na kamoza (...)

Khumi na nkonde na tubili (...)

Khumi na nkonde na tutatu (...)

Khumi na nkonde na Nayi (...)

ma Khumi ya bili (...)

ma Khumi ya tatu(...)

ma Khumi ya nayi(...)

ma Khumi ya nkonde(...)

kuswa pakati,kugawa pakati (...)

pachoko(...)

chomeni(...)

Sono

panyuma

pambere

mulenjena mulenje (in the morning)

misena mise (in the afternoon)

mise, mazgetu(...)

usiku

Ni nyengo uli?Nyengo yili uli

wanu koloko ya mulenje

Thu koloko ya mulenje

namuhanya pakati

wanu koloko ya mise

Thu koloko ya mise

usiku pakati

ola (pl maola)

dazi (pl madazi)

sabata (pl masabta)

_mwezi____ (.miyezi..)

chaka (pl vyaka)

muhanya uno

mayiro

namachero

Sabata Yino (...)

Sabata Yamala (...)

Sabata Yikwiza (...)

Sabata (...)Monday

(Chimoza) - Mande (...)Tuesday

Chibiri (...)Wednesday

Chitatu (...)ThursdayChinayi (...)

Friday

Chinkondi (...)Saturday

Chisulo (...)

[edit] Months

English names are generally used but pronounced in Chitumbuka as follows:

JanuaryJanyuwali(...)

FebruaryFeburuwari(...)

Marchmarichi(...)

Aprilepurelo(...)

MayMe(...)

JuneJuni(...)

JulyJulayi(...)

AugustOgasiti(...)

SeptemberSeputembala(...)

OctoberOkutobala(...)

NovemberNovembala(...)

DecemberDisembala(...)

[edit] Writing time and date

In chiTumbuka, traditionally times have been indicated by the position of the sun in the sky. The hand is used as in waving goodbye but turned round with the inside palm facing you and pointing to the eastern

horizon for 6 o'clock am and western horizon for 6 pm. Pointing Overhead for midday. 6 O'clock am: Dazi likufuma, namulenje ("6:00 is generally the time when the sun rises in the tropics") 10 O'clock am: generally signalled as the position in the sky between sunrise and mid-day

[edit] ColorsThe main distinguished colours are Black,Red and white.

blackufipa(...)

whiteutuwa(...)

gray

tuwulufu(...)red

uswesi(...)blue

ubidi(...)yellow

ngati ntula(...)green

ubiliwiri(...)orange

ngati ma lalanje(Like oranges)purple

(...)

brownkhofi(...)

[

Journey/trip: ulendo Depart: nyamuka Arrive: Fika Travel: kwenda ulendo

[

How much is a ticket to _____?Ni ndalama zilinga kuluta ku ________(...)

One ticket to _____, please.Khukhumba Tikiti yimoza(...)

Where does this train/bus go?Sitima iyi yikuya nkhu? - where does this train go? Basi iyi yikuya nkhu? - where does this bus go?(...)

Where is the train/bus to _____?Sitima/Basi yaku ______ yili nkhu? (...)

Does this train/bus stop at _____?Sitima/Basi iyi yikuyima pa _______? (...)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?Sitima/Basi yaku____ yinyamukenge pauli?(...)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?Sitima/Basi yamfika pauli ku ________? (...)

[

How do I get to _____Ningenda uli kukafika ku ____(...)

...the train station?Chiteskeni cha sitima (...)

...the bus station?Chiteskeni cha basi (...)

...the airport?Chibanja (...)

...the school?...sukulu? (...)

...the market?...musika? (...)

...the backpackers'?Mala yakugona(...)

...the resthouse?resiti hausi(...)

...the _____ hotel?hotela (...)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?(...)

Where are _________ yili kuti? the noun comes first and there are different modifiers for different nouns ie: chili, yili, etck(...)

...hotels?Mahotelu yali nkhu?(where are hotels?)malo yakugona ghali nkhu? where is the place to sleep?

...restaurants?

(...)...bars?

chilabo (traditional bar) mala yakumwa mowa (place to drink beer) (...)...sites to see?

(...)Can you show me on the map?

munganilongola pa mapu?(...)Path

Ntowa ("...")Road

Musewu/musewo ("...")street

Muzele (...)City

Mzinda ("...")Gov't center

bomaTurn left.

Petukila ku mazele (...)Turn right.

Petukila ku malyelo (...)left

mazele (...)right

malyelo (...)straight ahead

ku ntazi (...)towards the _____

chaku______(...)past the _____

kujumpha ______(...)before the _____

Pambere ______(...)Watch for the _____.

(...)intersection

(...)north

Mpoto(...)south

Mwela(...)east

vuma(...)west

kumanjiriro(...)

chikwera(...)

kusika(...)

matola (...)

Muniyeyeko kuluta ku_____(...)

Ni mutengo uli kuluta ku______ (uli uli?...)

Kaniperekezgani chonde - escort me please , Muniyeyeko chonde- give me a lift please(...)

malo yalipo?(...)

Ni ndalama zilinga chipinda chimoza(...)

Kasi malo/vipinda vili na....(...)

vyakudika?(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

Niyawone malo(...)

(...)

chikulu(...)

(...)

(...)

Mbwenu, ningatola (...)

Nikhalenge nausiku.. (...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

Muli na chakurya cha mulenji? (...)

Chakurya cha mulenji/namise pa nyengo uli?(...)

(...)

(...)

Nkhukhumba kuluta pa...(...)

(Ka mukuzomera ndalama zachina America/Canada/Australia?...)

(Mukuzomera ndalama za ma paundi za ku Britain?...)

(...)

Kasi mungasintha ndalama?(...)

Kasi ningasintha ndalama nkhu?(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(Ningawona menu, chonde?...)

Kasi ningawona mu kitchini?(...)

(Mwapika vichi muhayauno?...)

Kuli chakurya cha Malawi? (...)

Nkurya nyama yayi. (...)

Nkurya nyama ya nkumba yayi. (...)

Nkurya nyama ya ng'ombe yayi. (...)

(Nkurya chakulya cha WaIslam/WaMwenyi pela...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

chakurya cha mulenji(...)

(chakurya chamuhanya)

(...)

chakurya cha namise(...)

Nkhukumba _____. (...)

(Nkhukumba mbale yimoza ya______ pamoza na______...)

nkhuku (...)

Nyama ya Ng'ombe(...)

somba (usipa...)

kapenta (...)

(nyama ya nkhumba...)

(ori...)

(...)

masumbi (...)

mphangwe (this is usually cooked greens)(...)(fresh) vegetables

kwambula kupika(...)(fresh) fruit

vipaso(...)banana

ntochi (...)maize porridge

nsima (...)relish (served with nsima)

dende (...)bread

chingwa, bredi (...)toast

(...)noodles

(...)rice

mpunga (...)beans

Nchunga(...)May I have a glass of _____?

Nkhumba....(...)

May I have a cup of _____?ni paniko nkhombo ya______?(...)

May I have a bottle of _____?(...)

coffee(...)

tea (drink)tiyi (...)

juicejusi(...)

(bubbly) water(...)

watermaji (...)

beerMowa(...)

red/white wineVinyu liswesi/Vinyu lituwa(...)

May I have some _____?

ni paniko(...)salt

muchele (...)black pepper

(...)butter

margarina(...)sugar

suga (...)Excuse me, waiter? (attention of server

(I-sayi...)I'm finished.

(basi, nakuta chomeme...)It was delicious.

Chakurya chikunowa. (...)

Please clear the plates.sukani mbale(...)

The check, please.(...)

[

Do you serve alcohol?(mukuguliska mowa?)

Is there table service?(...)

A beer/two beers, please.(mowa/mowa wubiri...)

A glass of red/white wine, please.(kavinyo ka mukhombo..)

A pint, please.(...)

A bottle, please.(...)

_____ ((...)

whiskey(kachasu...)

vodka(...)

rum(...)

watermaji (...)

club soda("...")

tonic water(maji twa muchele)

orange juice(malalanje/olenje)

Coke (Coca cola (kakumwa ka ku zizimisya kusingo)

Do you have any bar snacks?(twakukhwasula pa mowa tulipo?)

One more, please.(unyakhe chonde)

Another round, please.(unyakhe wa chiwerezga)

When is closing time?(nyengo yakujalila ni vichi?)

[

Do you have this in my size?(mulinacho/mulinayo chanthene/yanthene ichi/iyi icho/iyo chinganikwana/yinganikawana?)

How much is this?Nizilinga? (...)

That's too expensive.Wadula. (mudulalizia...)

Would you take _____? Unga yegha?(...)

to be expensivekudula (...)

cheapchamtengo uchoko(...)

I can't afford it.Ningakwanisya yayi(...)

I don't want it.Nkuchikhumba yayi(...)

You're cheating me.Ukunitetezga(...)

I'm not interested.Nilije khumbilo (..)

OK, I'll take it.Inya, niyeyenge(...)

Can I have a bag?Munganipasako thumba?(...)

Do you ship (overseas)?kusilya kwa nyanja(...)

I need...Nkhukhumba (...)

...toothpaste.makhwala ya mino(...)

...a toothbrush. Muswaju(...)

...tampons.(...)

...soap.Sopo(...)

...shampoo.(...)

...pain reliever. muchepesya ulwilwi((...)

...antimalaria medicine.makhwala ya nyimbo(...)

...stomach medicine.Munkwala wa Munthumbo(...)

...a razor.(nevala)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(stamba)

(Mabatili)

(...)

Chilembelo(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(nindanange chili chose)

(Tindapulikanane apa)

(mukunitolela nkhu?')

(kasi ndakakika)

(Ine ndine muamerica/muaustralia, etc.)

(Nkhukumba kuyowoya na Wa embasi ya Amerika, etc.)

(nkhukhumba niyowoye na mmanyi wa maBlango)

(Ningalipira sono apa nthena?)

(Ka ichi mukuti uli_____)

(ichi ni chi vichi______ku chitumbuka)

This is a usable phrasebook. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use it to get by, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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