Lesson 3

Chichewa Class

Lesson 3 (Common Phrases) Pronunciation r’s are pronounced with a flip of the tongue, like Spanish. So it’s more like a “d” or an “l” sound. L’s and r’s are often exchanged. Be careful of multiple consonants at the beginning of a word. N’s and m’s are barely pronounced. (ie Nsmia or Ndili - you hardly hear the n at all - try not to say indeelee, which is very overpronounced.) How are you

Muli Bwanji(ndili bwino kaya inu)

Good morning.

Mwadzuka bwanji? (Ndadzuka bwino)

Good afternoon.

Mwaswera bwanji? (Ndaswera bwino)

Good evening.

Mwachoma bwanji (Ndachoma bwino)

chabwino

all-right

Excuse me

Zikomo

Thank you (very much)

Zikoma (kwambiri)

What is your name?

Dzina lanu ndani?

My name is …

Dzina langa ndine …

Do you speak English?

Mukamba chizungu?

I don't speak Chichewa.

Sindi-lankhula chichewa.

I speak a little Chichewa.

ndimalankhula Chichewa pang’onopang’ono

I know a little Chichewa

ndimadziwa Chichewa pang’onopang’ono

I don't understand

Sindikumvetsa

Do you understand?

mwakumvetsa?

What is this?

ici ndi chiyani?

odi

may I come in

lowani

come in

let’s go

tiyeni

Where is the toilet?

Chimbudzi chili kuti?

Please.

chonde

Yes

Ee / Eya / Inde

Chichewa Class

No

Iyayi (used strongly) or ayi (more polite)

Ndithu

Indeed

Chimodzi modzi

It is the same

Bad

Wo-ipa (person), or cho-ipa (thing)

I'm sorry.

Pepani

I know

Ndi-dziwa

I don't know

Si-ndi-dziwa

I want

Ndi-funa

I don't want

Si-ndi-ku-funa

See you later

Tionana

See you tomorrow

Tionana mawa

Goodbye (I'm going)

Nda-pita

Have a safe journey

Yendani bwino / Muyende bwino

Stay well

Tsalani bwino

I want to buy…

ndikufuna kugula…

How much is it?

ndalama zingati

Help me!

Mundithandize!

I'm lost.

Ndasochera

I'm sick.

Ndikudwala

I am thirsty

Ndili ludzu

I am hungry

Ndili njala

I am happy

Ndakondwa/ndili wokondwa, ndasangalala

I am tired

Ndatopa

I love you

Ndimakukondani