Basic Words

1. Enya

   Yes

   Usage

   Plain affirmative answer, fine with elders and strangers too

   Grammar Note

   "Enya" is an invariable one-word reply; the opposite is "Yayi"

2. Yayi

   No

   Usage

   Plain negative answer; it also goes at the end of a sentence to negate the verb

   Grammar Note

   "yayi" works as a stand-alone reply and, as in "Nkhumanya yayi", it closes a sentence to make it negative

3. Chonde

   Please

   Usage

   Added before or after a request, often at the start as in "Chonde, novwirani"

   Grammar Note

   "chonde" is an invariable politeness word and pairs naturally with the polite plural imperative (-ni)

4. Yewo

   Thank you

   Usage

   A short thank-you after receiving something or being helped

   Grammar Note

   "yewo" is a multi-purpose interjection that can also mean "excuse me" or "good to see you"; add "chomene" to thank more strongly

5. Yewo chomene

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   For warmer thanks, such as after a meal, a stay or directions

   Grammar Note

   "chomene" means "very much"; it is spelled with ch here; some writers use c ("comene")

6. Phepani

   Sorry

   Usage

   A short apology, also after a light bump

   Grammar Note

   The ending "-ni" is the polite or plural form; for a deeper apology say "Phepani chomene"

7. Nkhumanya yayi

   I don't know

   Usage

   Reply when asked something you do not know

   Grammar Note

   "nkhu-" marks "I (am doing)", "-manya" is "know" and the final "yayi" negates. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Nkhumanyiska yayi

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you cannot follow; you can follow it with a request to speak slowly

   Grammar Note

   "-manyiska" is the intensive of "know", meaning "understand". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Chonde, tandarani pachoko

   Please wait a moment

   Usage

   To ask someone at a shop or counter to wait

   Grammar Note

   "tandara" is "wait"; the ending "-ni" makes a polite imperative. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Chonde, novwirani

    Please help me

    Usage

    To ask people nearby for help when in trouble

    Grammar Note

    "no-" is "me", "-vwira" is "help" and "-ni" is the polite or plural imperative

11. Chonde, yowoyani pachokopachoko

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast to follow

    Grammar Note

    "-yowoya" is "speak" and "pachokopachoko" is "little by little". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Nkhuyowoya Chitumbuka pachoko

    I speak a little Chitumbuka

    Usage

    A warm line when introducing yourself to locals

    Grammar Note

    Language names take the prefix "Chi-", as in "Chizungu" and "Chingelezi"

13. Kasi mukuyowoya Chingelezi?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    The first thing to ask when you cannot be understood

    Grammar Note

    "Kasi" at the start makes a question and "mu-" is the polite "you"; "Chizungu" is also used for English. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Pano

    Here

    Usage

    To point to the place you are in

    Grammar Note

    "pa-" is the place prefix, so "pano" is "this place"

15. Ine

    I / me

    Usage

    Pronoun used for emphasis, as in "me" or "I myself"

    Grammar Note

    Verbs already carry an "I" prefix (nkhu-), so "ine" is used for emphasis or as a stand-alone answer

16. Imwe

    You (polite)

    Usage

    For elders, strangers or more than one person

    Grammar Note

    "iwe" is the singular familiar form; as a traveller stay with "imwe" and the "mu-" verb forms

17. Pamoza

    Together

    Usage

    Added to ideas like going together or paying together

    Grammar Note

    "pamoza na ..." means "together with ..."; add "na" before the person

18. Sono

    Now

    Usage

    Marks the present moment

    Grammar Note

    At the start of a sentence "sono" can also mean "so, now"

19. Munthu yumoza

    One person

    Usage

    For stating a head count at a restaurant or on transport

    Grammar Note

    A single person is "munthu yumoza"; with plurals the number takes the person prefix, as in "ŵanthu ŵaŵiri"

20. Ŵanthu ŵaŵiri

    Two people

    Usage

    For booking seats or tickets for two

    Grammar Note

    The letter ŵ appears in the people prefix ŵa-; keep it distinct from plain w

21. Ŵanthu ŵatatu

    Three people

    Usage

    For booking seats or tickets for three

    Grammar Note

    The number "tatu" (three) takes the people prefix ŵa-

Browse all TravelPhrases languages