Local Drinks

1. Maji

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for asking for water; "kumwa maji" is drinking water

   Grammar Note

   "maji" is a ma- plural form and takes gha- agreement, as in "maji gha m'chere" (salt water)

2. Tiyi

   Tea

   Usage

   Used to ask for tea

   Grammar Note

   A loan from English "tea"

3. Khofi

   Coffee

   Usage

   Used to ask for coffee; "kapu ya khofi" is a cup of coffee

   Grammar Note

   A loanword; "khofi wa nchikinchiki" is strong coffee. Loanword; native review recommended

4. Mkaka

   Milk

   Usage

   Used to ask for milk, including milk for tea or coffee

   Grammar Note

   "mkaka" is a class 3 noun; "lukama" and "suru" mean the same

5. Chakumwa

   Drink

   Usage

   Means a drink in general; "vyakumwa" is the plural

   Grammar Note

   A class 7 noun built from the verb "kumwa" (drink), with the plural "vyakumwa"

6. Kapu ya tiyi

   A cup of tea

   Usage

   Used to order tea by the cup; swap "tiyi" for another drink

   Grammar Note

   "kapu" is a loan from English "cup", and "ya" links it to what it holds

7. Nkhukhumba kumwa maji

   I want to drink water

   Usage

   Says you want water; swap "maji" for another drink

   Grammar Note

   "nkhukhumba" (I want) is followed by an infinitive. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Chonde, nipasilaniko maji

   Please give me some water

   Usage

   A polite request for a drink at a shop or home; swap "maji" for another drink

   Grammar Note

   "nipasilaniko" is the polite command "give me". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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