Car Rental & Driving

1. Nkhukhumba kubweleka galimoto

   I want to rent a car

   Usage

   Opening line at a car rental desk

   Grammar Note

   "kubweleka" is "to borrow", and the lending side is "kubwerekeska"; l and r vary in spelling. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Kasi ni ndalama zilinga pa zuŵa limoza?

   How much is it per day?

   Usage

   Asks the rental price per day

   Grammar Note

   "pa + period" means "per"; the same pattern as "pa ora limoza" (per hour). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Galimoto

   Car

   Usage

   Car; it means a motor vehicle, not a bus or a train

   Grammar Note

   The plural of "galimoto" is "magalimoto"; it takes "iyi" for "this", as in "galimoto iyi"

4. Galimoto yikanangika

   The car broke down

   Usage

   Tells the rental company or a passer-by that the car has stopped working

   Grammar Note

   "-ka-" marks the past and "yi-" agrees with "galimoto"; "nangika" means "get damaged, break down". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Tikachita ngozi

   We had an accident

   Usage

   Tells the rental company or the police that you have had an accident

   Grammar Note

   "ti-" is "we" and "-ka-" marks the past; "kuchita ngozi" is "to have an accident". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Malo ghakwimikapo galimoto ghali nkhu?

   Where is the parking place?

   Usage

   Asks where to leave the car

   Grammar Note

   "malo" takes plural agreement, hence "ghali nkhu"; "malo ghakwimikapo galimoto" is "the place for leaving a car". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Nkhukhumba kukamweska mafuta

   I want to fill up with fuel

   Usage

   Asks for fuel at a filling station

   Grammar Note

   "mafuta" covers fuel, cooking oil and fat; "kukamweska" is used for a car taking on fuel. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Kasi muli na mapu?

   Do you have a map?

   Usage

   Asks at the rental desk whether there is a road map

   Grammar Note

   "mapu" is borrowed from English. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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