Compliments

1. Msumba winu ngwakutowa

   Your town is beautiful

   Usage

   Praises a town or village you are visiting

   Grammar Note

   "msumba" is a mu- class noun, so winu and ngwakutowa agree with it in w-; -kutowa means "beautiful". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Charu chinu ntchakutowa

   Your country is beautiful

   Usage

   A compliment to someone about their country

   Grammar Note

   "charu" is a chi- class noun, so chinu and ntcha-kutowa agree with it in ch-; the n- means "is". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Mwana winu ngwakutowa

   Your child is lovely

   Usage

   Praising a child is a good way to open a chat

   Grammar Note

   "mwana" is singular and takes w- agreement (plural ŵana). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Muli na mtima uwemi

   You are kind-hearted

   Usage

   Said to someone who has been kind to you

   Grammar Note

   Literally "you have a good heart"; "mtima" is a mu- class noun, so uwemi agrees with it. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Mwaniwovwira chomene

   You helped me a lot

   Usage

   Thanks a person who helped you

   Grammar Note

   mwa- (you have) + ni (me) + wovwira (help); chomene intensifies the verb. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Vyakurya ni vyakunowa chomene

   The food is very tasty

   Usage

   Said after a meal to the person who cooked or hosted

   Grammar Note

   "vyakurya" is a vi- class plural noun and vya-ku-nowa agrees with it in vy-; -nowa means "tasty, pleasant". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Mukuyowoya Chitumbuka makora!

   You speak Tumbuka well!

   Usage

   Praises a person who is speaking the language, and helps you recognise the compliment when you hear it

   Grammar Note

   Language names take chi- (Chitumbuka; Chingelezi for English); makora means "well, properly". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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