Culture & Etiquette

1. Ŵanthu ŵakwimba na kuvina

   People are singing and dancing

   Usage

   Describes singing and dancing at a festival or gathering

   Grammar Note

   "Ŵanthu" is the people-plural, so the verb begins with "ŵa-". "Na" ("and") joins to an infinitive (ku-). The ŵ is written as a single letter ŵ

2. Tikupeleka na kupokera na woko lamalyero

   We give and receive with the right hand

   Usage

   Explains the custom of passing and receiving things with the right hand

   Grammar Note

   The right hand is "woko lamalyero". "Na" also means "with" for an instrument. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ndine mulendo

   I am a guest (a visitor)

   Usage

   Introduces yourself as an outside guest when welcomed in a village or home

   Grammar Note

   "Mulendo" is a class 1 noun with the plural "ŵalendo". It is also written "mlendo" and can mean "stranger". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Woko lamalyero

   Right hand

   Usage

   The right hand, used for eating and for passing things

   Grammar Note

   "Woko" is a class 5 noun, so it is linked with "la". The left hand is "woko lamazere"

5. Nyimbo

   Song / music

   Usage

   Songs or music, heard at festivals and gatherings

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun whose plural is also "nyimbo". It shares its root with the verb "kwimba" (to sing)

6. Kuvina

   To dance

   Usage

   To dance; useful when you are invited to join a dance

   Grammar Note

   An infinitive. "Nkhukhumba kuvina" means "I want to dance"

7. Kwimba

   To sing

   Usage

   To sing; useful when you are invited to sing along

   Grammar Note

   An infinitive. A singer is "wakwimba"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages