Directions

1. Lutilirani panthazi

   Go straight ahead

   Usage

   The first thing you hear in directions

   Grammar Note

   kulutilira means "to continue", and -ni is the plural or respectful imperative ending; panthazi is "ahead, in front". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Lutani kumazere

   Go to the left

   Usage

   Directs you to the left

   Grammar Note

   The imperative of luta (go) takes the plural or respectful -ni; kumazere is "left" and kumalyero "right". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Lutani kumalyero

   Go to the right

   Usage

   Directs you to the right

   Grammar Note

   kumalyero is the counterpart of kumazere (left). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Msika uli nkhu?

   Where is the market?

   Usage

   Asks where the market is

   Grammar Note

   "msika" is a mu- class noun, hence "uli". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Hotelo yili nkhu?

   Where is the hotel?

   Usage

   Asks where the hotel is

   Grammar Note

   "hotelo" is a loan from English "hotel" in the yi- class (plural mahotelo). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Kasi ni pafupi?

   Is it near?

   Usage

   Asks about distance; answers are "Ni pafupi" or "Ni kutali"

   Grammar Note

   pafupi means "near" and kutali "far". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Kasi nthowa iyi yikuluta ku ___?

   Does this road go to ___?

   Usage

   Checks that a road leads to your destination

   Grammar Note

   "nthowa" is a yi- class noun, so iyi and yikuluta agree with it; it means both "road" and "way". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Nilongorani nthowa, chonde

   Please show me the way

   Usage

   Asks for the way when lost

   Grammar Note

   kulongora means "to show"; in the imperative ni- (me) goes before the verb. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Kumazere

   Left

   Usage

   Means "to the left"

   Grammar Note

   A locative word with ku-; the left hand is woko lamazere

10. Kumalyero

    Right

    Usage

    Means "to the right"

    Grammar Note

    A locative word with ku-; the right hand is woko lamalyero

11. Panthazi

    Ahead / in front

    Usage

    Means "in front, ahead"

    Grammar Note

    "panthazi pa ..." means "in front of ..."

12. Kumanyuma

    Behind

    Usage

    Means "behind"

    Grammar Note

    A locative word with ku-; "behind ..." is kumanyuma kwa ...

13. Kutali

    Far

    Usage

    Means "far"; the opposite is pafupi (near)

    Grammar Note

    "kutali na ..." means "far from ..."

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