Feelings

1. Ndine wakukondwa

   I'm happy

   Usage

   Says you are happy or pleased; add "chomene" to mean "very"

   Grammar Note

   "ndine" is "I am", and "wakukondwa" is built from the verb "kukondwa" (be glad) and means "one who is glad"

2. Ndine wakukondwa chomene

   I'm very happy

   Usage

   Says you are very happy, for strong delight or gratitude

   Grammar Note

   "chomene" is placed after an adjective or verb to mean "very"

3. Nili na mantha

   I'm afraid

   Usage

   Says you are afraid or uneasy; it can come before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   "nili na ..." means "I have ...", naming a feeling or state with a noun. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Kopa chara

   Don't be afraid

   Usage

   Used to reassure someone; this is the form for one person

   Grammar Note

   "kopa" is the command form of "fear" and "chara" at the end negates it; a form with "yayi", "Ukopanga yayi", also exists

5. Leka kudandaula

   Stop worrying

   Usage

   Said to someone who is worried; this is the form for one person

   Grammar Note

   "leka" (stop) followed by an infinitive gives a prohibition. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Nakwiya

   I'm angry

   Usage

   Says you are angry; best kept for calm, serious conversations while travelling

   Grammar Note

   na- (I, perfect) + root -kwiya "be angry", built like "Navuka" (I am tired) to describe a present state. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Navuka

   I'm tired

   Usage

   Says you are tired; "Navuka chomene" means "I am very tired"

   Grammar Note

   na- (I, perfect) + root -vuka "be tired"; the perfect describes a present state

8. Nili na tulo

   I'm sleepy

   Usage

   Says you are sleepy, and works when you want to rest early

   Grammar Note

   "nili na ..." means "I have ...", naming a state with a noun. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Nili makora

   I'm fine

   Usage

   Says you feel well, and can answer a question about whether you are all right

   Grammar Note

   "makora" is an adverb meaning "well", placed after "nili" (I am)

10. Nili na njara

    I'm hungry

    Usage

    Says you are hungry, before asking for food or an invitation to eat

    Grammar Note

    "nili na ..." is the "I have ..." pattern, naming a state with a noun; "njala" is also written. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Kasi muli na njara?

    Are you hungry?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone is hungry; "mu-" is the polite form, also used for several people

    Grammar Note

    A question is opened with "Kasi"; "muli na ..." is "you have ...". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

Browse all TravelPhrases languages