Food & Drinks

1. Nili na njara

   I am hungry

   Usage

   To say you are hungry and ask for a meal

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I have hunger"; the word is also spelled "njala". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Nili na nyota

   I am thirsty

   Usage

   As an opener to asking for water or a drink

   Grammar Note

   "nyota" is "thirst" and "ŵanyota" is "thirsty people". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Nakhuta

   I am full

   Usage

   To decline a second helping

   Grammar Note

   "-khuta" means "be satisfied, full" and "na-" is my recent past. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Nkhukhumba kurya sima

   I want to eat sima

   Usage

   To ask for the staple maize porridge

   Grammar Note

   Sima is the staple known as "nsima" in Chichewa. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Nkhukhumba sima na nyama

   I want sima and meat

   Usage

   To order the classic combination

   Grammar Note

   "na" means "and, with" and links nouns. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Chonde, nipasilaniko maji ghakuzizima

   Cold water, please

   Usage

   To ask for cold water at an eatery or lodging

   Grammar Note

   "nipasilaniko" is "please bring and give me", the same as in "Chonde nipasilaniko kapu wa tiyi" (a cup of tea). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Nkhukhumba tiyi na mkaka

   I would like tea with milk

   Usage

   To order tea and specify milk

   Grammar Note

   For tea without milk, add "wambula mkaka" (without milk). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Nkhukhumba khofi

   I would like coffee

   Usage

   To order coffee

   Grammar Note

   "khofi" is a loanword from English. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Nkhurya nyama ya nkhumba yayi

   I don't eat pork

   Usage

   To say what you do not eat

   Grammar Note

   "nyama ya nkhumba" is literally "meat of pig"; the final "yayi" negates. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Masumbi

    Eggs

    Usage

    To ask for or buy eggs

    Grammar Note

    The singular is "sumbi"

11. Chingwa

    Bread

    Usage

    When buying bread

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "vingwa"; "vingwa vinkhondi" means five loaves

12. Somba

    Fish

    Usage

    For ordering fish, a staple on the shore of Lake Malawi

    Grammar Note

    The plural is also "somba"; small fish are "tusomba"

13. Nkhuku

    Chicken

    Usage

    For ordering chicken, a treat dish

    Grammar Note

    Used both for the living bird and for the dish

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