Useful Phrases

1. Nkhufuma ku ___

   I come from ___

   Usage

   Tells where you are from; put a country or town in the blank

   Grammar Note

   kufuma means "to come out of, to come from"; the place name follows the locative ku. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Aka nkhakwamba kuti nifike kuno

   It is my first time here

   Usage

   A conversation opener at a place you have never visited

   Grammar Note

   "Aka nkhakwamba kuti ..." means "this is the first time that ..."; the verb after kuti takes the subjunctive (nifike). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Nkhwenda ndekha

   I am travelling alone

   Usage

   Tells people you travel by yourself

   Grammar Note

   kwenda means "to go, walk, travel"; ndekha is "by myself" (wekha for "by yourself"). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Kasi ningajambula chithuzi chinu?

   May I take your photo?

   Usage

   Always ask before photographing a person

   Grammar Note

   -nga- means "can, may"; the plural of chithuzi is vithuzi; kujambula is the verb for drawing, photographing or recording. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Nkhutemwa Malaŵi

   I like Malawi

   Usage

   A friendly line in small talk with locals

   Grammar Note

   kutemwa means "to like, to love"; the country name is written Malaŵi with ŵ. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Nkhukhumba yayi kugula, yewo

   I do not want to buy, thank you

   Usage

   A polite way to turn down a sales pitch

   Grammar Note

   The negative yayi comes right after nkhukhumba; yewo is "thank you" but is also used for "excuse me". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Nkhumanya Chitumbuka pachoko waka

   I know only a little Tumbuka

   Usage

   Tells people your Tumbuka is limited, so they speak slowly

   Grammar Note

   "pachoko waka" means "just a little"; waka adds "only". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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