Money & Exchange

1. Nilije ndalama zakukwana

   I do not have enough money

   Usage

   For when you cannot afford it

   Grammar Note

   "ndalama" takes plural agreement, so zakukwana begins with za-; -kwana means "be enough". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Munthu waiba ndalama zane

   Someone has stolen my money

   Usage

   Opens a report of theft

   Grammar Note

   wa-iba is the perfect "has stolen" (kwiba, to steal); ndalama takes plural agreement, so "my" is zane. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Ndalama zilinga?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask a price; point at the item

   Grammar Note

   -linga asks "how many" and agrees with ndalama as zilinga (vingwa vilinga would be "how many loaves"); Kasi can open the question. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Kasi mtengo wake ni ndalama zilinga?

   What is its price?

   Usage

   Another way to ask the price

   Grammar Note

   "mtengo" is a mu- class noun, so "its" is wake. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Mtengo ngwakudula chomene

   The price is very high

   Usage

   Says the price is too high, which can open a bargain

   Grammar Note

   -kudula means "expensive"; "ambula kudula" (not expensive) means cheap. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Nizamulipira na ndalama

   I will pay in cash

   Usage

   States how you pay

   Grammar Note

   ni-zamu-lipira: I + future + pay (kulipira, to pay); ndalama is "money" and also means cash. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Ndalama

   Money

   Usage

   The basic word for money

   Grammar Note

   A plural-class noun (zi- class); "ndalama zakukwana" means "enough money"

8. Mtengo

   Price

   Usage

   The word for price; the plural is mitengo

   Grammar Note

   A mu- class noun; the plural is mitengo

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