Basic Nouns

1. Maji

   Water

   Usage

   For asking for drinking water; not the Chichewa word madzi

   Grammar Note

   "maji" belongs to class 6 (ma-) and is used only in the plural

2. Chakurya

   Food

   Usage

   For asking for food or looking for a place that sells it

   Grammar Note

   "cha-kurya" is "a thing to eat" and the plural is "vyakurya"; it is also spelled chakulya

3. Katundu

   Goods, belongings

   Usage

   For goods that are bought, sold or carried, and for personal belongings

   Grammar Note

   "katundu" means goods, property or belongings and is not normally counted; it also covers goods being carried

4. Kiyi

   Key

   Usage

   A room or car key

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English; the plural is "makiyi"

5. Tikiti

   Ticket

   Usage

   A bus or train ticket, or an entrance ticket

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English; the plural is "matikiti"; loanword, native review recommended

6. Pasipoti

   Passport

   Usage

   Often asked for at a lodging or border

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English; the plural is "mapasipoti"; loanword, native review recommended

7. Chipatala

   Hospital

   Usage

   To name the destination when ill or hurt

   Grammar Note

   Followed by a name as in "chipatala cha ..." (the hospital of ...)

8. Ŵapolisi

   Police

   Usage

   The police officers, as the people to turn to for help

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "ŵa-" marks people in the plural or respect form, so it names the officers collectively

9. Sitolo

   Shop

   Usage

   A shop; the plural is "masitolo", and supermarkets are "masitolo ghakulughakulu"

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "store"; the plural is "masitolo". The singular is inferred from the plural; native review recommended

10. Chipinda

    Room

    Usage

    A room, such as a lodging room or a classroom

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "vipinda" and a small room is "kachipinda"

11. Nthowa

    Road

    Usage

    A road, path or way; useful for asking directions

    Grammar Note

    "nthowa" also means "method" and "times"; "msewu" is used for a larger road

12. Mbumba

    Family

    Usage

    When talking about your family

    Grammar Note

    The plural is also "mbumba"; the context shows whether it is one family or several

13. Zina

    Name

    Usage

    When asking for or giving a name

    Grammar Note

    "zina lane" is "my name" and "zina linu" is "your name"; the plural is "mazina"

14. Maso

    Eyes

    Usage

    To describe an eye problem or pain

    Grammar Note

    It is normally said in the plural, "maso"

15. Mino

    Teeth

    Usage

    To describe tooth pain

    Grammar Note

    It is normally said in the plural, "mino"

16. Hotelo

    Hotel

    Usage

    The word for looking for a hotel

    Grammar Note

    Another way to say it is "nyumba ya kugonako ŵalendo" (a house where travellers stay); loanword, native review recommended

17. Chiŵanja cha ndege

    Airport

    Usage

    For asking the way to the airport

    Grammar Note

    "chiŵanja" alone can mean the airport, but adding "cha ndege" makes it unambiguous

18. Msika

    Market

    Usage

    For asking the way to the market

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "misika"; "mu msika" means "in the market"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages