Post Office

1. Positi ofesi

   Post office

   Usage

   The word for a post office, used when asking the way

   Grammar Note

   "positi ofesi" is a loanword from English "post office" and is treated as a class 9 noun; loanword, native review recommended

2. Kasi positi ofesi yili nkhu?

   Where is the post office?

   Usage

   Asking where the post office is

   Grammar Note

   "yili" is the class 9 form of "is" and "nkhu" is the question word "where". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Kalata

   Letter

   Usage

   The word for a letter; the plural is makalata

   Grammar Note

   "kalata" is a class 9 noun, so "this letter" is "kalata iyi"

4. Nkhukhumba kutumizga kalata iyi ku charu chakuwaro

   I want to send this letter abroad

   Usage

   Used at the counter to send a letter overseas

   Grammar Note

   nkhu- (I) + -khumba (want) is followed by a ku- infinitive. charu chakuwaro is "the outside country", i.e. abroad. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Kasi ni ndalama zilinga kutumizga kalata iyi?

   How much does it cost to send this letter?

   Usage

   Asking the postage at the counter

   Grammar Note

   "ndalama zilinga" plus a ku- infinitive asks the price of doing something. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Kasi kalata iyi yizamufika pa mazuŵa ghalinga?

   In how many days will this letter arrive?

   Usage

   Asking how many days a letter will take to arrive

   Grammar Note

   yi-zamu-fika is the class 9 subject yi- + future -zamu- + root -fika "arrive"; "mazuŵa" is a ma- class noun, so "how many" is "ghalinga". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Nevulupu

   Envelope

   Usage

   The word for an envelope, used when asking for one at a counter or shop

   Grammar Note

   A loanword from English "envelope"; loanword, native review recommended

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