Public Transport

1. Basi yinyake yikwiza pawuli?

   When does the next bus come?

   Usage

   Asks when the next bus arrives, at a stop or depot

   Grammar Note

   "Basi" is a class 9 noun, so "yinyake" and "yikwiza" begin with "yi-". "Pawuli" ("when") goes at the end. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Nkhukhumba tikiti ya basi

   I want a bus ticket

   Usage

   Asks for a bus ticket at the counter or from the conductor

   Grammar Note

   "Tikiti" is a class 9 noun with the plural "matikiti". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Kasi tikiti ni ndalama zilinga?

   How much is the ticket?

   Usage

   Asks the price of a bus or boat ticket

   Grammar Note

   Prices are asked with "Kasi ni ndalama zilinga?" (literally "how much money is it?"). "Zilinga" ("how many") agrees with "ndalama". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Kasi basi iyi yikuluta ku ___?

   Does this bus go to ___?

   Usage

   Checks the bus's destination before boarding; put a place name in ___

   Grammar Note

   "Yi-ku-luta" is "it-present-go". "Ku" comes before the destination. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Sitima iyi yikuluta nkhu?

   Where does this train (or ship) go?

   Usage

   At a station or port, to ask where a train or ship goes

   Grammar Note

   "sitima" is used for both trains and ships; a train on land is "sitima zapamtunda". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Nkhukhumba kukhira apa

   I want to get off here

   Usage

   Tells the driver or conductor that you want to get off here

   Grammar Note

   "kukhira" means to go down or get off. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Basi

   Bus

   Usage

   Bus; the plural is "mabasi"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun borrowed from English "bus", with the plural "mabasi"; loanword, native review recommended

8. Tikiti

   Ticket

   Usage

   A ticket for a vehicle or entry; the plural is "matikiti"

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun borrowed from English "ticket", with the plural "matikiti"; loanword, native review recommended

9. Boti

   Boat

   Usage

   A boat that carries people across a lake or river; the plural is "maboti"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun (it agrees with "li-", as in "boti ilo") borrowed from English "boat", with the plural "maboti"

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