Sports & Activities

1. Nkhukhumba kuseŵera bola la malundi

   I want to play football

   Usage

   To tell locals you would like to join a football game

   Grammar Note

   Football is "bola la malundi" (literally "ball of the legs"); "bola" alone means "ball". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Mukukhumba kuseŵera bola la malundi nkhu?

   Where do you want to play football?

   Usage

   Asks a playing partner where they would like to play football

   Grammar Note

   "Mu-ku-khumba" is "you (plural)-present-want", also the polite way to address one person. "Nkhu" goes at the end. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Kasi tingaseŵera bola la malundi nkhu?

   Where can we play football?

   Usage

   Asks where there is a field or ground for football

   Grammar Note

   "Ti-nga-seŵera" is "we-can-play". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Bola

   Ball

   Usage

   A ball; football is "bola la malundi"

   Grammar Note

   A class 5 noun borrowed from English "ball"; it is also used for round things, as in "bola la ungweru" (ball of light)

5. Nkhukhumba kukwera phiri

   I want to climb a mountain

   Usage

   Tells a guide that you want to climb a mountain or go hiking

   Grammar Note

   "Kukwera" means "to go up, to climb", and is also used for boarding a vehicle. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Nkhukhumba kuchimbira

   I want to run

   Usage

   Says you want to go for a run

   Grammar Note

   The infinitive of the command "Chimbira!" (Run!). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Maseŵera

   Sports / games

   Usage

   Sports and matches in general; "maseŵera gha bola" means ball games

   Grammar Note

   A class 6 noun, treated as plural. It shares its root with the verb "kuseŵera" (to play)

8. Timu

   Team

   Usage

   A sports team; "timu yake" means his or her team

   Grammar Note

   A class 9 noun borrowed from English "team"

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