Transportation

1. Nkhukhumba kuluta ku ___

   I want to go to ___

   Usage

   To tell a driver or ticket seller your destination; put a place name in the blank

   Grammar Note

   Place names take "ku" before them. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Chonde, nipani tikiti yimoza ya ku ___

   One ticket to ___, please

   Usage

   To buy a ticket at a bus station or counter

   Grammar Note

   "-pa" means "give"; "ya ku" links the destination. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Basi iyi yikuluta nkhu?

   Where does this bus go?

   Usage

   To check the destination before boarding

   Grammar Note

   "basi iyi" (this bus) has the same shape as "galimoto iyi", and "nkhu" follows the verb. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Ulendo ni maola ghalinga?

   How many hours is the journey?

   Usage

   To ask how long a long trip takes

   Grammar Note

   "-linga" agrees with the class (ghalinga for class 6); "maola ghaŵiri" is two hours. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Chonde, yimiskani basi apa

   Please stop the bus here

   Usage

   To ask the driver to stop where you want to get off

   Grammar Note

   "-yimiska" is the causative of stopping, "make stop". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Kasi chiŵanja cha ndege ni patali?

   Is the airport far?

   Usage

   To ask how far the airport is

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Nkhuluta ku Lilongwe pa basi

   I am going to Lilongwe by bus

   Usage

   States destination and means; swap in another place name as needed

   Grammar Note

   Vehicles take the locative "pa" (pa sitima = by train). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. Chonde, nitolerani ku ___

   Take me to ___, please

   Usage

   To ask a taxi or a lift to take you to a place

   Grammar Note

   "-tola" means "take, carry" and "-tolera" does it for someone (as in "took him to the hospital"). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Ndalama zilinga zakuluta ku ___?

   How much is the fare to ___?

   Usage

   To confirm the fare before boarding

   Grammar Note

   "za-" is the "of" that agrees with plural "ndalama". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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