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Chichewa Refresher
Vowel sounds: A=ah, E=A, I=ee, O=oh,U=ooh
English |
Chichewa |
Greetings |
Hello |
Moni |
The proper response to “Moni” is |
Zikomo |
Hello (all of you) |
Moni onse |
Hello (to a church congregation) |
Moni pingo onse |
Hello sir (father) |
Moni abambo |
Hello ma’am (mother) |
Moni amayi |
Hello Pastor |
Moni abusa |
Hello (to the Pastor’s wife) |
Moni mayi abusa |
Phrases |
How are you (all)? |
Muli bwanji? |
Response to Muli bwanji?: I am well. How are you (all)? |
Ndili bwino. Kaya inu? |
Morning. How did you sleep? |
Magona bwanji? |
Response to Magona bwanji? I slept well. |
Ndagona bwino. |
How have you been since I last saw you? |
Madzuka bwanji? |
Response to Madzuka bwanji? I have been well. |
Ndadzuka bwino. |
Afternoon |
How is your day? |
Mwaswera bwanji? |
Response to Mwaswera bwanji? My day is going well. |
Ndaswera bwino |
Arriving at the house |
I’m home (entering). |
Odi. |
Enter. Please come in. |
Odini. Lowani. |
Be seated (on the chair). |
Khalani (pappando). |
Leaving |
I’m going. (I’ve gone). |
Ndapita. |
Go well. |
Pitani bwino. |
Stay well. |
Tsalani bwino. |
Phrases and short sentences |
Thank you (very much). |
Zikomo (kwambiri). |
OK. |
Chabwino. |
I’m sorry. |
Pepani. |
I don’t know. |
Kaya. |
Maybe. |
Kapena. |
Yes. |
Ee or Inde. |
No. |
Ai or Iai. |
Certainly, Truly, Indeed. |
Ndithu(di), Zoona(di). |
He/she is not here. |
Palibe. |
There isn’t any. |
Palibe. |
It doesn’t matter. |
Palibe kanthu. |
I’m glad, I’m happy. |
Ndakondwera. |
Please help me. |
Mundithandize. |
What is your name? |
Dzina lanu ndani? |
I want …. |
Ndilikufuna. |
I don’t want …. |
Sindilikufuna. |
Meals/Foods |
Breakfast |
Mfisulo |
Lunch. |
Nkhomaliro. |
Dinner |
Mgonero |
Bread |
Buledi |
Corn Flour |
Ufa |
A staple dish, made of ufa |
Nsima |
Tea |
Tiyi |
Coffee |
Khofi |
Salt |
Mchere |
Sweets |
Switi |
Chicken |
Nkhuku |
Rice |
Mpunga |
Fish |
Nsomba |
Lake Malawi specialty fish |
Chambo |
Groundnuts (peanuts) |
Mtedzu |
Nouns |
Bed |
Kama |
Luggage, stuff |
Katundu |
Toilet |
Chimbudzi |
Hospital |
Chipatala |
Child / children |
Mwana / ana |
Pastor |
Abusa |
Pastor’s wife |
Mayi abusa |
Sir, Father |
Abambo |
Ma’am, Mother |
Amayi |
Grandmother, grandfather |
Agogo |
Everyone |
Onse |
Money |
How much is it? |
Mukuchita bwanji? |
Church |
Let us pray. |
Tipemphere. |
Hymn |
Nyimbo |
God bless you (all). |
Mlungu akudalitsen(i). |
Questions |
Who? |
Ndani? |
What? |
Chiyani? |
When? |
Liti? |
Where? |
Kuti? |
How? |
Bwanji? |
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