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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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