Learn the Bemba Language of Zambia - Sambilileni Icitundu ca Cibemba icamu Zambia

Bemba Phrases that Can Help
Here are some Bemba phrases...very useful if you should come to visit as a volunteer.

English                                 Bemba
​My name is.................................Ishina lyandi nine....
What is your name?....................Niwe nani?
His/her name is...........................Ishina lyakwe ni......
Are you Mr John?........................Ni we John?
Let me introduce………................Leka nkwebe/nkulondolwele
My colleague...............................Uotubomba nankwe
My friend.....................................Umunandi
I'm pleased to meet you...............Natemwa pakukumona
How are you?...............................Muli Shani (formal) / Ulishani
I'm fine thanks & you?.................Bwino, ngaiwe?
How are things?...........................Ifintu filishani
Where are you from?....................Wafumakwisa
I'm from Great Britain...................Nafuma ku Great Britain
Where do you live?......................Wikala kwisa?
I live in London...........................Njikala ku London
How do you say this in Bemba?...Mulanda shani ifi mu Cibemba?
Do you know English?.................Walishiba icisungu?
Yes a little....................................Ee panono
I don't speak Bemba well..............Nshaishiba Icibemba sana
Could you please speak more slowly....Landa panono panono
Do you understand?.....................Waumfwa
I don't understand........................Nshumfwile
I'm sorry.......................................Mbelelako uluse
Could you please repeat that?......Bwekeshapo
Excuse me...................................Mbelelako uluse
Have you been to Africa before?...Waliyako ku Africa?
This is my first visit to Zambia.....Elyonaisako ku Zambia
Lunch..........................................Icakulya cakasuba
Dinner..........................................Icakulya cacungulo
Food............................................Ifyakulya
Please come in............................Ingileni
Please sit down...........................Ikaleni
Would you like something to eat?..Bushe mulefwaya ifyakulya?
Would you like something to drink?..Bushe mulefwaya ifyakunwa?
Do you like the food?...................Bushe mwafitemwa ifyakulya?
The food is delicious...................Ifyakulya nafiwama
Thanks for a wonderful time........Natotela sana
Yes..............................................Ee
No................................................Awe
Ok................................................Bwino
Please..........................................Mukwai
Thank you very much...................Natolela sana / twatotela sana
Hello ............................................Ulishani / Mulishani
Good morning..............................Mwashibukeni
Good afternoon.............................Cungulo mukwai
Good night....................................Sendamenipo
Goodbye.......................................Shalenipo
See you later.................................Tukamonana
Come again soon..........................Mukese bwangu
What are you doing?.....................Ulecita finshi?
Where are you going?...................Waya kwisa?
I'm going to work..........................Naya kuncito
Could we go together?..................Bushe kuti twaya bonse?
We're ready right now...................Twalaya ililine
Are you ready?..............................Nauipekanya?
Please wait for me.........................Ndolela
We are in a hurry/ Let's hurry.........Twendesheko
I don't know...................................Nshishibe
I don't think so...............................Nshiletontontanya ifyo
I'm cold..........................................Nintatala
I'm hot............................................Ninkaba
I'm hungry......................................Ndinensala
I'm thirsty.......................................Ndinecilaka
I'm happy........................................Ndinensansa
I'm sad............................................Ndinobulanda
I'm tired...........................................Ninaka
I'm fine............................................Ndifye bwino
Please do not disturb......................Wimfulunganyo
Where is the bathroom?..................Ukwakusambila nikwisa?

National Anthem in Bemba
Lumbanyeni Zambia, no kwanga,
Ne cilumba twange tuumfwane,
Mpalume sha bulwi bwa cine,
Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.

Bonse tuli bana ba Africa,
Uwasenaminwa na Lesa,
Nomba bonse twendele pamo,
Twaliilubula.
Twikatane bonse.

Fwe lukuta lwa Zambia lonse,
Twikatane tubyo mutende,
Pamo nga lubambe mu mulu,
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
Twikatane bonse.

Lumbanyeni,
Lesa, Lesa, wesu,
Apale calo,
Zambia, Zambia, Zambia.
Fwe bantungwa
Mu luunga lwa calo.
Lumbanyeni Zambia.
Twikatane bonse.