Learn Nyanja (Chicehewa) LanguageCommon / Useful Words in Nyanja (Chichewa)
English Nyanja (Chewa) Hello. Moni Sir (or) Mister Abambo Madam Amayi How are you? Muli bwanji? Fine, thank you. (And you?) Ndiri bwino.(Kaya inu? [or] Kaya anzathu?) What is your name? Dzina lanu ndani?/Dzina lanu ndi yani? My name is ______ . Dzina langa ndi ______ . Please. chonde Thank you. Zikomo. (very common – ends most conversations) Yes Ee / Eya / Inde (can also mean “indeed”). Truly (or) Really Ndithu No Iyayi (used strongly) or ayi (more polite) Bad Woipa (person), or choipa (thing) Excuse me Zikomo I’m sorry. Pepani “See you later”/We shall meet. Tionana Goodbye (meaning, I’m going.) Ndapita Have a safe journey Yendani bwino / Muyende bwino Stay well Tsalani bwino / Mutsale bwino I don’t speak Nyanja. Sindimalankhula chinyanja. Do you speak English? Mumalankhula chizungu/chingelesi? Is there someone here who speaks English? Alipo munthu pano olankhula chizungu? Help me! Mundithandize! Don’t be rude (or) cheeky Osapanga chipongwe Swear words Mau Otukwana Good morning. Mwauka bwanji? / Mwadzuka bwanji? (greeting) Ndadzuka bwino (response) Good afternoon. Mwasewela bwanji? (greeting) Ndasewela bwino (response) Good evening. Mwachoma bwanji (greeting) Ndachoma bwino (response) Good night. Usiku wabwino Sleep well. Gonani bwino or Mugone bwino I don’t understand Sindimvetsa or sindikumvetsa I know Ndidziwa I don’t know Sindidziwa I want Ndifuna I don’t want Sindikufuna I heard Ndamva I didn’t hear Sindinamva Where is the toilet? Chimbuzi chili kuti? Ladies (toilet) Chimbuzu cha Akazi (Gentlemen – never ask for the Kazi..!!) Gents (toilet) Chimbuzi cha Amuna White person Mzungu / Azungu (plural) Indian Mmwenye / Amwenye Leave me alone. Ndilekeni or Ndisiyeni Don’t touch me! Osandigwira Don’t swear (or) bad-mouth Osatukwana I’ll call the police. Ndiitana apolisi Police! Wapolisi! Stop! Thief! Gwirani! Wakubayo! I need your help. Mundithandize, or Thandizeni It’s an emergency. N’zofunika mwamsanga I’m lost. Ndasochera I lost my bag. Ndataya chikwama I lost my wallet. Ndataya kachikwama kanga kandalama I’m sick. Ndikudwala Head ache. Ndikudwala mutu Pain. Kupweteka Stomache ache. Kupweteka m’mimba Chest pain. Kupweteka chifuwa Cough. Kutsokomola Diarrhoea. Kotsekula m’mimba I’ve been injured. Ndapweteka I need a doctor. Ndikufuna dokotala Hospital. Chipatala Can I use your phone? Ndingaimbe nawo foni yanuyo? There’s been an accident Kuli Ngozi Hurry quickly Fulumira Msanga Run! Thamanga Hit (or) clout Menya Go away (as in scram) Choka I don’t want sindikufuna |
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