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Chichewa Pronunciation Guide

Chichewa Language:

Chichewa is the local language of Malawi. The following will assist you to learn some Chichewa.

Online Chichewa Dictionary: http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/translation/Chichewa/ The following link is helpful too: www.digitaldialects.com/Chichewa.htm

This page consists of a list of some Chichewa words/phrases and their meanings in English. It should be noted that the interpretation is based on their basic meanings. In some contexts the meanings may be different.

Chichewa pronunciation guide.

\a\ as a in father
\e\ as e in bed
\i\ as i in hit
\o\ as o in go
\u\ as u in put

--- Compiled by Harry Gombachika

* hello --- moni
* how are you ? --- muli bwanji ?
* I am fine --- ndiri bwino
* Thank you --- zikomo
* I am happy --- ndakondwa/ndili wokondwa/ndasangalala/ndili wosangalala
* I am sick/ill --- ndikudwala
* I have arrived --- ndafika
* I have departed - ndanyamuka
* I am tired - ndatopa
* I love you --- ndimakukonda/ndimakukondani
* I love you too --- ndimakukondanso/ndimakukondaninso
* God --- Mulungu/Chauta/Namalenga
* person --- munthu
* father --- bambo
* mother --- mayi
* child --- mwana
* boy --- mnyamata
* girl --- mtsikana
* garment --- chobvala (shirt, dress etc)
* shorts --- kabudula
* chilundu --- a piece of cloth wrapped round the waist covering from waist down.
* shoe(s) --- nsapato
* house --- nyumba
* aeroplane - ndege
* village --- mudzi
* country --- dziko
* way/ path --- njira
* road --- nseu
* bicycle --- njinga
* car --- galimoto
* plane --- ndenge
* eating - kudya
* food --- chakudya
* water --- madzi
* beer --- mowa
* meat --- nyama
* rice --- mpunga
* corn/maize --- chimanga
* fish --- nsomba
* salt --- mchere
* pepper --- tsabola
* tobacco --- fodya
* smoking - kusuta
* money --- ndalama
* ndalama zingati ? --- how much ? ( asking for a price of a commodity )
* lion --- mkango
* elephant --- njobvu
* zebra --- mbidzi
* buffalo --- njati
* crocodile --- ng'ona
* hippo --- mvuwu/bokho
* hare kalulu
* dog --- galu
* cat --- mphaka/chona/chome
* bird --- mbalame
* chicken --- nkhuku
* snake --- njoka
* frog --- chule
* toad --- finye
* tree --- mtengo
* chair --- mpando
* fence --- mpanda
* hoe handle --- mpini
* sarvior --- mpulumutsi
* knife --- mpeni
* cave --- phanga
* wing --- phiko
* germinate --- phuka
* parcel --- phukusi
* cook (verb) --- phika
* shoulder --- phewa
* run away --- thawa
* buttock --- thako
* a tale --- nthano
* solid rock --- thanthwe
* bed --- kama
* to milk --- kukama
* hoe --- khasu
* ear --- khutu
* pig --- nkhumba
* fire wood --- nkhuni
* to eat --- kudya
* to buy --- kugula
* to want --- kufuna
* to walk --- kuyenda
* to go --- kupita
* to sleep --- kugona
* to write --- kulemba
* to think --- kuganiza
* to steal --- kuba
* to drink --- kumwa
* to sing --- kuyimba
* to dance --- kuvina
* to jump --- kulumpha/kudumpha
* to walk --- kuyenda
* to laugh --- kuseka
* to read--- kuwerenga
* to runkuthamanga
* to lie --- kunama
* to put --- kuika
* to doubt --- kukayika
* to go --- kupita
* to come --- kubwera
* to send --- kutumiza
* to receive --- kulandira
* to hide --- kubisa
* to complain --- kudandaula

Zikomo kwambiri ---- thank you very much.

Many of the links on this page are courtesy of: http://www.malawithewarmheart.com/index.php?catid=15

 


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