The African nation of Malawi, in central Africa is one of the poorest countries in the world with many orphans and vulnerable children due mostly to the HIV/AIDS virus. Orbus Australia has been established to play a small part in trying to help some of these children. Orbus' first project is the Orbus Centre in Ngumbe, Blantyre in the southern region of Malawi.

Chichewa Language 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

The following has been compiled by Vin Lopes:

Chichewa Practical and Helpful Basics:

Is your morning good? Mwadzuka Bwanji?

My morning is good and yourself? Ndadzuka Bwino.Kaya Inu?

I’m fine and yourself Ndiri Bwino. Kaya Inu?

Is your afternoon/evening good? Mwaswera Bwanji?

My afternoon/evening is good and yourself? Ndaswera Bwino.Kaya Inu?

Goodnight Mugone Bwino

See you later Tionana

Travel or go well Muyende bwino

See you in the morning Tionana Mamawa

I’m leaving or goodbye Ndapita or Ndikupita

I’m tired Ndatopa

I‘m happy Ndakondwa or Ndakondwera

I’m sick Ndikudwala

Are you full? Mwakhuta

I’m full Ndakhuta

I am sorry Pepani

I am very sorry Pepani Kwambiri

Thank You Zikomo

Thank you very much Zikomo Kwambiri

Your Friend Mzako

My friend Nzanga

Nice day Tsiku la bwino

Have a nice day Mukhale ndi tsiku labwino

God bless you Mulungu Akudalitseni

Money Ndalama

How much is the cost? Ndalama Zingati

Yes Inde

No Ayi

Why Chifukwa Chiyani

Welcome Takulandirani

How’s things (a friends greeting) Zikuyenda

Everything’s good Zabwino

Lady or mother Mayi

Ladies Amayi or Azimayi

Girl Mtsikana

Girls Atsikana

Difficult Zovuta

Is difficult Chovuta

Is very difficult Chovuta Kwambiri

You are trouble Ndiwe Mavuto

Crazy man Wa Misala or Wopenga

Brother Achimwene

Sister Achemwali

Chief or King Mfumu

Many Chiefs Mafumu

Big Chief Amfumu

Chief of chiefs Mfumu Yaikuli or Mfumu yamafumu

Love Chikondi

Mercy Chifundo

Where is? (a person) Alikuti

Where is? (a thing) Chilikuti

Where is? (a place) Ilikuti

Where is? (a street) Ulikuti

Where are? (many things) Zilikuti

I am pleased to meet you Ndakondwera kukudziwani

The following has been 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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Chichewa Language Guide