Nyanja (chinyanja), also known as Chewa (chicheŵa) after the largest tribe speaking it, is a Bantu language spoken by over 15 million people in southern Africa. Chewa/Nyanja is an official language and common lingua franca in Malawi and Zambia, and is spoken by some in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa as well.

The name Nyanja actually means "lake", so chinyanja is the "language of the lake" — referring to the language of the Chewas and other tribes who have adopted their language. In Malawi, the official name is Chichewa, while Zambia and Mozambique call it Nyanja.

Pronunciation

Basic Nyanja pronunciation is relatively straightforward, although getting it exactly right will require more study as the language is tonal and has some unusual sounds (for the native English speaker). Stress is usually placed on the second-last syllable. The writing system is logical if a little inconsistently applied in no small part due to dialectal variations.

Vowels

All vowels are pronounced "pure" and as in Italian.

a

as in father

e

as in bed or weigh

i

as in machine

o

as in vote

u

as in hoop

Consonants

Note that the consonants 'n' and 'm' can form initial clusters as in ndapita ("I'm going") or mpingo ("church").

b

like 'b' in "bed" (this English sounding explosive "b" is usually preceded by "m" to make a consonant blend)

b

like 'b' in the American southern dialect "down by the Bayou" (implosive 'b')

c, ch

like 'ch' in "chip" (without aspiration)

d

like 'd' in "dog" (this English sounding explosive 'd' never begins a word)

d

like 'd' in the American southern dialect "Down by the bayou" or the modern slang, "Dude!" (implosive 'd')

di

like 'dzi'

f

like 'ph' in "phone"

g

like 'g' in "go", like 'j' in "jello"

h

like 'h' in "help", emphasized in diphthongs

j

like 'dg' in "edge"

k

like "sKat" (unaspirated 'k')

kh

like 'c' in "cat"

l

like 'l' in "love"

m

like 'm' in "mother"

n

like 'n' in "nice"

ng

like 'ng' in "song" plus a hard 'g' afterward (two sounds)

ng'

like 'ng' in "song" (one sound)

ny

like 'ñ' in Spanish mañana

p

like "sPat" (unaspirated 'p')

ph

like 'p' in "pig"

r

pronounced softly like 'l', often interchangeable

s

like 'ss' in "hiss"

si

like 'she' in "sheet"

t

like "sTop" (unaspirated 't')

th

like 't' in "top"

tch

like 'ch' in "chip" (normally aspirated)

w

like 'w' in "wheel"

ŵ

bilabial fricative (IPA [ɸ], not found in English), best said like a weak 'w' edging towards 'f'

z

like 'z' in "adze"

Phrase list

For this phrasebook, we use the polite form for all phrases, on the presumption that you'll mostly be talking to people you don't already know.

There are significant dialectal variations in the language. Unless otherwise noted, all phrases here use the Malawi (Chichewa) dialect.

Basics

Hello.

Moni.

Sir (or) Mister

Abambo

Madam

Amayi

How are you?

Muli bwanji?

Fine, thank you. (And you?)

Ndili 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)

Thanks

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! Ndithadizeni

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

Ndimadziwa.

I don't know

Sindidziwa.

I want

Ndikufuna

I don't want

Sindikufuna

I heard

Ndamva

I didn't hear

Sindinamve

Where is the toilet?

Chimbudzi chili kuti? (Chimbuzi is a big goat :D)

Ladies (toilet)

Chimbudzi cha Akazi (Gentlemen - never ask for the Kazi..!!)

Gents (toilet)

Chimbudzi cha Amuna

White person

Mzungu / Azungu (plural)

Indian

Mmwenye / Amwenye

What?

Ati?

Problems

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

Stomach 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

Thank you and you ( after someone asks how are you )

zikomo khaya inu

Numbers

English numbers are very commonly used even when speaking in Nyanja.

1

Modzi

2

Wiri

3

Tatu

4

Nayi

5

Sanu

6

Sanu n'chimodzi (five and one)

7

Sanu n'ziwiri (five and two)

8

Sanu n'zitatu

9

Sanu n'zinayi

10

Khumi

11

khumi n'chimodzi (ten and one)

12

khumi n'ziwiri

13

khumi n'zitatu

14

khumi n'zinayi

15

khumi n'zisanu

16

khumi n'zisanu n'chimodzi (ten and five and one)

17

khumi n'zisanu n'ziwiri

18

khumi n'zisanu n'zitatu

19

khumi n'zisanu n'zinayi

20

makumi awiri (two tens)

21

makumi awiri n'chimodzi

22

makumi awiri n'ziwiri

23

makumi awiri n'zitatu

30

makumi atatu

40

makumi anayi

50

makumi asanu

60

makumi asanu n'limodzi

70

makumi asanu ndiawiri

80

makumi asanu ndiatatu

90

makumi asanu ndianayi

100

zana limodzi

200

mazana awiri

300

mazana atatu

1000

chikwi chimodzi

2000

zikwi ziwiri

1,000,000

one million (...)

1,000,000,000

one billion

1,000,000,000,000

one trillion

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

number _____ (...)

half

theka

less

kuchepera

more

kuchulukira

Time

What is the time?

Nthawi ili bwanji?

now

panopa (or) Tsopano

later

mbuyo

before

patsogolo pa(...)

tomorrow

mawa

early tomorrow

mawa, pa mamawa

morning

m'mawa

afternoon

masana

evening

madzulo

night

usiku

yesterday

dzulo

day before yesterday

dzana

Clock time

one o'clock AM

one o'clock AM ((one)wanu koloko m'mawa kwambiri)

ten o'clock AM

two o'clock AM ((ten)teni koloko m'mawa)

noon

noon (twelve koloko m'masana)

two o'clock PM

two o'clock PM ((two)tu koloko m'masana)

five o'clock PM

five o'clock PM ((five)faivi koloko m'madzulo)

midnight

midnight ((twelve)twelufu koloko m'usiku)

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ minute(s) (...)

_____ hour(s)

_____ hour(s) (...)

_____ day(s)

_____ tsiku (masiku) (...)

_____ week(s)

_____ mulungu (milungu) (...)

_____ month(s)

_____ month(s) (...)

_____ year(s)

_____ chaka (zaka) (...)

Days

today

lero

yesterday

dzulo

tomorrow

mawa

this week

mlungu uno / sabata ino

last week

mlungu watha / sabata yatha / sabata idapita

next week

mlungu wa mawa / sabata ya mawa / sabata ikubwera

Sunday

pasabata, lamulungu

Monday

lolemba

Tuesday

lachiwiri

Wednesday

lachitatu

Thursday

lachinayi

Friday

lachisanu

Saturday

loweluka

Months

January

January (kapale pale)

February

February (Chibwereza)

March

March (Kafukulira)

April

April (Masika)

May

May (Kolola)

June

June (Chisanu)

July

July (Mpukuto)

August

August (Mpukira)

September

September (Changululu)

October

October (Mafundi)

November

November (Kafwiritsira)

December

December (Dzirere)

Colors

black

kuda

white

yera

gray

gray (...)

red

wofiira (also used, impolitely, to describe a white person)

blue

kamtambo (...)

yellow

chikasu (...)

green

abiriwiri (...)

orange

ndimwi (...)

purple

purple (...)

brown

brown (...)

what colour?

mtundu uti (also means 'what sort?')

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

Tikiti ndi bwanji ku _____? (...)

One ticket to _____, please.

Tikiti imodzi ku _____. (...)

Where does this train/bus go?

Sitima/Basi ikupita kuti?

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Sitima/Basi ya ku______ ili kuti?

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

Sitima/Basi iyi imayima pa _____? (...)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Sitima/Basi yaku ______ inyamuka nthawi yanji?

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Sitima/Basi iyi ikafika ku _______ nthawi yanji?

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

How do I get to _____ ? (Ndingakafike bwanji ku ....)

...the train station?

...the train station? (...steji ya njanji?)

...the bus station?

...the bus station? (...steji ya basi?)

...the airport?

...the airport? (...bwalo la ndege?)

...downtown?

...downtown? (...Town)

...the youth hostel?

...the youth hostel? (...)

...the _____ hotel?

...the _____ hotel? (...Hotela ya_____)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (...Embassy ya_____)

...the office(s) of______

Ofesi ya______

Where are there a lot of...

Where are there a lot of... (Ma... ambiri ali kuti?)

...hotels?

...hotels? (Mahotela...)

...restaurants?

...restaurants? (MaRestaurant...)

...bars?

...bars? (Mabara...)

...sites to see?

...sites to see? (Malo osangalatsa aleno ku awone...)

Can you show me on the map?

Can you show me on the map? (Mungandionetse pa map?)

street

street (Mseu)

Turn left.

Turn left. (Khotani/Mukhote kumanzere)

Turn right.

Turn right. (Khotani/Mukhote kumanja)

Road

Mseu (pronounced Msay-oo)

left

left (Kumanzere)

right

right (Kumanja)

straight ahead

straight ahead (Straight)

towards the _____

towards the _____ (mbali ya ku...)

past the _____

past the _____ (Kudutsa pa...)

before the _____

before the _____ (Osafika pa...)

Watch for the _____.

Watch for the _____. (muyang-anile chizindikilo cha...)

intersection

intersection (pokomano miseu/pa mphambano...)

north

north (ku mpoto...)

south

south (ku mwela...)

east

east (ku mm'awa...)

west

west (ku madzulo...)

uphill

uphill (ku mtunda/kokwela...)

downhill

downhill (ku musi...)

Taxi

Taxi!

Taxi! (...)

Take me to _____, please.

Munditengere ku________, chonde.

How much does it cost to get to _____?

Ndibwanji kupita ku _____? (...)

Take me there, please.

Munditengere kumeneko, chonde.

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

Alipo Malo?

How much is a room for one person/two people?

Ndalama zingati room ya munthu m'modzi/anthu awiri? (...)

Does the room come with...

Room iri ndi ......

...bedsheets?

Ma bedsheet?

...a bathroom?

...kosambira? (...)

...a telephone?

...telephone? (...)

...a TV?

...a TV? (...)

May I see the room first?

Choyamba, ndingathe kuona malo?

Do you have anything quieter?

Pali kwina kopanda phokoso? (...)

...bigger?

...yokulirapo? (...)

...cleaner?

...cleaner? (...)

...cheaper?

...yochipirapo? (...)

OK, I'll take it.

Chabwino, nditenga yomweyi.

I will stay for _____ night(s).

NdiKhala kuno masiku_______

Can you suggest another hotel?

Mungandiuze hotel ina? (...)

Do you have a safe?

Do you have a safe? (...)

...lockers?

...lockers? (...)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Is breakfast/supper included? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

What time is breakfast/supper? (...)

Please clean my room.

Chonde, ndikonzereni room. (...)

Can you wake me at _____? | Mundidzutse nthawi ya ________

I want to check out.

Ndikufuna ndituluke mu hotel. (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (...) kodi mu vomera kutenga ndalama zaku ma chalo ena?

Do you accept British pounds?

Do you accept British pounds? (...)

Do you accept credit cards?

Do you accept credit cards? (...)

Can you change money for me?

Can you change money for me? (...)

Where can I get money changed?

Where can I get money changed? (...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)

What is the exchange rate?

What is the exchange rate? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (...)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

Can I look at the menu, please?

Ndingaone menu?

Can I look in the kitchen?

Ndingakaone ku khitchini?

Is there a house specialty?

Is there a local specialty?

I'm a vegetarian.

Ndimadya masamba basi/

I don't eat pork.

Sindimadya nyama ya nkhumba.

I don't eat beef.

Sindimadya nyama ya ng'ombe.

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

fixed-price meal

à la carte

breakfast

lunch

tea (meal)

supper

I would like _____.

Ndifuna _____.

I would like a dish containing _____.

Ndikufuna chakudya chokhala ndi___________

chicken

nkhuku

beef

nyama ya ng'ombe

pork

nyama ya nkhumba

fish

nsomba

maize porridge

nsima

eggs

mazira

salad

saladi, masamba

(fresh) vegetables

masamba.

(fresh) fruit

chipatso (one), zipatso (many)

bread

buledi

rice

mpunga

beans

nyemba

May I have a glass of _____?

May I have a cup of _____?

May I have a bottle of _____?

coffee

khofi

tea (drink)

tiyi

maize drink

maheu

water

madzi

beer (Western)

mowa

beer (maize)

masese

May I have some _____?

Mundipatseko ________?

salt

mchere

black pepper

Tsabola

butter

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

I'm finished.

Ndakhuta

It was delicious.

Chakudya chinali bwino.

Please clear the plates.

Chotsani mbale, zikomo.

The check, please.

Ndipatseni bill.

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

Mumagulitsa mowa? (...)

Is there table service?

table service iriko? (...)

A beer/two beers, please.

Mowa umodzi/mowa uwiri, zikomo.

A glass of red/white wine, please.

Glass ya red/white wine, zikomo. (...)

A pint, please.

A pint, please. (...)

A bottle, please.

Botolo limodzi, zikomo. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

_____ and _____, please. (...)

whiskey

whiskey (...)

vodka

vodka (...)

rum

rum (...)

water

madzi

club soda

club soda (...)

tonic water

tonic water (...)

orange juice

orange juice (...)

Coke (soda)

Coke (...)

Do you have any bar snacks?

Do you have any bar snacks? (...)

One more, please.

One more, please. (...)

Another round, please.

Another round, please. (...)

When is closing time?

Mumatseka nthawi yanji? (...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

Do you have this in my size? (...)Ilipo size yanga?

How much is this?

Ndi ndalama zingati ichi?

That's too expensive.

Chikudula kwambiri

Too much.

Zadullah

Would you take _____?

Would you take _____? (...)Mumatha kutenga______?

expensive

Kudula

cheap

cheap (Kuchipa...)

I can't afford it.

Sindingakwanitse

I don't want it.

Sindiri kufuna

You're cheating me.

Ukunama. (...)

I'm not interested.

(..) Sindikufuna

OK, I'll take it.

Chabwino, Nditenga

Can I have a bag?

Muli ndi jumbo? (...)

Do you ship (overseas)?

mumatumiza kwinakwache (kunja)?

I need...

ndirikufuna

...toothpaste.

...toothpaste. (...)

...a toothbrush.

...a toothbrush. (nswachi...)

...tampons.

...tampons. (...)

...soap.

...soap. (...) sopo

...shampoo.

...shampoo. (...) zochapila tsisi

...pain reliever. ('e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen')

mankhwala(then specify ailment)

...cold medicine.

...cold medicine. (...) mankhwala achifuwa

...stomach medicine.

...stomach medicine. (...)mankhwala a mmimba

...a razor.

...a razor. (Leza or Lezala...)

...an umbrella.

...an umbrella. (...)

...sunblock lotion.

...sunblock lotion. (...)mankhwala wadzuwa

...a postcard.

...a postcard. (post card...)

...postage stamps.

...postage stamps. (stampa...)

...batteries.

...batteries. (mabatile...)

...writing paper.

...writing paper. (...)pepala lolembera kalata

...a pen.

...a pen. (cholembera...)

...English-language books.

Mabuku achingelezi

...English-language magazines.

...English-language magazines. (magazine zachingelezi...)

...an English-language newspaper.

...an English-language newspaper. (nyuzi ya chingelezi...)

...an English-English dictionary.

Dictionary ya chingelezi

Driving

I want to rent a car.

Ndikufuna rent Galimoto. (...)

Can I get insurance?

Can I get insurance? (...)

stop (on a street sign)

stop (...)

one way

one way (...)

yield

yield (...)

no parking

no parking (...)

speed limit

speed limit (...)

gas (petrol) station

gas station (...)

petrol

petrol (...)

diesel

diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

sindinapange mulandu ulionse. (...)

It was a misunderstanding.

It was a misunderstanding. (...)

Where are you taking me?

muli kundipereka kuti? (...)

Am I under arrest?

kodi mwandi manga? (...)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

I want to talk to a lawyer. (Ndi kufuna kukambirana ndi kaswili wamalamulo)

Can I just pay a fine now?

Can I just pay a fine now? (...)

What is this/that called?

Nichani ichi? Muchiyitana chani icho?(...)