Tumbuka (chiTumbuka) is a Bantu language which is spoken in parts of Northern Malawi, Eastern Zambia, and South-Western Tanzania.

The language of the Tumbuka is called chiTumbuka - the 'chi' in front of Tumbuka meaning 'the language of', similar to 'ki' in kiSwahili or 'se' in seTswana.

The World Almanac (1998) estimates approximately 2,000,000 Tumbuka speakers exist in the aforementioned three countries.

There are substantial differences between the form of Tumbuka spoken in urban areas (which borrows some words from Chichewa/Nyanja) and the "village" or "deep" Tumbuka spoken in villages. Furthermore there are many alternative spellings in written Tumbuka, and no standard orthography. The Rumphi variant is often regarded as the most "linguistically pure", and is sometimes called "real Tumbuka".

Pronunciation

Vowels

a

like the "a" in "father"

e

like the "ay" in "pay" (like the French é)

i

like the "ee" in "tree" (like the French i)

o

like the "o" in "home"

u

something like the "oo" in "food"

Consonants

b

like 'b' in "bed", but sometimes interchangeable with 'w'

c

like 'k' in "kid"

ch

like 'ch' in "chair"

d

like 'd' in "dog"

f

like 'f' in "fit"

g

like 'g' in "go"

h

like 'h' in "help"

j

like 'dg' in "edge"

k

like 'c' in "cat"

l

like 'l' in "love", but often interchangeable with 'r'

m

like 'm' in "mother"

n

like 'n' in "nice"

nkh

like a 'n' sound at the back of the mouth expelling air through the nose

p

like 'p' in "pig"

ph

like a breathy 'p'

r

like 'r' in "row", but often interchangeable with 'l'

s

like 'ss' in "hiss", like 'z' in "haze"

t

like 't' in "top"

v

like 'v' in "victory"

w

like 'w' in "weight", but sometimes interchangeable with 'b'

y

like 'y' in "yes"

z

like 'z' in "haze"

Vocabulary

Basics

The standard greetings are addressed as questions, most of which can be answered with the word makola.

Ni- I, Mu- You, Ta-He/She,They

Tense ku- present Ka- past zamu-future

all verbs will start like kugona (to sleep)

to build a verb use prounoun +tense+ verb

So I will sleep, Ni+ Zamu+ gona= nizamugona

How are you?

Muli uli?

Good.

Nili Makola.

I'm fine, how are you?

Nili makola, kwali Imwe?

Thank You. (General positive response meaning hi, yes, thank you, etc.)

Yebo/Yewo.

Hello? (Is anyone at home?)

Odi?

Welcome. (Greeting.)

response to "Odi" = "Odini"

Welcome. "Tempokani"

What is your name?

Zina linu ndimwe njani?

My name is ______ .

Zina lawo ndine ______ .

Nice to meet you.

Chatowa kuwonana nawe.

Please.

Chonde (when used, connotes begging)

Thank you.

Yewo = common

Tawonga = deeper thanks/deeper Chitumbuka.

You're welcome.

Palije suzgo = no problem

Yes.

Enya.

No.

Yayi.

Sorry. (getting attention)

Pephani

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Pephani

I'm sorry.

Pephani. (also means sorry as with empathy)

Goodbye. (I'm going now.)

Nakuluta sono.

Goodbye. (Go well, if someone else is leaving.)

Mwende makola.

Goodbye. (Stay well, if you are leaving)

Khalani makola.

Farewell. (We'll see each other later.)

Tizamuonana.

Tisanganenge. Tiwonanenge.

I do not speak Tumbuka.

Ine nkhuyowoya chiTumbuka yayi.

English

ChiZungu, which means the language of the white people, especially in Malawi and Zambia

Do you speak English?

Kasi ... mukhuyowoya chiZungu?

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Pali uyo wakuyowoya chiZungu pano?

Help!

Novwire.

Stop!

Leka!

Look out!

Labisya

Go Away! (strong and a bit disrespectful) Choka

Good morning. (How have you woken?)

Mwawuka uli?

I have woken fine, how about you?

Tawuka makola, kwali imwe?

Good afternoon. (How has your day been?)

Mwatandala uli?.

My day has been well, how about you?

Tatandala makola, kwali imwe?

Good night.

Mugone makola (Sleep Well). Usiku uwemi (Good night).

Sleep well. (To one who is going.)

Mukugona makola.

I don't understand.

Nikupulika yayi.

Where is the toilet?

Chimbuzi chili nkhuni? (toilet = "chimbuzi")

Problems

Leave me alone.

Ni leke/ Ni lekani(many)(...)

Don't touch me!

Leka kunikola/Khwasya(Kunikhwasya yayi - Don't touch me)

I'll call the police.

Niti cheme Kapokola(...)

Police!

Kapokola(...)

Stop that!

("Leka!")

Stop! Thief!

Munkhungu uyo(...)

I need your help.

Nkhukhumba kuti mundovwiri(...)

It's an emergency.

Ni suzgo gha mbuchimbuchi(...)

I'm lost.

Na sowa/soba(...)

I lost my bag.

na sovya chola chane, Nataya chola chane(...)

I lost my wallet.

na sovya chikwama chane, Nataya chikwama chane(...)

I'm sick.

Nalwala(...)

I've been injured.

na pwetekeka(...)

I need a doctor.

nkukhumba docotala/ng'anga(...)

Can I use your phone?

ningayimba fone yinu(...)

Numbers

Note that English numbers are often used even when speaking Tumbuka.

1

moza (...)

2

bili (...)

3

tatu (...)

4

nayi (...)

5

nkondi, nkonde (...)

6

nkonde na kamoza (...)

7

nkonde na tubili (...)

8

nkonde na tutatu (...)

9

nkonde na tunayi (...)

10

Khumi (...)

11

Khumi na kamoza (...)

12

Khumi na Tubili (...)

13

Khumi na Tutatu (...)

14

Khumi na tunayi (...)

15

Khumi na Nkonde (...)

16

Khumi na nkonde na kamoza (...)

17

Khumi na nkonde na tubili (...)

18

Khumi na nkonde na tutatu (...)

19

Khumi na nkonde na Nayi (...)

20

ma Khumi ya bili (...)

30

ma Khumi ya tatu (...)

40

ma Khumi ya nayi (...)

50

ma Khumi ya nkonde (...)

halve

kuswa pakati,kugawa pakati (...)

less

pachoko (...)

more

chomeni (...)

Clock time

The twenty-four hour clock is used in all Tumbuka-speaking areas.

now

Sono

later

panyuma

before

pambere

morning

mulenje

na mulenje (in the morning)

afternoon

mise

na mise (in the afternoon)

evening

mise, mazgetu(...)

night

usiku

What is the time?

Ni nyengo uli?

Nyengo yili uli

one o'clock AM

wanu koloko ya mulenje

two o'clock AM

Thu koloko ya mulenje

noon

namuhanya pakati

one o'clock PM

wanu koloko ya mise

two o'clock PM

Thu koloko ya mise

midnight

usiku pakati

Duration

Hour

ola (pl maola)

Day

dazi (pl madazi)

Week

sabata (pl masabta)

Month(s)

_mwezi____ (.miyezi..)

Year

chaka (pl vyaka)

Days

today

muhanya uno

yesterday

mayiro

tomorrow

namachero

this week

Sabata Yino (...)

last week

Sabata Yamala (...)

next week

Sabata Yikwiza (...)

Sunday

Sabata (...)

Monday

(Chimoza) - Mande (...)

Tuesday

Chibiri (...)

Wednesday

Chitatu (...)

Thursday

Chinayi (...)

Friday

Chinkondi (...)

Saturday

Chisulo (...)

Months

English names are generally used but pronounced in Chitumbuka as follows:

January

Janyuwali(...)

February

Feburuwari(...)

March

marichi(...)

April

epurelo(...)

May

Me(...)

June

Juni(...)

July

Julayi(...)

August

Ogasiti(...)

September

Seputembala(...)

October

Okutobala(...)

November

Novembala(...)

December

Disembala(...)

Writing time and date

In chiTumbuka, traditionally times have been indicated by the position of the sun in the sky. The hand is used as in waving goodbye but turned round with the inside palm facing you and pointing to the eastern horizon for 6 o'clock am and western horizon for 6 pm. Pointing Overhead for midday. 6 O'clock am: Dazi likufuma, namulenje ("6:00 is generally the time when the sun rises in the tropics") 10 O'clock am: generally signalled as the position in the sky between sunrise and mid-day

Colors

The main distinguished colours are Black,Red and white.

black

ufipa(...)

white

utuwa(...)

gray

tuwulufu(...)

red

uswesi(...)

blue

ubidi(...)

yellow

ngati ntula(...)

green

ubiliwiri(...)

orange

ngati ma lalanje(Like oranges)

purple

(...)

brown

khofi(...)

Transportation

Journey/trip: ulendo Depart: nyamuka Arrive: Fika Travel: kwenda ulendo

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

Ni ndalama zilinga kuluta ku ________(...)

One ticket to _____, please.

Khukhumba Tikiti yimoza(...)

Where does this train/bus go?

Sitima iyi yikuya nkhu? - where does this train go? Basi iyi yikuya nkhu? - where does this bus go?(...)

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Sitima/Basi yaku ______ yili nkhu? (...)

Does this train/bus stop at _____?

Sitima/Basi iyi yikuyima pa _______? (...)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

Sitima/Basi yaku____ yinyamukenge pauli?(...)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

Sitima/Basi yamfika pauli ku ________? (...)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

Ningenda uli kukafika ku ____(...)

...the train station?

Chiteskeni cha sitima (...)

...the bus station?

Chiteskeni cha basi (...)

...the airport?

Chibanja (...)

...the school?

...sukulu? (...)

...the market?

...musika? (...)

...the backpackers'?

Mala yakugona(...)

...the resthouse?

resiti hausi(...)

...the _____ hotel?

hotela (...)

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

(...)

Where are ______

___ yili kuti? the noun comes first and there are different modifiers for different nouns ie: chili, yili, etck(...)

...hotels?

Mahotelu yali nkhu?(where are hotels?)malo yakugona ghali nkhu? where is the place to sleep?

...restaurants?

(...)

...bars?

chilabo (traditional bar) mala yakumwa mowa (place to drink beer) (...)

...sites to see?

(...)

Can you show me on the map?

munganilongola pa mapu?(...)

Path

Ntowa ("...")

Road

Musewu/musewo ("...")

street

Muzele (...)

City

Mzinda ("...")

Gov't center

boma

Turn left.

Petukila ku mazele (...)

Turn right.

Petukila ku malyelo (...)

left

mazele (...)

right

malyelo (...)

straight ahead

ku ntazi (...)

towards the _____

chaku______(...)

past the _____

kujumpha ______(...)

before the _____

Pambere ______(...)

Watch for the _____.

(...)

intersection

(...)

north

Mpoto(...)

south

Mwela(...)

east

vuma(...)

west

kumanjiriro(...)

uphill

chikwera(...)

downhill

kusika(...)

Taxi

Taxi!

matola (...)

Take me to _____, please.

Muniyeyeko kuluta ku_____(...)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

Ni mutengo uli kuluta ku______ (uli uli?...)

Take me there, please.

Kaniperekezgani chonde - escort me please , Muniyeyeko chonde- give me a lift please(...)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

malo yalipo?(...)

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

Ni ndalama zilinga chipinda chimoza(...)

Does the room come with...

Kasi malo/vipinda vili na....(...)

...bedsheets/Blankets?

vyakudika?(...)

...a mosquito net?

(...)

...a bathroom? toileti

(...)

...a telephone?

(...)

...a TV?

(...)

May I see the room first?

Niyawone malo(...)

Do you have anything quieter?

(...)

...bigger?

chikulu(...)

...cleaner?

(...)

...cheaper?

(...)

OK, I'll take it.

Mbwenu, ningatola (...)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Nikhalenge nausiku.. (...)

Can you suggest another hotel?

(...)

Do you have a safe?

(...)

...lockers?

(...)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Muli na chakurya cha mulenji? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

Chakurya cha mulenji/namise pa nyengo uli?(...)

Please clean my room.

(...)

Can you wake me at _____?

(...)

I want to check out.

Nkhukhumba kuluta pa...(...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

(Ka mukuzomera ndalama zachina America/Canada/Australia?...)

Do you accept British pounds?

(Mukuzomera ndalama za ma paundi za ku Britain?...)

Do you accept credit cards?

(...)

Can you change money for me?

Kasi mungasintha ndalama?(...)

Where can I get money changed?

Kasi ningasintha ndalama nkhu?(...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

(...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

(...)

What is the exchange rate?

(...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

(...)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

(...)

Can I look at the menu, please?

(Ningawona menu, chonde?...)

Can I look in the kitchen?

Kasi ningawona mu kitchini?(...)

Is there a house specialty?

(Mwapika vichi muhayauno?...)

Is there a local specialty?

Kuli chakurya cha Malawi? (...)

I'm a vegetarian.

Nkurya nyama yayi. (...)

I don't eat pork.

Nkurya nyama ya nkumba yayi. (...)

I don't eat beef.

Nkurya nyama ya ng'ombe yayi. (...)

I only eat kosher food.

(Nkurya chakulya cha WaIslam/WaMwenyi pela...)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)Kasi mungapika na mafuta pachoko?

(...)

fixed-price meal

(...)

à la carte

(...)

breakfast

chakurya cha mulenji(...)

lunch

(chakurya chamuhanya)

tea (tiyi)

(...)

supper

chakurya cha namise(...)

I want _____.

Nkhukumba _____. (...)

I want a dish containing _____.

(Nkhukumba mbale yimoza ya______ pamoza na______...)

chicken

nkhuku (...)

beef

Nyama ya Ng'ombe(...)

fish

somba (usipa...)

small fish

kapenta (...)

ham

(nyama ya nkhumba...)

sausage

(ori...)

cheese

(...)

eggs

masumbi (...)

salad

mphangwe (this is usually cooked greens)(...)

(fresh) vegetables

kwambula kupika(...)

(fresh) fruit

vipaso(...)

banana

ntochi (...)

maize porridge

nsima (...)

relish (served with nsima)

dende (...)

bread

chingwa, bredi (...)

toast

(...)

noodles

(...)

rice

mpunga (...)

beans

Nchunga(...)

May I have a glass of _____?

Nkhumba....(...)

May I have a cup of _____?

ni paniko nkhombo ya______?(...)

May I have a bottle of _____?

(...)

coffee

(...)

tea (drink)

tiyi (...)

juice

jusi(...)

(bubbly) water

(...)

water

maji (...)

beer

Mowa(...)

red/white wine

Vinyu liswesi/Vinyu lituwa(...)

May I have some _____?

ni paniko(...)

salt

muchele (...)

black pepper

(...)

butter

margarina(...)

sugar

suga (...)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

(I-sayi...)

I'm finished.

(basi, nakuta chomeme...)

It was delicious.

Chakurya chikunowa. (...)

Please clear the plates.

sukani mbale(...)

The check, please.

(...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

(mukuguliska mowa?)

Is there table service?

(...)

A beer/two beers, please.

(mowa/mowa wubiri...)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

(kavinyo ka mukhombo..)

A pint, please.

(...)

A bottle, please.

(...)

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

(...)

whiskey

(kachasu...)

vodka

(...)

rum

(...)

water

maji (...)

club soda

("...")

tonic water

(maji twa muchele)

orange juice

(malalanje/olenje)

Coke (soda)

Coca cola (kakumwa ka ku zizimisya kusingo)

Do you have any bar snacks?

(twakukhwasula pa mowa tulipo?)

One more, please.

(unyakhe chonde)

Another round, please.

(unyakhe wa chiwerezga)

When is closing time?

(nyengo yakujalila ni vichi?)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

(mulinacho/mulinayo chanthene/yanthene ichi/iyi icho/iyo chinganikwana/yinganikawana?)

How much is this?

Nizilinga? (...)

That's too expensive.

Wadula. (mudulalizia...)

Would you take _____? Unga yegha?

(...)

to be expensive

kudula (...)

cheap

chamtengo uchoko(...)

I can't afford it.

Ningakwanisya yayi(...)

I don't want it.

Nkuchikhumba yayi(...)

You're cheating me.

Ukunitetezga(...)

I'm not interested.

Nilije khumbilo (..)

OK, I'll take it.

Inya, niyeyenge(...)

Can I have a bag?

Munganipasako thumba?(...)

Do you ship (overseas)?

kusilya kwa nyanja(...)

I need...

Nkhukhumba (...)

...toothpaste.

makhwala ya mino(...)

...a toothbrush. Muswaju

(...)

...tampons.

(...)

...soap.

Sopo(...)

...shampoo.

(...)

...pain reliever. muchepesya ulwilwi(e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

(...)

...antimalaria medicine.

makhwala ya nyimbo(...)

...stomach medicine.

Munkwala wa Munthumbo(...)

...a razor.

(nevala)

...an umbrella.

(...)

...sunblock lotion.

(...)

...a postcard.

(...)

...postage stamps.

(stamba)

...batteries.

(Mabatili)

...writing paper.

(...)

...a pen.

Chilembelo(...)

...English-language books.

(...)

...English-language magazines.

(...)

...an English-language newspaper.

(...)

...an English-English dictionary.

(...)

Driving

I want to rent a car.

(...)

Can I get insurance?

(...)

stop (on a street sign)

(...)

one way

(...)

yield

(...)

no parking

(...)

speed limit

(...)

gas (petrol) station

(...)

petrol

(...)

diesel

(...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

(nindanange chili chose)

It was a misunderstanding.

(Tindapulikanane apa)

Where are you taking me?

(mukunitolela nkhu?)

Am I under arrest?

(kasi ndakakika)

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

(Ine ndine muamerica/muaustralia, etc.)

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

(Nkhukumba kuyowoya na Wa embasi ya Amerika, etc.)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

(nkhukhumba niyowoye na mmanyi wa maBlango)

Can I just pay a fine now?

(Ningalipira sono apa nthena?)

Asking about language

How do you say _____ ?

(Ka ichi mukuti uli_____)

What is this/that called?

(ichi ni chi vichi______ku chitumbuka)