Chichewa Refresher

Vowel sounds: A=ah, E=A, I=ee, O=oh,U=ooh

Greetings
    Hello Moni
    The proper response to “Moni” is: Zikomo
    Hello (all of you) Moni onse
    Hello sir (father) Moni abambo
    Hello ma’am (mother) Moni amayi
    Hello Pastor Moni Abusa
    Hello (to the Pastor’s wife) Moni Mayi Abusa
    How are you (all)? Muli bwanji?
    I am well. How are you (all)? Ndili bwino. Kaya inu?

Morning
    How did you sleep? Magona bwanji?
    I slept well. Ndagona bwino.

Afternoon
    How is your day? Mwaswera bwanji?
    My day is going well. Ndaswera bwino.
    Arriving at the house:
    I’m home (entering). Odi.
    Enter. Please come in. Odini. Lowani.
    Be seated (on the chair). Khalani (pappando).

Leaving
    I’m going. (I’ve gone). Ndapita.
    Go well. Pitani bwino.
    Stay well. Tsalani bwino.

Phrases and short sentences
    Thank you (very much). Zikomo (kwambiri).
    OK. Chabwino.
    I’m sorry. Pepani.
    I don’t know. Kaya.
    Maybe. Kapena.
    Yes. Ee or inde.
    No. Ai or iai
    Certainly, Truly, Indeed Ndithu(di), Zoona(di)
    He/she is not here Palibe
    There isn’t any Palibe
    It doesn’t matter Palibe Kanthu
    I’m glad, I’m happy Ndakondwera
    Please help me. Mundithandize
    What is your name? Dzina lanu ndani?
    I want…… Ndilikufuna
    I don’t want…… Sindilikufuna

Meals/Foods
    Breakfast Mfisulo
    Lunch Nkhomaliro
    Dinner Mgonero
    Bread Buledi
    Corn Flour Ufa
    A stable dish, made of ufa Nsima
    Tea Tiyi
    Coffee Khofi
    Salt Mchere
    Sweets Switi
    Chicken Nkhuku
    Rice Mpunga
    Fish Nsomba
    Lake Malawi specialty fish Chambo
    Groundnuts (peanuts) Mtedzu

Nouns
    Bed Kama
    Luggage, stuff Katundu
    Toilet Chimbudzi
    Hospital Chipatala
    Child, children Mwana, ana
    Pastor Abusa
    Pastor’s wife Mayi Abusa
    Sir, Father Abambo
    Ma’am, Mother Amayi
    Grandmother, grandfather Agogo
    Everyone Onse

Money
    How much is it? Mukuchita bwanji?

Church
    Let us pray. Tipemphere.
    Hymn Nyimbo
    God bless you (all). Mlungu akudalitsen(i).

Questions
    Who? Ndani?
    What? Chiyani?
    When? Liti?
    Where? Kuti?
    How? Bwanji?