BASIC SPOKEN CHICHEWA LANGUAGE WORDS IN MALAWI

MALAWI  LANGUAGES

Malawi has many tribes and most tribes have their own language. The most common language spoken in Malawi is Chichewa. It’s also called Chewa language. This is also the national language. Schools teach in both English and Chichewa. Main languages in Malawi are:

1. Chichewa (spoken in Malawi nationally, including Blantyre and Lilongwe).
2. Yao (spoken in the southern region of Malawi like Mangochi, Machinga and Liwonde).
3. Tumbuka (spoken in the northern region of Malawi like Mzuzu and Mzimba).
4. Tonga (spoken in the northern region of Malawi like Nkhata Bay).
5. Lomwe (spoken in the Southern region of Malawi like Thyolo and Mulanje).
6. Sena (spoken in the region like Chikwawa and Nsanje).

SPOKEN CHICHEWA LANGUAGE 

Here are some basic Chichewa language words and phrases that are widely spoken:

Greetings & Common Phrases in Chichewa Language

• Hello – Moni
• How are you? – Muli bwanji?
• I’m fine – Ndili bwino
• Thank you – Zikomo
• Yes – Inde
• No – Ayi
• Please – Chonde
• Excuse me / Sorry – Pepani
• Goodbye – Tiwonana (see you later) or Tsalani bwino (stay well)

Numbers in Chichewa Language

• One – Chimodzi
• Two – Ziwiri
• Three – Zitatu
• Four – Zinayi
• Five – Zisanu
• Ten – Khumi

Basic Questions in Chichewa Language

• What is your name? – Dzina lanu ndi ndani?
• My name is… – Dzina langa ndi…
• Where are you from? – Mumachokera kuti?
• I am from… – Ndimachokera ku…
• How much is this? – Zimenezi ndi zingati?

Common Words in Chichewa Language

• Food – Chakudya
• Water – Madzi
• House – Nyumba
• Friend – Bwenzi
• Love – Chikondi

TRAVEL RELATED CHICHEWA LANGUAGE WORDS SPOKEN IN MALAWI

Here are travel related Chichewa words that a tourist or traveler to Malawi might find useful:

Transportation & Directions in Chichewa Language

• Where is…? – ….. ili kuti? For example: basi ili kuti? — where is the bus?
• Hotel – Hotelo
• Restaurant – Restolanti
• Market – Msika
• Bus – Basi
• Taxi – Galimoto ya lendi / Takisi
• Airport – Eyapoti
• Train – Sitima
• Road – Njira; Nseu
• Left – Kumanzere
• Right – Kumanja
• Straight ahead – Pitilizani patsogolo
• Stop here – Imani apa
• How do I get to…? – Kodi ndingafike bwanji ku…?

Accommodation in Chichewa Language

• I have a reservation – Ndili ndi malo osungidwa
• I need a room – Ndikufuna chipinda
• How much per night? – Ndi ndalama zingati pa usiku?
• Do you have Wi-Fi? – Kodi muli ndi Wi-Fi?
• Where is the bathroom? – Bafa ili kuti?

Food & Drinks in Chichewa Language

• Menu – Menyu
• I am vegetarian – Sindidya nyama
• Water – Madzi
• Tea – Tiyi
• Beer – Mowa
• Breakfast – Chakudya cham’mawa
• Lunch – Chakudya cha masana
• Dinner – Chakudya chamadzulo
• This is delicious – Zikukoma

Shopping & Money in Chichewa Language

• How much is this? – Zimenezi ndi zingati?
• Too expensive – Ndizokwera mtengo kwambiri
• Can you lower the price? – Kodi mungachotsele mtengo?
• Money – Ndalama
• Bank – Banki
• Exchange rate – Mtengo wosintha ndalama
• Supermarket or grocery store — Golosale

Emergency Issues in Chichewa Language

• Help – Thandizeni
• I’m lost – Ndasochela
• I lost … — Ndataya …
• Call the police – Itanani apolisi
• I need a doctor – Ndikufuna dokotala
• I don’t feel well – Sindikumva bwino muthupi
• Hospital – Chipatala

General Tourist Chichewa Phrases 

• I am a tourist – Ndine mlendo
• I don’t understand – Sindikumvetsa
• Can you speak English? – Kodi mumalankhula Chingerezi? OR Kodi mumalankhula Chizungu?
• It’s beautiful here – Ndi malo okongola ano
• I like Malawi – Ndimakonda Malawi