This page is courtesy of Orbus and 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 Language:
Chichewa is the main local language of Malawi. The following will assist you to learn some Chichewa.
Online Chichewa Dictionary: chichewadictionary.org/
The following link is helpful: www.digitaldialects.com/Chichewa.htm
As is: Learn Chichewa with online language games (digitaldialects.com)
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?
Reply
My morning is good and yourself? Ndadzuka Bwino.Kaya Inu?
Or
I’m fine and yourself Ndiri Bwino. Kaya Inu?
Is your afternoon/evening good? Mwaswera Bwanji?
Reply
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.
The following has been prepared by Dean Carroll:
Basic Chichewa Greetings
______________________________________________
How are you? Muli Bwanj? (moo – lee bwarnj)
I am well Ndiri bwino (n’dirry bwee – noh)
And you? Kaya inu? (kie – yar i – noo)
__________________________________________________
Thankyou Zikomo (zi – koh – moh)
Sorry/ Excuse me Pepani (pe – par – nee)
See you later Tionana (tea - oh – nar - nar)
Initial greetings:
1st muli bwanji?
how are you?
2nd ndiri bwino – kaya inu?
I am well – and you?
(alt) ndiri bwino - koma ndatopa
I am well, but tired
(alt) ndiri bwino pang’ono
I am not well / sick
1st inenso ndiri bwino
I am also well
Short greetings
zikomo
thank you / excuse me
ndapita
I’m leaving (say, from a home)
pitani bwino
good bye (lit. go well!)
mafuno abwino kwa …. (amayi)
(give) my good wishes to …
ndikanena
I will say it to …
ndikapereka
I will give it to …
tionananso
see you soon (less formal)
tsalani bwino
stay well (informal)
pepani
sorry or excuse me
chabwino
things are alright, OK
inde
yes
ayi (pron “aye”)
no
zikomo kwambiri
thank you very much
khalani pansi
sit (down)
lowani
enter (a house)
chonde
please
chonde tsogolani
please you go first
pronouns
ine, ife
I, we/us
inu
you (pl, or respect for one)
iye, iwo
he / she, they
iyi, iyo, icho
this, that (close), that (far)
Announcing yourself
ndinu bambo ndani
What is your name sir?
ine ndine bambo Carroll
I am Mr Carroll
awa ndi alendo
these are visitors
awa ndi anzanga, anzathu
these are my/our friends
Feelings
chikondi
love
chidani
hatred
ndatopa, alt kumva kutopa
tired, alt feel tried
kumva njala
feel hungry
chimbuzi chiri kuti?
where is the toilet?
idya
eat
Conversation re: family
1st ndinu okwatira?
are you married?
2nd inde, ndine okwatira
yes, I am married
1st muli ndi ana?
do you have any children?
2nd inde, ndiri ndi mwana modzi
yes, I have one child
or ndi ana awiri or ana atatu or ana anayi or ana asanu
or two or three or four or five children
mkazi wanga
my wife
mwamuna wanga
my husband
mwana wanga
my child
ana anga
my children
ana anga atatu
my three children
mwana mpongozi
my son-in-law
Odd words
mzungu, azungu
white person, people
dzulo
yesterday
mawa
tomorrow
lero
today
madzi
water
mnzanga, anzanga
friend, friends
zonse
all
leka
stop it
kokakola
…. guess!!!
chipatso
fruit
ndalama
money
sindimvera
I don’t understand
kama
bed
galimoto
car
Numbers
modzi, wiri, tatu, nayi, sanu
one, two, three, four, five
sanu ndi modzi
six
sanu ndi wiri
seven
sanu ndi tatu
eight
sanu ndi nayi
nine
khumi
ten
zana
hundred
chikwi
thousand
titamande Mulungu
we praise God
moni onse
greetings to you all
nyimbo
hymn
mzimu woyera
Holy Spirit
Mulungu akudalitseni
may God bless you
chalichi
church
pemphero … pemphera
prayer … pray
lalika
preach
chikhulupiriro
faith (noun)
khulupirirani
faith (verb) = believe
khalani muchikhulupiriro cha Ambuye Yesu Kristu
stay in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ
chikondi
love
khulupirirani Yesu Kristu
believe in Jesus Christ
mfa ya Yesu
death of Christ
mtanda wa Yesu
the cross of Jesus
khulupirirani mtanda wa Yesu
believe in the cross of Jesus
kuwuka kwa akufa
resurrection
Yesu anawuka kwa akufa
Jesus rose from the dead
baibulo
Bible
Courtesy of OrbusMinistries.org
Chichewa Language:
Chichewa is the main local language of Malawi. The following will assist you to learn some Chichewa.
Online Chichewa Dictionary: chichewadictionary.org/
The following link is helpful: www.digitaldialects.com/Chichewa.htm
As is: Learn Chichewa with online language games (digitaldialects.com)
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?
Reply
My morning is good and yourself? Ndadzuka Bwino.Kaya Inu?
Or
I’m fine and yourself Ndiri Bwino. Kaya Inu?
Is your afternoon/evening good? Mwaswera Bwanji?
Reply
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.
The following has been prepared by Dean Carroll:
Basic Chichewa Greetings
______________________________________________
How are you? Muli Bwanj? (moo – lee bwarnj)
I am well Ndiri bwino (n’dirry bwee – noh)
And you? Kaya inu? (kie – yar i – noo)
__________________________________________________
Thankyou Zikomo (zi – koh – moh)
Sorry/ Excuse me Pepani (pe – par – nee)
See you later Tionana (tea - oh – nar - nar)
Initial greetings:
1st muli bwanji?
how are you?
2nd ndiri bwino – kaya inu?
I am well – and you?
(alt) ndiri bwino - koma ndatopa
I am well, but tired
(alt) ndiri bwino pang’ono
I am not well / sick
1st inenso ndiri bwino
I am also well
Short greetings
zikomo
thank you / excuse me
ndapita
I’m leaving (say, from a home)
pitani bwino
good bye (lit. go well!)
mafuno abwino kwa …. (amayi)
(give) my good wishes to …
ndikanena
I will say it to …
ndikapereka
I will give it to …
tionananso
see you soon (less formal)
tsalani bwino
stay well (informal)
pepani
sorry or excuse me
chabwino
things are alright, OK
inde
yes
ayi (pron “aye”)
no
zikomo kwambiri
thank you very much
khalani pansi
sit (down)
lowani
enter (a house)
chonde
please
chonde tsogolani
please you go first
pronouns
ine, ife
I, we/us
inu
you (pl, or respect for one)
iye, iwo
he / she, they
iyi, iyo, icho
this, that (close), that (far)
Announcing yourself
ndinu bambo ndani
What is your name sir?
ine ndine bambo Carroll
I am Mr Carroll
awa ndi alendo
these are visitors
awa ndi anzanga, anzathu
these are my/our friends
Feelings
chikondi
love
chidani
hatred
ndatopa, alt kumva kutopa
tired, alt feel tried
kumva njala
feel hungry
chimbuzi chiri kuti?
where is the toilet?
idya
eat
Conversation re: family
1st ndinu okwatira?
are you married?
2nd inde, ndine okwatira
yes, I am married
1st muli ndi ana?
do you have any children?
2nd inde, ndiri ndi mwana modzi
yes, I have one child
or ndi ana awiri or ana atatu or ana anayi or ana asanu
or two or three or four or five children
mkazi wanga
my wife
mwamuna wanga
my husband
mwana wanga
my child
ana anga
my children
ana anga atatu
my three children
mwana mpongozi
my son-in-law
Odd words
mzungu, azungu
white person, people
dzulo
yesterday
mawa
tomorrow
lero
today
madzi
water
mnzanga, anzanga
friend, friends
zonse
all
leka
stop it
kokakola
…. guess!!!
chipatso
fruit
ndalama
money
sindimvera
I don’t understand
kama
bed
galimoto
car
Numbers
modzi, wiri, tatu, nayi, sanu
one, two, three, four, five
sanu ndi modzi
six
sanu ndi wiri
seven
sanu ndi tatu
eight
sanu ndi nayi
nine
khumi
ten
zana
hundred
chikwi
thousand
titamande Mulungu
we praise God
moni onse
greetings to you all
nyimbo
hymn
mzimu woyera
Holy Spirit
Mulungu akudalitseni
may God bless you
chalichi
church
pemphero … pemphera
prayer … pray
lalika
preach
chikhulupiriro
faith (noun)
khulupirirani
faith (verb) = believe
khalani muchikhulupiriro cha Ambuye Yesu Kristu
stay in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ
chikondi
love
khulupirirani Yesu Kristu
believe in Jesus Christ
mfa ya Yesu
death of Christ
mtanda wa Yesu
the cross of Jesus
khulupirirani mtanda wa Yesu
believe in the cross of Jesus
kuwuka kwa akufa
resurrection
Yesu anawuka kwa akufa
Jesus rose from the dead
baibulo
Bible
Courtesy of OrbusMinistries.org
