Pronunciation guide
[edit]Vowels
[edit]A,a,E,e,I,I,O,o,U,u
Consonants
[edit]B: as a 'wv' sound C: as a CH sound as in the word church ND: as in 'standard' F: as in 'far' NG: as in 'Bingo' NJ: as in 'range' K: as in 'kick' L: as in 'long' M: as in 'moon' N: as in 'net' NG': as in 'singing' P: as in 'pig' S: as in 'single' SY/SH: as in 'shipping' T: as in 'tan' W: as in 'wood' Y: as in 'yo-yo'
Common diphthongs
[edit]Phrase list
[edit]Laamba:Balukwisa mailo
Eng: They are coming tomorrow
Lamba:Ndukwipika insumbi syenu/shenu
Eng: I am cooking your chickens
Lamba:Kamuya munsitileko/munshitileko tomatosi
Eng:Go and buy me some tomatoes
Lamba:Balya abanakasyi/abanakashi balukusitisya/balukushitisha ifyakufwala.
Eng: Those women are selling clothes
Lamba:Nsyilukulyako/nshilukulyako
Eng:I am not eating
Lamba:Webo, kowisa ulye nsyima/nshima
Eng:You, come and eat maize meal mush
Basics
[edit]
Common signs
|
- Hello.
- . ( 'MULISHANI' )
- Hello. (informal)
- . (SHANI )
- How are you?
- ? ( SHANI?)
- Fine, how about you .
- . (BWINO, KANI NA MWEBO )
- What is your name?
- ? ( NI MWE BANANI OR ISHINA LYENU NI SHANI?)
- My name is ______ .
- ______ . ( NINEBO....)
- Nice to meet you.
- . (CHIWEME )
- Please.
- . (NA PAPATA )
- Thank you.
- . ( NA TOTA)
- You're welcome.
- . ( NA TOTA)
- Yes.
- . (EH EH )
- No.
- . (AIKONA )
- Excuse me. (getting attention)
- . (MWANE )
- Excuse me. (begging pardon)
- . ( NA SASA )
- I'm sorry.
- . ( NA SASA)
- see you soon
- . (TUKA BONANA BUKUMO )
- Goodbye (informal)
- . ( )
- I can't speak name of language [well].
- [ ]. ( NsHISHIPO UKU LABILA ISHINA LYA MULAKA UYO])
- Do you speak English?
- ? ( MULA LABILA ICHISUNGU?)
- Is there someone here who speaks English?
- ? ( LOMBI PALI ABESHI ICHISUNGU?)
- Help!
- ! ( NGOFWENIKO!)
- Look out!
- ! ( ICHO !)
- Good morning.
- . ( MWA BUKA SHANI)
- Good night.
- . ( MULALE BWINO)
- Good night (to sleep)
- . ( 'MULALE BWINO' )
- I don't understand.
- . ( NSHISHIPO IFYO )
- Where is the toilet?
- ? (CHILI KWISA ICHIMBUSU ?)
Problems
[edit]- Leave me alone.
- . ( NDEKENI NENKA.)
- Don't touch me!
- ! ( AIKONA UKUNJIKATA/AIKONA UKUNJIKATAMO)
- I'll call the police.
- . (NDUKWITA BAKAPOKOLA .)
- Police!
- ! ( BAKAPOKOLA!)
- Stop! Thief!
- ! ! (IMAKANA! KABWALALA!)
- I need your help.
- . (NDUKUFWAYA MUNGOFWEKO/ NGOFWENIKO.)
- It's an emergency.
- . ( .)
- I'm lost.
- . ( .NALUBA)
- I lost my bag.
- . ( NALUFYA ICHOLA CHANJI.)
- I lost my wallet.
- . ( NALUFYA ICHIKWAMA CHANJI.)
- I'm sick.
- . ( NSHILEUNFWAPO BWINO NALWALA.)
- I've been injured.
- . (NACHENEKWA.)
- I need a doctor.
- . ( NDEFWAIKWA BA DOKUTA.)
- Can I use your phone?
- ? (MBONFYEKO FONI YENU?)
Numbers
[edit]- 1
- ( CIMO)
- 2
- (FIBILI )
- 3
- ( FOTATU)
- 4
- (FINE )
- 5
- (FISANU )
- 6
- (FISANU NACIMO )
- 7
- (FISANU NAFIBILI )
- 8
- (FISANU NAFITATU )
- 9
- ( FISANU NAFINE)
- 10
- (IKUMI )
- 11
- ( IKUMI NA CIMO)
- 12
- (IKUMI NAFIBILI )
- 13
- (IKUMI NAFITATU )
- 14
- ( IKUMI NAFINE)
- 15
- (IKUMI NAFISANU )
- 16
- ( )
- 17
- ( )
- 18
- ( )
- 19
- ( )
- 20
- ( )
- 21
- ( )
- 22
- ( )
- 23
- ( )
- 30
- ( )
- 40
- ( )
- 50
- ( )
- 60
- ( )
- 70
- ( )
- 80
- ( )
- 90
- ( )
- 100
- ( )
- 200
- ( )
- 300
- ( )
- 1,000
- ( )
- 2,000
- ( )
- 1,000,000
- ( )
- 1,000,000,000
- ( )
- 1,000,000,000,000
- ( )
- number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
- ( )
- half
- ( )
- less
- ( )
- more
- ( )
Time
[edit]- now
- ( )
- later
- ( )
- before
- ( )
- morning
- ( Uluchelo)
- afternoon
- (Ichungulo/ichingulo)
- evening
- ( ichungulo bushiku)
- night
- (ubushiku)
Clock time
[edit]- one o'clock AM
- (1 koloko kumacha/1koloko yabushiku)
- two o'clock AM
- (2 koloko kumacha /2 koloko yabushiku)
- noon
- ( )
- one o'clock PM
- (1 koloko yachungulo)
- two o'clock PM
- ( 2 koloko yachungulo)
- midnight
- (Pakati pabushiku)
Duration
[edit]- _____ minute(s)
- ( )
- _____ hour(s)
- ( )
- _____ day(s)
- ( )
- _____ week(s)
- ( )
- _____ month(s)
- ( )
- _____ year(s)
- ( )
Days
[edit]- today
- (Lelo )
- yesterday
- ( mailo)
- tomorrow
- ( mailo)
- this week
- ( uno mulungu)
- last week
- ( uyumulungu uwafumineko)
- next week
- ( Uyumulungu ulukwisa)
- Sunday
- (Pamulungu )
- Monday
- ( palichimo)
- Tuesday
- ( palichibili)
- Wednesday
- ( palichitatu)
- Thursday
- ( palichine)
- Friday
- ( pachisanu)
- Saturday
- (Pachibelushi )
Months
[edit]- January
- ( )
- February
- ( )
- March
- ( )
- April
- ( )
- May
- ( )
- June
- ( )
- July
- ( )
- August
- ( )
- September
- ( )
- October
- ( )
- November
- ( )
- December
- ( )
Writing time and date
[edit]Colors
[edit]- black
- ( )
- white
- ( )
- gray
- ( )
- red
- ( )
- blue
- ( )
- yellow
- ( )
- green
- ( )
- orange
- ( )
- purple
- ( )
- brown
- ( )
Transportation
[edit]Bus and train
[edit]- How much is a ticket to _____?
- ( )
- One ticket to _____, please.
- ( )
- Where does this train/bus go?
- ( )
- Where is the train/bus to _____?
- ( )
- Does this train/bus stop in _____?
- ( )
- When does the train/bus for _____ leave?
- ( )
- When will this train/bus arrive in _____?
- ( )
Directions
[edit]- How do I get to _____ ?
- ( )
- ...the train station?
- ( )
- ...the bus station?
- ( )
- ...the airport?
- ( )
- ...downtown?
- ( )
- ...the youth hostel?
- ( )
- ...the _____ hotel?
- ( )
- ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?
- ( )
- Where are there a lot of...
- ( )
- ...hotels?
- ( )
- ...restaurants?
- ( )
- ...bars?
- ( )
- ...sites to see?
- ( )
- Can you show me on the map?
- ( )
- street
- ( )
- Turn left.
- ( )
- Turn right.
- ( )
- left
- ( )
- right
- ( )
- straight ahead
- ( )
- towards the _____
- ( )
- past the _____
- ( )
- before the _____
- ( )
- Watch for the _____.
- ( )
- intersection
- ( )
- north
- ( )
- south
- ( )
- east
- ( )
- west
- ( )
- uphill
- ( )
- downhill
- ( )
Taxi
[edit]- Taxi!
- ( )
- Take me to _____, please.
- ( )
- How much does it cost to get to _____?
- ( )
- Take me there, please.
- ( )
Lodging
[edit]- Do you have any rooms available?
- ( )
- How much is a room for one person/two people?
- ( )
- Does the room come with...
- ( )
- ...bedsheets?
- ( )
- ...a bathroom?
- ( )
- ...a telephone?
- ( )
- ...a TV?
- ( )
- May I see the room first?
- ( )
- Do you have anything quieter?
- ( )
- ...bigger?
- ( )
- ...cleaner?
- ( )
- ...cheaper?
- ( )
- OK, I'll take it.
- ( )
- I will stay for _____ night(s).
- ( )
- Can you suggest another hotel?
- ( )
- Do you have a safe?
- ( )
- ...lockers?
- ( )
- Is breakfast/supper included?
- ( )
- What time is breakfast/supper?
- ( )
- Please clean my room.
- ( )
- Can you wake me at _____?
- ( )
- I want to check out.
- ( )
Money
[edit]- Do you accept
- (mulasumina/mulapoka)
- American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
- (Ama dola aku amerika/ ama dola aku osutulelia/ ama dola aku kanada)
- Do you accept British pounds?
- (Mulasuma ama paunshi yaku ingalande?/mulapoka ama paunshi? )
- Do you accept Euros?
- (Mulasumina indalama shama yuro?)
- Do you accept credit cards?
- (Mulasumina ama kirediti kadi?/mulasumina ukulipila nema kirediti kadi?)
- Can you change money for me?
- (Inchinjisheniko ndalama)
- Where can I get money changed?
- (Nikulipi uku ningachinja indalama?)
- 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)?
- (Nikwisa ukuli kimachini iki funya ikifunya indalama? )
Eating
[edit]- A table for one person/two people, please.
- ( )
- Can I look at the menu, please?
- ( )
- Can I look in the kitchen?
- ( )
- Is there a house specialty?
- ( )
- Is there a local specialty?
- ( )
- I'm a vegetarian.
- ( )
- I don't eat pork.
- ( )
- I don't eat beef.
- ( )
- I only eat kosher food.
- ( )
- Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
- ( )
- fixed-price meal
- ( )
- a la carte
- ( )
- breakfast
- ( )
- lunch
- ( )
- tea (meal)
- ( )
- supper
- ( )
- I want _____.
- ( )
- I want a dish containing _____.
- ( )
- chicken
- ( )
- beef
- ( )
- fish
- ( )
- ham
- ( )
- sausage
- ( )
- cheese
- ( )
- eggs
- ( )
- salad
- ( )
- (fresh) vegetables
- ( )
- (fresh) fruit
- ( )
- bread
- ( )
- toast
- ( )
- noodles
- ( )
- rice
- ( )
- beans
- ( )
- May I have a glass of _____?
- ( )
- May I have a cup of _____?
- ( )
- May I have a bottle of _____?
- ( )
- coffee
- ( )
- tea (drink)
- ( )
- juice
- ( )
- (bubbly) water
- ( )
- (still) water
- ( )
- beer
- ( )
- red/white wine
- ( )
- May I have some _____?
- ( )
- salt
- ( )
- black pepper
- ( )
- butter
- ( )
- Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
- ( )
- I'm finished.
- ( )
- It was delicious.
- ( )
- Please clear the plates.
- ( )
- The check, please.
- ( )
Bars
[edit]- Do you serve alcohol?
- ( )
- Is there table service?
- ( )
- A beer/two beers, please.
- ( )
- A glass of red/white wine, please.
- ( )
- A pint, please.
- ( )
- A bottle, please.
- ( )
- _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.
- ( )
- whiskey
- ( )
- vodka
- ( )
- rum
- ( )
- water
- ( )
- club soda
- ( )
- tonic water
- ( )
- orange juice
- ( )
- Coke (soda)
- ( )
- Do you have any bar snacks?
- ( )
- One more, please.
- ( )
- Another round, please.
- ( )
- When is closing time?
- ( )
- Cheers!
- ( )
Shopping
[edit]- Do you have this in my size?
- ( )
- How much is this?
- ( )
- That's too expensive.
- ( )
- Would you take _____?
- ( )
- expensive
- ( )
- cheap
- ( )
- I can't afford it.
- ( )
- I don't want it.
- ( )
- You're cheating me.
- ( )
- I'm not interested.
- (..)
- OK, I'll take it.
- ( )
- Can I have a bag?
- ( )
- Do you ship (overseas)?
- ( )
- I need...
- ( )
- ...toothpaste.
- ( )
- ...a toothbrush.
- ( )
- ...tampons.
- . ( )
- ...soap.
- ( )
- ...shampoo.
- ( )
- ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
- ( )
- ...cold medicine.
- ( )
- ...stomach medicine.
- ... ( )
- ...a razor.
- ( )
- ...an umbrella.
- ( )
- ...sunblock lotion.
- ( )
- ...a postcard.
- ( )
- ...postage stamps.
- ( )
- ...batteries.
- ( )
- ...writing paper.
- ( )
- ...a pen.
- ( )
- ...English-language books.
- ( )
- ...English-language magazines.
- ( )
- ...an English-language newspaper.
- ( )
- ...an English-English dictionary.
- ( )
Driving
[edit]- 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
[edit]Amaka
- I haven't done anything wrong.
- ( nshi pangile umulandu nebo)
- It was a misunderstanding.
- ( )
- Where are you taking me?
- (ulentwala pii )
- Am I under arrest?
- (mulentwala kujele )
- I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
- (ndi mu tubile )
- I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
- ( )
- I want to talk to a lawyer.
- (ndukufwaya uwa ku njimininako )
- Can I just pay a fine now?
- (ndipile ulupiya )
Other words
[edit]Sun = Akasuba
Moon = Umwenshi
Stars = Utubangabanga
Clouds = Amakumbi
Rain = Imfula
River = Inika
Tree = Ichiti
Grass = Ichani
Sky = Kwiulu
Person = Umuntu
Man = Umwalalume
Woman = Umukashana
Child = Umwaniche
Older person = Abakulu
Old person = Abakote
Head = Ichitwi
Arm/ Hand = Ukuboko
Elbow = Imboyo
Leg = Ukulu
Foot = Ulukasa
Hair = Imishishi
Beard = Imyemfu
Belly = Akapafu
Buttock = Amatako
Back = Inuma
Chest = Intibi
Eyes= Amenso
Ears = Amatwi
Nose = Umona
Mouth = Akanwa
Teeth = Ameno
If older than you, preface each with 'ba'
Father = Tata
Mother = Mayo
Son = Mwanalume
Daughter = Mwanankashi
Brother = Indume
Sister = Inkashi
Uncle = Mwisho
Aunt = Mukamwisho
Grandfather = Shikulu
Grandmother = Mama
Drink = Ukunwa
Eat = Ukulya
Walk = Ukwenda
Talk = Ukulabila
Cry = Ukulila
Sing = Ukwimba
Wash = Ukusamba
See = Ukubona
Hear = Ukumfwa
Die = Ukufwa
Look for = Ukufwaya
Run = Ukubutuka
Cut = Ukuputula
Take = Ukupinta
Bring = Ukuleta
Count = Ukupenda