Chibemba phrasebook

Chibemba or Bemba is a Bantu language spoken in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and southern Tanzania. It is the biggest ethnic grouping in Zambia, accounting for over 50% of the Zambian population.

Bemba people (Ababemba) trace their origin from "KOLA" in Angola. There were other people who learnt Bemba when they were working in the copper mines of Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) during the colonial period. The writing system is very phonetic and Spanish speakers would find it very easy to learn. Many Bemba words can also be found in Swahili.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a e i o u

Consonants

b c/ch d f g j k l m n ng' ny p s sh t w y

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.: . (Muli shani )
Hello. (informal): . (Uli shani )
How are you?: Muli shani ?
Fine, thank you.: Ndi fye bwino, natolela
What is your name?: Niwe nani ishina?
My name is ______ .: ______ . (Ishina lyandi ni ne _____ .)
Nice to meet you.: . (chawama ukukumona)
Please.: Napapata,ndekulomba
Thank you.: Natotela
You're welcome.: . (Eya mukwai )
Yes.: (Eee )
No.: . Awe / Iyoo
Excuse me. Njelelako(getting attention)
Oti, Otini
Excuse me. (begging pardon): . (mukwai )
I'm sorry.: . (Mbelelako uluse; mukwai
Goodbye: . (Shalenipo; Kafikenio
Goodbye (informal): . (shalapo )
I can't speak Chibemba [well].: [ ]. (Nshaishiba iciBemba sana)
Do you speak English?: ? (Walishiba ukulanda icisungu ?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: ? (bushe pali uwaishiba ukulanda ichisungu pano ?)
Help!: ! (ngafweniko !)
Look out!: ! (moneni uko !)
Good morning (afternoon).: . Mwashibukeni, 'mwabombeni ( when the person is busy')
Good evening.: . (chungulopo mukwai )
Good night.: . (sendamenipo )
Good night (to sleep): . (sendamenipo naya mukutuusha )
I don't understand.: . (nshumfwikishe bwino )
Where is the toilet?: ? ( ku chimbusu nikwisa?)
Please speak slowly: (landa panono panono)

Welcome

mwaiseni (mukwai). (Mukwai added when it's more formal or welcoming people you hold in reverence)

Problems

Leave me alone.: . ( ndeka fye.)
Don't touch me!: ! (wilanjikatamo !) Winjikatamo
I'll call the police.: . (nalaita ba kapokola .)
Police!: ! (Ba kapokola !)
Stop! Thief!: ! ! (kabolala uyo ! mwikateni!)
I need your help.: . (njafweniko .)
It's an emergency.: . ( ndi mu bwafya.)
I'm lost.: . ( ni nduba.)
I lost my bag.: . (ni ndufya icola .)
I lost my wallet.: . (ni ndufya walleti .): (ni dufya icikwama)
I am sick: . ( nindwala.)
: . (ni njichena .)
: . (ndefwaikwa shinganga/ dokota .)
Can I use your phone?: ? (kuti nabomfyako lamya/ foni yenu ?)

Numbers

1
: (kamo or cimo )
2: (fibili or tubili )
3: (tutatu or fitatu )
4: (cine )
5: (fisano )
6: ( mutanda)
7: (cine lubali )
8: (cine konse konse )
9: (pabula )
10: ( ikumi)
11: ( ikumi na kamo)
12: (ikumi na tubili )
13: (ikumi na tutatu )
14: (ikumi na tune )
15: (ikumi na tusano )
16: (ikumi na mutanda )
17: ( ikumi na cine lubali)
18: (ikumi na cine konse konse )
19: (ikumi na pabula )
20: (ama kumi yabili )
21: (ama kumi yabili na kamo )
22: ( ama kumi yabili na tutatu)
23: (ama kumi yabili na tutatu )
30: ( ama kumi yatatu)
40: (amakumi cine )
50: (amakumi yasano )
60: (amakumi mutanda )
70: (amakumi pabula )
80: (Amakumi cine konse konse)
90: (Amakumi pabula)
100: (Umwanda umo)
200: (Imyanda ibili)
300: (Imyanda itatu)
1,000: (Ikana limo)
2,000: (Amakana yabili)
1,000,000: (Amakana ikana limo)
1,000,000,000: (Iminshipendwa)
1,000,000,000,000: ( )
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): ( )
half: (pakati, citika)
less: (ukucepako)
more: (ukucilapo, lundenipo )

Time

now: ( nombaline)
later: ( limbi )
before: (taulati )
morning: (ulucelo )
afternoon: (akasuba )
evening: (icungulo )
night: ( ubushiku)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: ( )
two o'clock AM: ( )
noon: ( )
one o'clock PM: ( )
two o'clock PM: ( )
midnight: (pakati kabushiku )

Duration

_____ minute(s): ( )
_____ hour(s): ( insa)
_____ day(s): (ubushiku )
_____ week(s): (umulungu )
_____ month(s): (umweshi )
_____ year(s): (umwaka )

Days

today: (lelo )
yesterday: (mailo )
tomorrow: (mailo )
this week: (uno mulungu )
last week: (uyu mulungu wapwile )
next week: (uyu mulungu uleisa )

Sunday: (pa Sondo ): (pa mulungu)
Monday: (pali cimo )
Tuesday: (pali cibili )
Wednesday: (pali citatu )
Thursday: (pali cine )
Friday: (pali cisano )
Saturday: (pa cibelushi )

Months

January: (Akabengele kanono)
February: (Akabengele kakalamba)
March: (Kutumpu)
April: (Shinde )
May: (Akapepo Kanono)
June: (Akapepo Kakalamba)
July: (Cikungulu pepo)
August: (Kasakantobo)
September: (Ulusuba lunono)
October: (Lusuba lukalamba (Langashe)
November: (Chinshikubili)
December: (Mupundu-milimo)

Writing time and date

Colors

black: (ukufita )
white: ( ukubuta)
gray: (ukufitulukila)
red: ( ukukashika)
blue: (makumbi makumbi )
yellow: (mutuntula )
green: (katapa katapa )
orange: ( )
purple: ( kolokondwe)
brown: ( )

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: ( tiketi ku Mpika ni shinga?)
One ticket to _____, please.: ( Mpeniko tiketi imo)
Where does this train/bus go?: (Saca ileya kwi? )
Where is the train/bus to _____?: ( )
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: (bushe iyi train/bus ile minina mu_________? )
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: (bushe ni nshita nshi yala ima train/bus? )
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: (bushe ni nshita nshi yala fika train/bus )

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: ( Bushe kuti naenda shani pakuya ku......)
...the train station?: (Ichitesheni ce shitima)
...the bus station?: (Citesheni ca saca)
...the airport?: (Cibansa ca ndeke)
...downtown?: (Kwisamba lya musumba)
...the youth hostel?: (My ng'anda ya beni imisepela)
...the _____ hotel?: ( )
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ( )
Where are there a lot of...: (Bushe kwalibako ...)
...hotels?: (Amayanda ya beni?)
...restaurants?: (Amayanda ya kulilamo?)
...bars?: (Ifikulwa fya bwalwa?)
...sites to see?: (Incende sha kumona?)
Can you show me on the map?: (Nangako pali mapu wa calo)
street: (Mumusebo)
Turn left.: (Pilibukila ku kuso )
Turn right.: (Pilibukila ku kulyo )
left: (ukuso )
right: ( ukulyo)
straight ahead: (Ukuya fye ukwabula ukupilibukila kukulyo nelyo kukuso)
towards the _____: (Ukupalamina mupepi na ...)
past the _____: (Ukucilako pa ...)
before the _____: (pantanshi ya ...)
Watch for the _____.: (Lolesha kuli ...)
intersection: (Amakumanino)
north: (Akabanga)
south: (Amasamba)
east: (Akapinda ka kukulyo)
west: (Akapinda ka kukuso)
uphill: (ku mulundu )
downhill: (ku mukunkuluko )

Taxi

Taxi!: ( )
Take me to _____, please.: (Ntawaloko ku............,Napapata )
How much does it cost to get to _____?: (Nishinga ukuya ku.............. )
Take me there, please.: (Ntwaleniko uko, Napapata )

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: (Namu Kwatako ama Room ya free? )
How much is a room for one person/two people?: ( )
Does the room come with...: ( )
...bedsheets?: ( )
...a bathroom?: ( )
...a telephone?: ( )
...a TV?: (Ichitunsha tusha )
May I see the room first?: (Mukwai mbale mbona kukaki)
Do you have anything quieter?: (Bushe namukwata ichiliko tondolo? )
...bigger?: (Ichikulilepo? )
...cleaner?: (kabomba )
...cheaper?: (Ichachipa )
OK, I'll take it.: (Ok, Nalasenda )
I will stay for _____ night(s).: (Nkekala inshiku........... )
Can you suggest another hotel?: ( )
Do you have a safe?: (Bushe Mwalikwata umwakusungila indala? )
...lockers?: (umwakusungila ifipe? )
Is breakfast/supper included?: (Bushe mulapela ifyakula iluchelo? )
What time is breakfast/supper?: (nishita nshi yakulilapo breakfast elo na supper? )
Please clean my room.: (Mukwai kuti mwapyanga kukati. )
Can you wake me at _____?: (Bushe kuti wakwanisha uku nshibusha............? )
I want to check out.: (Na ambako mukwai )

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: (Bushe mulasumina dollar? )
Do you accept British pounds?: (Bushe mulasumina pound )
Do you accept euros?: (Bushe mulasumina Euro )
Do you accept credit cards?: (Bushe kuti nabomfye Bank card ukulipila? )
Can you change money for me?: (Mukwai nchingisheni ko impiya/indalama )
Where can I get money changed?: ( )
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.: (Itebulo lya muntu umo/Itebulo lya bantu babili. )
Can I look at the menu, please?: (Tulefwaya ka menu )
Can I look in the kitchen?: ( )
Is there a house specialty?: ( Nga ma Specal?)
Is there a local specialty?: ( )
I'm a vegetarian.: (Nshilya inama )
I don't eat pork.: (Nshilya Inkumba )
I don't eat beef.: (Nshilya inama ya ng'ombe )
I only eat kosher food.: (Ndya fye inama epela )
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): (Mwifusha sana amafuta elyo mukala ipika )
fixed-price meal: ( )
a la carte: ( )
breakfast: ( )
lunch: ( )
tea (meal): ( )
supper: ( )
I want _____.: (Ndefwaya )
I want a dish containing _____.: (Ndefywa ichakula ichalakwata...... )
chicken: ( inkoko)
beef: ( inama ya ng'ombe)
fish: ( Isabi)
ham: (inama ya nkumba )
sausage: ( soseji)
cheese: (Chezi )
eggs: (Amani )
salad: (Saladi )
(fresh) vegetables: ( Umusalu)
(fresh) fruit: ( )
bread: (Umukate )
toast: (Umukate waku shinga butter elyo ukocha )
noodles: ()
rice: (umupunga)
beans: (cilemba) pronounced "Chilemba" as 'C' in Bemba is pronounced 'Ch"
May I have a glass of _____?: (Ndefwaya.................? )The recipient will know what is meant based on context
May I have a cup of _____?: (Ndefwaya..........? ) The recipient will know what is meant based on context
May I have a bottle of _____?: (Ndefwaya...................? )
coffee: ( kofi)
tea (drink)

Milk: (Umukaka)
juice: (Jusi)
(bubbly) water: ( )
(still) water: (Amenshi )
beer: ( Ubwalwa)
red/white wine: (Umushanga )
May I have some _____?: (Ndefwaya..........? )
salt: (Umucele )
black pepper: ( )
butter: ( )
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( Batata (Man), Ba Mayo (if woman))
I'm finished.: ( Napwisha)
It was delicious.: (Fwachiwama )
Please clear the plates.: ( Kuti mwa teula)
The check, please.: ( )

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: (Mulashitisha ubwalwa? )
Is there table service?: (Bushe mulapekanisha? )
A beer/two beers, please.: (Ubwalwa bumo/bubili ) suffix 'b'
A glass of red/white wine, please.: (Ndefwaya wine )
A pint, please.: ( )
A bottle, please.: (Ibotolo limo)
...................(hard liquor) and.......................(mixer), please.: (Ubwalwa ubwakila sana nefyaku chefeshako ubukali )
whiskey: ( )
vodka: ( )
rum: ( )
water: (Amenshi )
club soda: ( )
tonic water: ( )
orange juice: ( )
Coke (soda): (Coca Cola )
Do you have any bar snacks?: ( )
One more, please.: (Mpela nakabili/nafuti )
Another round, please.: (Mpelako nabumbi. )
When is closing time?: (Ni nshita nshi mwisala? )
Cheers!: (Chileshe! )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: (Namukwata iyi in'gandinga? )
How much is this?: (Ni shinga ici )
That's too expensive.: ( wakula sana mutengo)
Would you take _____?: (Bushe Kutimwafwaya...........?)
expensive: (umutengo )
cheap: (ukuchipa )
I can't afford it.: (teti nkwanishe ukulipila )
I don't want it.: (Nshilefwaya ici)
You're cheating me.: (Ulemfwenga? )
I'm not interested.: (..)
OK, I'll take it.: (Nalasenda )
Can I have a bag?: ( )
Do you ship (overseas)?: (Bushe Mulatuma Kubulaya )
I need...: (ndefwaya.......... )
...toothpaste.: ( )
...a toothbrush.: (Umuswaki )
...tampons.: . ( )
...soap.: ( sopo)
...shampoo.: (Sopo ya kusambila umushishi )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): (ka panadol )
...cold medicine.: (umuti wa chifuba )
...stomach medicine.: ... (umuti wa mumala )
...a razor.: ( )
...an umbrella.: ( )
...sunblock lotion.: (amafuta ya kuchingililwa kukasuba )
...a postcard.: (Inkalata )
...postage stamps.: (Stampu yankalata )
...batteries.: ( )
...writing paper.: (Ichitpepala Chakulembelapo )
...a pen.: ( )
...English-language books.: ( )
...English-language magazines.: ( )
...an English-language newspaper.: ( )
...an English-English dictionary.: ( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.: ( Ndefya ukwasima motoka)
Can I get insurance?: ( )
stop (on a street sign): (STOP )
one way: ( inshila imo)
yield: ( )
no parking: ( )
speed limit: ( )
gas (petrol) station: ( )
petrol: ( )
diesel: ( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: (Takuli echo ndufyenye )
It was a misunderstanding.: ( )
Where are you taking me?: (Mulentwala kwisa? )
Am I under arrest?: (Mule nkaka? )
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: ( )
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: (Ndefwaya ukulansha/ukulanda no Mwina America/British/Canadian )
I want to talk to a lawyer.: (Ndefwaya ukulanda naba lawyer )
Can I just pay a fine now?: (Bushe teti ndipile echo mupinguile apapene? )

Learning more

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