Malawian people love when foreigners put an effort to eat their food and speak their language. Doing both of these will break down barriers and open many doors for the Gospel.
Ready to learn some Chichewa words which will enable you to communicate with the locals?
Chichewa words are easy to learn, as they sound exactly as they spell. In the list below, you will see the Chichewa word and then, in parentheses, the way it sounds. The underlined portion of the word shows where the emphasis is. At the end, you will see the English translation.
Some rules.
Chichewa vowels are pronounced as simple, single vowels. There are 5 vowes, “a”, “e”, “i”, “o” and “u”.
A sounds like in the English word: father.
E sounds as in the English word: bed.
I sounds as in the English word: easy.
O sounds as in the English word: only.
U sounds as in the English word: food.
Consonants are generally pronounced just like in English, with the following exceptions: “ph” is pronounced as “p” and not “f” and “L” is often interchangeable with “R”. Letters “X” and “Q” do not exist.
Zikomo – (Zi-ko-mo) – Thank you.
Zikomo kwambiri – (Zi-ko-mo kwam-biri) – Thank you very much.
Chonde – (Chon-de) – Please.
Pepani – (Pe-pani) – Sorry.
Mulungu – (Mu-lun-gu) – God.
Yesu – (Ye-su) – Jesus.
Wawa – (wa-wa) – informal greeting said between adults. Almost like an “hey there!”
Bobo – (bo-bo) – informal greeting to children.
Muli bwanji – (mu-li bwan-ji) – Formal greeting: How are you?
Complete greeting between 2 people:
Person 1: Muli bwanji? – How are you?
Person 2: Ndili bwino, kaya inu? – Im good and how are you?
Person 1: Ndili bwino(nso) – I am (also) good.
Person 2: Zikomo – Thank you.
Person 1: Zikomo – Thank you.
Simple sentences:
Dzina langa ndi ____ – My name is ____.
Ndimachokela ku ____ – I am from _____.