Common Mambwe PhrasesMambwe is a language spoken in Tanzania and Zambia.

If you're just starting to learn Mambwe, I've compiled a list of commonly used words with their English translations to make mastering the language easy. I hope this resource will be helpful in your language-learning journey!

GREETINGS IN MAMBWE

ENGLISH MAMBWE
Good morning Mwazyukeni
How are you Muli uli
How are you today? Muli uli ilelo?
I am fine. Indi ningo
I am doing great. Nemo ndisile ningo
Nice to meet you. Cazipa twalolana
See you soon. Tumalolana
See you later Tumalolana lyuze

LOVE WORDS IN MAMBWE

ENGLISH MAMBWE
I love you. Naku kunda
I miss you. Naku luka
Love you so much Naku kunda wakwe chimwi
I want to see you. Inkulonda ukukulola
I love you with all my heart. Naku kunda nu mwenzo wane onsi
I love you too. Naku kunda nanikwene
I want to see you. Inkulonda tulolane
I like you. Nakutemwa
You are beautiful. Wewe musuma
My love. Lukundo lwane
You look beautiful. Ukuloleka ningo sana
My beautiful wife. Mamane umusuma
I miss you so much, darling. Inkukuluka wakwe cimwi
I need you. Inkukulonda
You will miss me. Ulanduka
Goodbye, my love. Napita, lukundo lwane
See you tomorrow. Tulalolana mutondo
I will marry you. Indakutwala
I need your love. Inkulonda ulukundo lwako
You are mine. Wewe wane
I love you. Naku kunda

DIRECTIONS IN MAMBWE

ENGLISH MAMBWE
Where are you? Uli kwi?
Where did you go? Wali upisile kwi?
Where do you live? Ukaikala kwi?
Where are you going? Ukuya kwi?
Where were you? Wali uli kwi?
Where are you coming from? Wafuma kwi?
Where is the bus stop? Icitesheni cilikwi?

COMMON QUESTIONS IN A CONVERSATION IN MAMBWE

ENGLISH MAMBWE
How much? Zinga?
How are you feeling? Ukuvwako uli?
How have you been? Uli manda yonsi?
What is your name? Wewe weni izina?
What are you doing? Ukucita cani?
What are you cooking Ukweleka vyani?
What are you eating? Ukulya vyani?
Are you okay, dear? Uliningo?
What time are you coming? Uliza insitaci??
How was your night? Walala uli?
How is your family? Ulupwalwako luli uli?
What is wrong? Cani caipa?
What do you mean? Ukuti uli?
Have you gone to church? Iwapita ku calici?
What is this? Icani ci?
What's going on? Icani cikucitika?
Are you listening? Uzye ukuvwa?
Have you heard what has happened? Wati uvwa vino ivicitika?
Can I go home? Uzye ninga pita uku ng'anda?
Can I ask something? Ninga uzya cimwi?
How is everything? Vili uli ivintu vyonsi?
What’s your phone number? Mpela inambala yakwe lamya wako
What day are you coming? Uliza uwandaci?
What is the time? Insita iliuli?
How much are you going to pay me? Umandipa zinga?
How much is this item? Azinga icintu ci?
Have you heard what I have said? Uzye wati uvwa vino navwanga?
Have you heard? Watu uvwa?
Can I come? Uzye ningiza?
What are you doing? Ukucita cani?
What is wrong? Icani caipa?
What have I done to you? Uzye nakucita cani?
What have I done wrong? Naluvyanya cani?
What is happening? Uzye icani cini cikucitika?
What is happening there? Uzye icani cino cikucitika kuko?

EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS IN MAMBWE

ENGLISH MAMBWE
Happy birthday Mwavyalwini
Thank you Nataizya
I am sorry Munjelele
Me too! Nani kwene!
God bless you. Leza akupale
May god protect you. Leza akusunge umutende
She is happy. Ali ni nsansa umukazyana
Please help me. Njavwini napapata
I don't know. Intamanyile
I will come tomorrow. Indiza mutondo
Come here! Iza kuno
Feel at home. Kalibuni
Be blessed. Mupalwe
I am coming soon. Inkwiza likwene
Excuse me. Njelelininiko
Leave me alone. Ndekini nenga
It is okay. cilisile ningo
I am going home. Napita uku ng'anda
I don't want. Insikulonda
Love is a beautiful thing. Ulukundo icintu cimwi icisuma sana
Let me try. Leka nezye
Welcome home. Kalibu
I reached home safely. Nafisile kung'anda ningo
God is good. Leza umusuma
I don't understand. Napotwa
We are happy to see you. Tuvwaningo ukukulola
I have it. Inkweti
Rest in peace. Mupuze mumutende
I don't have money today. Intakweti impiya ilelo
I am done. Namala
I am going to church. Napita ku calici
Happy new year. Kalibu mwaka upya
We should be giving thanks to God Twataizya kuli Leza
Iwill give you your money tomorrow Indakupela impiya zyako mutondo
Good manners Imiyele isuma
What can I do for you? Uzye icani cino ningakucitila?
We are coimg tomorrow Tuliza mutondo
I am not coming Insikwiza
I will not come Intaliza
We are not coming Tusikwiza
We wont come Tutaliza
Bad manners. Imiyele iipe
Stop using your phone. Leka ukuomvya lamya
I need a favour, please. Inkulonda uwazwilizio, napapata
Haven’t seen you for ages. Tutalolana palengela
Great to see you again. Cazipa twalolana nupya
You made my day. Wampapusha ilelo
There is no problem. Pasi intazi
What are you looking at? Ukulewenga cani?
I am waiting for you Inkukulindilila
You will find me at home Umanzana pa ng'anda
I am coming shortly. Inkwiza likwene
I am on my way coming Indi umunzila inkwiza
I am having a beer Inkumwa uwengwa

What next?

Keep going! Learning a language takes consistent practice, but it doesn't have to be difficult. A useful tip is to learn five Mambwe words every day from the Mambwe dictionary to improve your skills.

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