Nyamwezi is a Bantu language spoken in the Kigoma, Rukwa and Tabora regions of Tanzania by the Nyamwezi people.
For beginners seeking to learn Nyamwezi, I've put together a helpful list of commonly used Nyamwezi words along with their English translations. With this resource, you'll be well on your way to mastering the basics of the language.
GREETINGS IN NYAMWEZI
| ENGLISH | NYAMWEZI |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Habari ya ndiyu |
| Good afternoon | Habari yalemi |
| How are you doing? | Ulendea kinehe? |
| How are you today? | Ulendea kinehe lelo? |
| How was your day? | Wadila kinehe? |
| I am fine | Naili mola |
| Have a good day | Uwi na lwisu lusoga |
| I am doing great | Nelendelea soga |
| Hi/ Hello | Ulimola ? |
| Nice to meet you | Natogwa sana kusanja nanho |
| See you soon | Twiwone nshiku jiniji |
| See you later | Twiwone badae |
| Good evening | Habari jaminda |
| How have you been? | Habari janshiku nyinge? |
| How is your family? | Familia yako ya mola ? |
| We are good | Isewose tulimola |
| We are doing fine | Tulendelea kisoga |
| How are you ? | ulimola? |
| How have you woken up? | Wamisha kinehe? |
| I woke up well | Namisha mola |
LOVE WORDS IN NYAMWEZI
| ENGLISH | NYAMWEZI |
|---|---|
| I love you | Nakutogwa |
| I miss you | nalikugahiwa |
| Love you so much | Nakutogwa sana |
| I want to see you | Nalikwitaji |
| I love you with all my heart | Nakutogwa kudhati |
| I love you too | Nakutogilwe nane |
| I like you | Nakutogwa |
| You are beautiful | Wewe ulimsoga |
| My love | Mpenzi wane |
| I miss you so much darling | Nakugahiwaga sana mpenzi wane |
| Goodbye my love | Kwaheli mpenzi wane |
| See you tomorrow | Tukwiwona igolo |
| I will marry you | Nakukutola |
| I want some space | Nipage mda |
| I need your love | Naliitaji mapenzi gako |
| You are mine | Bebe uliwane |
| I love my wife | Mkima wane mtogwa |
| I love husband | Mgoshi wane |
| The rib of my heart | Luwazu lwamoyo gwana |
| I am attracted to you | Navutiwa nanha |
| You are the happiness of my heart | Wewe fulaha yamoyo gwana |
| Hug me, my love | Nikumbatilage mpenzi wane |
| Good night my love | Ukumisha malampenz wane |
DIRECTIONS IN NYAMWEZI
| ENGLISH | NYAMWEZI |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | Uli mahe? |
| Where did you go? | Waliwajaga mahe? |
| Where do you live? | Ulikala mahe? |
| Where are you going? | Witaga kulila? |
| Where were you? | Wali mahe? |
COMMON QUESTIONS IN CONVERSATIONS IN NYAMWEZI
| ENGLISH | NYAMWEZI |
|---|---|
| How much? | Hela zinga? |
| How are you feeling? | Ulikala mahe? |
| How have you been? | Wawi kinehe? |
| What’s your name? | Lina lyako nani? |
| What are you doing? | ulitaki? |
| What are you cooking/eating ? | Ulilya ulizuga ki? |
| Are you okay dear? | Ulimala mpendwa? |
| When are you coming? | Uliza nanali? |
| How was your night ? | Uziku wako wali kinehe? |
| How was your day? | Lwisu lwako lwali kinehe? |
| How are you doing? | Ulendelea kinehe? |
| How is your family? | Familia yako ilendelea kinehe? |
| What’s wrong? | Kwini shida ki? |
| What do you mean? | Ulimanisha ki? |
| How is the weather over there? | Haliyaanga ilikinehe? |
| Have you gone to church? | Waja kukanisa? |
| What’s is this? | Shidaki kwani? |
| What’s going on? | kikilendelea? |
| Are you listening? | ulidekeleka? |
| Have you heard? | uligwa? |
| Can I go home? | Nakweja kuja kaya? |
| Can I ask something? | Nakuweja kuwaja kinu? |
| How is everything? | Mambo kinehe? |
| What’s your phone number? | Inamba yako yasimu ya kinehe? |
| What can I help you with? | Nakwambilije ki? |
| How old are you? | Wina miaka mingapi? |
| Where do you work? | Ulituma milimoki? |
| Where do you live? | Uliishi mahe? |
| You will come at what time? | Ukwiza sangapi? |
| When will you come? | Ukwiza nanali? |
| Have you eaten? | Walyaga? |
| What are you saying? | Uliyomba kinehe? |
| Can I get food? | Nakweja kupata chakulya? |
| Where is the market ? | Sokoni ivi mahe? |
| Can you tell me? | Ukuweja kuniwila? |
EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS IN NYAMWEZI
| ENGLISH | NYAMWEZI |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Heri yakulwaliwa |
| Thank you | wabeja |
| I am sorry | samahani |
| You are welcome | ulikalibishwa |
| Me too | Nene ahaa |
| God bless you | Mungu akujalie |
| May god protect you | Mungu akulinde |
| She is happy | watogwa |
| Please help me | Thamahani na mbilijage |
| I don’t know | nazimililwe |
| I will come tomorrow | Nakwiza igolo |
| Come here | Zogo ahaa |
| Feel at home | Iskiage hakaya |
| Be blessed | ujaliwe |
| I am coming soon | Nakwiza nshiku jiniji |
| Excuse me | samahani |
| Leave me alone | Nilekage |
| It is okay | Nakahaile |
| I am going home | Mpenzi kinu kisoga |
| I don’t want | Nakahaile |
| Love is a beautiful thing | Mpenzi kinu kisoga |
| Welcome home | Kaliwa kaya |
| I reached home safely | Nashiku kaya mala |
| God is good | Mungu ng’wema |
| I don’t understand | Nakuelelagwa |
| We are happy to see you | Twa togwa kuku wona |
| I have it | Ninayo |
| Rest in peace | Pumzikaga naamani |
| I don’t have money | Naligele hela |
| I am done | Namalaga |
| I am going to the shop | Nalija kwiduka |
| Happy new year | Hili ya ng’waka mpya |
| Bad manners | Tabia mbi |
| Stop using your phone | Lekaga kutumila simu |
| Great to see you again | Natogwakukuwone hangi |
| I really appreciate it | Waweja sana |
| You made my day | Walwila lwisu lwane |
| No problem | Nduhu tatizo |
| Let us go home | Tujage kaya |
| I am very tired | Nazowaga sana |
| I have agreed | Nazunyaga |
| I am married | natolilwe |
| Let’s go for a walk | Tujage kaya |
| A big mountain | Mlima mhanya |
| She/ he is crying | Alilila |
| She/he is digging | Alilima |
| I am bathing | Naloga |
| I am seated | nikalaga |
| I am playing | Nalishinya |
| I am eating | Nalilya |
| You are late | Wakeleja |
| What are you carrying ? | Wasombaga ki? |
| Who are you? | Bebe nani? |
| I am hungry | Nina nzala |
| I have seen you | Nakuwona |
What Next?
To become fluent in a language, consistent practice is key. However, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. The simplest and most effective approach is to focus on learning five Nyamwezi words daily from the Nyamwezi dictionary.
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