Common Bemba phrases

Bemba, also ichiBemba, iciBemba, ciBemba and chiBemba is a bantu language spoken primarily in north eastern Zambia and southern parts of both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania.

It is one of the eight official languages in Zambia.

Bemba is a tonal language with the high(‘) and low(`) tones.

Vowels

Bemba has 5 vowels. However, double vowels do occur in some words by way of pronunciation.

 

Normal vowels Double vowels
a (a) â (aa)
e (e) ê (ee)
i (i) î (ii)
o (o) ô (oo)
u (u) û (uu)

The double vowels have a drawn out sound.

Consonants

The letters J , Q, R, V, X and Z does not exist in Bemba words.

In proper nouns, letter ‘c’ is written ‘ch’.

Greetings in Bemba

English Bemba
Good evening. cungulo mukwai
Good morning. mwashibukeni
Good afternoon. mwapoleni
How are you? muli shani?
How are you today? muli shani lelo?
I am fine. tuli bwino
Have a good day. mwende bwino
I am doing great. tuli bwino sana
Hi/Hello. mwapoleni
Nice to meet you. cawama ukukumana
See you soon. twalamonana
See you later. tukamonana

Bemba Love Words and Phrases

English Bemba
I love you. nalimitemwa
I miss you. ndemifuluka
Love you so much nalimitemwa sana
I want to see you. ndefwaya ukumimona
I love you with all my heart. nalimitemwa na umutima wandi onse
I love you too. naine nalimitemwa
I want to see you. ndefwaya ukumimona
I like you. naine nalimitemwa
You are beautiful. muli basuma
My love. mutemwiko wandi
You look beautiful. mulemoneka bwino
My beautiful wife. abakashi bandi abasuma
I miss you so much, darling. ndemifuluka sana
I need you. ndemikabila
You will miss me. mukamfuluka
Goodbye, my love. shalenipo we mutemwiko wandi
See you tomorrow. tukamonana mailo
I will marry you. nkamyupa
I want some space.  
I need your love. ndekabila icitemwiko cenu
You are mine. uli wandi

Directions in Bemba

English Bemba
Where are you? Muli kwisa?
Where did you go? mwaciya kwisa?
Where do you live? mwikala kwisa?
Where are you going? muleya kwisa?
Where were you? mwaciba kwisa?

Common Questions in Conversations in Bemba

English Bemba
How much? shinga?
How are you feeling? muleumfwa shani
How have you been? mulishani?
What is your name? nimwebo ba nani ishina?
What are you doing? ninshi mulecita?
What are you cooking/eating? ninshi muleipika/mulelya?
Are you okay, dear? muli fye bwino?
When are you coming? muleisa lisa?
How was your night/day? mwacilala shani?/mwachiisha shani?
How are you doing? mulishani?
How is your family? balishani ku nganda?
How was your day? mwachiisha shani?
What is wrong? cinshi cilecitika?
What do you mean? mulepilibula shani?
Have you gone to church? namuya ku cilonganino?
What is this? ni cinshi?
What's going on? finshi filecitika?
Are you listening? mulekutika
Have you heard? namumfwa?
Can I go home? kuti naya ku nganda?
Can I ask something? njipusheko?
How is everything? filishani?
What’s your phone number? namba yenu nixxxxxx

Everyday Conversations in Bemba

English Bemba
Happy birthday mwafyalweni
Thank you Twatotela
I am sorry ndelomba ubwelelo
You are welcome. eya mukwai
Me too! naine wine
God bless you. Lesa amipale
May god protect you. lesa amisunge
She is happy. batemwa
Please help me. ngafweniko
I don't know. shishibe
I will come tomorrow. nkesa mailo
Come here! iseni kuno
Feel at home.  
Be blessed. lesa amipale
I am coming soon. ndeisa nomba line
Excuse me.  
Leave me alone. ndekeni nemwine
It is okay. cilifye bwino
I am going home. ndeya ku nganda
I don't want. shilefwaya
Love is a beautiful thing. ukutemwa cintu icisuma
Let me try. lekeni njeshe
Welcome home. Mwaiseni
I reached home safely. nacifika bwino ku nganda
God is good. lesa musuma
I don't understand. shi umfwile
We are happy to see you. Twaumfwa bwino pakumimona
I have it. ninkwata
Rest in peace. mulale mucibote
I don't have money. shikwete indalama
I am done. napwisha
I am going to the shop. ndeya ku shopu
Happy new year. caka cipya
Bad manners. imisango ishibi
Stop using your phone. lekeni ukubomfya foni
I need a favour, please. ndefwayako ubwafwilisho
Haven’t seen you for ages. kale namimwene
Great to see you again. cawama ukumonana nakabili
I really appreciate it. natotela sana
You made my day. mwampangila ubushiku bwalelo
No problem. Tapali umulandu

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