The Chaga language is a vibrant Bantu language spoken by the Chaga people of Tanzania, known for their rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of community.
The language is rich in cultural significance, with many words and phrases related to the Chaga people's traditional beliefs and practices.
Whether you are a language enthusiast or simply curious about the world's diverse cultures, below is a list of frequently used Chaga words and their corresponding English translations worth exploring.
GREETINGS IN CHAGA
| ENGLISH WORDS | CHAGA WORDS |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Shimbonyi? |
| Good afternoon | Sa kwaaya? |
| Good evening | Sa kashiini? |
| How are you today? | Sadhuni? |
| How was your day? | Wasinda aja? |
| Have a good day! | Uendelya aja dhuni? |
| I am doing great. | Ngiendelya Usha tiki |
| I am fine | Ngifo na horu |
| We are fine | Dwose dufo na horu |
| Have a good day | Usinde |
| How is grandmother doing? | Msheku neendelya aja? |
| I am doing well | Ngiendelya usha tiki |
| We all woke up safely | Dwose dwaamka na hour kabsa |
| Hello? | Nikja? |
| Nice to meet you | Ngakunda ikolyana nave |
| See you soon | Dulolyane mfiri wa kfui |
| See you later | Dodholyane la meere |
| Is your family fine? | Fomrini mfo na horu? |
| How is the patient doing? | Sho embavye neendelya aja? |
| How are your parents? | Vasasi vefo na horu? |
| We woke up well | Dwaamka sadhama |
| Bye, see you tomorrow | Nakwafo dudholyane ngama |
LOVE WORDS IN CHAGA
| ENGLISH WORDS | CHAGA WORDS |
|---|---|
| I love you | Nginkundi |
| I miss you | Ngakmis |
| Love you so much | Nginkundi naavi |
| I need you | Ngikwitaji |
| I love you with all my heart | Nginkundi dhohi kabisa |
| I love you too | Nginkundi naini |
| You are beautiful | Vaave umbikye |
| My darling | Maksha wakwa |
| you will miss me | wavengiura |
| Goodbye my darling | Nakwafo maksha wakwa |
| See you tomorrow | Dudholyane ngama |
| I want some space | Ninga mfiri |
| You have a good shape | Uumbikye usha |
| I love you my wife | Nginkundi mfedhe akwa |
| I love you my husband | Nginkundi mmi akwa |
| goodnight my love | Kudhae maksha wakwa |
| You are so good | Washiiwa maksha wakwa |
| I always think of you my love | Kidha saa ngekwasa ve maksha wakwa |
| I love you so much father | Ngimkundi papa |
| I love my darling so much | Nginkundi maksha wakwa |
| Your mine | Ve ni waakwa |
DIRECTIONS IN CHAGA
| ENGLISH WORDS | CHAGA WORDS |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | foukeri? |
| Where did you go? | Uenda ku |
| Where are you going? | Uenda ku? |
| Where do you live? | We kaa ku? |
| Where were you? | Uvekeri ku? |
| Which side are you sitting on? | Uchaamye urya shomki? |
| Don’t pass there | Utaiche hoodo ku |
| Pass right | Icha urya wa klo |
| Pass left | Icha urya wa kmooso |
| There is a bridge ahead | Mbedhe kure idaraja |
| Pedestrian path | Mko waveicha na machende |
COMMON QUESTIONS IN CONVERSATIONS IN CHAGA
| ENGLISH WORDS | CHAGA WORDS |
|---|---|
| How much? | Shingi inga? |
| Where do you live? | Wekaa ku? |
| How have you been? | Ufo aja? |
| How are you feeling? | Ujishwe fo aja? |
| What’s your name? | Rina lafo mavi? |
| What are you doing? | Uhusa iki? |
| What are you cooking? | Ukora iki? |
| When are you coming? | Usha indii? |
| How was your night? | Kyo kyafo |
| How was your day? | Mfiri wafo uvei aja |
| How are you doing? | Uendelya aja? |
| How is your family? | Fomrini mufo aja? |
| What is wrong? | Mwandu ni iki? |
| What do you mean? | Umanisha iki? |
| How’s the weather over there? | Foruveu kuiaja? |
| Have you gone to church | Waenda maksaniko ? |
| What is this? | Ki ni iki? |
| Whats going on? | Koiki kiendelya? |
| Are you listening? | uhuchanya? |
| Have you heard? | waishwa? |
| Can I go home? | ngedima ienda kaa\kanyi? |
| Can I ask something? | Ngedima iulisa nndo? |
| Whats your phone number? | Namba yafo ya simu ni ingai? |
| Are you married? | umwalike? |
| What’s your father’s name? | Ndiafo nedhawaja |
| How many of you are born? | Ve ni wakaanda ioneka fo mrini ? |
| What time will you leave? | Uenda saainga? |
EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS IN CHAGA
| ENGLISH WORDS | CHAGA WORDS |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Heri ye oneka |
| Thank you | kakasha |
| I am sorry | mbohowa |
| You are welcome | ukaribishwa |
| Me too | Nani aisee |
| God bless you | Ruva / Ruwa nakbarikye |
| May God protect you | Ruva/ Ruwa naklinde |
| She is happy | nakunda |
| Please help me | Ngiemba uheeke |
| I don’t know | Ngiishiku |
| I will come tomorrow | Ngiisha ngama |
| Come here | Shio haadi |
| Feel at home | Ujiishwe ukeri kaa |
| Be blessed | kaakasha |
| I am coming soon | Ngiisha mfiri wa kfui |
| Leave me alone | Ndheka |
| Excuse me | mbohowa |
| I am going home | Ngienda kaa/ kanyi |
| I don’t want | Ngikundaka |
| Let me try | Chatiki ngiherye |
| Welcome home | Karibu mrini |
| I reached home safely | Ngileshika mrini na horu |
| God is good | Ruva ni mtonga |
| I don’t understand | Ngiishi ku |
| I am happy to see you | Ngakuna ngakdholya |
| I have it | ngiire |
| I don’t have money | Ngiire besa ku |
| I am done | ngamemarya |
| I am going to the shop | Ngienda dukeni |
| Happy new year | Heri yamwaka mya |
| Stop using your phone | Chaitumya sim yaafo |
| I need a favor, please | Tafasali ngiemba ung’ieke |
| Great to see you again | Ngakuna ngakdholya |
What Next?
Keep going! Achieving fluency in a language requires consistent practice, but it doesn't have to be difficult. One effective strategy is to learn five new words from the Chaga dictionary every day and master them.
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