Nyiha is a Bantu language spoken in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia.
The Nyiha language is tonal, meaning that differences in pitch can change the meaning of words.
I have compiled a list of frequently used Nyih words and their corresponding English translations for beginners starting to learn the Nyiha language.
GREETINGS IN NYIHA
| ENGLISH WORDS | NYIHA WORDS |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Utwa nzanchi? |
| Good afternoon | Utwa musanya? |
| Good evening | Utwa hamazubha? |
| How are you today? | Ubhusile wuli ? |
| How was your day? | Ukwendelela wuli? |
| I am fine | Nipozile |
| Have a good day | Ukwendelela wuli ilelo? |
| I am doing great | Ulinzite wuli? |
| We are fine | Itwe twenty tupozile |
| Have a good day | Ubhe ni siku lyinza |
| How is the grandmother doing? | Ubibi akwendelela wuli? |
| I am doing well | Nkwendelela hinza |
| We all woke up safe | Bhotiti tubhusile hinza |
| Hello? | upozile? |
| Nice to meet you | Nasungwa kulo lana nawe |
| See you soon | Tulolane insiku zya mwilongolela |
| See you later | Tulolane baadaye |
| Is your family fine? | Ifamilia yako yipozile? |
| How is the patient doing? | Umubhinu akwendelela wuli? |
| How are your parents? | Abhazazi bhapozile? |
| We woke up well | Tubhusile hinza |
| Bye see you tomorrow | Haya tulilolana indabhi |
| Greet everyone | Ubhala mushe bhonti |
LOVE WORDS IN NYIHA
| ENGLISH WORDS | NYIHA WORDS |
|---|---|
| I love you | inkusungwilwe |
| I miss you | nkukusamba |
| Love you so much | Inkusungwize tehaunkani |
| I need you | Nkukwanza |
| I love you with all my heart | Inkusungwize tehaunkani |
| I love you too | Inkusungwize nane |
| You are beautiful | Iwe we mwiza |
| My darling | Umpenzi wane |
| I need you | Nkukwanza |
| you will miss me | Ulinkosa |
| Goodbye my darling | Haya mpenzi wane |
| See you tomorrow | Tulilolana indabhi |
| I want some space | Nampa umuda |
| You have a good shape | Ulinumublili umwinza |
| I love you my wife | Inkusungwilwe mshi wane |
| I love you my husband | Inkusisungwilwe mlume wane |
| goodnight my love | Mpenzi wane ukate hinza |
| You are so good | Uhondeye mpenzi wane |
| I always think you my love | Umuda wonti nkusibha mpenzi wane |
| I love you so much mother | Inkusungwilwe tehaunkani mayi |
| Your mine | Iwe we wane |
DIRECTIONS IN NYIHA
| ENGLISH WORDS | NYIHA WORDS |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | Uli kwoshi? |
| Where did you go to? | Wasogola kwoshi? |
| Where are you going? | Wasogola kwoshi? |
| Where do you live? | Ukwishi kwoshi? |
| Where were you? | Wamile kwoshi? |
| Which side are you sitting on? | utendime lubhazu bhali? |
| Don’t pass there | Utahatushe apa |
| Pass right | Tuha kundilo |
| Pass left | Tuha kumongo |
| There is a bridge ahead | Kwilongolela kuli inanto |
| Come straight | Nzaga moja kwa moja |
| No through way | Idala nalimo |
COMMON QUESTIONS IN CONVERSATIONS IN NYIHA
| ENGLISH WORDS | NYIHA WORDS |
|---|---|
| How much? | zilinga? |
| How have you been? | Uli bhuli? |
| How are you feeling? | Ukuhisi bhuli? |
| What’s your name? | Izina lyaho we nanu? |
| What are you doing? | Ukuhonzya bhuli? |
| What are you cooking? | Ukuteleha shoni? |
| When are you coming? | Ukwinza lyeri? |
| How was your night? | Uwusiku waho wamewuli |
| How was your day? | Isikulyako lyamile wuli |
| How are you doing? | Ukwendelela wuli? |
| How is your family? | Ifamilia yako yikwendelela wuli? |
| What do you mean? | Ukumanisya shoni? |
| How’s the weather over there? | Ihali yakumwanya yiliwuli? |
| Have you gone to church | Usogoe kwipenga ? |
| What is this? | Ino yooni? |
| What's going on? | Shoni she shikwendelela? |
| Are you listening? | ukutejelevwa? |
| Have you heard? | wivwa? |
| Can I go home? | Ingasogola kuhaya? |
| Can I ask something? | Ingakuwuzilizya shimo? |
| What's your phone number? | Inamber yaho iya simu yeyilikwekwi? |
| How many kids do you have? | Mli na bhana bhalinga? |
| What’s your father’s name? | Ubaba waho wunanu? |
EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS IN NYIHA
| ENGLISH WORDS | NYIHA WORDS |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Samalale kupapwa |
| Thank you | wasalipa |
| I am sorry | nalamba |
| You are welcome | ukukaribilwa |
| Me too | Nane lelo |
| God bless you | Umwene akulote |
| May God protect you | Umwene akugubishile |
| She is happy | Asungwa |
| Please help me | Nalamba navwa |
| I don’t know | Nantamanyile |
| I will come tomorrow | Indiyinza indabhi |
| Come here | Nzaga apa |
| Feel at home | Jivwe ngati pepahaya |
| Be blessed | |
| I am coming soon | Nakwinza umuda te mtalu |
| Leave me alone | ndeha |
| I am going home | Nasogola kuhaya |
| Let me try | Leha indinje |
| Welcome home | Karibila kuhaya |
| I reached home safely | Nafisile kuhaya ahinza |
| God is good | Umwene mwinza |
| I don’t understand | ntakwelewa |
| I am happy to see you | Nasungwa kukukola |
| I don’t have money | Ntali ni hela |
| I am done | Namala |
| I am going to the shop | Nasogola kushibanda |
| Stop using your phone | Leha kutumila isimu yaho |
| I need a favor, please | Mwe nkulabha umsaada |
| Great to see you again | Nasungwa kukuloa |
| Thank you so much | Wasalipa sana |
| Bad behavior | Itabia mbibhi |
| I haven’t see you in a while | Ntakuwenyi umuda mtalii |
| No problem | Kutali intamwo |
| Let’s go home | Tujende kuhaya |
| I am tired | Indisite |
| I agree | Nitiha |
| I am married | inimalilwe |
| Rest in peace | Tuzya hinza |
What Next?
Don't stop here. Learning a language requires constant practice, but it doesn't have to be complicated. The best trick is to master at least five Nyiha words daily from the Nyiha dictionary.
Join the Lughayangu Community!
