Ngoni is a Bantu language spoken in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia by the Ngoni people.
This post presents a list of common Ngoni phrases with English translations to help beginners learn the language for cultural appreciation or communication. It aims to make language learning an enjoyable experience.
GREETINGS IN NGONI
| ENGLISH | NGONI |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Habari za lukela |
| Good afternoon | Habari za Muhi |
| Good evening | Habari za jioni |
| How are you today? | Uyumwikihuli? |
| How was your day? | Uyendelela huli? |
| How are the kids? | Bhana vazima? |
| Have a good day | Uyendelela huli |
| I am doing great | Ushindi huli |
| I am fine | Nili salama |
| We are fine | Tete tavoa tabhazima |
| Have a good day | Uvyai na siku njema |
| How is grandmother doing? | Bibi yendelela huli? |
| I am doing well | Niyendela bwina |
| We all woke up well | Tavoa tuyumwiki bwina |
| Hello | Hujambo |
| Nice to meet you | Nifuraili kukonganeka na bheve |
| See you soon | Tikonganeka karibuni |
| See you later | Tikonganekai badaye |
| How’s your family? | Familia yako izima? |
| How is the patient doing? | Mgonjwa yiendelela huli? |
| Are your parents fine? | Bhazazi hazima? |
| We woke up safely | Tiyumuki salama |
| Bye, see you tomorrow | Kwaheri tionana chilau |
| Greet them all | Wasalimilai voa |
LOVE WORDS IN NGONI
| ENGLISH | NGONI |
|---|---|
| I love you | Nikugani |
| I miss you | Nikukosa |
| Love you so much | Nikugani sana |
| I need you | Nikuitaji |
| I love you with all my heart | Nikugani kwa dhati |
| I love you too | Nikugani pia |
| You are beautiful | Veve mzuri |
| I love you my friend | Nikugani rafiki yangu |
| I need you | NNikuitaji |
| You will miss me | Yati unikosa |
| Goodbye my friend | Kwaheri rafiki yangu |
| See you tomorrow | Yati tukonganeka chilau |
| I want some space | Nipela muda |
| You have a good shape | Una umbo la bwina |
| I love you, my wife | Nikugani mdala wangu |
| I love you, my husband | Nikugani mdala wangu |
| Goodnight my love | Usiku wema mpenzi wangu |
| Your mine | Bheve ni wangu |
DIRECTIONS IN NGONI
| ENGLISH | NGONI |
|---|---|
| Where are you? | Uvi hoki? |
| Where did you go? | Ukaambili koki? |
| Where are you going? | Kuamba koki? |
| Where do you live? | Utama hoki? |
| Where were you? | Ukavili koki? |
| Which side are you sitting on? | Utamili upande gani? |
COMMON QUESTIONS IN CONVERSATIONS IN NGONI
| ENGLISH | NGONI WORDS |
|---|---|
| How much? | Shingapi? |
| Where do you live? | Utama koki? |
| How have you been? | Uvi uli? |
| How are you feeling? | Uisi kiki? |
| What’s your name? | Jina lako yani? |
| What are you doing? | Kukita kiki? |
| What are you cooking? | Uteleka kiki? |
| When are you coming? | Ubwela ndali? |
| How was your night? | Usiku wako wakaviuli? |
| How was your day? | Siku yako yakaviuli? |
| How are you doing? | Uliyendele huli? |
| How is your family? | Familia yako iyendela huli? |
| What is wrong? | Kiki shida? |
| What do you mean? | Umanisha kiki? |
| How’s the weather over there? | Hali ya anga ili huli? |
| Have you gone to church | Uwambi kusali? |
| What is this? | Hichi chikiki? |
| What's going on? | Chikiki chiyendelela? |
| Are you listening? | Upilikisa? |
| Have you heard? | Upiliki? |
| Can I go home? | Niweza kuhamba kunyumba? |
| Can I ask something? | Niweza kukukota chindu? |
| Whats your phone number? | Namba ya simu iyoki? |
| How many kids do you have? | Unabhana ngapi? |
| Are you married? | Ugegiwi? |
| What’s your father’s name? | Dadu wako ikemelewa yani? |
| What’s your mother’s name? | Mama wako ikemelewa yani? |
| What time will you leave? | Yati uuka sangapi? |
| Do you know how to read? | Umanyile kusoma? |
EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS IN NGONI
| ENGLISH | NGONI WORDS |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | Heri ya kuzaliwa |
| Thank you | Asante |
| I am sorry | Samahani |
| You are welcome | Karibu |
| Me too | Nane pia |
| God bless you | Mungu akubariki |
| May God protect you | Mungu akulinde |
| She/he is happy | Afurahili |
| Please help me | Tafadhali nisaidie |
| I don’t know | Nimanyilepa |
| I will come tomorrow | Chati nibwela chilalu |
| Come here | Bwela hapa |
| Feel at home | Karibu kunyumba |
| Be blessed | Ubarikiwe |
| I am coming soon | Nibwela inu |
| Leave me alone | Nilekai |
| Excuse me | Samahani |
| I don’t want | Bwitu |
| Let me try | Linda nijaribu bwai |
| Welcome home | Karibu kunyumba |
| I am happy to see you | Nifurahili kukuona |
| I don’t have money | Nina ela lepa |
| I am done | Nimaliza |
| I am going to the shop | Niambe kuliduka |
| Happy new year | Heri ya mwaka mpya |
| Stop using your phone | Kutokai kutumila simu yaku |
| I need a favor, please | Tafadhali naitaji msaada |
| Great to see you again | Nifurahi kukuona |
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 Ngoni words daily from the Ngoni dictionary.
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