Useful phrases in Nyamwezi

A collection of useful phrases in Nyamwezi (Kinyamwezi), a Bantu language spoken in western Tanzania.

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See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.

Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal, sg = singular (said to one person), pl = plural (said to more than one person).

Phrase Nyamwezi (Kinyamwezi)
Welcome
Hello (General greeting) Mwangaza
Habari
Ulimola?
Hello (on phone)
How are you? Ulimola? (How are you?)
Ulendea kinehe? (How are you doing?)
Ulendea kinehe lelo? (How are you today?)
Wadila kinehe? (How was your day?)
Reply to 'How are you?' Naili mola
Long time no see
What's your name? Lina lyako nani?
My name is ... Lina lyangu ni ...
Where are you from? Ukutoka api?
I'm from ... Ninatoka ...
Pleased to meet you Natogwa sana kusanja nanho
Nifurah ninaona
Good morning
(Morning greeting)
Habari ya ndiyu
Good afternoon
(Afternoon greeting)
Habari yalemi
Good evening
(Evening greeting)
Good night
Goodbye
(Parting phrases)
Kwaheli
Twiwone nshiku jiniji (See you soon)
Twiwone badae (See you later)
Good luck!
Cheers! Good Health!
(Toasts used when drinking)
Uhai!
Have a nice day Uwi na lwisu lusoga
Bon appetit /
Have a nice meal
Bon voyage /
Have a good journey
Yes
No
Maybe
I don't know Nazimililwe
Do you understand?
I understand Ninaelewa
I don't understand Nakuelelagwa
Please speak more slowly Tadala kucha polepole
Please say that again
Please write it down Waweza kuandika?
Do you speak English?
Do you speak Nyamwezi? Uzungumza Kinyamwezi?
Yes, a little
(reply to 'Do you speak ...?')
I'm learning Nyamwezi
Do you speak a language
other than
Nyamwezi?
Speak to me in Nyamwezi
How do you say ... in Nyamwezi?
Excuse me Samahani
I would like ...
How much is this?
Sorry Samahani
Please Tasaha
Thank you Wabeja
Reply to thank you Ulikalibishwa
Where's the toilet / bathroom?
This gentleman will pay for everything
This lady will pay for everything
Would you like to dance with me?
Do you come here often?
I miss you Nalikugahiwa
I love you Nakutogwa (I love you)
Naukutogwa sana (I love you so much)
Nakutogwa kudhati (I love you with all my heart)
Get well soon
Go away!
Leave me alone! Nilekage
Help! Thamahani na mbilijage (Please help me)
Fire!
Stop!
Call the police!
Christmas greetings
New Year greetings Hili ya ng’waka mpya
Easter greetings
Birthday greetings Heri yakulwaliwa
Congratulations! Imbilie!
One language is never enough Lugha moja haitosha
My hovercraft is full of eels

If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if you can provide recordings, please contact me.

Information about Nyamwezi | Phrases | Tower of Babel

Links

Sourcse and other collections of Nyamwezi phrases
https://lughayangu.com/post/common-nyamwezi-phrases
https://kamusi.nukta.co.tz/translate/swahili/to/nyamwezi

Phrases in Bantu languages

Bemba, Chichewa, Chokwe, Duala, Herero, Ibinda, Kikuyu, Kinyarwanda, Kwangali, Lengola, Lingala, Lozi, Luganda, Ndebele (Northern - South Africa), Ndebele (Northern - Zimbabwe), Ndebele (Southern) Ngoni, Nkore, Northern Sotho, Nyamwezi, Oshiwambo, Shona, Southern Sotho (seSotho), Swahili, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Tumbuka, Umbundu, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

Phrases in other languages

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