Airport & Customs

1. Bwalo la ndege lili kuti?

   Where is the airport?

   Usage

   Asks where the airport is

   Grammar Note

   "bwalo" (yard) + "ndege" (bird, plane) = airport; class 5, hence "lili". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

2. Pasipoti yanu, chonde.

   Your passport, please.

   Usage

   What an officer says at immigration; useful to recognise

   Grammar Note

   "pasipoti" is an English loanword in class 9. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

3. Iyi ndi pasipoti yanga.

   This is my passport.

   Usage

   Said when handing over your passport

   Grammar Note

   "iyi" is the class 9 "this". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

4. Ndilibe katundu wanga.

   I do not have my luggage.

   Usage

   Tell baggage staff your bag has not turned up

   Grammar Note

   "ndilibe" is ndi- (I) + -li- (have/be) + -be (negative). Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

5. Katundu wanga uli kuti?

   Where is my luggage?

   Usage

   Asks where your checked bag is

   Grammar Note

   "katundu" is class 3, so "wanga" and "uli" agree with it. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

6. Ndege ikunyamuka nthawi yanji?

   What time does the plane leave?

   Usage

   Asks the departure time; the answer is usually given in English numbers

   Grammar Note

   The root -nyamuka means "depart, rise up". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

7. Ndege yachedwa.

   The plane is late.

   Usage

   States or recognises a delay

   Grammar Note

   The root -chedwa means "be late"; ya- is the class 9 perfect. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

8. Ndikupita ku ___ pandege.

   I am going to ___ by plane.

   Usage

   States destination and mode; put a place in the blank

   Grammar Note

   "pa-" marks means or place, the same pattern as "pabasi". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

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