Directions

12 phrases · Chichewa with romanization, English and audio

  1. Pitani molunjika.

    Go straight ahead.

    Usage

    The first thing you hear in directions

    Grammar Note

    "pitani" is the polite imperative of -pita "go". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

  2. Tembenukani kumanzere.

    Turn left.

    Usage

    Directs a left turn

    Grammar Note

    "tembenukani" occurs in the Bible as "turn around". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

  3. Tembenukani kumanja.

    Turn right.

    Usage

    Directs a right turn

    Grammar Note

    "kumanja" is the counterpart of "kumanzere". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

  4. Msika uli kuti?

    Where is the market?

    Usage

    Asks where the market is

    Grammar Note

    "msika" is class 3, hence "uli". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

  5. Hotelo ili kuti?

    Where is the hotel?

    Usage

    Asks where the hotel is

    Grammar Note

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

  6. Kodi ndi pafupi?

    Is it near?

    Usage

    Asks about distance; answers are "Ndi pafupi" or "Ndi kutali"

    Grammar Note

    "pafupi" "near" is common in the Bible and the Peace Corps text. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

  7. Kodi njira iyi ikupita ku ___?

    Does this road go to ___?

    Usage

    Checks that a road leads to your destination

    Grammar Note

    "njira" is class 9, so "iyi" and "ikupita" agree with it. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

  8. Mundionetse njira, chonde.

    Please show me the way.

    Usage

    Asks for the way when lost

    Grammar Note

    The root -onetsa means "show". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

  9. Kumanzere

    Left

    Usage

    Means "to the left"

    Grammar Note

    A locative word with ku-.

  10. Kumanja

    Right

    Usage

    Means "to the right"

    Grammar Note

    A locative word with ku-.

  11. Patsogolo

    Ahead / in front

    Usage

    Means "in front, ahead"

    Grammar Note

    Frequent in the Bible and the Peace Corps text.

  12. Kumbuyo

    Behind

    Usage

    Means "behind"

    Grammar Note

    A locative word with ku-.

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