Emergency

1. Thandizeni!

   Help!

   Usage

   A one-word shout in an emergency

   Grammar Note

   Polite imperative of -thandiza "help".

2. Itanani apolisi!

   Call the police!

   Usage

   Say it to bystanders in a crime or accident

   Grammar Note

   Polite imperative of -itana "call". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

3. Ndikufuna dokotala.

   I need a doctor.

   Usage

   When you are unwell or someone has collapsed

   Grammar Note

   "-funa" means "need" as well as "want".

4. Ndavulala.

   I am injured.

   Usage

   Tells people you have been hurt

   Grammar Note

   The root is -vulala "get hurt"; nda- is the perfect. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

5. Moto! Moto!

   Fire! Fire!

   Usage

   Shout it to alert people to a fire

   Grammar Note

   "moto" is a class 3 noun meaning "fire".

6. Wakuba! Gwirani!

   Thief! Catch him!

   Usage

   Shout to alert people just after a theft

   Grammar Note

   "-gwira" means "hold, catch".

7. Chikwama changa chabedwa.

   My bag has been stolen.

   Usage

   Reports a theft; a first sentence at the police

   Grammar Note

   "-bedwa" is the passive of "steal", with the class 7 prefix "cha-". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

8. Ndataya pasipoti yanga.

   I have lost my passport.

   Usage

   A sentence for reporting a loss

   Grammar Note

   "pasipoti" is class 9, so "my" is "yanga". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

9. Ndasochera.

   I am lost.

   Usage

   To ask for help when you are lost

   Grammar Note

   The root is -sochera "get lost".

10. Chipatala chili kuti?

    Where is the hospital?

    Usage

    Ask a bystander in an emergency

    Grammar Note

    "chipatala" is class 7, so the verb is "chili", the same pattern as "Chimbudzi chili kuti?". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

11. Kuli ngozi.

    There has been an accident.

    Usage

    Alerts people to an accident

    Grammar Note

    "kuli" is ku- (place) + -li (be). Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

12. Ndikudwala.

    I am sick.

    Usage

    Tells people you are ill

    Grammar Note

    The root is -dwala "be ill".

13. Osandigwira!

    Don't touch me!

    Usage

    A firm warning when someone touches you

    Grammar Note

    o-sa-ndi-gwir-a is a negative command. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

14. Ndilekeni!

    Leave me alone!

    Usage

    To firmly refuse someone who will not stop

    Grammar Note

    "-leka" means "stop, let be".

15. Fulumirani, chonde.

    Please hurry.

    Usage

    Urges someone to hurry in a time-critical situation

    Grammar Note

    "-fulumira" means "hurry". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

16. Bwerani msanga!

    Please come right away!

    Usage

    To call people to come urgently

    Grammar Note

    Polite imperative of -bwera "come".

17. Ndikuopa kwambiri.

    I am very afraid.

    Usage

    Tells others you feel in danger

    Grammar Note

    The root is -opa "fear".

18. Ndingaimbe nawo foni yanu?

    Can I use your phone?

    Usage

    Ask a bystander when your own phone is unavailable

    Grammar Note

    "-imba" means "sing, ring" and is used for making a call. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

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