Food & Drinks

1. Chakudya ichi ndi chokoma kwambiri.

   This food is very delicious.

   Usage

   A standard compliment after a meal

   Grammar Note

   "chakudya" is class 7, so "ichi" and "chokoma" take class 7 forms. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

2. Ndili ndi njala.

   I am hungry.

   Usage

   A first phrase when you want a meal

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I have hunger".

3. Ndili ndi ludzu.

   I am thirsty.

   Usage

   When you want something to drink

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I have thirst".

4. Ndakhuta.

   I am full.

   Usage

   Said when you have eaten enough and are offered more

   Grammar Note

   nda- is the perfect: "I have become full".

5. Chakudya chinali bwino.

   The meal was good.

   Usage

   Said after eating to thank the cook

   Grammar Note

   chi-na-li is the class 7 past of "be".

6. Ndikufuna kudya nsima.

   I want to eat nsima.

   Usage

   Nsima is the maize porridge that is Malawi's staple food

   Grammar Note

   "nsima" is the noun for the staple maize porridge.

7. Ndikufuna nsima ndi nyama.

   I want nsima and meat.

   Usage

   How to order at an eatery; "ndi" means "and, with"

   Grammar Note

   "nyama" means both meat and animal. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

8. Ndipatseni madzi ozizira, chonde.

   Cold water, please.

   Usage

   A polite way to order a drink

   Grammar Note

   Polite request form of -patsa "give"; "madzi" is class 6, so the adjective is "ozizira". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

9. Ndikufuna tiyi ndi mkaka.

   I would like tea with milk.

   Usage

   How to ask for tea with milk

   Grammar Note

   Malawi grows tea, and it is an everyday drink. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

10. Ndikufuna khofi.

    I would like coffee.

    Usage

    Order a coffee

    Grammar Note

    "khofi" is a loan from English "coffee".

11. Sindimadya nyama ya nkhumba.

    I don't eat pork.

    Usage

    For avoiding pork, for example for religious reasons

    Grammar Note

    "nyama ya nkhumba" is "pig meat"; beef is "nyama ya ng'ombe". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

12. Mazira

    Eggs

    Usage

    Used to ask for eggs; the singular is "dzira"

    Grammar Note

    "mazira" is the class 6 plural of "dzira".

13. Buledi

    Bread

    Usage

    Bread for breakfast or a snack

    Grammar Note

    A loanword from English "bread".

14. Mpunga

    Rice

    Usage

    Cooked rice, or rice as a grain

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun.

15. Nyemba

    Beans

    Usage

    Beans eaten as a relish with nsima

    Grammar Note

    A class 10 noun.

16. Masamba

    Vegetables

    Usage

    Often refers to leafy greens eaten as a relish

    Grammar Note

    "masamba" is the plural of "tsamba" (leaf).

17. Zipatso

    Fruit

    Usage

    Fruit in general; the singular is "chipatso"

    Grammar Note

    "zipatso" is the class 8 plural of "chipatso".

18. Uchi

    Honey

    Usage

    Honey for bread or tea

    Grammar Note

    A class 14 noun.

19. Mkaka

    Milk

    Usage

    Milk in general

    Grammar Note

    A class 3 noun.

20. Ndipatseni bill, chonde.

    The bill, please.

    Usage

    For paying; "bill" is used in its English form

    Grammar Note

    "bill" is an English loan that is written as in English. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

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