Greetings

1. Moni

   Hello

   Usage

   Works at any time of day and the reply is also "Moni"; follow with "Muli bwanji?" for elders and strangers

   Grammar Note

   A one-word interjection. To be more respectful, add a form of address: "Moni, abambo" (sir) or "Moni, amayi" (madam).

2. Muli bwanji?

   How are you?

   Usage

   The basic all-purpose greeting; it uses the plural, polite "you". Reply "Ndili bwino"

   Grammar Note

   "muli" is mu- (you, polite) + -li (be) in one word. The singular is "Uli bwanji?", but travellers should keep to "Muli".

3. Ndili bwino, kaya inu?

   I am fine, and you?

   Usage

   The reply to "Muli bwanji?"; "kaya inu?" asks the same back

   Grammar Note

   In Malawi it is spelled "Ndili" with l; Zambian Nyanja says "Ndiri", which is not used here.

4. Mwadzuka bwanji?

   Good morning. (How did you wake up?)

   Usage

   A morning greeting meaning literally "how did you wake up?"; reply "Ndadzuka bwino"

   Grammar Note

   mwa- (you have) + -dzuka (wake up). In the afternoon people say "Mwaswela bwanji?".

5. Ndadzuka bwino, kaya inu?

   I woke up well, and you?

   Usage

   The reply to "Mwadzuka bwanji?"

   Grammar Note

   nda- is the perfect: "I have woken".

6. Mwaswela bwanji?

   Good afternoon. (How did you spend the day?)

   Usage

   An afternoon and evening greeting; reply "Ndaswela bwino"

   Grammar Note

   Peace Corps Malawi materials write it with l ("Mwaswela"); the r spelling seen elsewhere is not used.

7. Zikomo kwambiri.

   Thank you very much.

   Usage

   "Zikomo" alone is enough; "kwambiri" adds emphasis

   Grammar Note

   "kwambiri" is an adverb for "very much" placed after the word it modifies.

8. Dzina langa ndi ___.

   My name is ___.

   Usage

   The standard self-introduction; put your name in the blank

   Grammar Note

   "dzina" is class 5, so "my" is la- + -nga = "langa".

9. Dzina lanu ndani?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Literally "your (polite) name is who?"; answer "Dzina langa ndi ___."

   Grammar Note

   "lanu" is la- (class 5) + -nu (your, polite); the singular is "lako".

10. Mumachokera kuti?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asks where someone comes from; answer "Ndimachokera ku ..." (I come from ...)

    Grammar Note

    The root -chokera "come from" takes the habitual -ma-.

11. Ndakondwa kukumana ndi inu.

    Pleased to meet you.

    Usage

    A first-meeting phrase, literally "I am happy to meet you"

    Grammar Note

    -kondwa means "be glad"; "kukumana" is the infinitive of -kumana "meet".

12. Tsalani bwino.

    Goodbye. (said by the person leaving)

    Usage

    Said by the person leaving to the one staying (literally "stay well"); the other replies "Pitani bwino"

    Grammar Note

    Polite imperative of -sala "remain".

13. Pitani bwino.

    Go well. (said to the one leaving)

    Usage

    Said by the person staying to someone leaving; also the reply to "Tsalani bwino"

    Grammar Note

    Polite imperative of -pita "go".

14. Tiwonana.

    See you later.

    Usage

    Said when you expect to meet again soon

    Grammar Note

    ti- (we) + -won- (see) + -an- (each other) + -a. Also written "Tionana".

15. Abambo

    Sir

    Usage

    A respectful way to address an older or unknown man: "Moni, abambo"

    Grammar Note

    "abambo" is the respectful plural of "bambo" (father).

16. Amayi

    Madam

    Usage

    A respectful way to address an older or unknown woman: "Moni, amayi"

    Grammar Note

    "amayi" is the respectful plural of "mayi" (mother).

17. Gonani bwino.

    Sleep well.

    Usage

    A bedtime farewell, literally "sleep well"

    Grammar Note

    Polite imperative of -gona "lie down, sleep". Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

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