Shopping

1. Mukugulitsa bwanji?

   How much do you sell it for?

   Usage

   The standard price question to a seller at a market

   Grammar Note

   "-gulitsa" "sell" is the causative of -gula "buy".

2. Mukugulitsa bwanji matimati?

   How much are the tomatoes?

   Usage

   Add the item name; at markets goods are often priced per pile

   Grammar Note

   "matimati" is borrowed from English "tomatoes".

3. Mwadulitsa.

   That is too expensive.

   Usage

   The classic bargaining opener, literally "you have made it expensive"

   Grammar Note

   The root -dula "be expensive" plus causative -itsa, with mwa- "you have".

4. Nditsitsireni mtengo.

   Please lower the price for me.

   Usage

   The second step in bargaining; say it with a smile

   Grammar Note

   ndi- (for me) + -tsitsir- (lower) + -eni (polite).

5. Chabwino, nditenga.

   Fine, I'll take it.

   Usage

   When you accept the price and decide to buy

   Grammar Note

   "chabwino" is the reply for "OK".

6. Sindikufuna.

   I don't want it.

   Usage

   Decline touts and sales pitches

   Grammar Note

   Add "Zikomo" first to decline politely.

7. Ndipatseni thumba, chonde.

   A bag, please.

   Usage

   Ask for a bag to carry your purchase

   Grammar Note

   "thumba" means bag or pocket. Composed from dictionary-verified words with regular grammar.

8. Ndalama izi, zikomo.

   Here is the money, thank you.

   Usage

   When handing over cash

   Grammar Note

   "ndalama" is class 10, so "these" is "izi".

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